Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 10-14-08 regular agenda — reading text

protect the citizens of the City. Dr. Pullen advised he would not support the millage rate as proposed because there are other monies that can be used to cover possible shortfalls. He also stressed that the budget can be changed if needed, throughout the year, but once the millage rate is set it cannot be changed. Mr. Garvie informed he could not support a raise in the millage rate because, in his, words, ` the area is hurting.' Mr. Reeves said he is for keeping taxes down if possible and appreciated the comments from the citizens this evening. He read most of the petitions and thanked the citizens for their input. Mr. Miller stated he would vote against the proposed millage rate and that the Staff recommendation should be endorsed. Mr. Holmes advised he would support the proposed millage rate. He said quality of life for the citizens is what is being considered, and he has not had one call regarding lowering the rate but has had many people tell him they like the services they receive from the City and wants those services to remain. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it failed by a vote of 3 to 4 with Holmes, Hartwell, and Minich in favor and Miller, Reeves, Garvie, and Pullen opposed. Mr. Reeves moved to adopt Res. 08 -44 ,setting the Final Millage Rate for the City of Fort Walton Beach at 4.1986 mills for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2008, and ending September 30, 2009. Mr. Minich seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. The Mayor advised the millage rate for the City of Fort Walton Beach is 4. 1986 mills for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2008 and ending September 30, 2009, which is 10. 5% below the rollback rate of 4.6883 mills.  291 Special Council 9 -22 -08 PUBLIC HEARING —RES. 08 -45: BUDGET FOR FY 08/ 09 The Mayor stated the budget for the City of Fort Walton Beach for Fiscal year 2008/09 is 36, 570, 582, which is $ 40, 086 or 0. 1 % less than the adopted Fiscal year 2007/ 08 budget. The Mayor opened the public hearing for comments on the budget. Kabe Woods, 240 Brooks Street, suggested Council look at finding the funding in the budget to provide the two police vehicles and the Fire Captain. As no one else wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. The City Manager clarified for the public that she receives orders from Council and her direction was to prepare a budget that was equal to or less than last year. She said it is Council' s direction they follow, that Council sets policy and the direction. She noted that a budget has to be set tonight. The Finance Director noted the resolution before Council adopts the budget for the Fiscal Year 2008 -09 and with the change in the millage rate to 4. 1986 it will decrease the ad valorem revenue received for the CRA tax increment funding. The City Manager mentioned if Council wishes to maintain the same level of add backs then they will need to use reserve funds to offset the cost or reduce the budget elsewhere by 147, 970. The Mayor noted he provided as an alternative the use of the reserve funds to pay for the add back items. Mr. Minich moved approve Res. 08- 45 to adopt the budget as presented leaving the Fire Captain position unfunded,eliminating the two police vehicles, eliminating the 1% increase, eliminating the $ 10, 000 for fireworks, and eliminating $ 3, 000 for Kid' s Day. Mr. Garvie seconded motion. Mr. Minich stated he was against using reserve funds because this is a coastal community and, if the motion passed, pledged $ 3, 000 for Kid' s Day. Mr. Garvie said he is not against any of the add back items but they are in tight times and the citizens came forward with their suggestions. Mr. Holmes commented Council voted to add back those items and is now bowing to the pressure of a select few. He would support the use of reserve funds. Mr. Miller received clarification from the Finance Director that the unreserved /undesignated Fund Balance for 2009 would be $ 6, 819,431. Mr. Miller moved to amend the motion to add back $ 10, 000 for fireworks, $ 3, 000 for Kid' s Day, and $ 40, 000 for the purchase of two police vehicles to be paid for out of reserve funds. Dr. Pullen seconded amendment. Mr. Miller commented that the citizens look forward to the fireworks each year, the Kid' s Day is highly attended, and the two police vehicles are needed. Dr. Pullen said he supported the amendment because some of the items are essential and they can adjust the budget throughout the year. 292 Special Council 9 -22 -08 RES. 08 -45 cont. ` Mr. Hartwell appreciated Mr. Miller's approach but had difficulty in not keeping the 1 % pay raise, but did support the one time expenditures out of the reserve funds. Mr. Minich said he did not support the amendment because the surplus funds should be used for true emergencies. Mr. Garvie said the situation everyone is in right now is not over and they need the reserves so he could not support the amendment. Mr. Holmes commented they were all important items and they will have a year to re- evaluate the budget. The Mayor noted the amendment on the floor is to fund the police vehicles, the fireworks, and