THE SCHOOL BOARD OF

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA

MINUTES, JULY 27, 2004

            The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Meeting/Public Hearing at 5:30 p.m., in Room 160, at the J.E. Hall Educational Services Center, 30 East Texar Drive, Pensacola, Florida, with the following present:

            Chairman:                     Mrs. Cary Stidham                    Vice Chairman:             Dr. John DeWitt

            Board Members:           Mr. Gary Bergosh

                                                Mr. Ronnie L. Clark

                                                Ms. Linda Finkelstein

            School Board General Counsel:        Mrs. Ellen D. Odom

            Superintendent of Schools:               Mr. Jim Paul

                    I.               CALL TO ORDER

Mrs. Stidham called the Special Meeting/Public Hearing to order at 5:30 p.m.

                 II.               ADOPTION OF AGENDA

On motion by Mr. Bergosh, seconded by Dr. DeWitt, adoption of the agenda was approved unanimously.

               III.               FINANCE

1.       Presentation of 2004-2005 Budget

[NOTE: Handouts outlining the 2004-2005 Budget were provided to the Board prior to the Special Meeting (Supplementary Minute Book, Exhibit “A”).]  Mrs. Laura Shaud, Director of Budgeting, recapped the budget materials and briefly discussed the “rolled-back rate.”

              IV.               CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARING FOR INPUT ON 2004-2005 BUDGET

      The Board recognized Russell Taptich, who asked for clarification regarding the “Notice of Proposed Tax Increase” that was published in the local newspaper.  Mrs. Barbara Linker, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Services, responded.   

                 V.               ADOPTION OF 2004-2005 MILLAGE

1.    Required Local Effort

      On motion by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mr. Bergosh, adoption of the Required Local Effort [5.694], was approved unanimously. 

2.    Discretionary – Basic

On motion by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mr. Bergosh, adoption of the Discretionary – Basic [0.510], was approved unanimously 

3.    Discretionary – Supplemental

On motion by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mr. Bergosh, adoption of the Discretionary – Supplemental [0.206], was approved unanimously. 

4.    Capital Outlay

      On motion by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mr. Bergosh, adoption of the Capital Outlay [2.000], was approved unanimously. 

5.    Total Millage

On motion by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mr. Bergosh, adoption of the Total Millage [8.410], was approved unanimously. 

              VI.               ADOPTION OF 2004-2005 TENTATIVE BUDGET

1.    General Fund

On motion by Mr. Bergosh, seconded by Mr. Clark, adoption of the General Fund [$276,341,099.36], was approved unanimously. 

2.    Special Revenue – Food Service

On motion by Mr. Bergosh, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, adoption of the Special Revenue – Food Service [$22,764,510.57], was approved unanimously. 

3.    Special Revenue – Other

On motion by Mr. Bergosh, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, adoption of the Special Revenue – Other [$36,534,789.92], was approved unanimously. 

4.    Debt Service Funds

On motion by Mr. Bergosh, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, adoption of the Debt Service Funds [$11,265,083.69], was approved unanimously. 

5.    Capital Project Funds

On motion by Mr. Bergosh, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, adoption of the Capital Project Funds [$88,259,630.43], was approved unanimously. 

6.    Internal Service Funds

On motion by Mr. Bergosh, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, adoption of the Internal Service Funds [$53,559,188.61], was approved unanimously. 

7.    Total Budget

On motion by Mr. Bergosh, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, adoption of the Total Budget [$488,724,302.58], was approved unanimously. 

            VII.               ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NUMBER 04-01 – A RESOLUTION OF THE ESCAMBIA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004-2005

On motion by Mr. Clark, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, adoption of Resolution Number 04-01, was approved unanimously. 

         VIII.               ADOPTION OF RESULTION NUMBER 04-02 – A RESOLUTION OF THE ESCAMBIA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004-2005

On motion by Mr. Bergosh, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, adoption of Resolution Number 04-02, was approved unanimously. 

               IX.               SET DATE, TIME AND LOCATION OF FINAL BUDGET HEARING

      Motion by Mr. Clark, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, to set the final Budget Hearing for Tuesday, September 14, 2004, at 5:30 p.m., in the Board Room, at the Dr. Vernon McDaniel Building, was approved unanimously. 

                 X.               ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Mr. Bergosh, seconded by Mr. Clark, to adjourn the Special Meeting/Public Hearing at 5:45 p.m., was approved unanimously. 

Attest:                                                                         Approved:

________________________________                   ________________________________

Superintendent                                                             Chairman