• Discussion of Budget Presentation for FY 2005
• Discussion of FY 2005 Budget Process and Budget Function
• Discussion from the Public

Chairperson Neuzil called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Administration Building at 10:31 a.m. Members present were: Pat Harney, Mike Lehman, Terrence Neuzil, Sally Stutsman, and Carol Thompson.

Budget Coordinator Jeff Horne explained that the budget presentation is separated into service areas, which are traditionally divided among the Board members to present. He said that the presentation begins with the process the County must go through and a summary of the expenses, revenues, and the impact on taxpayers. He said that the presentation will also cover the current financial environment, the projected losses from State tax credits and interest revenue, the capped General Fund, TIF financing, and the State residential rollback. Horne said that the presentation also states the County’s strategic goals. Harney asked what the rollback was last year. Horne replied that it was 51.3874% last year and that now that the rollback is under 50%, it will probably drop down to 20% in 5 or 10 years. The Board decided that Lehman will present Public Safety, Neuzil will present Health and Human Services, Stutsman will present the Environment Section, Thompson will present the County Administration section, and Harney will present Secondary Roads, the Motor Vehicle Department, Elections, and the Recorder’s Office. Executive Assistant Mike Sullivan agreed to present the Capital Projects section.

Horne said that the large changes in the Public Safety section are the addition of Courthouse Security, the 2 new paramedics and a 3rd ambulance in the Ambulance Department, and the County’s attempt to regionalize the Medical Examiner’s program. Neuzil suggested Lehman discuss possible alternatives and current costs associate with the jail situation. Horne explained that for an Iowa City taxpayer, the County’s levy is only 16% of their total tax bill, which is less than in past years. The Board directed Horne to add dollar amounts in the projected tax impact section and present the effects for all the segments. The Board directed Horne to add one urban and one rural township for a tax base comparison as well. Lehman asked about the communication process with department heads. Horne replied that he’s informally discussed the budget outcome with several department heads, but he’ll formally communicate the results of the budget with them after it is approved. The Board discussed whether or not the Board should state the salary increase the elected officials will receive. The Board directed Horne to ask department heads to attend the budget presentation and invite elected officials as well. Neuzil said that he will introduce the department heads and elected officials in attendance during his opening. Horne said that the Board will be able to show the PowerPoint presentation right on the television screen this year so the audience will have a better view.

Horne asked if the Board has any suggestions for improvements on the budget process for next year. The Board agreed that the process went very well this year and Thompson said that she appreciated how Horne anticipated the Board’s needs. Harney said that the department heads realized there is not much money this year and did not make additional requests because of it. Thompson said Horne worked with departments so that they would understand that. Harney asked if the Board can vote no on portions of the budget. Stutsman replied that they vote as a whole. Horne replied that the Board can agree on a change as long as it is a decrease or they offset whatever increase they make. He said that the budget isn’t passed until the next formal meeting which will allow him to make any changes the Board desires. Neuzil asked if Horne plans to discuss the impact of the State’s cuts in tax credits. Horne replied that he will discuss what the County is anticipating, but not in great detail. He said that his intern has helped him a great deal in the budget process and was well worth the County’s investment.

Per Reverend Bob Welsh’s suggestion, the Board moved the County’s Strategic Goals forward to follow the introduction, introduce the department heads and elected officials when their respective service areas are presented, and added Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities to the presentation. Welsh also suggested the Board discuss the major decisions in this year’s budget and specify the personnel changes.

Neuzil said that Johnson County is in a much better position than many other counties around the State. He said that Congressman Leach said that there are 2 counties in Iowa that have under 5,000 residents, with over 50% of the population on social security. Stutsman said that she doesn’t know how those counties can maintain their infrastructure.

Welsh suggested including the increase in TIF valuation in the presentation as well. Lehman said that it increased from 9% last year to 11.3% this year. Welsh asked how many dollars the County would have without the TIFs. Horne replied that it would decrease tax dollars by hundreds of thousands. Harney said that he doesn’t want to challenge communities, because future growth comes from those economic areas. Horne said that there is real estate that will not be improved in some of these TIF areas and the normal growth this real estate accrues does not pass on to governments through taxes. He said that these areas cost the County money through ambulance calls, Sheriff’s time, the County Attorney’s time, the Health Inspector’s time, and the County Assessor’s time. Stutsman said that Coralville did increase the County Assessor’s funding for next year. Horne said that the City of Coralville is now large enough to support their own assessor.

Adjourned at 11:10 a.m.

Attest: Tom Slockett, Auditor

By Kate Darnold, Recording Secretary