Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 09-08-2010 special — reading text

increase in recreation fees for county residents and to save money to do away with the least used course ( Pines or Oaks) at the golf course. Nancy Reynolds, 25 Driftwood Avenue, commented the activities at the recreation center are more expensive than what she could get downtown and suggested the fees get more competitive. She thought the City does not use what it has in ways that could generate more money. Henry Kelley, 344 Oakland Circle, received clarification that the five employees in the CRA were current employees transferred from the general fund to the CRA fund. Mr. Kelly suggested taking a hard look at the fireworks budget as it may be the time for the City to stop paying for that, and questioned the use of tax dollars to support the Chamber of Commerce and whether enough is being charged to groups to rent the auditorium. As no one else wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Rynearson moved to approve Res. 2010 -24 to adopt the tentative budget for the City of Fort Walton Beach for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2010 and ending September 30, 2011. Ms. gossom seconded motion. Mr. Minich moved to amend the budget by transferring $ 14,000 from contingencies to fund the Economic Development Council. Mr. Holmes seconded motion. Discussion included comments on the benefit of the Economic Development Council ( EDC) in times of economic strife as they can pursue programs and grants the City does not have the time or staffing to do; that the EDC brought new jobs into Fort Walton Beach last year; that economic development is the number one item in the Vision Plan and there is no one on staff who can do it; that a number of the largest employers in the City came forward at the last meeting in support of the EDC; and that the City has to look to the future of the children and the EDC helps bring industry to the area. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion to amend the budget and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, gossom, Reeves, Minich, Rigdon, and Rynearson in favor and Nabors opposed. Mr. Rigdon moved to direct the City Manager to go back to see if there is a way to reduce the budget. Motion failed for lack of a second. Discussion included comments that staff is dedicated and they earn their money; that there are less employees doing more and being paid less; that if more is cut out of the budget then services will be cut; that staff has prepared the best budget without reducing services; that it will be difficult to get back to where they were without a consensus on what to give up; and staff did an amazing job in making cuts. Special Council 9 -8 - 10 223 RES. 2010 -24: ADOPTING TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR FY 2010/ 11 cont. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion to approve Res. 2010 -24 to adopt the tentative budget, as amended to transfer $ 14,000 from contingencies to fund the Economic Development Council, for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2010 and ending September 30, 2011 and it carried by a vote of 5 to 2 with Holmes, gossom, Minich, Nabors, and Rynearson in favor and Reeves and Rigdon opposed. The Mayor stated the tentative budget for the City of Fort Walton Beach for FY 2010/ 11 is $ 35, 708, 090 with a tentative millage rate of 4.5383, which is 0. 000% below the rolled -back rate of 4. 5383 mills. He advised the proposed budget is subject to a second and final public hearing that will be held here at the City of Fort Walton Beach Council Chambers on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 5: 30 p.m. Mr. Holmes received clarification that the City Manager and the City Clerk are included to receive the vacation hours in lieu of pay increases. ADJOURN Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7: 15 p.m. ATTEST: 11. 1 0vl ITY CLERK ddm Date completed: 9 -9 -10