Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 09-15-08 special agenda - budget — reading text

Hartwell continued that members of Council are the government and as such they are paying the same taxes as the citizens, and they do not benefit financially because they are on Council. Mr. Hartwell expressed his disappointment that some members of the public waited until the twelfth hour to provide input when the publicized meetings began in April, and noted that without public input it is difficult for Council to know what the people want. Mr. Hartwell further noted the budget documents were ready for public view six months ago but apparently the public did not respond. Dr. Pullen advised he would not support raising the ad valorem tax because there are other taxes coming in from the various utilities and other places. Mr. Reeves stated he would not support raising the ad valorem tax and that he voted against some of the add -backs, and noted that Council worked long and hard discussing the budget and that tough decisions were made. Mr. Miller spoke against the increase in ad valorem taxes and suggested that some of the one- time items, such as the fireworks and Kid' s Day, be taken from the reserve fund that is used for hurricanes and /or other emergencies that may arise. Mr. Holmes stated he understands the comments made by Council and reiterated that these discussions have been ongoing since April and at the last minute a handful of people come and speak against the budget. Mr. Holmes commented that quality of life issues differ among individuals, and that none of the decisions were made lightly; they were made with a lot of research, and he stated his disappointment at a ` rallying of the troops' at the last minute. Mr. Holmes noted that quality of services is what is at stake and for these services to continue they must be paid for, and he feels this is an excellent document and that as much money as possible has been saved to continue to give the public the services they want and expect from the City. Further discussion included the importance in keeping monies in the reserve fund; the importance of public input; and that the ad valorem rate is irreversible for the year but the budget can be changed during the year if needed. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 4 to 3 with Holmes, Hartwell, Anderson, and Minich in favor and Miller, Reeves, and Pullen opposed ( Garvie absent). The Mayor advised that during his review of the budget, he had checked items he wanted added back into the budget, but they were not, so with that understanding he supports the tentative millage rate of 4. 3361. The City Attorney advised that in the case of a tie vote the Mayor can vote since, in her opinion, the provision in Section 6 prevails, which states that the Mayor can break a tie. The Mayor advised the proposed millage rate is subject to a second and final public hearing that will be held on Monday, September 22, 2008, at 5: 30 pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall. RES. 2008 -41, ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR FY 2008/ 09 The Mayor read the resolution by title. Special Council 9 -15 -08 RES. 08- 41 ( CONT) 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, 2008 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2009; AND SETTING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The Mayor announced the tentative 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. Phil Gallmeier, 206 Buck Drive, received clarification on issues of concern he had regarding the proposed boat launch fee being incorporated into the budget; that the stormwater enterprise fund is a new utility and that existing crews will continue to provide current service; and that risk management has been moved to the general fund as an easier way to account for it. As there was no one else who wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. The Mayor asked for a motion and a second to adopt Res. 2008 -41 to adopt the tentative budget for the City of Fort Walton Beach for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2008 and ending September 30, 2009. Mr. Hartwell moved to adopt Res. 08 -41. Mr. Holmes seconded motion. The Mayor asked for Council discussion. Dr. Pullen stated he voted to retain the position of Fire Captain for safety reasons for the firefighters, and also because to retain the position costs less than a lawsuit would cost if someone were injured. Mr. Miller went on record as stating his feeling that the fireworks, the Kids' Day, and the two police vehicles would be better paid for from the excess of reserve fund and not from the general budget. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 5 to 1 with Holmes, Reeves, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor and Miller opposed ( Garvie absent). The Mayor advised that the tentative budget for the City of Fort Walton Beach for Fiscal year 2008/09 is $ 36, 570, 582 with a tentative millage rate of 4. 3361, which is 7. 5% below the rollback rate of 4. 6883 mills. The proposed budget is subject to a second and final public hearing that will be held on Monday, September 22, 2008, at 5: 30 pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6: 35 p. m. APPROVED: ATTEST: MAYOR: CITY CLERK Ive  OKALOOSA CITIZENS ALLIANCE INC. Kabe Woods - President Statement before the Ft. Walton Beach City Council September 15, 2008 I am Kabe Woods and I live at 240 Brooks Street in Ft. Walton Beach. I am the President of KLW Properties, a private investment firm and real estate brokerage and I am the President of Okaloosa Citizens Alliance Inc. First, I would like to commend the City Manager and all of the staff for working hard this year to meet the challenge of lower property tax revenues. The budget process was well executed and the documentation is well done. I also commend the Council for listening to our input. Each meeting since the Budget Policy Kickoff in April the Council has made time for Citizen input and I believe you have taken much of that input to heart. With ad valorem receipts and spending down 5. 34% from the previous year, real progress has been made. And yes, my tax bill has been reduced on my homestead and on my commercial property. All this said, I believe there are still some opportunities for reducing ad valorem taxes. In a recent budget meeting several items were put into the proposed budget adding an additional $ 217K to the budget. These items were a high priority to most of you as indicated by the vote. However, I believe these items should be offset in other areas of the budget or find sponsors for items like the fireworks and Kids Day. Overall I thank you for your work and for listening to our input. Let' s be sure however, to keep an eye on the future and ways to improve our local economy while delivering City services faster, better and cheaper. Thanks for this opportunity to speak to you. Kabe Woods P.O. Box 238 Fort Walton Beach Florida. 32549 www.ocal787.org 850- 240 -1948  Page 1 of 1 Helen Spencer From: Dixie MacDonald Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 4:54 PM To: Helen Spencer Subject: FW: budget ordinance Helen, Here is an FYI for you. We won' t need to advertise a budget ordinance for second reading. Dixie Original Message---- - From: Charlotte Dunworth Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 4: 50 PM To: Dixie MacDonald Cc: Brandy Wunker Subject: RE: budget ordinance Dixie, We have received the City Attorney' s concurrence to adopt the budget by resolution. We' ll have a tentative budget resolution for 9/ 15 and a final budget resolution for 9/ 22. This is cleaner from a budget amendment perspective given the current language in the state statute regarding budgets. There' s no need for budget ordinance advertisement. Thanks for staying on top of this and sorry we did not communicate this to you earlier. Let me know if questions. Charlotte Original Message---- - From: Dixie MacDonald Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 4 :42 PM To: Charlotte Dunworth Subject: budget ordinance Hi Charlotte, I am just looking ahead. The 08/09 budget ordinance will go for second reading on Monday, September 22nd and we will need to advertise it ten days before the meeting. So I am going to have the notice run in the paper on Friday, September 12th. What 1 will need is the "title" of the ordinance by Monday, September 8th so I can get it to the paper in time Thanks, Dixie MacDonald Deputy City Clerk City of Fort Walton Beach 833 -9510 8/ 27/ 2008  CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The City Council of the City of Fort Walton Beach, Florida will hold a Public Hearing in the Fort Walton Beach Council Chambers, located at 107 Miracle Strip Parkway, SW, on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 5: 30 p. m. The purpose of the public hearing is to consider the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2008/ 09, establish the proposed millage rate, a tentative budget resolution, and any other business to come before the City Council. 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. ( FS 286. 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. Hearing Impaired dial 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 Publication date on Friday, September 12, 2008 U: \CityClerk\Legals\BUDGET\2008 \public hearing LDOC  CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Lego14950 The City Council of the City of Fort Walton Beach, Florida will hold a Public CITY, Of FORT WALTON Hearing in the Fort Walton Beach Council Chambers, located at 107 Miracle BEACH NOT Strip Parkway, SW, on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 5: 30 p. m. EARING HEARING