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Public Safety <br />• EMS Ambulance Transportation Component <br />- Completes transition of bringing in-house <br />• Homeland Security <br />- Recently announced grant funds of $1.4 million will enable County to improve the <br />reliability and linkages for fire, police and other emergency responder agencies <br />and personnel <br />- Future grants anticipated to be received from Homeland Security <br />Emaloyee Pay and Benefits <br />• Classification & Pay Study <br />- Implemented during fiscal year 2003-04 <br />• Cost of Living <br />- 2 percent increase effective October 11, 2004 <br />• In-Range Salary Increases <br />- 2.5 percent far employees whose work performance is proficient or higher effective <br />with the employee's performance review date <br />• Health Insurance <br />- Projected increase up to 12 percent effective January 1, 2005 <br />• Benefits for Domestic Partners <br />- Effective January 1, 2005, in conjunction with the County's health insurance <br />renewal <br />Debt Service <br />• 2001 Voter Approved Bonds and Alternative Financing Plan <br />- $22.65 million issued in fiscal year 2002-03 <br />- $38.6 million planned for issuance in fiscal year 2004-05 later this summer <br />- Nearly 1.4 cents of proposed increase attributable to funds needed to pay debt <br />service an the sale of the 2001 voter approved bonds and recently issued <br />alternative financing <br />• Debt service equates to approximately 13 percent of total recommended General <br />Fund Operating Budget <br />- County's Debt Management Policy allows for debt service to be na more than 15 <br />percent of total General Fund Budget <br />Capital Funding <br />• Over last few years, recurring capital for both County and Schools has been <br />negatively impacted by State budget crisis <br />- For County projects, sales tax normally dedicated to recurring capital is being used <br />to balance the budget and avoid larger tax rate increases <br />- Amount dedicated to School recurring capital maintained at 2 cent level <br />• County Capital Funding Proposal Includes: <br />- Funding replacement of critical vehicles in fiscal year 2004-05 through short-term <br />lease-purchase plan <br />- Funding immediate facility repair needs with two-thirds net debt reduction bonds <br />