Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 08-11-08 special agenda - budget — reading text

budget hearing process, ouncil can lower the millage rate, but cannot raise it above this amount without notification to every 181h, 19th, 20th, 21st ( 22nd resident. Budget review meetings will be held on August if necessary) and cessary) at 5:30 p.m. at Fort Walton Beach Council Chambers at 107 Miracle Strip Parkway. Budget 15th 22nd. ings will be held on Monday, September and Monday, September These meetings will be broadcast live on FWBTV, Cox Channel 98. Cam Johnson, Public Information Officer, 850 -833 -9505 Cam Johnson Public Information Officer City of Fort Walton Beach, FL 850) 833 -9505 cjohnson @fwb. org P. O. Box 4009 107 Miracle Strip Parkway SW Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549 8/ 12/ 2008  MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 11, 2008 INTRODUCTION A special meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Monday, August 11, 2008, at 5: 30 p. m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with the following members present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Dennis Reeves, Bill Garvie, Dr. Wayne Pullen, and Mike Minich Absent: Virgil Miller and Jim Hartwell Also Present: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Brandy Wunker, Finance Director; Toni Craig, City Attorney; and Department Directors CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order. PLEDGE The Mayor led in the Pledge of Allegiance. TENTATIVE AD VALOREM MILLAGE RATE FOR FY 2008109 Consideration of setting the tentative ad valorem millage rate for FY 2008 -09. Charlotte Dunworth, Budget/ Grant Manager, gave an overview of the budget process, explaining that the tentative millage rate is the rate that will be shown on each property owner's Notice of Proposed Taxes" ( TRIM Notice) sent by the Property Appraiser, and that the tentative millage rate is important because once it is set it cannot be increased without the additional expense of formal re- notification to each taxpayer. However, the tentative millage rate may be reduced without formal re- notification to each taxpayer. Ms. Dunworth advised that Staff proposes a FY 2008 -09 tentative millage rate of 4. 1986 mills, which is the same as the FY 2007 -08 millage rate. Ms. Dunworth advised the roll -back rate is 4. 6883, and explained because of the decrease in taxable value, the roll -back rate is actually a roll -forward rate this year, as a higher millage rate is required to generate the same amount of tax revenue due to the lower taxable value. Ms. Dunworth explained that the Florida Legislature requires adoption of a millage rate dependent upon the affirmative vote of the governing body, and that a maximum millage rate of 4.4190 can be adopted with a majority vote of Council ( 4 votes). Ms. Dunworth advised the Staff recommendation is to retain the millage rate at 4. 1986, which would result in $ 410, 727 less revenue in the General Fund, and to set the dates and times of the public hearings for the budget on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 5: 30 pm, and Monday, September 22, at 5: 30 p. m. Mr. Minich questioned whether a millage rate of 4.4190 would mean an increase or decrease in taxes for the average homeowner. The City Manager responded it would probably mean a decrease in taxes, and would depend on the assessed value of a homeowner's property. Special Council 08/ 11/ 08 TENTATIVE AD VALOREM MILLAGE RATE FOR FY 2008/ 09 ( CONT) The City Manager continued that State Statute states that if ad valorem taxes are not adjusted by cost of living, taxes can be adjusted by 3 %, so depending on whether a homeowner is eligible for a homestead exemption, a homeowner could see an increase because the property appraiser would have automatically increased their assessment. The Mayor opened the public hearing. As there was none, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Minich moved to set the FY 2008 -09 tentative millage rate for ad valorem taxes at 4. 4190 mills. Mr. Garvie seconded motion. Mr. Minich stated he appreciated Staff's efforts in preparing the budget, but the higher millage rate will allow Council room to work with while discussing the budget, and that the millage rate can be lowered. Mr. Garvie stated that 67% of the citizens voted for the amendment to lower taxes, but there are consequences and reminded citizens they will not receive the services that higher taxes would provide. