By Bob Henderson
Staff Writer
GREEN COVE SPRINGS: Over the objections of Commissioners Christy Fitzgerald and Harold Rutledge, the Clay County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) have adopted an operating budget and set the millage rate for fiscal year (FY) 2008-2009. The action came at a special, and final, public hearing Sept. 30, the very day the current budget was set to expire.
As soon as Chairman George Bush introduced the subject, County Manager Fritz Behring reviewed the budget proposal. Behring said that, in accordance with law, the budget he was putting forth was balanced. However, in order to create the balance, Behring said it is necessary to initiate a “loan” of $1.7 million from the Reserve Fund to cover the projected expenses of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). The Manager said that the loan would have to be repaid to the Reserve Fund next year. This is the same issue that resulted in a deadlocked Commission a week earlier with Fitzgerald and Rutledge voting no and Vice-chairman Doug Conkey and Commissioner Chereese Stewart voting yes. Bush was absent because of illness. The deadlock was broken only when Rutledge changed his vote to move the issue along to final hearing.
The battle lines were drawn.
With the public hearing opened, no private citizen came forward so Bush called Sheriff Rick Beseler to present his case.
Beseler said his budget request is the same as last year and that to reduce it would seriously and adversely impact his department’s ability to provide the level of service the citizens want.
Beseler pointed out that Duval County, just to the north, had increased its taxes and enlarged its Sheriff’s Department. This, he said, is driving the criminal element south and he needs to be ready for it. This would be touched on by two board members later in the meeting.
Beseler also said that economically difficult times result in increased criminal activity.
Beseler said that if the BCC decides to reduce his budget by $1.7 million, he will work to make reductions wherever he can. He warned, however, that, doing so will, “…start the County down the slippery slope to deteriorating quality of life.”
Conkey moved to include the requested $1.7 million.
Rutledge, however, said he would like to question the Sheriff.
“How do you plan to repay it?” Rutledge asked the Sheriff.
Beseler pointed out that, through good management, he was able to return more that $1 million for each of the previous two years. He said he would continue to look for efficiencies in the way he runs his department.
“But,” Rutledge asked, “how will you repay?”
“I just answered that,” Beseler said, “I will try to save…”
Rutledge asked, “If you can save it, whey do you need it?” He pointed out that it would be a new BCC next year with three of the current members being replaced and they, the current board, would be leaving them a bad legacy.
At that point Bush interrupted the discussion. He cited the deteriorating economy and Jacksonville’s, “…flushing its rats to Clay County.” He told Rutledge, “Maybe you should have run for Sheriff.”
Rutledge replied, “I ran for County Commission.”
“And you didn’t get elected,” Bush retorted.
The discussion between Rutledge and Beseler ended, Conkey worried that his district, District 2, shares a long border with Duval County. “We’re going to have to start working on this tomorrow,” he said.
Stewart agreed. “It’s important to keep an adequate level of public safety,” she said.
Fitzgerald raised concerns over lack of detail in line items. She said the lack made it difficult for the Commission to make informed decisions. “I think adopting this would be bad management,” she said. “The residents of Clay County want lower taxes but, if you adopt this, you’re setting yourself up for a tax increase.” She concluded, “This bailout for the Sheriff is not good management.”
Citing his 16 years on the BCC, Bush said that, of all the Constitutional Officers, the Sheriff has been the most responsible in fiscal matters. He said that Beseler had been overwhelmingly reelected against strong and well-funded opponents. He stressed that the Sheriff had presented his budget request prior to the election so the voters knew what they would be getting.
Bush said that people in District 1 had asked for a theater in Fleming Island because they were afraid to go to the mall.
He recalled that a woman had been assaulted at another shopping area along Wells Road.
“The people expect results,” he said.
“Tax increases are not the point,” Bush said, “are its citizens safe?”
He concluded, “What’s going to happen next year?” He said that, among other things, the State is going to demand a huge increase in the County’s contribution to the State Pension system.
With no more discussion, the Board voted, 3 – 2, to included the Sheriff’s requested funds in the budget. Predictably the nay votes were cast by Fitzgerald and Rutledge.
With little further discussion, the BCC:
• Unanimously adopted a millage rate of 6.7929 for FY 2008-2009; and
• By a 3-2 vote, again Fitzgerald and Rutledge voting nay, approved a budget of $333,321,744, which includes $92,562.18 in the Lake Asbury MSBD.
bhenderson@jcpgroup.com