Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/305631
and acting assistant administrator, told the commissioners. The commissioners, in turn, lauded County Administrator Tom Harmer and his staff for reining in expenses and for starting the bud- get workshops early this year so the board could take a close look at the county's fis- cal health. After reviewing the projections, Vice Chairwoman Christine Robinson pointed to the predicted FY 2016 shortfall being below $10 million and called it "less worrisome." "I am much more comfortable with where we are heading," Robinson said. "Our budget is in much better shape." UP FOR DEBATE Despite the stronger overall budget outlook, some disagreement arose over just how much money the commissioners should leave in 18 different general fund reserves, an issue that will likely be debated this summer during later workshops as they hammer out the final spending plan for the 2015 fiscal year. A discussion Tuesday about the current level of a "compensated absence reserve" is reflec- tive of the board members' contrasting views. The fund sets aside $8.8 million in case a large number of employees resign or retire and must be compensated for days of leave they have built up. Commissioner Joe Barbetta suggested lower- ing that reserve by $5 million. "I thought we've had too much money in there," Barbetta said, "when compared to other counties." Commissioner Nora Patterson countered that while she is not opposed to taking a look at that reserve level, she does not want to lower it so much that in future years, a large number of employees could leave at one time, mak- ing it necessary for the commission to take money from the general fund to cover their compensation. Patterson also argued against tapping into the county's general fund reserve and eco- nomic uncertainty reserve accounts. "I don't want to take the reserves down to nothing," Patterson said. County Administrator Tom Harmer (second from left) addresses the County Commission during the April 29 workshop. At left is Glen Zimmerman, chief information officer for the county; to the right of Harmer is Assistant Administrator Steve Botelho. Photo by Norman Schimmel Sarasota News Leader May 2, 2014 Page 30