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Item B1 B.1 G BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS County of Monroe Mayor Sylvia Murphy,District 5 The Florida Keys l'U � � Mayor Pro Tern Danny Kolhage,District 1 �pw° Michelle Coldiron,District 2 Heather Carruthers,District 3 David Rice,District 4 County Commission Meeting September 5, 2019 Agenda Item Number: B.1 Agenda Item Summary #5852 BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: Budget and Finance TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Christine Limbert(305) 292-3470 5:05 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEM WORDING: A Public Hearing to consider approval of a resolution adopting the Final Duck Key Security District Non-Ad valorem special assessment rates for fiscal year 2019- 2020 and approval of Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Roll Certificate to be provided to Tax Collector by September 13, 2019. ITEM BACKGROUND: The Duck Key Security Advisory Board has requested a 10% increase of the special assessment taking it to $292.00 per improved lot from current assessment of$266.00 and $28.00 per unimproved lot from current assessment of$26.00. The Duck Key Security District was established in 1992. The initial special assessment was set at $200.00 per improved lot and $20.00 per unimproved lot. The ordinance (ordinance 005-1992) establishing the Duck Key Security District allows a ten percent (10%) increase over the previous year. The Board adopted Resolution No. 125-2019 setting forth the tentative rates of$292.00 per improve lot and $28.00 per unimproved lot on May 22, 2019. Also attached for approval is the Certificate of Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Rolls, which is to be provided to the Tax Collector by September 13, 2019. PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: Ordinance No. 005-1992 enacted by BOCC February 6, 1992 Ordinance No. 012-1994 enacted by BOCC June 16, 1994 Ordinance No. 016-2014 enacted by the BOCC September 17, 2014 Resolution No. 122-2017 adopting the tentative Duck Key Security District Non-ad valorem Special Resolution No. 228-2017 adopting the Final Assessment for FY 18 approved September 27, 2017 Resolution No. 135-2018 adopting the tentative Duck Key Security District Non-ad valorem Special Assessment for FY 19 approved by the BOCC May 16, 2018. Resolution No.226-2018 adopting the Final Assessment for FY 19 approved September 4, 2018. Resolution No. 125-2019 adopting the tentative Duck Key Security District Non-ad valorem Special Assessment for FY 20 approved by the BOCC May 22, 2019. CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: N/A Packet Pg.4 B.1 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval. DOCUMENTATION: Resolution adopting Final special assessment FY 20 Certificate to Tax Collector FY 20 Memo to Newspapers Duck Key SD FY 19-20 Resolution 125-2019 adopting tentative rates for FY 20 FINANCIAL IMPACT: Effective Date: 10/1/2019 Expiration Date: 9/30/20 Total Dollar Value of Contract: N/A Total Cost to County: Current Year Portion: Budgeted: Source of Funds: CPI: Indirect Costs: Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts: Revenue Producing: If yes, amount: Grant: County Match: Insurance Required: Additional Details: 10/01/19 311-55012 - DUCK KEY SPECIAL ASSMT $115,000.00 REVIEWED BY: Tina Boan Completed 07/31/2019 9:50 AM Christine Limbert Completed 07/31/2019 10:22 AM Maria Slavik Completed 08/02/2019 11:49 AM Kathy Peters Completed 08/02/2019 1:54 PM Board of County Commissioners Pending 09/05/2019 5:05 PM Packet Pg. 5 B.1.a RESOLUTION NO. -2019 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORDIA, ADOPTING THE FINAL DUCK KEY SECURITY DISTRICT NON AD VALOREM SPECIAL ASSESSMENT RATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019-2020 U) 0 U) BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA as follows: 1. The Board hereby adopts the following final non ad valorem special assessment rates for the Duck Key Security District for fiscal year 2019/2020: $292.00 per improved lot; $28.00 per unimproved lot. 0 2. The Board hereby directs the Monroe County Clerk to transmit this executed Resolution to the Monroe County Property Appraiser and Monroe County Tax Collector. 