LSHA Final Budget Hearing Concludes in Chaos Board Double-Dribbles, Budget Not Approved
Posted September 29, 2016 12:01 am | Part II | Part I
Attny Koberlein
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Monday night, Governor Scott's Lake Shore Hospital Authority (LSHA) Board held its final budget hearing. In Part II, the meeting concludes in chaos when the resolution establishing the millage rate was not read into the record. After a bunch of whispering by Board Attorney Fred Koberlein, Board Member Foreman's amended motion attempting to add and approve the millage rate was never voted upon.
Budget Approval Time
The Board Gets To Work
Board Chair Lory Chancy addressed the Board, "Are there any amendments to the proposed budget?"
There was silence.
Chairwoman Chancy
Ms. Chancy followed up, "No amendments to the proposed budget? I'll entertain a motion to adopt."
Manager Berry starts whispering.
Your reporter asked, "What did he say?"
Ms. Chancy explained, "He told me to read item 6."
It is not clear why Manager Berry felt he needed to whisper.
Board Attorney Fred Koberlein sat silent.
Your reporter thanked the Chair for her clarification.
Ms. Chancy asked, "Can I have a motion to adopt the millage rate?"
Ms. Chancy did not mention the rate or the resolution number, or anything else.
Board member Ron Foreman said, "So moved."
Board member Janet Creel said, "Second."
Ms. Chancy asked, "Any discussion?"
There was silence.
Ms. Chancy continued, "All in favor?"
All in unison: "AYE."
Ms. Chancy: "Opposed? (Silence) - motion carries."
That was it. Mr. Foreman also did not refer to the resolution adopting the millage rate, nor did he read the millage rate or anything about the rolled back rate into the record.
Moving Right Along
The Whisperers
Ms. Chancy asked, "May I have a motion to adopt the budget for 2016-2017?"
Board member Koby Adams, who is also Representative Elizabeth Porter's Chief of Staff, made the motion, "I move we adopt the budget for 2016-2017. Resolution 2016-002."
Attorney Koberlein begins whispering to Mr. Foreman. Mr. Foreman whispers back. They exchange papers.
Manager Berry whispers to Mr. Adams. Mr. Berry's remarks can barely be understood in the audience.
It is unclear why everyone was whispering.
Mr. Berry: "You need to read the numbers."
Board members Koby Adams and Janet Creel.
Mr. Adams: "I did read the numbers."
Mr. Adams makes another motion. (There is small talk between Ms. Chancy and Mr. Adams). He says, "OK. I move we adopt the budget for 2016-2017 as follows." He then reads into the record the four fund amounts and the budget total.
Board member Brandon Biel seconded the motion.
Ms. Chancy asked for discussion. There was none. The motion was unanimous.
Mr. Foreman and Mr. Koberlein stopped whispering.
Mr. Foreman Takes the Floor
Board member Ron Foreman
Mr. Foreman: "Madam Chair, should I read my motion in the technical totals as opposed to moving to adopt – for the record?"
No one asked what this meant or seemed to know what Mr. Foreman was trying to do.
Ms. Chancy said, "We just adopted the budget."
Mr. Foreman responded, "No, the proposed amendment on the millage rate."
It was not clear if anyone knew what "the proposed amendment on the millage rate" was. There was nothing documenting any "proposed amendment."
Mr. Koberlein spoke up, "Madam Chair, could you just have the record reflect that Dr. Foreman's motion was based on, I believe, on a millage rate of .962."
It was not clear if Mr. Koberlein was going to ask Mr. Foreman for more information or was asking the Chair to make up the record.
Mr. Foreman spoke up, "To adopt a millage rate of .962 mils for the 2016-17 fiscal year: resolution 2016-001, clarifies the motion."
Ms. Chancy rolled right along, "OK. Any discussion? (none) Fully accepted. Any other business?" (silence)
Ms. Chancy hits the gavel. "Meeting adjourned," she said.
There was no vote.
Epilogue
The rudeness, the whispering, and the disorder ramped up at the Lake Shore Hospital Authority with the resignation of former bank president Bruce Naylor and the Governor's failure to reappoint businessman Stephen Douglas to the LSHA Board.
When former long time Authority Attorney Marlin Feagle retired, that was the icing on the cake. The Authority has run wild ever since.
Part I: LSHA Budget Hearing a Train Wreck: No questions allowed