Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 04-18-06 special minutes — reading text

the firefighters will receive a 2. 0% COLA as part of the bargaining agreement, which expires September 30, 2007. She mentioned that next year they would have to seriously look at the firefighters and the police officers pay to make sure the City is remaining competitive. index During brief discussion it was mentioned that the City COLA is routinely under the cost of living used by the federal government, and it was noted that the federal govemment has a graduated pay scale where the city has a step increase each year. Mr. Tucker moved to endorse a 2. 99% COLA adjustment for general and police employees effective October 1, 2006. Mr. Campbell seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. City Manaaer Reoraanization Should a Deputy City Manager position be authorized? The City Manager explained the request is to increase the positions by one to hire a Deputy City Manager who would be responsible for overseeing the Human Resources, Information Technology, Community Services, Parks and Recreation, and Golf Departments; and the City Manager would maintain direct of the Purchasing, Police, Fire, Public Works, and Utilities Departments, as well oversight as informal oversight of the Finance Department. Mr. Minich moved to authorize a Deputy City Manager in FY 06-07 budget. Mr. Patterson seconded motion and It carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Hartwell, and Minich in favor and Pullen opposed. Ad Valorem Taxes CMillaae Rate) Cstrateaic plan aoal) Should the millage rate be maintained at 4. 9700 mills in preparation of the FY 06- 07 budget? i.....,.. The City Manager recalled Council asked staff to present low, medium and high revenue and expense I .. scenarios for the General Fund. She reviewed three different ad Valorem tax rates, diminished, I maintained, and enhanced, and the impact each would have on the fund balance and the service level the City would be able to provide. Rate A, Diminished at the roll- back rate of 4. 3323, would reduce or eliminate some services and programs such as a salary freeze on the COLA and step increase, attrition or delay in filling vacancies, a reduction in health benefits, a delay in capital improvements, and a delay in vehicle and equipment replacements. The impact to the fund balance would be $ 2, 155, 996. 00.  183 Special Council 4- 18- 06 Ad Valorem Taxes cont. Rate B, Maintained at the roll- back rate adjusted to 4. 6485, would allow some services and programs to continue such as the employee COLA, the ALS Program, the pOlice station window repairs and canopy addition, and shared take- home vehicle for patrol officers. The impact to the fund balance would be 1, 829, 137. 00. Rate C, Enhanced at the current rate of 4. 9700, would allow expanded or added services and programs such as the Fire Station 7 renovations, the non- shared police take- home vehicle for patrol officers, an attainable housing program, a fire command vehicle, and unpaved road improvements. The impact to the fund balance would be $ 1,499, 283. 00. The City Manager mentioned it would be helpful to know which rate to use in preparation of the budget for FY 06- 07. She recommended the millage rate be maintained at the current 4. 9700 rate and noted it can always be lowered. Mr. Minich moved to maintain the current rate of 4. 9700 mills in preparation of the FY 06- 07budget. Mr. Campbell seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Chamber Acoustics Mr. Hartwell mentioned complaints about the acoustics in the Chamber. The City Manager stated that 10, 000. 00 has been programmed in the budget for a new sound system in the Council Chambers but audio conferencing capability has not been put in. Mr. Hartwell moved to add audio conferencing capability to complement the City Clerk' s proposed acoustic improvements in the Council Chambers. Dr. Pullen seconded motion. Mr. Hartwell mentioned problems with some Boards and Committees losing members because of job requirements. During a brief discussion it was mentioned that the City Attorney had already addressed in a memo the issue of whether or not audio conference could be done; and that Council previously voted the issue down. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it failed by a vote of 3 to 4 with Patterson, Pullen, and Hartwell in favor and Holmes, Campbell, Tucker, and Minich opposed. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Patterson reported the Fair Association addressed an issue with the lease agreement that requires a list of activities to be provided to Council for approval. He relayed that creates a problem when some activities cancel and other activities want to schedule but there is not enough time to come before Council for approval. The City Manager reported that Mr. Bull Rigdon has requested to appear before Council to discuss the matter and to allow like- kind activities to replace those that cancel. r The City Attorney mentioned that under that portion of the lease the activities the Fair Association is supposed to conduct is for public purposes, and whether or not they are conducted is getting into the basics. She mentioned another consideration is that the lease is below fair market value, and it is I,..., supposed to be for public purposes. Mr. Patterson mentioned that the Fair Association asked him to relay that if the City sells that portion of the property where the fair grounds is located, they would like to have first right of refusal. The Mayor announced that tomorrow afternoon around 2: 00 p. m. that five gentlemen representing the Rotary Group from India will be visiting City Hall, and then there will be a reception across the street at 5: 30 p. m. r 184 4- 18- 06 Special Council ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8: 00 p. m. APPROVED: ~ ~ MAYOR: Il. ddm