Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 09-25-07 regular minutes — reading text

mentioned a concerned citizen approached him about the lack of teeth in code enforcement. Councilman Pullen congratulated the Finance Director for being on the faculty for the City j., Clerk' s meetings; and mentioned the Headstart Open House on Thursday and the Golf Tournament for Headstart on October 13th. Councilman Garvie mentioned the Library Consortium and the good work the Library Directors are doing to expand services. Councilman Reeves mentioned he enjoyed working with City staff at the pancake breakfast last Saturday at Magnolia Grill to raise funds for the American Heart Association; and announced he opened his business last Saturday. Councilman Miller mentioned the City is fortunate to have Lisa Absher as the Finance Director, and noted, for the record, his reasons as follows: Personnel: Acted as supervisor of utilities customer service November thru' January, until Kim Barnes could be hired. Promoted Brandy Wunker to Comptroller in the vacancy of Chief Accountant. Promoted Mari Johnson to Accountant from a part- time position. Promoted Jo Main to Administrative Coordinator from secretary for public works. Looking for Senior Accountant. Building team morale, increasing skills and encouraging professional development. Accountina and Budaetina: All Department Heads now get illustrative budget- to- actual reports, so they can monitor their expenses to- date and available budget. In addition to new budget- to- actual reports, Department Heads receive detailed " Open P.O." and " Expense Posting" reports. Department Heads are now reviewing all expenses posted against their budget. All utility bills are reviewed and approved by Department Heads. Resulted in significant savings to the City in " found" errors, including $ 6, 000/ year in bills for security systems no longer used by the City. Continuing to find issues and errors. Instituted a new process for approving purchase requests which is expedited ( faster than before) and yet is mored-etailed in checking purchases against budget allowances. Holding Department Heads to a higher standard for responsibility for their budgets. Instituted some changes in the budget, including more detailed accounting for inter-fund ~ transfers, less reliance on " Non- Departmental" as a miscellaneous expense location. Improved monthly financial reports to be more understandable and accessible, including the new one- page " Budget- in- Brier report. Started a reference Library for GASB and accounting standards for use by the Accountants ....' on- staff. Visualized a need for and taught a class " Overview of Municipal Finance" in Spring ' 07. Established easier/streamlined accounting procedures for donations and restricted assets. Presented a briefing to council on the Brownfield' s Program and its potential for FWB.  159 9/ 25/ 07 Regular Council MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS ( CONn Kept current with changes to Law and accounting standards ( such as " Business Receipt Taxes" changes) Assisted the City Manager in strategic projects ( such as the Telecommunications Tax issues, Wastewater Treatment Plant, GE Pension issues, etc.). Councilman Holmes suggested Council be cautious in the requests to staff and the perception it who support the many may give; and expressed appreciation to all the businesses and residents City functions with their time and money. The Mayor mentioned the ribbon cutting at the Soundside Park on Friday at 10: 00 a. m.; the W.B. Bill Harbeson III Memorial Walkway is now installed at Liza Jackson Park; the City took web part in the United Way Day of Caring; the Mayor and Council email addresses are on the site; mentioned a letter was received thanking Linda Carnley for her good work; mentioned he has been attending the Sustainable Emerald Coast meetings; mentioned conceptual approval should be received from Eglin on November 1 st on the Eglin By- Pass; announced the neighborhood meetings has been consolidated starting October 11th at 6: 30 p. m. at the Senior Center with one neighborhood meeting for all 11 neighborhoods; requested Council prepare their thoughts on legislative priorities to send to the Florida League of Cities by October 3rd; and mentioned citizens can bringcomplaints to him but he will not solve it, he will pass it on to staff to work out the issue. Dr. Pullen mentioned the Valparaiso Library went from 5, 000 genealogy pieces to 40, 000 pieces. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11 :35 p. m. APPROVED:~~' 7 MAYOR: Am ti . . C( Ih CLERK ~ W'JV Ive