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has $16.7 million, according to the county's annual fiscal report. "There are some opportunities to shift some funds around," Botelho pointed out. Some of the surplus dollars will be rebated to other departments that were charged for IT services, Harmer said. Additionally, "We have started some rate reviews" to determine whether departments are charging too much, Harmer told the commissioners. Robinson said, "It's safe to say we know we have some excess funds in some of these accounts that aren't reserve funds, that aren't dedicated as economic uncertainty funds, that are excess funds, period. That is correct?" Harmer said that she was right. "Do we know how much we are looking at?" Robinson asked. Harmer replied that department chiefs have to review their balances and figure out what they need for upcoming budget years before he can provide an estimate. "There are significant dollars there," Harmer said. "Our general fund picture will improve," Robinson added. "That is an important mes- sage to put out there. The numbers we have today will improve." Barbetta emphasized his belief that some of those unspent department dollars should be put back into the general fund. "We have some reserves we probably shouldn't have … Our fees may be too high, or we should make sure we use [the money]," he added. "When there are excesses, I want to make sure we refund it to the public or invest in assets for the public." "We have all these reserves on one hand; yet, the article [about the budget workshop] in the paper is going to say, 'County borrowing against its reserves,'" Barbetta pointed out. In addition to the department funds, the County Commission last year set aside a fund of about $8 million for economic development. That money resulted from a reduction in the county's operating reserve policy. Instead of keeping enough money on hand for 90 days of county operations in an emergency, the board approved a 75-day reserve, albeit on a split vote. Some of the $8 million could be utilized to cover the projected deficit, commissioners subsequently have said. ACTING ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Harmer named Botelho acting assistant county administrator last week, announcing the promotion at Friday's meeting. The commissioners congratulated Botelho on his new title. "Steve continues to be a strong asset to the Leadership Team and has a great understand- ing of the internal operations of the County," Harmer wrote in his announcement to county staff on Feb. 21. (See the News Briefs in this issue.) "He has also worked hard to develop a positive work environment in his Department," Harmer added. Botelho will still be involved in the financial management of the county. % Sarasota News Leader February 28, 2014 Page 34