0 U) PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, at a meeting of said Board held on the 5th day of September 2019. Mayor Sylvia Murphy T Mayor Pro Tem Danny L. Kolhage Commissioner Heather Carruthers Commissioner Michelle Coldiron N Commissioner David Rice (Seal) BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF E Attest: KEVIN MADOK, CLERK MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: By: Deputy Clerk Mayor 0 0 Packet Pg. 6 B.1.b CERTIFICATE TO NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT ROLLS . A I, the undersigned, hereby certify that, I am the Chair of the Board or authorized agent of the Monroe County Board of County Commission located in Monroe County Florida; as such I have satisfied myself that all property included or includable on the Duck Key Security Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Roll for the aforesaid county is properly assessed so far as I have been able to ascertain; and that all required extensions on the above described roll to show the non-ad valorem assessments attributable to the property listed therein have been made pursuant to law. 0 I FURTHER CERTIFY that, in accordance with the Uniform Assessment Collection Act, this certificate and the herein described Non-Ad Valorem Assessment E Roll will be delivered to the Monroe County Tax Collector by September 13, 2019. 0 U) IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have subscribed this certificate and caused the same to be attached to and made a part of the above described Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Roll this 5th day of September 2019. �s Monroe County Board of County Commission Monroe County, Florida Chair U) 0 U X 0 �s Packet Pg. 7 B.1.c County of Monroe q „ BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS lrl s s' �'wy Mayor Sylvia Murphy,District 5 am_ Mayor Pro Tern Danny L.Kolhage,District 1 -Me Ylle Florida Keys � � � ���U���� ��� Michelle Coldiron,District Heather Carruthers,District 3 .2 David Rice,District 4 Robert B.Shillinger,County Attorney— t°4�" a Pedro J.Mercado,Assistant County Attorney** Office of the County Attorney >% Cynthia L.Hall,Assistant County Attorney** 1111 12'h Street,Suite 408 Christine Limbert-Barrows,Assistant County Attorney** Key West,FL 33040 Derek V.Howard,Assistant County Attorney** (305)292-3470—Phone Gg Steven T.Williams,Assistant County Attorney** (305)292-3516—Fax Peter H.Morris,Assistant County Attorney* Patricia Fables,Assistant County Attorney Chris Ambrosio,Assistant County Attorney* Paunece Scull,Assistant County Attorney **Board Certified in City,County&Local Govt.Law July 23, 2019 U) U) 0 U) U) The Key West Citizen Keys Weekly News Barometer Attn.: Sue Stamper-Legal Attn.: Anneke Patterson Attn.: Steve/Holly Estes le als&keysnews.com Anneke&keysweekle .com bigpinenews&aol.com Acct.No. 143324 Acct.No. 3204 Acct.No.NB002 Re: Notice of Public Hearing— Collection of Duck Key Security Services Special Assessments; FY 2019-2020 0 Enclosed please find a Notice of Public Hearing for publication as a display ad in the Legal Ad section of your newspaper(s) on the date indicated below. I would appreciate confirmation of receipt of this 6 request and publication date(s)via my e-mail address: Dastu�zue-Laurieamonroecount -fl ov. Please send the Proof of Publication to: Monroe County Office of Budget & Finance, 1100 Simonton Street, Suite 2-213, Key West, FL 33040. C) Thank you for your assistance in this matter. Should you have any questions,please feel free to contact me directly by phoning (305) 292-3576. Have a great day! Laurie Dastugue Paralegal-Litigation LFD: Enclosure U) cc: Lynn Gonzalez 0 0 Packet Pg. 8 B.1.c A NOTICE OF HEARING TO REIMPOSE AND PROVIDE FOR COLLECTION OF DUCK KEY SECURITY SERVICES SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS Notice is hereby given that the County Commission, Monroe County, Florida will conduct a public hearing to consider reimposing security services assessments for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2019, against certain improved and unimproved properties located within Duck Key, to fund the cost of security services U) provided to such properties and to authorize collection of such assessments on the tax bill. 0 U) The public hearing will be held at 5:05 p.m. on September 5, 2019, at the Harvey Government Center, 1200 Truman Avenue, Key West, FL 33040, for the purpose of receiving public comment on the proposed assessments. All affected property owners have a right to appear at the hearing and to file written objections with the County Commission within 20 calendar days of the date of this notice. Pursuant to section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, notice is given that if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the County Commission with respect to any matter considered at the hearing, such person will need a record of the proceedings and may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be made. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing a special accommodation or an interpreter to participate in this proceeding should contact the County Administrator at (305) 292-4441, at least 48 hours prior to the date of the hearing. If hearing impaired, dial g 711"for assistance. 0 The annual Duck Key security assessment is based on the number of improved or unimproved lots contained within the Duck Key Security District. The total annual assessment revenue to be collected within Duck Key .