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DRAFT 2019-11-12 Minutes November 12, 2019 Joint Workshop Page 1 of 3 CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 12, 2019, CITY COUNCIL AND BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION JOINT WORKSHOP SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION I. CALL TO ORDER/COMMENCEMENT Okeechobee County Commission Chairperson Terry Burroughs called the joint workshop to order on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at 6:00 P.M. held at the Okeechobee County Historic Court House, Room 270, 304 Northwest 2nd Street, Okeechobee, Florida 34972. The invocation was offered by Father Shevlin of the Church of Our Saviour. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairperson Burroughs. ATTENDANCE City: Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Council Members Wes Abney, Monica Clark, Bob Jarriel, and Bobby Keefe, City Clerk Lane Gamiotea, City Administrator Marcos MontesDeOca, and Fire Chief Herb Smith were present. City Attorney John Cook was absent with consent. County: Chairperson Burroughs, County Commissioners Bryant Culpepper, Bradley G. Goodbread, Kelly Owens, and David Hazellief, County Attorney Becky Vose, County Administrator Robbie Chartier, County Deputy Clerks Jeff Shain and Paula Posk on were present. II. Discuss Fire Services. Mayor Watford thanked the County Commission for the use of their meeting facilities and hosting the joint workshop requested by the City Council. The topic is to consider merging the City and County Fire Departments. The primary reason the City Council entertained the idea is strictly financial. The Council and Commissioners were asked to share their individual thoughts, questions, or comments on the subject. Council Member Jarriel is of the opinion that City expenses could be reduced by the County providing all fire services with a non-ad valorem special assessment being implemented for City properties, just as it is currently done for emergency medical (ambulance) services in the City and County. He asked the County to provide what the assessment amount would be for residential and commercial properties. Once the amount was known, the City would be able to ascertain the amount the millage rate could be reduced without having to fund the fire services through ad valorem revenue. Council Member Clark requested the amount of the assessment as well. However, she also wants to look at all options that would be available, not just for the County to assume the responsibility. Council Member Abney was in support of the measure that would continue the same level of service the City is currently providing, at the lowest cost to the taxpayers. He, along with Commissioner Goodbread, asked whether it would be prudent to have a consultant provide appropriate information and recommendations to guide both entities. Commissioner Goodbread also asked whether this was an issue that should be provided to the City voters. Commissioners Owens and Culpepper noted the many financial aspects that would have to be addressed, as well as legal aspects regarding the Union contracts , that both entities have. Council Member Keefe and Commissioner Hazellief were of the opinion that Staff could provide the answers to address the financial and legal aspects. Council Member Keefe added the City spent $40,000.00 for a consultant in 2017 to provide a report on implementing a fire assessment, that was as far as it went, and he did not want to spend more money i n that same manner. Chairperson Burroughs added that while this is a complex matter, he believed it was something that could be provided between both entities’ Staff, as everything is driven by numbers. Although consultants have a value by providing an unbiased view. Mayor Watford suggested the easiest way to approach the issue would be to have the County provide the City with two options; the figures to implement a fire assessment with the County taking over fire services, and an amount the County would charge the City to provide fire services through a contractual agreement. November 12, 2019 Joint Workshop Page 2 of 3 Chairperson Burroughs then opened the floor for public comments. Pastor Mark McCarter of First Baptist Church of Okeechobee and Pastor Loy Mershermer of the Presbyterian Church asked that small churches and non-profits be taken into consideration should a fire assessment be considered within the City, as they do not have the flexibility and resources as larger ones. Pastor McCarter explained that a former mission started over 40 years ago by First Baptist Church had grown into its own independent church, Cornerstone Baptist (formerly known as 441 North Baptist), but had to close their doors last year. Their Pastor stated one of the primary contributing factors was the fire assessment adopted by the County. It was asked to consider lowering the assessment amount or exempting churches/non-profits (as they are exempted from the emergency medical service assessment). Joseph Reschetar stated he did not understand calling this a merger, he would call it a “take over.” He asked whether the City Firefighters would have a job. Then suggested the decision be put to the voters, and should he have to vote today it would be no. Mayor Watford announced that both Boards received a letter signed by the Economic Council Executive Director Jennifer Tewksbury and Chairperson Jeff Sumner. He then read the letter into the record: “After thorough research and careful consideration for the welfare of the community, the Economic Council of Okeechobee County fully supports the complete merger of the City and County fire rescue services. This action will save the City (and City residents and taxpayers) an estimated $600,000.00 to $1 ,000,000.00 annually and will result in little to no reduction in services or level of public safety. As you continue in this endeavor, we ask for your continued commitment to the forward progress of our community. Thank you for your service to the people of Okeechobee.” Karen Brass identified herself as a City resident and stated she was blessed to be depended on the punctuality of the City Fire Department when her residence caught on fire. The County could not have gotten there within the time the City responded. There are several older homes in the City. The money is a concern. However, unless it could be shown how realistic the savings would be, she could not see the need in closing a beautifully well-run level of service within a department that is working so well. She also pointed out that historically mergers with the City and County departments have not worked for the betterment of the City residents. Jarrod Akins identified himself as a City resident and County Firefighter. He asked that when the savings to the City is being looked at, consider what it is going to cost the County to increase the level of service to mirror what is currently provided within the City. He also questioned what the overall benefit will be if costs are increased. Linda Pearce, a commercial property owner within the City stated her taxes are $9,000 .00 per year. A County fire tax would cause her to have to increase her rent, wh ich will result in lost tenants. Small businesses are struggling. If they cannot afford the rent what will happen to them . She closed with asking the City Council “if you get rid of the City Fire Department, then why not the entire City, why not your jobs?” Mack “Hoot” Worley, City property and business owner, expressed his appreciation to both entities for holding the workshop. The Economic Coun cil does not have a bone to pick with the City Fire Department. The City needs to ask the County to take over the City fire services. If the City can save $600,000.00 to $1,000,000.00 that money could be used to pave streets or lower the millage rate. There is not an economic scale to compare the issue to, it was the same when Walmart first came here. Yes, it caused some businesses to close. Regarding hiring a consultant, he suggested the numbers provided by the Economic Council was enough and done in an unbiased way. It is incumbent on the City Council to make this decision. Daniel Ciorrocco identified himself as a County Firefighter stating he has listened to people within the community discuss this issue. Some are fearful and worried about their loss of care or increasing costs; that fear is understandable. The City and County Firefighters can do their jobs, we love our jobs, and we do not do them to be millionaires. There is concern about the careers of the personnel at the City should this merger happen. It has been said that only 50 percent of the current staff could be provided a position at the County. Should anyone lose their jobs over this, that will be real fear, fear to not be able to put a roof over our children’s heads and food on the table. He asked that caring for the City personnel be made a priority. November 12, 2019 Joint Workshop Page 3 of 3 County Fire Chief Franklin was instructed to provide the information to the City’s questions to the County Commissioners at the November 26, 2019, meeting. Once the Commissioners have an opportunity to review this information it will be decided whether it is ready to be forwarded to the City Council or needs more content. Once the information is reviewed by the County and forwarded to the City Council, scheduling a second workshop would then be discussed. Commissioner Culpepper requested that County Administrator Chartier also provide what the costs would be to purchase one ambulance and hire six paramedics, stating he owed it to the County to look at that option for the City to do their own emergency medical services and assess the costs by incident. That option could prove to be better. III. There being no further items on the agenda, Chairperson Burroughs adjourned the workshop at 7:16 P.M. Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Mayor ATTEST: Lane Gamiotea, CMC, City Clerk Please take notice and be advised that when a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, he/she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceeding is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appea l is to be based. 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