Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 09-12-1995 Regular — reading text

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING 69 OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 12, 1995 INTRODUCTION A regular meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held september 12, 1995, on Tuesday, at 7: 00 p. m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with the following members present: Mayor Larry Trenary I Councilmen: Clay Bob James Chris Carnathan Campbell Watson Gibson Dean Covey Jim Murtha Cissy Wyninegar Also Present: Reid Silverboard, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Jerry Miller, City Attorney; Gail Clerk; Abraham, Finance Director; Department Directors; Media CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. He requested anyone who wished to address Council to approach the podium after being recognized, then state their name and address for the record. INVOCATION AND Mayor Trenary gave the invocation and led in the Pledge PLEDGE of Allegiance. PROCLAMATION- The City Attorney read a proclamation proclaiming AMERICAN BUSINESS September 22 as American Business Women' s Day. The WOMEN' S DAY Mayor presented the proclamation to Vicky Foust. PROCLAMATION- The City Attorney read a proclamation proclaiming CONSTITUTION WEEK September 17 - 23 as Constitution Week. The Mayor presented the proclamation to Dorothy Frangioni. PUBLIC HEARING A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE FOR THE PROPOSED MILLAGE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR RATE OCTOBER 1, 1995, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF. The City Attorney read the Resolution by title only. The Mayor stated that the proposed millage rate for fiscal year 1995- 96 is 4. 97 mills which is 6. 5% above I the rate valorem year. millage rolled- back is the tax He rate millage also rate revenue at of rate explained 4. 97 as 4. 668 mills which was is mills, the to will levied reason and provide during provide sufficient the for rolled- back the the same prior setting the ad revenues to balance the proposed General Fund budget. The Mayor announced the public hearing relating to the proposed millage rate for fiscal year 1995/ 96. He asked if anyone from the audience wanted to acdress the issue. 70 9/ 12/ 95 PROPOSED MILLAGE David deVaux, 348 Marie Circle, questioned the RATE ( CONT) percentage of increase on the budget from last fiscal year, and requested Council consider the rolled- back rate. Jeff Proper, 237 Beal Parkway, stated his feeling that the rolled- back rate is sufficient and that no increases are needed in any rates or fees. Bob Whelton, 227 Beachview Drive, stated his taxes have gone up the last years three and requested Council consider the rolled- back rate. The City Attorney clarified that the millage rate being discussed is a proposed rate. Richard Vajs, 266 Briarwood, asked Council to keep the taxpayers in mind and consider ,.:: e rolled- back rate. Beverlee Mueller, 314 Leah Miller Drive, questioned newspaper stories abc~t the City' s interest in Fairhope, Alabama, and stated the concern should be for the residents of the City and not for tourists, etc. The Mayor responded that any questions or concerns can be addressed by calling any Councilmember, the City Manager, or himself. Jamie Featherstone, Crestview, Florida, stated that the working people of Fort Walton Beach receive low wages and cannot afford higher tax rates, and asked Council to find ways to keep taxes as low as possible. As there was no one else who wished to speak, the Mayor closed the public hearing.