� for the upcoming fiscal year is estimated to be $115,000. The Duck Key Security District Advisory Board has recommended an increase in the annual budget and annual assessment rates for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019, from the current rates of$266 per improved lot and $26 per unimproved lot, to $292 per improved lot and $28 per unimproved lot. Copies of the legal documentation for the assessment program are available for inspection at the County Administrator's office, located at the Gato Building, 2nd Floor, 1100 Simonton Street, Key West, Florida. If you have any questions, please contact the County at (305) 292-3470, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CL The assessments will be collected on the ad valorem tax bill to be mailed in November, 2019, as authorized M CL by section 197.3632, Florida Statutes. Failure to pay the assessments will cause a tax certificate to be issued 3 against the property which may result in a loss of title. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA Publication Dates: Citizen: Thur.,08/01/19 Keys Weeldy: Thur.,08/08/19 News Barometer: Fri.,08/09/i9 Packet Pg. 9 B.1.d a RESOLUTION NO. 125 -2019 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE DUCK KEY SECURITY 0 DISTRICT NON AD VALOREM SPECIAL ASSESSMENT RATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019-2020. U) U) 0 U) BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF U) MONROE COUNTY,FLORIDA as follows: a� 1. The Board hereby adopts the following tentative non ad valorem (n special assessment rates for the Duck Key Security District for fiscal year 2019/2020: $292.00 per improved lot; $28.00 per unimproved lot. 0 2. The Board hereby directs the Monroe County Clerk to transmit this executed Resolution to the Monroe County Property Appraiser and Monroe County Tax Collector. N PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, at a meeting of said Board held on the 22°d day of May 2019. U) Mayor Sylvia Murphy Yes a, Mayor Pro Tem Danny L. Kolhage Yes Commissioner Heather Carruthers Absent E Commissioner Michelle Coldiron Yes or: � M -c cm ,= Commissioner David Rice YesCD �. o a BOARD OF OUNTY COMMISSM)NERS N . Attest: KEVIN MADOK, CLERK OF MON COft FL a -: . By: By: Deputy Clerk Aayor Sylvia Murphy o 0 MONROE OCOUNTY �ATTORNEY g Q�LIOLQ�l' o RM: CHRISTINE LIMBERT-HARROWS ASSISTANT CORNEY DATE: I"1 Packet Pg. 10 1 4• r .� � '`c BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS County of Monroe ?i Til r ,.. Mayor Sylvia J.Murphy,District 5 The Florida Keys s i � Mayor Pro Tem Danny L.Kolhage,District 1 Michelle Coldiron,District 2 a 7 ), Heather Carruthers,District 3 David Rice,District 4 Commissioner David P.Rice 9400 Overseas Hwy., Suite 210 Florida Keys Marathon Airport Main Terminal Marathon, FL 33050 Boccdis4@,monroecounty-fl.gov 305-289-6000 INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Pam Hancock, Deputy Clerk of the Court FROM: Commissioner David Rice, BOCC District 4 DATE: August 29, 2019 SUBJECT: Letters for Clerk's Record: #B1 Sept. 5, 2019 Public Budget Hearing Duck Key Security District Please add the attached five emailed letters from Duck Key residents regarding the proposed increased non-ad valorem assessment for the Duck Key Security District, item B1 on the September 5, 2019 Pt Public Hearing for the FY20 Budget. 7 • Lamarche-Tamara •• • From: . Sylvia Hernandez <sylviandz@gmail.com> • Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2019 11:35 PM To: Kolhage-Danny; BOCCDIS2; BOCCDIS3; BOCCDIS4; BOCCDIS5 Cc: Lamarche-Tamara • Subject: Letter to be entered into the record on behalf of Duck Key Security District non-ad- valorem tax increase • CAUTION:This email originated,from outside of the County. Whether you know the sender or not, do not click links or open attachments you were not expecting. • � . - Dear Commissioners: You have received a letter from Ron Oestreicher,a Duck Key resident,objecting to the non-ad-valorem tax increase of$26.00 per year on improved lots and$2.00 on unimproved lots for the Duck Key Security District. As Chairperson of the Duck Key Security Advisory Board,I feel'the need to point out some of the many inaccuracies in Mr.Oestreicher's email. The figure he quotes is year-to-date,ending in June 24,2019. Since the fiscal year ends September 30th,many of the major purchases the District made had not yet posted Monroe County Budget Office projects that we will finish the year with a reserve of$297,000. Mr.Oestreicher fails to mention that$105,000 of this balance are appropriations ("contingencies and cash balances")which can only be used in emergencies: Using the$70,000 cash.balance will require an amendment.Therefore,our non- emergency reserves will be$192,000 at the end of fiscal year 2019. The Duck Key Security District had accumulated a large reserve because past boards were less active and did not expand on the basic security guard service. However, subsequent boards have made many security