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Hendry County budget office previews outlook, insurance fund and workshop schedule
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Summary
County budget staff told commissioners the preliminary fiscal picture is balanced but tight, highlighted a newly created insurance fund and proposed a schedule of upcoming workshops for constitutional officers and MSBUs.
Hendry County budget staff on Thursday gave the Board of County Commissioners a preliminary look at next year’s finances, saying the county’s total budget stands at about $112.9 million and the general fund at $47.8 million.
The presentation from Ian Provers of the budget office included revenue and expense assumptions, a proposal to budget a 5% cost-of-living adjustment for employees and details about a newly created insurance fund intended to separate premiums and claims from the general fund.
Provers said, "We have a total budget for the county of 112,900,000.0. The general fund is 47,800,000.0." He added that "our current millage is 6.8022 mils" and that tax collections on the millage are running at roughly 91% to date.
On insurance, Provers told the commission that the county has "created a separate fund for insurance." He explained the goal is to budget the premium into that fund, pay premiums and deductibles from it, and build a reserve over time so the county can consider different premium options and reduce volatility for taxpayers.
Provers reviewed forecasts for liability and health insurance, saying liability increases are expected in "the mid single digits" and that health costs have been lower than budgeted this year, with about 94% utilization of the planned contribution through 11 of 12 months. On health care he said he was "hoping for a 0 to 5" percent increase, characterizing it as low- to mid-single-digit growth given current costs.
Provers also outlined the calendar for budget work: a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) workshop in LaBelle in late May, a constitutional officers workshop on June 10 in Clewiston and follow-up departmental workshops from July through September. He said staff will bring a list of all department contracts and five-year capital plans so the board can review commitments and capital needs earlier in the cycle.
The presentation included a note that the county’s disaster-relief balance is $4,657,000 and that the improved interest-rate environment will modestly increase that fund’s revenue. Provers said the county has repaid prior borrowings from the disaster fund and is not planning additional transfers at this time.
The board did not take any formal votes during the briefing; staff were directed to continue preparing detailed materials for the workshops and to return with updated valuation and revenue figures before the constitutional officers’ session.
Commissioners asked for clarification about timing and for staff to share workshop dates and materials in advance so they can assess district needs and possible unbudgeted capital items.