Kid' s Day out of reserves. The Mayor called for the vote on the amendment to the motion and it failed by a vote of 3 to 4 with Miller, Pullen, and Hartwell in favor and Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, and Minich opposed. Mr. Hartwell moved to amend the motion to direct the City Manager to find funding in the budget to ensure the 1% pay increase occurs and the Fire Captain position is maintained. Motion failed for lack of a second. Mr. Holmes moved to amend the motion to put the add backs back in the budget and pay for them out of the reserves. Mr. Reeves seconded motion. Mr. Holmes expressed Council voted to add the items back in and it is hard to pick and choose. Mr. Reeves commented the amount is approximately $ 147, 000 and he supports the amendment. Mr. Miller was against increasing the base salary and did not think they should encumber the City with additional expenses. He said he thought the cost of manpower has been increasing. Mr. Garvie pointed out that the $ 147,000 is about 15% of the available reserve funds. Mr. Hartwell said he could appreciate wanting to keep the reserve fund higher than recommended but they have not purchased additional vehicles to help the police and fire respond in emergencies. He said they need to find a way to add back the two vehicles and make sure they have a Fire Captain Safety position. He said adding back the fireworks and the Kid' s Day is important because they are activities that help bring families together to bond and bolster their spirits. He supported the amendment Mr. Minich said he did not believe in taking out of reserves. The Mayor called for the vote on the amendment to add back the fireworks, Kid' s Day, the Fire Captain position, the two police vehicles, and the 1% pay increase, and to pay for them out of reserves, and it carried by a vote of 4 to 3 with Holmes, Reeves, Pullen, and Hartwell in favor and Miller, Garvie, and Minich opposed. RECESS The meeting recessed at 6: 45 p. m. RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 6: 57 p. m.  293 Special Council 9 -22 -08 RES. 08 -45 cont. The Finance Director stated Res. 08 -45 will change on line 22 with the millage at 4. 1986 and on line 27 with the total budget at $ 36, 537, 873. She also mentioned the total amount of project carryovers is $ 7,012, 087 and the total amount of encumbrance carryovers is $ 1, 027, 759. The Mayor noted the motion before Council is to adopt the budget with the five add back items to be paid for out of the reserve fund. Mr. Miller received clarification that the carryover for the sewer wastewater treatment is the outstanding bond issue to complete the upgrade. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion to approve Res. 08 -45 to adopt the budget with the five add back items to be paid for out of the reserve fund and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, and Hartwell in favor and Minich opposed. The budget for the City of Fort Walton Beach for FY 2008 -09 is $ 36, 537, 873 with a millage rate of 4. 1986 which is 10. 5% below the rollback rate of 4. 6883 mills. ADJOURN Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7: 03 p. m. APPROVED: MAYOR: ATTEST: CITY CLERK ddm  MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 23, 2008 INTRODUCTION A regular meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Tuesday, September 23, 2008, at 7: 00 p. m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with the following members present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Virgil Miller, Dennis Reeves, Bill Garvie, Dr. Wayne Pullen, Jim Hartwell, and Mike Minich Also Present: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Brandy Wunker, Finance Director; Toni Craig, City Attorney; Department Directors and Media. CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. He requested anyone who wished to address Council to approach the podium after being recognized, then state his or her name and address for the record. INVOCATION Reverend Roger Peadro, First Christian Church, led in the Pledge of Allegiance. PLEDGE Youth from First Christian Church led in the Pledge of Allegiance. PROCLAMATION — DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH The Mayor presented a proclamation to Michelle Sperzel, Executive Director of Shelter House, proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. STUDENT ACE AWARDS Miller McInnis, Choctawhatchee High School, received the Student ACE Award for the month of September 2008. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Minich moved to approve the agenda as the business of the day. Mr. Holmes seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Miller requested Item # 5 regarding the study of an alternative pension program be moved to the regular agenda for further discussion. Dr. Pullen moved to approve the Consent Agenda with the removal of Item # 5 to the Regular Agenda. Mr. Miller seconded motion and it carried by a vote of 5 to 2 with Holmes, Miller, Garvie, Pullen, and Hartwell in favor (Reeves and Minich opposed). APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of September 9, 2008. 2 Regular Council 09 -23 -08 RES. 08 -42, EQUIPMENT THROUGH FLORIDA LAW ENFORCEMENT CHALLENGE A RESOLUTION