MADISON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS' MEETING Date: 3:00PM Thursday, March 13, 2025 Location: Admin. Building Auditorium, 414 N. Main Street MEETING #12 March 13th At a Budget Workshop (#3) ofthe Board ofSupervisors on Thursday, March 13th at 3:00PM in the Admin. Building Auditorium: PRESENT: R. Clay Jackson, Chairman Carty Yowell, Vice-Chairman Jud Buchanan, Member Dustin Dawson, Member James Jewett, Member Jonathon Weakley, County Administrator Brian Gordon. Deputy County Administrator Jennifer Warren, Finance Director Kimberly Turner, Deputy Clerk ABSENT: Hannon Wright, County Attorney CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & MOMENT OF SILENCE Chairman Jackson called the Board to order. Chairman Jackson stated he would like to start with the Pledge of Allegiance and follow with a moment of silence. DETERMINE PRESENCE OF A QUORUMIADOFTION OF AGENDA Chairman Jackson advised that a quorum was present. Vice-Chairman Yowell made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Supervisor Dawson. Aye: Jackson, Yowell, Buchanan, Dawson, Jewett. Nay: (0) Abstain: (0) Absent: (0). PUBLIC COMMENT Chairman Jackson opened the floor for public comment. With there being no further public comment brought forth, the public comment opportunity was closed. FY26 BUDGET WORKSESSION 1. Revenue Projections - Commissioner of Revenue & Treasurer Ms. Stephanie Murray, Madison County Treasurer, provided an overview ofrevenue projections, estimating around $207,000 in additional revenues for this year. Mr. Brian Daniel, Madison County Commissioner ofl Revenue, stated the equalized tax rate is estimated to change to 49 cents. The Commissioner of Revenue discussed how the equalized tax rate affected the revenues projection. Vice-Chairman Yowell had concerns that they were too conservative with the real property line item. Chairman Jackson mentioned the decrease in the revenue line item for building permits. The Treasurer and the Commissioner of Revenue discussed the revenue generated from building permits, noting the difference between new construction and other smaller projects. The Treasurer explained the timing of tax rate adjustments, noting that only part ofthe new revenue would hit in the current fiscal year. The Treasurer mentioned they reduced the budgeted amount for real estate delinquent revenues, citing historical collection data. Supervisor Buchanan inquired about the breakdown of new construction by fiscal year. The Commissioner of Revenue explained the challenges in tracking year-over-year changes. The Treasurer provided a detailed breakdown oflocal sales tax, transit occupancy tax, and cigarette tax, noting recent increases and decreases. Discussed the impact of court funds and forfeitures on the budget, noting a reduction. Adjusted the interest income budget based on current interest rates and potential capital budget planning. Provided updates on ambulance transports, rebates, and refunds, explaining the impact of refunds on the budget. There was further discussion regarding the ambulance billing revenue, and future fiber increases. The Finance Director and the Treasurer discussed the impact of grants on the budget, including the BDA grant and SRO grants. Provided updates on the grant applications for the Sheriff's office, including a mobile incident command center grant and a drone grant. 2. Sheriff S Budget Presentation - Sheriff Weaver Captain McKnight provided updates on the Sheriff's office grants, including the BDA grant and SRO grants. Sheriff Weaver provided an overview ofthe Sheriff's Office's budget, highlighting significant increases in maintenance contracts and material supplies. Captain McKnight explained the need for maintenance contracts for various systems and the impact ofthe Flock Safety Program. Major Estes discussed the implementation of electronic ticketing and the associated costs. Sheriff Weaver discussed the funding the Sheriffs s Office would receive from the Comp Board, which would help with salaries. There was further discussion regarding the 3% COLA and the 1.5% bonus, which potentially would be approved by the Governor. The County Administrator reviewed the Sheriff's S Office's capital budget. There was discussion regarding the Sheriff's Office's vehicle fleet, including Sheriff Weaver's request for Tahoe's versus the typical Explorers. 3. EMS' Budget Presentation - Chief Hillstrom & Assistant ChiefHelme ChiefHillstrom presented the Emergency Medical Services' Department's FY26 Budget presentation highlighting the need for additional staffing and the impact ofthe power shift. Chief Hillstrom explained the challenges of maintaining staffing levels and the impact of overtime and standby events. There was further discussion regarding the impacts of power shifts. Chief Hillstrom discussed the need for additional medical supplies and the impact ofi regulatory requirements and inflation. Provided an update on the ambulance billing service and the potential increases in costs due to changes in the Office of EMS. Discussed the need for capital investments, including the replacement of response vehicles and the purchase of a new ambulance. Assistant Chief Helme explained the increase in the staff uniforms line item. The County Administrator discussed the Community Paramedicine cost and the potential of creating a Community Paramedicine standalone position. The County Administrator further discussed increases for the proposed 3% COLA, the new FT position, the powershift, and insurance. Vice-Chairman Yowell discussed the benefits oft the "total compensation package. 