Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 05-15-2007 special agenda - budget policy — reading text

predicated on 90, 000 paid rounds and the same level of playas the prior year. However, it does not appear that play will reach 90K rounds and revenues are likely to come in comparable to last year at $ 2. 6M. 2001- 02 2002- 03 2003- 04 2004- 05 2006- 07 Paid Rounds 96, 510 93, 341 94, 005 86,270 80, 717 est. 4. Equipment purchases and capital improvement projects are being delayed in response to the revenue shortfall. In addition, the fund will not be able to begin to set aside resources to rebuild the fund' s net assets. Policv Impact 1. Due to operating deficits, the Golf Fund has not been reimbursing the General Fund for the full cost of services based on the Cost Allocation Plan.Expenses currently absorbed by the General Fund, approved by City Council in April 2006 as part of the rate plan, total approximately $ 350K annually. 2. The Golf Club Administrator does not recommend increasing rates at this time in order to establish goodwill with players and stabilize the number of rounds. 3. The City' s external auditors have recommended that the City " stay the course" with scheduled rate increases as additional time is needed to rebuild the unrestricted net assets of the Golf Fund. Recommendation Adjust golf club rates effective June 1 as scheduled. 33 of 36 FY 2007- 08 Budget Policy Workshop ff'j 34 of 36 FY 2007-08 Budget Policy Workshop OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING Policy Decision Should the City continue to fund outside agencies? Backqround 1. The following agencies are funded in the FY 2006- 07 budget: TOTAL Panhandle Animal Welfare Society ( PAWS) $ 73,339 Chamber of Commerce $ 40, 000 FWB Housing Authority - PILOT $ 20, 842 Economic Development Council ( EDC) $ 22, 226 Musical Echoes $ 6, 000 TOTAL AGENCY FUNDING $ 162,407 2. The Panhandle Animal Welfare Society provides animal control services. FY 2006- 07 is the last year of a three- year contract. 3. The Chamber of Commerce provides promotional material and information to people moving to the area. Funds are appropriated by City Council on an annual basis. 4. The City receives PILOT ( payment in lieu of taxes) funds from the Housing Authority to fund General Fund activities such as police and fire services per F. S 432. 02. City Council has traditionally refunded the PILOT, in essence giving the Housing Authority a grant in the amount of the PILOT. 5. The Economic Development Council promotes businesses and economics in the Commerce & Technology Park. Funds are appropriated by City Council on an annual basis. 6. Musical Echoes presents the Musical Echoes Festival annually at the Landing, drawing thousands of visitors for the premier American Indian music and art event in the Southeast. Funds are appropriated by City Council on an annual basis. Discussion 1. City Council has in years past questioned the benefit that citizens and businesses receive from the Chamber and EDC, and has expressed an interest in weaning groups such as Musical Echoes off City funds. 2. The City received a request from the Arts & Design Society to include $ 5, 000 in the FY 2007- 08 budget to beautify and irrigate the grounds and sign at the old City Hall on First Street. Policv Impact 1. Eliminating funding for outside agencies would free revenues to maintain funding for existing City program and services. Recommendation Eliminate or reduce funding for outside agencies. 35 of 36 FY 2007- 08 Budget Policy Workshop 36 of 36  I f. City of Fort Walton Beach I L-_ \\'.\ V i' i~ America' s Most Beautiful Beaches p;, \. . J i I.,- i,j\ 107 Miracle Strip Parkway, SW * P. O. Box 4009 * Fort Walton Beach, Fl32549 7"- \,. . v /,'. ~ ' 850) 833- 9500 * Fax ( 850) 833- 9640 www. fwb. org TDD ( 850) 833- 9925 Helen Spencer May 10, 2007 City Clerk 850) 833- 9509 hspencer~ fwb. org TO: DAILY NEWS Fax # 863- 7834 CUMULUS BROADCASTING Fax # 243-6806 WKSM RADIO 99 ROCK WYZB RADIO COUNTRY 105 WFTW TALK RADIO 1260 AM WWSF RADIO 98 SURF Fax # 994- 7191 WPSM RADIO 91. 1 FM Fax # 244- 3068 STAR BROADCASTING Fax # 243- 1471 98. 1 100. 3 1400 AM DESTIN LOG Fax # 654-5982 WEAR CHANNEL 3 TV Fax # 862- 3001 CHANNEL 6 Fax # 862- 1708 PRESS RELEASE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH NOTICE OF SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING - BUDGET POLICY The City Council of the City of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, will hold a Special Meeting in the Fort Walton Beach Council Chambers located at 107 Miracle Strip Parkway SW, on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 5: 30 p. m. The purpose of the Special Council meeting is to discuss budget issues for the proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2007/ 08; increasing the senior homestead exemption from $ 25, 000 to $ 50, 000 for 2007; and consideration of partnering with Okaloosa County for a hydrological study of the Gap Creek Drainage Basin. Any person who decides to appeal any decision made with respect to any matter considered at this meeting will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. FS286. 0105). The City of Fort Walton Beach adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable modifications for access to this meeting upon request. Please call the City Clerk, Helen Spencer at 850- 833- 9509 to make a request. For Hearing Impaired call the City Hall TDD # 833- 9925, or 1- 800- 955- 8771 ( TDD), or 1- 800- 955- 8770 ( Voice). Requests must be received at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting in order to allow the City time to provide requested service. HELEN A. SPENCER CITY CLERK 833- 9509 COPIES TO MAYOR, COUNCIL, APPOINTED OFFICERS & DEPARTMENT HEADS AS LISTED ~ II 1:\ LEGALS\ COUNCIL\PRESS\ 05-15- 07. DOC S-/ O -( 7? DATE