Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 08-12-13-special--budget — reading text

Draft Minutes — City of Fort Walton Beach Special Meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach Monday, August 12, 2013 5: 30 PM 107 Meade Strip Parkway Fart Wa1W. Beady FL 32548 CALL TO ORDER 5: 30 PM Meeting was called to order on August 12, 2013 at Council Chamber, 107 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, FL. A40116s Smaxie Title Status Arrived Mike Anderson Mayor Present Bobby Griggs Council Seat 1 Present oyce gossom Council Seat 2 Present John Mead Council Seat 3 Present Trey Goodwin Council Seat 4 Present Amy Jamieson Council Seat 5 Present Bull Rigdon Council Seat 6 Present Dick Rynearson Council Seat 7 Present PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF AGENDA The vote on the motion to approve the agenda carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Rigdon opposed. RESULT: ADOPTED [ 6 TO 11 MOVER: joyce gossom, Council Seat 2 SECONDER: Dick Rynearson, Council Seat 7 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Mead, Goodwin, Jamieson, Rynearson NAYS: BullBull RigdonRigdon ACTION --DIRECTION --DISCUSSION Discuss the FY 2013 -14 Proposed Budget Michael Beedie, City Manager, informed the budget process with the City Council began in April with the Strategic Planing Session, at which time fourteen ( 14) items were identified which were the basis for the FY 2013 -14 budget. He discussed the goals of the budget and advised the importance of creating a proactive culture within the City of Fort Walton Beach to position the City to grow and prosper and to create an environment where the millage rate is evaluated on an annual basis. City Cori, rM ofF,,n Walron Beach Page 1 Panted 8/[ 52013 252 Special Meeting Minutes August 12, 2013 Mr. Beedie presented an overview of what has occurred the past five years within the City's budget including declining revenues and a declining workforce; the increased cost of providing the same of level of services; and reduced renewal and replacement programs for vehicles and equipment. Mr. Beedie advised that Council is being requested to endorse a millage rate of 5. 7954 mills to fund the proposed budget for the fiscal year October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014. The Mayor asked if Council had questions on the City Manager's presentation and there were none. PUBLIC COMMENTS The Mayor asked if anyone from the public had any comments. Jean Hunnicut, 199 Alder Drive, Fort Walton Beach, stated she spoke at the June budget meeting and noted that not everyone can attend a Council meeting to voice their thoughts. She questioned how many e -mails Council member had received from constituents asking not to raise taxes. Ms. Hunnicut asked the Council to consider living within a budget, repairing vehicles in- house, and the need for wage adjustments for City employees. Bob Rettie, 317 Sudduth Circle, spoke against an increase in the millage rate. Sandy Stone, 328 Ivy Place, noted the excellent services provided by the City's Police and Fire Departments and that she supports the increase because the community deserves these services. Matt Gaetz, 301 Brooks Street, stated the City has discussed raising taxes in the past but has not done so, and that the City will continue to exist with a lower millage rate. He mentioned the tax increase in the county and the gas tax increase and that an increase in the city would be a ' triple whammy' to the citizens. Gloria DeBerry, 220 Martisa Road, informed she read through the budget and could not find valid reasons for the tax increase. Levin Lord, 578 L'Ombre Court, is a 40 -year resident of the City. He discussed the many programs afforded to the youth and the fact the City is a relatively safe place to raise a family, and spoke in favor of the proposed budget. Brenda Follis Lengelle, 328 Elliott Road, stated as a realtor she sees the struggles people are having to purchase homes and asked that an increase be kept to a minimum. Pastor Cecil Williams of Greg Chapel stated the City needs to move into the future; that a new technological age is here and the City cannot afford to stay where it is. Pastor Williams stated he supported the increase. Lorrie Arrington, 216 Fliva Avenue, spoke in favor of the proposed budget stating the services and recreational opportunities the City offers is worth an increase in the millage rate. There were no more comments from the public City Council OfFort Walton Beach Page 2 Printed 811512013  Special Meeting 253 Minutes August 12, 2013 The Mayor asked for comments from Council. Mr. Goodwin discussed possible ways to avoid a tax increase, including repairing instead of replacing