Fiscal Year 2013 Recommended Budget Book - Lake County

Honorable Members of the Board of County CommissionersBudget Message for Fiscal Year 2013July 12, 2012Page 4combined fleet facility for the repair of all Board of County Commissioners’ vehicles including generalfleet operations, fire, and mosquito control. The smaller building is being renovated as a Radio OperationsCenter. The expansion and renovation of the Lake County Animal Services facility is moving forwardwith construction set to begin during Fiscal Year 2012 and completion in early Fiscal Year 2013.HighlightsI want to highlight the Growth Management Department and the Office of Economic Development andTourism. These are areas where specific direction was given by the Board and we have been successful inmeeting those expectations. The Growth Management Department has effectively met challenging goalsand implemented changes to benefit the citizens of Lake County. The inception of online permitting hasbeen a success and is a model to which other government entities are looking to duplicate within theirown Growth Management departments. Lake County is the first in the state to implement an on-linepermitting partnership with the Florida Department of Health. Growth Management has worked with theCounty Manager’s office and the Office of Budget in reducing their budget and privatizing certainplanning and building functions. The budget for Building Services has been conservatively managed, withall expenditures being scrutinized. Due to increases in building activity and revenues, this has allowed thestaff to return to working 40 hours per week and offer inspections five days a week.The Office of Economic Development and Tourism was formed one year ago to streamline theorganizational structure and to improve efficiencies in the promotion of economic development andtourism within Lake County. Economic development focuses on efforts that will strengthen LakeCounty’s existing businesses and local economy, while also making Lake County an attractive destinationfor relocating or start-up businesses. An Economic Action Plan, consisting of nine comprehensive goals,was developed through collaboration with the business community and interested citizens. The goals ofthe Economic Action Plan are wide-ranging and represent a well-balanced approach to economic andsocial prosperity.In support of the Economic Action Plan, the Office of Economic Development and Tourism has dividedLake County into three micro-regions. Because each region has its own unique character and distinctiveeconomic climate, a dedicated Economic Development Coordinator has been assigned to each region.The Coordinators’ sole focus is to remain constantly engaged with the businesses in their region. Withthis new pro-active and engaged approach, the County is better positioned to respond to the needs of LakeCounty businesses. Additional resources dedicated to each region include the development of “bricks andmortar” support centers. The Office of Economic Development and Tourism has developed threeBusiness Opportunity Centers (BOC), with one BOC located in each micro-region. The BOCs offer fullservicebusiness assistance to all businesses within each micro-region, regardless of size or business cycle,through both a Business Incubator Program and through support services offered by the Small BusinessDevelopment Center (SBDC).Lake County’s business attraction efforts are bolstered by a strong partnership with Metro Orlando EDCand a continued focus on ensuring that Lake County is well positioned to attract future growth. Thisincludes maintaining a business friendly economic climate and working with local partners to ensure thatthe County has an ample supply of available land with appropriate zoning and infrastructure. In addition,a new Economic Development website was created providing a much needed promotional tool and anabundance of vital economic development statistics and information for both existing and new businesses.