MINUTES
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT
First Public Budget Hearing
FY-2020-2021
September 10, 2020
5:01 PM
TRUSTEES: Marybeth Cunningham Tracey Zudans
Dr. Michael Weiss Ann Marie McCrystal
Allen Jones
EXCUSED: Karen Deigl Barb Bodnar
STAFF: Ann Marie Suriano Jennifer Frederick
Kate Voss Jennifer Peshke, Esq.
OTHER ATTENDEES: James Large Andrea Greenlee
Michelle Genz Marie Andress
Convene Meeting – Marybeth Cunningham, Chairwoman IRCHD
Mrs. Cunningham convened the first public budget hearing of the Indian River County Hospital District (“IRCHD”) at 5:01 p.m. Ms. Zudans provided the invocation
Review of the July 16, 2020 Proposed FY 2020-2021 Budget Information – Allen Jones, Treasurer
Mr. Jones stated that on July 16, the District adopted a proposed millage rate increase of 3.25% as a percentage of the rolled back rate. This equates to an increase in ad valorem tax Revenue for the 2020-2021 budget year of $782,221. The proposed budget is equal in millage rate to the tentative budget from July, with the same increase in millage rate over the rolled back rate of 3.25%, which again is an increase in ad valorem tax revenue over last year of $782,221.
Mr. Jones further stated that the fundamental mission of the District is to improve the health of the community, primarily by funding access to healthcare services to uninsured residents of the county whose income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. He then explained that the assessed property tax values in Indian River County have increased over 5% this year. Therefore, the proposed budget contains a slight decrease in aggregate in program and administrative expenses. However, most of the Trustees have expressed their desire to add to the existing reserves in the budget to allow for flexibility to respond to a number of unpredictable variables the county may encounter. This includes the fact that COVID-19 has impacted low income earners disproportionately and may result in unforeseen healthcare needs for these residents. Therefore, the District will be prepared to respond to any unexpected expenses that may arise throughout the next fiscal year.
Lastly, Mr. Jones stated at the last meeting he advocated for a similar approach but calculated that the proposed budget would provide more reserves than needed. After reviewing the numbers further, he realized that he made an error in his calculations and now supports the modest increase in reserves as reflected in the proposed budget. This budget maintains a flat millage rate of .8011 verses the previous fiscal year, but because of an increase in property valuations, results in an increase to the rolled back rate of 3.25%
Mr. Jones asked for Trustee discussion, followed by public comment. Mrs. Cunningham stated that she researched prior year millage rate adoptions and stated that the District typically utilizes .9 mills and further reduced the rate last year. She is in favor of adopting the proposed budget and millage rate so that the District may support any unforeseen healthcare needs that may arise during these uncertain times. Dr. Weiss and Mrs. McCrystal echoed Mrs. Cunningham’s comments and supported Mr. Jones recommended budget and millage rate. Dr. Large provided his public comment and stated that he is in favor of proposed millage and supports the District adding additional reserves.
Mr. Jones made a motion to adopt millage rate of .8011, which was seconded by Mrs. Cunningham. There was no further trustee discussion or public comment and the motion carried 4-1 with Mrs. Zudans in opposition.
Mr. Jones made motion to adopt the budget of $15,694,778, which was seconded by Mrs. McCrystal. There was no further trustee discussion or public comment, and the motion carried 4-1 with Mrs. Zudans in opposition.
Mr. Jones Announced publicly that the millage rate, as a percentage of the rolled back rate is 3.25%. and that the District’s final budget hearing will take place on September 17, 2020 at 5:01 PM.
Mrs. Cunningham asked for any further Trustee discussion or public comment and there was none. She made a motion to adjourn which was seconded by Mrs. McCrystal and carried unanimously.
Adjournment- The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 PM