vehicles, not filling two vacant positions, and to give employees a one -time bonus or comp time instead of a salary adjustment. Mr. Goodwin suggested waiting another year to raise taxes until the economy justifies an increase. Also discussed was the posting of the City's check register and the salary of all City employees on the City's web page for the citizens to look at. Mr. Griggs suggested support positions be downgraded to part time and closing the City's museums two days a week as a way to save money. Mr. Rynearson stated he is proud of Staff and the work put into the budget and that it is a ' best value' budget. He stated his feeling that it is time the City moves in the right direction and noted the poor condition of City vehicles and that the City needs to be wage competitive as the employees are a huge part of the success of the city. Mr. Rigdon stated he received no e -mails from citizens regarding the tax increase. Mr. Rigdon acknowledged he has been through budget processes several times and he praised public safety and utilities employees. He noted the importance of replacement of vehicles for safety reasons, and that wage increases cannot be put off another year as City employees have families as well. Ms. Jamieson stated her support of the budget and informed she has not received any a -mails from citizens for or against an increase. Mr. Mead suggested ways the budget could be reduced including vehicle repair instead of replacement reviewing the policy police officers taking vehicles home; reducing computer replacement; reviewing the combined contributions for general employees pension and police /fire benefits; not filling two vacant positions; and to give a bonus to employees in lieu of much needed pay raises. Mr. Mead also advised he did not receive e -mails or phone calls regarding the budget, but that during his campaign he spoke with the citizens who asked him not to raise taxes. The Mayor received clarification regarding the vehicle take -home by police personnel; that there are statutory requirements for police and fire pensions that must be followed and the City is awaiting a report from the City's actuary; and that changes are being looked at for the general employees pensions. Dr. gossom advised she shared suggestions with the City Manager and Finance Director and they are working on implementing them. She noted the City and/ or Council has no control over things such as the Gulf Power franchise fees, fire and police pension funds, and the stock market. Dr. gossom noted the wear and tear that police vehicles take in comparison to a civilian vehicle; therefore, she does not question expenses for vehicles. Dr. gossom stated her opinion that the City cannot keep putting things off 'until next year,' the City needs to take a stand and move forward. She stated she has heard from residents and business owners who are in favor of the tax increase, and only one person via e -mail who was opposed to any increases. Dr. gossom publicly recommended eliminating the automatic cost of living annual increases for Council from the budget; eliminating meals before Council meetings and invite local restaurants Ciry Counell ojForl Wallop Beach Peige 3 N,V I, d &752073  Minutes 2013 to contribute; and eliminate paper forms of magazines and subscriptions and use electronic format and on -line subscriptions. The Mayor presented some ideas to reduce the budget that have been presented to him in the past, including giving employees a flat cost of living increase and delaying street and sidewalk resurfacing. He noted that the cost of meals before Council meetings and the annual fourth of July fireworks have been removed from the budget. The Mayor stated other ideas presented to him included taxing the buildings that churches own but not taxing the actual property, and closing Station 7. The Mayor asked Council to reconsider the insurance they receive from the City, stating employees do pay for their insurance, and possibly replenishing reserves with the possible sale of properties next year. Ms. Jamieson moved to endorse a millage rate of 5. 7954 mills to fund the proposed budget for the fiscal year October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014. Dr. gossom seconded motion. Mr. Goodwin and Mr. Mead reiterated they will not support the budget. Mr. Goodwin urged citizens to attend the two public hearings in September. Mr. Rigdon voiced his support of the budget and suggested funds for Council travel as well as salaries for Council could be removed from the budget. Mr. Rynearson continued to support the budget and defended the take home vehicle policy for police offices. Ms. Jamieson offered that police officers work more than 8