Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 09-24-13--regular — reading text

3 kAeliet Pg.  8. 1. 1 Special Meeting Minutes September 4, 2013 Dan Peterson, 378 Oakland Circle, noted the increase in county and other taxes and feels the City could find ways to reduce services without hardship to the residents. Mike Minich, 106 Waynel Circle, stated his opinion that the proposed budget is best for the long- term interest of the City; that it was built on a strategic plan by the Council; and stressed the need to maintain monies in the City' s reserve for emergencies. Mr. Minich also stated the budget should not be used as a platform for the political interest of some members of Council. Jim Hartwell, 64 Laurie Drive, stated the Fort Walton Beach area will be hit hard next year with federal tax cuts and asked that a new budget be developed using last year' s numbers. Thomas Mosley had no comments. R Diane Keller, homeowner and real estate agent, asked Council to keep an open mind as the o citizens speak and to go back and look at the budget again, and to ask the citizens for ways to n reduce the budget. Nd The Mayor advised that residents have been encouraged to come to the City and discuss ways to c reduce the budget and no one has come forward. Matt Baxley had no comments. c Bob Rettie, 317 Sudduth Circle, called for a referendum on the tax increase. The Mayor advised the second reading for the budget is on September 18, 2013, and there would not be time for any r referendum. Charles Scott, 205 Beachview Drive, stated he and his wife own four properties in Fort Walton Beach and have invested heavily into the City, and that a tax increase would be detrimental to them. Jamie Nabors, 43 Bay Drive, property and business owner, spoke in favor of the proposed budget, stating the services the City provides are valuable and need to be kept. Linda Haraway, 243 Vaughn Street and local realtor, spoke against the tax increase and asked Council to look at ways to reduce the budget without raising taxes. Darryl White, 585 Fairway Court, asked that Council readdress the budget and look at alternatives, and he spoke against the tax increase. Gloria DeBerry, Martisa Road, asked that the Council revisit the budget and remove line items that are not needed for the City to operate within its means. Chester Fleming, 217 Jet Drive, asked Council to be good stewards and not raise taxes. Henry Fair, 43 Bishop Avenue, spoke against the tax increase stating that it is not a good idea at this time. He relayed that cities and states that reduced taxes increased businesses that came into the City, thus increasing revenue. Ciry Council of Fort Walton Beach Page 3 P j is,  8.1. 1 Special Meeting Minutes September 4, 2013 Rose Fair, 43 Bishop Avenue, stated recreational services are not a necessity for the City to operate, and spoke against the tax increase. Bill Wendell, 1205 Beachview Drive, a Nary veteran, is of the opinion that retirement benefits not be given to City employees, that anyone who wants a retirement should join military and serve their country, and just because you work for the City does not mean you deserve retirement benefits. Mr. Wendell was also of the opinion that the police and fire should be made up of volunteers, with minimal paid workers. Jerry Simmons, 525 Mooney Road, spoke against the tax increase. Robert Harter, 48 Poulton Drive, spoke in favor of the budget, stating Staff did a great job and stressed the importance of maintaining services offered by the City. 0 The Mayor closed the public hearing. n a The Mayor asked for a motion and second for Resolution 2013 -23. Mr. Rynearson moved to adopt Resolution 2013 -23 to set the tentative millage rate for the City of Fort Walton Beach at 5. 7907 for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2013 and ending September 30, 2014. Dr. gossom seconded motion. aQ. The Mayor asked if there were any comments from Council N 0 v Mr. Rynearson stated he is not in favor of raising taxes and he did not make this decision lightly. n However, after reviewing the budget and knowing the situation the City has been in since his m five years on Council, he is voting for the budget as it is time to put the City on a sustainable o path. Dr. gossom stated she also has not made this decision lightly, but it is her responsibility to see the City become sustainable for the future and that the services/ benefits the City provides can continue. Dr. gossom stated she was taken aback by the behavior of some citizens she spoke with about the budget, stating she was threatened and called names because of her stance. She advised she has always listened to citizens and has never behaved that way to someone who may disagree with her, and she continues to feel that adopting the budget as presented is the right thing to do. Mr. Goodwin stated he will not support the motion, that it is counterproductive to raise taxes, and that he received 340 responses to the letter he sent out and will give each response to the City Clerk for anyone who wishes to read them. Mr. Rigdon stated he has a lot of experience with the operation of the City and he knows how it works, and he will vote for the budget. Ms. Jamieson stated she will support the motion because she truly believes it is for the betterment of the City. Mr. Griggs stated he will not support the motion, that we should not be asking for a tax increase from our citizens. Oty Caune!/ ofF,, lValtun Beach Page A r.-  8. 1. 1 Special Meeting Minutes September 4, 2013 Mr. Mead stated he is listening to what the people said when he ran for office, not to raise taxes, and is therefore voting against the budget. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion to adopt Resolution 2013 -23 to set the tentative millage rate for the City of Fort Walton Beach at 5. 7907 for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2013 and ending September 30, 2014, and it carried by a vote of 4 to 3 with Griggs, Mead, and Goodwin opposed. The Mayor announced the tentative millage rate for the City of Fort Walton Beach is 5. 7907 mills for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2013 and ending September 30, 2014, which is 28. 17% above the rolled -back rate of 4. 5180 mills. The Mayor continued the proposed millage is subject to a second and final public hearing that o will be held at the Fort Walton Beach Council Chambers on Wednesday. September 18, 2013, at n 5: 30 pm. RESULT: ADOPTED 14 TO 31 MOVER: Dick Rynearson, Council Seat 7 SECONDER: joyce gossom, Council Seat 2 AYES: joyce gossom, Amy Jamieson, Bull Rigdon, Dick Rynearson c NAYS: Bobby Griggs, John Mead, Trey Goodwin '.... 2013 -24 - FY 2013 -14 Tentative Budget A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR CERTAIN EXPENDITURES, EXPENSES, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS FOR THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, FOR THE YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2013 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2014; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: ( Budget and Grants Manager) Resolution 2013 -24 adopts the tentative budget for FY 2013 - 14. The proposed millage rate is 5. 7907 mills. arracumesrs: 09 -(9- 13 Trmniivc FY 13 - 14 audgn Scrip, ( DOCS) The Mayor read Resolution 2013 -24 by title. The Mayor advised the tentative budget for the City of Fort Walton Beach for FY 2013 -14 is 34, 726, 728, which is $ 2, 711, 157 or 8. 4% more than the adopted FY 2012 -13 budget. The Mayor opened the public hearing. Michael Barnes commented he took offense to the comment about city employees and retirement benefits. Mr. Barnes stated public service is public service, that you do not have to join the service to serve, and public servants should not be dismissed and the employees who do the work should not be undermined. City Council ofFon Wr W6 Beach Page 5 Packet Pg. 18 .  8. 1. 1 Minutes 4, 2013 Henry Fair, 43 Bishop Avenue, reiterated his comments that cities that do not raise taxes bring in more businesses which raises revenue. Bill Wendell, 1205 Beachview, feels it is not a betterment to the City to tax residents. The Mayor closed the public hearing. The Mayor asked for a motion and second for Resolution 2013 -14. Mr. Rynearson moved to adopt Resolution 2013 -14 to adopt the tentative budget for the City of Fort Walton Beach for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2013 and ending September 30, 2014. Ms. Jamieson