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, and Minich in favor (Miller and Hartwell absent). The Mayor asked for a vote to confirm the dates and times of the public hearing for the budget. Mr. Minich moved to confirm the dates and times of the public hearings for the budget as follows: Special Council meetings on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 5: 30 pm and Monday, September 22, 2008 at 5: 30 p. m. Mr. Reeves seconded motion. Mr. Garvie advised he has tried to set his schedule around the meetings, but with the change in days from Wednesday to Monday, he will not be able to attend the meeting on Monday, September 15. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 4 to 1 with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, and Minich in favor and Pullen opposed ( Miller and Hartwell absent). ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5: 40 p. m. APPROVED: MAYOR: ATTEST: CITY CLERK Ive  PLEASE REPLY TO: PETE SMITH Okaloosa County Property Appraiser 151 -D N. E. Eglin Pkwy Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548 -4498 101 E. James Lee Blvd. 850) 651 -7240 Crestview, FL 32536 FAX ( 850) 651 -7244 850) 689 -5900 FAX (850) 689 -5906 OFFICE OF THE OKALOOSA COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER July 9, 2008 Okaloosa County Taxing Authorities, As you know, July 1, 2008 was the statutory deadline for certifying preliminary values to you in order that you could complete your 2008 -2009 budgeting process.Unfortunately, due to our software vendor not completing the programming for the new Amendment 1 requirements, we were forced to request an extension from the Florida Department of Revenue, as were the majority of the other counties in the State. Because of the delay in certifying, your date to return the completed certifications to this office is now August 12, 2008. Again, I apologize for the delay and any problems it has caused, and thank all of you for your patience. Sincerely, Pete Smith, CFA Okaloosa County Property Appraiser  Page 1 of 2 Helen Spencer From: Helen Spencer Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 10:47 AM To: Joyce Shanahan Subject: RE: Tentative Millage Rate Joyce The meeting will be held on August 11, 2008 at 5: 30pm as that is when most could attend. I don' t know about Miller and 5th Hartwell will be out of town. Most said either day but Reeves and Pullen said they could not make the meeting so decided on the 11 to We will put this meeting on the calendar and ad in the paper since it has to do with budget. Helen Spencer City Clerk -Fort Walton Beach 850 -833 -9509 850 -833 -9640 -Fax hspencer @fwb. org Original Message---- - From: Joyce Shanahan Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 4: 52 PM To: Helen Spencer; Bill Garvie - wgarvie @aol. com; Dennis Reeves; Jim Hartwell ( 4eagles@cox. net); Mike Anderson; Mike Holmes ( mikeycmat@aol. com); Mike Minich; Toni Craig; Virgil Miller; Wayne Pullen - aapullen Cc: Brandy Wunker; Carole Jones; Charlotte Dunworth Subject: Tentative Millage Rate Good Evening All: After our Council meeting on Tuesday, July 8th, the City received the attached letter from the property appraiser 9th. 9th certifying the preliminary property values; the date of the letter is July That being said, 35 days from July would require the City to provide back to the property appraiser the DR-420 form by close of business on Tuesday August 12th. This will not give the City enough time to review this matter at our City Council Meeting on August 12th. Therefore, I will ask the City Clerk to contact Council to determine your availability for a special meeting on Monday August 11 th at 5:30 pm or Tuesday, August 5th at 5: 30 pm. I apologize for the inconvenience, but we are required to provide the tentative millage to the property appraiser within the required 35 day timeline. Please contact me should you have any questions. Thank you. Helen: Please contact Council to determine if any of the above referenced dates meet with their availability. Joyce Shanahan City Manager City of Fort Walton Beach, FL Phone: 850 -833 -9504 Fax: 850 -833 -9640 Cell: 850 -803 -9621 Please Note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from City of Fort Walton Beach officials are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your e- mail address and communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure. 7/ 11/ 2008  CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA MEMORANDUM DATE: July 11, 2008 TO: Helen Spencer, City Clerk FROM: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager$: j SUBJECT: Request for Special Council Meeting Please schedule a Special Council Meeting at 5: 30pm on Monday, August 11, 2008. The subject is setting the tentative millage rate for Fiscal Year 2008 -09. Thank you. cj U: \CJones \DPT002b \CMO\ Memos\ Memos 2008 \07 -11 -08 CC re sp mtg.doc  CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH NOTICE OF SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 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 4712 - Parkway, SW, on Monday, August 11, 2008 at