improvements that required additional spending. Since 2017,the Security District has been operating at a deficit of approximately$45,000 per year,and Monroe County Budget Office projects a$47,000 deficit for the year 2020. At this rate,we will completely deplete our non-emergency reserves in about 4 years. It is for this reason,and because costs of equipment and services continue to increase,that in 2017 we started increasing 10%of non-ad valorem taxes as we are allowed.by Ordinance 005-1992.With this year's increase,we will be near the cap of$300.00 per year on improved lots and$30.00 on unimproved lots that we are allowed by this ordinance. In recent years,we have added CCTV cameras,License Plate Readers,and NVRs(recorders)that will require updating every few years as technology improves and our equipment either fails because of age and harsh environmental conditions or becomes obsolete.Captain Hiller,MCSO,makes frequent use of our CCTV and reported in July that they had used it successfully again to make an arrest. We have installed 6 Speed Radars that will require maintenance and repairs,and the County has informed us that they do not have the personnel to assist us.This is another case where we will be incurring additional expenses in the future as we hire a local company to provide maintenance and repairs. We have contractual commitments for maintenance and service with Comcast,FKEC,Atlantic Radio,Traffic Logix,Johnson.Controls,and other vendors. These contracts will likely increase in cost over time. Most importantly,53%of our budget is dedicated to security guards. We have had notice from Keys Security,our current security service,that the wages of security guards have increased and will be reflected in next year's contract. Most residents of Duck Key are concerned about their security,and they want more,not less,security. We have seen an uptick on burglaries,vandalism,trespassing, and theft of gasoline and boat equipment from the water. At our security board meetings,residents express an interest in having new and different ways in which we can provide additional security. This includes patrols from the water during lobster mini-season and holidays,cameras facing the water,and expanded security patrol hours. Obviously,we are financially limited in what we can undertake,and this is why it is so important to have adequate funding. Our minutes and financials are posted at the County website. In addition,I am available for any questions you may have. The Duck Key Security Advisory Board,made up of 7 residents of Duck Key appointed by Commissioner David Rice,has voted for this increase.I ask that you enter this letter into the record and approve the increase. Sincerely, Sylvia Hernandez,Chair Duck Key Security Advisory Board • 305.962.2563 • • •• Lamarche-Tamara From: Ron Oestreicher <ron.oestreicher@gmail.com> Sent: Sunday,August 11, 2019 3:08 PM To: Rice-David; Kolhage-Danny; Coldiron-Michelle; Carruthers-Heather; Murphy-Sylvia; Lamarche-Tamara Subject: Duck Key Security Services Special Assessment public hearing 9/5/19 Attachments: Duck Key Security Assessment 8-8-19 Marathon Weekly.pdf; DKSAB 6-24-19 Financial statement Fund 152.pdf;.DKSAB minutes 7-22-19 revision 2 from website.pdf 'CAUTION:This email originated"from outside of the County Whether you know the sender or not, do not click links or open attachments you were not expecting. - _ David and the other BOCC commissioners This week in the Marathon weekly newspaper there was a public notice for a hearing September 5, 2019 for the purposed increase to the Duck Key Security Services Special Assessment. See attached notice. I am a full time Duck Key resident who has attended almost all of the Duck Key.Security Advisory Board (DKSAB)public board meetings over the last 4 1/2 years and have repeatedly asked for financial statements to be provided to all homeowners. Finally at the 7/22/19 meeting, a 10 year recap was presented and made available, which is also attached. The Monroe County report is showing the year end cash balances over the last 10 years from $311,812 (lowest) to $415,151 (highest),to the currant cash balance of$376,102 as of 6/24/19. Annual expense over the last 10 years ranged from $48,528 to $143,699 in 2018 when security cameras were installed on all our bridges. YTD 2019 expense is $54,236 While this report was finally made available at the 7/22/19 DKSAB meeting and the minutes posted to the public website reference this report, it was not posted with the minutes and to the best of my knowledge never has been. Since the info was never published, only the 18 Duck Key residents who attended this meeting were made aware of the outstanding cash balance that has existed consistently over the last 10 years. The board voted for this 10%increase over the objection of all the residents attending the DKSAB meetings 3/5/19 and again 5/7/19 . DKSAB meetings minutes show split board