29 Chief Hillstrom discussed the need for a new ambulance and the potential benefits ofleasing versus purchasing, using a spreadsheet to compare the options. Provided a detailed breakdown of the fleet status and the need for staggered replacements. Explained the impact oflead times on ambulance orders and the need for a reliable fleet. There was further discussion regarding the options ofleasing versus purchasing an ambulance and various grant options. There was also discussion about leasing other equipment, like the cardiac monitors, mechanical CPR devices, IV pumps, and video laryngoscopes. Vice-Chairman Yowell inquired about the financial benefits of the Community Paramedicine program. Chief Hillstrom explained the program's success in reducing emergency calls and improving patient care, despite the need for more full-time staff. There was further discussion about how the program could be quantified to show the benefits versus the costs. 4. CIP & CARP Updates - Finance Director The County Administrator presented the FY26 CIP and CARP Budgets. The County Administrator reviewed the need for paving at various county facilities, including 410 North Main Street and the Social Services building. Highlighted the importance of replacing the membrane roof at the CID building, estimating a cost of$50,000. The County Administrator discussed the need for a new generator at the Sheriffs Office and the 911 Center. Discussed the Transfer Station's need for repairs to the back wall in the interior tipping floor. Supervisor Buchanan mentioned there is a lot of screw/nails on the tipping floor. The County Administrator stated he would notify Updike to do better about getting those up. Chairman Jackson suggested exploring grant opportunities to fund the generator replacement. There was further discussion about the generator replacement and the parking lot paving. After discussion, the Board agreed to put paving on the bottom ofthe priority list and agreed with considering the options discussed for the generator. The Finance Director suggested removing the ambulance order from the capital budget to reduce overall costs. The County Administrator outlined the School Board's recommendations for facility improvements, including window replacement, bleacher repairs, exterior doors, as well as upgrading the high school auditorium lighting, cameras, and sound systems. The County Administrator mentioned the. Alternative Education Program would be moved to the School Board's Office and the Boys & Girls Club would rent that space. The County Administrator mentioned the Schools' Facilities Department needed a new truck. The County Administrator discussed the potential benefits ofintegrating the school system's radios with the County's existing system for better communication and cost efficiency. There was discussion regarding the school's plan for funding new buses and how it would affect funds for radios. The Deputy County Administrator further reviewed the benefits oft the school joining the county's radio system, including the cost savings in the long run. Chairman Jackson stated he was in favor of exploring this further. Chairman Jackson expressed concerns about the high cost of upgrading the high school auditorium, including lighting, cameras, and sound systems. The County Administrator provided a breakdown of the costs, emphasizing the importance of improving the auditorium's capabilities for various performances. There was further discussion regarding the potential impact of reducing the number of school buses to fund other priorities and the cost of upgrading the high school auditorium. Chairman Jackson and Supervisor Dawson stated they supported the purchase of a new facilities truck for the school system, noting its importance for maintenance and repairs. There was further discussion regarding the suggested power shifts for EMS as well as the Community Paramedicine Program, specifically the importance ofbalancing the financial benefits of the program with the need for sustainable community services. The County Administrator discussed the need for a public advertisement for equalization. The County Administrator suggested advertising a maximum rate of 49 cents per 100, anticipating no increase, and discussed the implications oft the new code language requiring separate public hearings for the budget and tax rates. Chairman Jackson and the Finance Director discussed the current expenses and revenue, noting that expenses are at $33.22 million, and revenue is at $2.3 million of opening balance appropriation. The Finance Director clarified that it did not include the capital expenses. The Board further discussed the equalization rate and advised advertising the maximum allowable rate and then adjusting it downward if necessary. Supervisor Jewett discussed the need for long-term restructuring oft the school system. The Board had further discussion about the need to increase the revenue in the County. Chairman Jackson shared a story about a business owner advocating for a flat business license rate to avoid paying taxes to multiple localities. The Board further discussed the potential impacts of a flat business license rate on localities and businesses. PUBLIC COMMENT Chairman Jackson opened the floor for public comment. With there being no further public comment brought forth, the public comment opportunity was closed. CLOSED SESSION None. ADJOURN With there being no further business to conduct, Vice-Chairman Yowell made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Supervisor Buchanan. Aye: Jackson, Yowell, Buchanan, Dawson, Jewett. Nay: (0) Abstain: (0) Absent: (0). R. Clay Jackson, Chairman Madison County Board ofSupervisors Jonathon Weakley, Clerk Adopted on: April 8, 2025.