Monroe County BOCC to Hold Special Meeting for Proposed FY 2017 Operating and Capital Budget

Monday, July 18, 10 a.m.

The Harvey Government Center, 1200 Truman Avenue, Key West

KEY WEST – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners will discuss the Monroe County Proposed Fiscal Year 2017 Operating and Capital Budget at a special meeting Monday, July 18, at 10 a.m. at The Harvey Government Center in Key West.

The proposed $457 million budget reflects continued commitment to high standards of effective and efficient public service. It includes funding for current programs and services. And it features continued significant investment in public infrastructure projects that will improve public safety, enhance our sustainability and protect our natural resources, the lifeblood of our local economy.

The proposed budget ($133 million for Capital and $324 million for Operating) is available on the County website: http://fl-monroecounty.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/10475.

The Constitutional Officers and County staff will be available to answer questions before the Commissioners are expected to certify the millage rate that will go on the Truth in Millage (TRIM) notices to property owners. The final part of the process occurs in September, with two public hearings and a third special budget meeting.

The proposed budget includes an anticipated aggregate millage rate of 3.5244, which is 5.4% less than last year’s rate and .08% below the roll-back millage rate. (The lower millage rate would result in an average of about $20 less in property taxes for every $100,000 of taxable property value. This tax rate also will generate less total revenue for the County, which means it is below rollback.

The 673-page budget reflects a continuing shift toward longer term financial planning, which complements the multi-year policy strategies we have begun to put into place across County departments. They include: the Monroe County 2030 Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code, the Monroe County Sustainability Action Plan and the Monroe County Canal Water Restoration Master Plan.

The FY 2017 Capital Budget of $133M – which includes $33 million for wastewater-related infrastructure, $24 million for roads and bridges, $3.9 million for parks and beaches and $5 million for the Marathon Library Complex – is part of the County’s 5-Year Capital Plan of $328 million. This long-term capital plan protects and enhances the safety and quality of life of our citizens, with a significant investment in the maintenance, repair and improvement of the County’s capital assets, public safety and physical environment, namely: wastewater-related infrastructure, roads, bridges, canals, land acquisition, parks and beaches, fire stations and fire trucks, a new jail and a new courthouse.

Major progress continues on significant projects, including the County’s wastewater treatment infrastructure, the canal restoration demonstration projects and a more aggressive land acquisition program for conservation and the retirement of development rights for properties that could pose a potential financial liability to the County.

The budget includes a 3.3% performance-based merit increase, consistent with the Strategic Plan, and a .7% cost of living adjustment for BOCC employees. This includes raising the County’s minimum salary pay to $15 per hour, costing about $260,000 to increase the pay rate of the 93 employees who fell below this level. The budget also includes the Constitutional Officer’s funding and employee pay raise requests.

“Moving forward, our County is facing opportunities as well as numerous challenges,” Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi said. “We need to identify revenues and funding plans for the County’s bridge repair and replacement plan, storm water management, canals and waterway programs, sea level rise, energy conservation sustainability and repair and replacement of County infrastructure that has been deferred for years. But, our long term planning has helped to put us in excellent position to continue to deliver exceptional value and quality of life to Monroe County’s residents, businesses and visitors.”

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]