votes. In my view the members voting for an additional 10% increase refused to apply basic cash flow recurring expense budgeting to their vote and there is no financial forecast showing the need for.a 10% increase to this day. While the pure dollar increase in minimal, I strongly object to any assessment tax increase at this time when there has been no financial need for it and no plan ever presented to Duck Key residents showing how the existing available cash balance will ever be used. I urge you all to reject this increase and wish to have this email entered into record as my written objection for the hearing on Sept 5 2019. Thank you all for your attention to this matter. ` �o r' -Vt ) Dr, 00.4 + , PL 33O O Ron Oestreicher i I , : Lamarche-Tamara . From: Wilfredo Gonzalez <wvgaguilar57@gma.il.com> Sent: Friday,August 16, 2019 12:11 PM To: Kolhage-Danny; BOCCDIS2; BOCCDIS3; BOCCDIS4; BOCCDIS5 Cc: Lamarche-Tamara- ' Subject: Appeal in favor of the non-ad-valorem tax increase for the Duck Key Security District ICAUTION:This email originated from outside of the County Whether you know the sender or not, do not click links or ; open attachments you were not expecting. Dear Commissioners, . My wife Maria and I are residents of Duck Key.This is to express our agreement with the proposed non-ad-valorem tax increase of$26.00.per year on improved lots and $2.00 on unimproved lots for the Duck Key Security.District. In the 3 years we have been residents of Duck Key,we have witnessed the great work our Duck Key Security Advisory Board has done to improve the security of our community.They have added CCTV cameras; license plate readers,and installed speed radars around the main roads of our Key.Sadly,despite all these initiatives,our community has witnessed a recent increase in burglaries,vandalism,trespassing, and gasoline and boat equipment theft. We want our security systems to be as robust as reasonably possible.This tax increase represents a fairly minimal burden to our tax payers, and yet the added revenue that it will generate will allow our Duck Key Security Board to continue the good work that they are doing, and to improve their efforts in making our community a much safer place to live.This is certainly something we all welcome! I ask that you please enter this communication into the record as an appeal in favor of the tax increase. Regards, Wilfredo & Maria Gonzalez . 424 Harbour Drive . Duck Key, FL., 33050 ` This e-mail,including attachments, may include confidential and/or proprietary information,and may be used only by the person or entity to which it is addressed. If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended recipient or his or her authorized agent,the reader is hereby notified that any dissemination,distribution or copying of this e-mail is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, , please notify the sender by replying to this message and delete this e-mail immediately. .„...„A 0 Virus-free. www.avast.com • Lamarche-Tamara • From: Richard Sherman <rfshermaninvestments@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, August 26, 2019 10:05 AM To: Lamarche-Tamara Cc: Rice-David; Sylvia R Hernandez; Laurie Oestreicher Subject: Duck Key Security District Special Assessment Hearing CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the County Whether you know the sender or not, do not click links or- open attachments you were not expecting Tamara, I've been out of the Keys for several days and am headed out of the country for three weeks Friday. As a result, I'll miss the September 5 BOCC meeting. I will be sending the commissioners a letter opposing the increase. I also received an-email copy from Sylvia containing a copy of your summary of the issues surrounding the proposed increase. I was Vice Chair at the time the "Popham plan" to increase taxes was voted upon by our members and I voted in support of the increase. A key component of our supporting the proposed tax increase was a broadening of the areas that could be funded by the DKSD. They included discussions of paying for dredging the canals,, community beautification, increased MCSO and private security hours, and merging the Duck Key Property Owners Association into the DKSD. Reasons for the merger,included having a taxing authority to make improvements residents desired in Duck Key, and having their payment be in the form of a tax payment that would be deductible from their income taxes. There are many people including Dave Williamson who would corroborate this information. At that time,we also discussed making capital improvements and utilizing a portion of the $400,000 in reserves that had accumulated over the prior 20 years for such expenditures. We subsequently were advised by the County attorney that our mandate was narrow and didn't include many of the items we had been considering. Had we known that we could not make various of these expenditures being considered, I and I believe others would not have supported the increase. In addition, as I'll note in my email to the BOCC,the County budget office estimates the DKSD will begin fiscal 2020 with estimated reserves of$297,038. This is comprised of general reserves of$192,038 and restricted reserves of$35,000 and $70,000 respectively. Revenues for fiscal 2020 are estimated at $118,314, an increase of 53%just since 2016. All of the revenue shortfall for prior years were for non-recurring expenditures,primarily CAPEX. As of today, there is no budget for the DKSD for fiscal 2020 and as you noted, major capital expenses have been - completed and, expenses should level off. Current reserves without a tax increase should be adequate for many- years to come. Thank you. 1 . • Lamarche-Tamara From: WILLIAM GRAYDEN <Igrayden@comcast.net> Sent: Friday,August 16, 2019 1:54 PM To: Rice-David; Lamarche-Tamara Subject: Proposed Duck key Security board revenue increase. • CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the County.Whether you know the sender or not, do not click links or open attachments you were not expecting. - - The board of county commissioners of Monroe county, Please enter this into your record. This is to verify my full support for the recently passed increase to the Duck Key security board tax revenue. Because we have purchased and, maintained multiple security traffic cameras and radar speed notification devices, speeding has greatly been reduced and crime enforcement has been greatly enhanced. These devices need maintenance, periodic updating and replacement. We are also placing our Security contract out to bid and are expecting to have to pay an increased premium due to our demands for better service and the shortage of quality help in the Keys. No body likes to pay higher taxes. The fact remains if we want quality services we need to pay for them. As you can see by your own projections we have been running at a deficit for some time and will be for the future. The built up reserves from the past have been supplementing our spending, they will not last forever. We have also suffered the loss of revenue from over a hundred building lots purchased by the county and the loss of some viable housing due to the storm. If we can not raise the levy now when the economy is good when can we? Thank you for your consideration of this matter. William Grayden 1 (I From: Lamarche-Tamara [mailto:lamarche-tamara©amonroecounty-fl.gov] Sent:Tuesday, September 03, 2019 3:13 PM To: Pam Hancock Subject: FW: Opposition to Proposed Duck Key Security District Tax Increase(DKSD) An additional email for the Clerk's Record,Sept. 5, 2019 Budget hearing, Item#B1. (I will cut this off tomorrow by 3:00PM.) Tamara Lamarche, Executive Assistant Commissioner David P. Rice, BOCC District 4 9400 Overseas Highway, Ste. 210 Florida Keys Marathon International Airport Marathon, FL 33050 305.289.6000 Lamarche-tamara@monroecounty-fl.gov <image004.png> PLEASE NOTE: FLORIDA HAS A VERY BROAD RECORDS LAW. MOST WRI 11'hN COMMUNICATIONS TO OR FROM THE COUNTY REGARDING COUNTY BUSINESS ARE PUBLIC RECORDS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND MEDIA UPON REQUEST. YOUR EMAIL COMMUNICATION MAY BE SUBJECT TO PUBLIC DISCLOSURE. <imoge005.JPg' From: David Williamson<dwilliamson@keys-energy.com> Sent: Friday,August 30, 2019 10:59 AM To: Rice-David<Rice-David@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov>; Kolhage-Danny<Kolhage-Danny@MonroeCounty- FL.Gov>; Coldiron-Michelle<Coldiron-Michelle@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov>; Murphy-Sylvia<Murphy- SVlvia@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov>;Carruthers-Heather<Carruthers-Heather@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov> Cc: Lamarche-Tamara<lamarche-tamara@monroecounty-fl.gov>; 'Richard Sherman (rfshermaninvestments@gmail.com)'<rfshermaninvestments@gmail.com>; Ron Oestreicher (ron.oestreicher@gmail.com)<ron.oestreicher@gmail.com>; 'john schwarz(johnsct@gmail.com)' <johnsct@gmail.com>; Ellen Tanis (ellenryan.interiors@verizon.net)<ellenryan.interiors@verizon.net>; Betsy Lefler<betsyproutlefler@gmail.com>;Waddill,Christine Taylor(cwaddill@ufl.edu) <cwaddill@ufl.edu>; Barbara McKinney(ppbba@aol.com)<ppbba@aol.com>;John Wolfe (iiw.keys@gmail.com)<jjw.keys@gmail.com> Subject: RE: Opposition to Proposed Duck Key Security District Tax Increase(DKSD) !CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the County.Whether you know the sender or not, do ;not click links or open attachments you were not expecting. Good morning Commissioners. I am writing to share my personal position, not as President of the DKPOA. Mr. Sherman could have not laid out the facts any more clearly than stated below. DKSD Board meetings are public and are now well attended. Residents have taken a genuine interest in the security district activities. At their regularly scheduled meeting held in May,the Board voted 4 to 3 to approve the increase. The audience asked if they could provide input or at least have a show of hands of their position.The Chair stated no, that their input would not be considered and the vote was called and passed. Ironically when the question was asked, all 16 individuals in attendance by a show of hands voted no to an increase. This was after Mr. Sherman,Treasurer, had clearly presented the financial condition of the district. I feel that our community of Duck Key is very diverse. We have retirees,young working families and new home owners who all have obligations requiring us to consider before making a 10% increase. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Sincerely, David Williamson 222 Corsair Rd. Duck Key, FL 33050 From: Richard Sherman [mailto:rfshermaninvestments@gmail.com] Sent: Friday, August 30, 2019 9:27 AM To: Rice-David; kolhage-dannv@monroecounty-fl.gov; coldiron-michelle@monroecounty-fl.gov; murphy- sylvia©monroecounty-fl.gov; carruthers-heather@monroecounty-fl.gov Cc: Lamarche-Tamara Subject: Opposition to Proposed Duck Key Security District Tax Increase(DKSD) Dear Commissioners, I am writing this email in my individual capacity and not in my capacity as Vice Chair of the DKSD for the past several years. I strongly oppose the proposed increase. I believe a significant majority of Duck Key residents do as well and many showed up in opposition of it earlier this year when it was voted upon. The DKSD was created by the BOCC in 1992 and modified in 1994. Annual taxes to support the DKSD were set at$20.00 for unimproved lots and $200.00 for improved lots. There was a provision to increase these taxes up to$30.00 for unimproved lots and $300.00 for improved lots provided annual increases didn't exceed 10%of the prior year's tax. All revenues and expenses quoted below come from the county's financial reports. Over the first 20 years from enactment, revenues exceeded expenses so that by the end of 2012, a reserve totaling$400,244 was built up. Beginning 2013,the members of the DKSD recommended capital expenditures(CAPEX)for security cameras which resulted in a deficit for the year of$18,662 and a reduction of the reserve to$381,582. There was no CAPEX the next three years and reserves increased to$415,151,the highest level ever. Based on the success of the cameras,from fiscal 2017 thru fiscal 2019, additional cameras were approved as were six radar signs,four of which have been in service more than a year with the remaining two waiting for installation. I do not know whether all of part of the costs for the last two signs will be reflected by the end of fiscal 2019. The costs of these CAPEX projects resulted in deficits the past three years(inclusive of county budget office's estimates for fiscal 2019) of$118,113. Reserves are projected to be a healthy$297,038 at the end of fiscal 2019 and other than normal repair and replacement of equipment, no additional CAPEX projects are being considered. In 2015,during my tenure as Vice Chair,we recommended a tax increase over three years of 10% annually up to$30.00 per unimproved lot and$300.00 per unimproved lot. I made that motion and at that time,the DKSD was considering a number of projects that included speed bumps, sidewalks, canal dredging, community beautification, increased MCSO and private security hours. There were also discussions in the community as to seeking to merge the Duck Key Property Owners Association(DKPOA). The tax increase was approved but we subsequently were advised by the county attorney that our mandate was narrow and didn't include many of the items we were considering. You may have received an email from me to Tamara on this subject. The county budget estimates revenues from the prior tax increases and from many new homes being built on Duck Key will have increased 53%in 2020 compared to just three years ago in 2016. I believe its likely that,without additional taxes,the DKSD will be producing surpluses and increased reserves just as they did in 2014 thru 2016 following installation of the first cameras. However,even if I'm wrong, current reserves are approximately five times our largest previous deficit year(2018)when significant CAPEX occurred. We do not yet have a DKSD budget for fiscal 2020. We have large reserves and may not need a tax increase for several years to come, if ever. I urge you to vote NO to the proposal to increase taxes for the DKSD. In closing, I want to say that I personally appreciate the effort you all make for our county every day and particularly the past two years following hurricane Irma. I know Duck Key is a very small part of the county and appreciate your time in considering the issues raised in this email. Thank you. Rick Sherman From:Sylvia Hernandez<sylviandz@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday,September 4, 2019 4:29 PM To: Lamarche-Tamara<lamarche-tamara@monroecounty-fl.gov> Subject: Fwd: Duck Key CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the County.Whether you know the sender or not, do ,not click links or open attachments you were not expecting. One more letter in support of the tax increase,but he did not email you. Sylvia Begin forwarded message: From: Philip Kircher<pskircher@hotmail.com> Date: September 4, 2019 at 4:23:40 PM EDT To: "Rice-David@nonroecounty-fl.gov" <Rice-David@nonroecounty-fl.gov> Cc: "sylviandz@gmail.com" <sylviandz@gmail.com> Subject: Duck Key Just wanted to write to say as a former DKSDAB board member, we have voted three times on the tax increase and it passed each time. I voted in the May meeting,my last meeting as a board member. You also need to know that Duck Key has no legal home owners association. The group calling itself Duck Key Property Owners Association is just a group of residents that likes to act like they are an HOA. I believe less than half the residents are members. And some of the members I have spoken to were not aware that it wasn't mandatory. They do not speak for anyone other than themselves. Many residents are aware of the costs and are in support of the increase. The island needs the increase to cover the cost of security, cameras, and radar signs. If the county does not vote to support the board to raise the rates,this will be the first time since its inception that an approved motion from the DKSDAB is rejected. I am asking you to support the board with the tax increase. Sincerely, Philip Kircher (305) 902-8201 From: Maki David<davedd41@yahoo.com> Sent:Saturday,August 31, 2019 6:15 PM To: Rice-David<Rice-David@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov>; Kolhage-Danny<Kolhage-Danny@MonroeCounty- FL.Gov>; coldiran-michelle@monroecounty-fl.gov; Carruthers-Heather<Carruthers- Heather@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov>; Murphy-Sylvia<Murphy-Sylvia@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov>; Lamarche- Tamara<Iamarche-tamara@monroecounty-fl.gov>;Sylvia Hernandez<sylviandz@gmail.com> Subject:September 5 Public Hearing for Duck Key Security District Rate Increase of$28 - CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the County.Whether you know the sender or not, do ;not click links or open attachments you were not expecting. Ladies and Gentlemen: I am a member of the Duck Key Security Advisory Board and voted to increase the assessment by$28 for homeowners and $3 for empty lot owners. These are my reasons: 1. We live in one of the harshest climates on the planet with the salt air, humidity, sun, heat, hurricanes....all exacerbated by climate change. The high tech cameras and signs will need significant maintenance and repair and, with our harsh climate, quicker than average replacement. My outboard motors,which are much less sensitive, hardly go a year without expensive maintenance and repairs! 2. The folks who attend our meetings and the advisory board want the security company that patrols Duck Key to upgrade the quality of the employees they hire. I believe the security company is now basing the annual contract fee of$60,000 on $17 an hour for its employees. This is 60 to 70% of the revenue assessed for security. To get better quality employees they will have to up the hourly rate to at least$25 an hour. This will push the annual fee to at least$80,000 which, in itself, will absorb at least 75% of the revenue. 3. We have very little protection from intrusions from the water. At a recent meeting, one of the police officers mentioned that they are seeing more theft by water. As we get more sophisticated stopping crime by land, the crooks are going to get more creative and our audience will be asking for protection from the water. 4. I'm sure you've been busy with Dorian....Irma's rampage caused an outlay of about$10,000 of security funds. It wasn't planned but should have been with a reserve for these"contingencies". 5. It is very difficult to estimate, but the new bridges will undoubtedly create some unexpected expenses; e.g., moving the cameras. However, it may be an opportunity to incorporate some canal protection....cameras, for example. Perhaps, this could be discussed with the contractor. 6. Yes, there is an undesignated reserve that was built up over two decades. However, for the past THREE YEARS deficits of around $40,000 plus were realized. For all of the above reasons, this won't stop. The recent past is quite indicative of the future. 7. If we find by some miracle that we don't need the annual revenue increase, reduce the assessment. However, for the price of a couple of cocktails, I think the residents of Duck Key like the benefits of the security programs. Not to mention the good selling point when the next move is to the nursing home! All the best and thank you....we do appreciate your service. Dave and Carolyn Maki, 158 North Indies Drive, Duck Key.