Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 08-06-1997 Special — reading text

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 229 OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 6, 1997 INTRODUCTION A special meeting of City Council of Fort Walton Beach, the Florida, was held onWednesday, August 6, 1997, at 5: 30 p. m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with the following members present: Mayor Glenda Glover I Councilmen: Clay Bob Carnathan Campbell Jim Dowling Chris Gibson Dean Covey Chuck Kelley Margie Collins Also Present: Reid Silverboard, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Gail Abraham, Finance Director; Department Directors; Media CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order for the purpose of continuing reviewing and discussing the proposed 1997/ 98 budget. DEPARTMENTS Council began review of the Departmental budgets under the General Fund. CITY COUNCIL The Finance Director pointed out a correction was made to the Life & Health Insurance account to reflect three members at $ 488 a month and one member at $ 246 a month, reducing the City Manager' s request to $ 20, 520. 00. Discussion ensued regarding whether there was any interest in increasing Council' s expense account allowance, which has not been increased since 1983. Some members of Council felt it should be increased; others felt that Council should not be paid more than what they spend each month. The City Manager stated if Council chooses to it can increase expenses with a provision added for cost of living increase. Consensus of Council was to revisit this item at a later time. CITY MANAGER A review of expenditures included copier charges, and books, dues and publications to include the Internet service I HUMAN RESOURCES and charges Discussion expenses. design and of the included a Web costs page. involved ensued. tuition Discussion reimbursement regarding and Internet recruitment 230 8/ 6/ 97 CITY CLERK The City Manager explained that last year Council passed two resolutions dealing with salary adjustments for the City Clerk and Finance Director that provided annual salary adjustments for both to be considered during the budget workshops, becoming effective the first full pay period in March. He stated these adjustments are already incorporated within the budget. Discussion ensued regarding merit and cost of living increases for City employees, and the criteria for awarding the merit increases. Mr. Campbell moved to approve a 5. 5% increase for the City Clerk. Motion was seconded by Mr. Dowling and carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Carnathan, Campbell, Dowlinq, COvey, Kelley, and Collins in favor and Gibson opposed. Council received clarification on various operating expenditures for the City Clerk' s Department, including professional services, travel/ training, tuition reimbursement, office supplies, and operating supplies and expenses. It was explained that due to additional needs in operating supplies and expenses this past fiscal year, money was transferred from another account to operating expenses, increasing the City Manager' s request to $ 3, 385. 00. Consensus of Council was to reduce the City Clerk' s operating expenses from $ 3, 385. 00 to $ 2, 500. 00. FINANCE The Customer Service Division of the Finance Department was discussed, with explanation given on the Customer Information System, which will replace utility in billing the future, and clarification was received on various accounts including communication services and computer supplies. Council received an explanation of how wages are budgeted and a discussion was held regarding the increase in retirement contributions. The Finance Director stated Staff will return with clarification Thursday how on evening on retirement contributions are calculated. RECESS The meeting recessed at 6: 55 p. m. RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 7: 15 p. m. CITY ATTORNEY The City Manager referenced a letter sent to Council in May INCREASE from the City Attorney requesting an hourly rate increase to 120. 00 for attorneys and $ 60. 00 for legal assistants for Fiscal Year 97/ 98. Totalexpenses for the City Attorney for Fiscal Year 96/ 97 is $ 64, 000 which includes fees and costs through June 30. The City Attorney explained his will the request bring hourly services for the City to a level consistent with the lowest rates for other municipal clients, and the represent lowest rates by his firm to clients. No to the any change remaining terms of the arrangement are proposed.  8/ 6/ 97 231 CITY ATTORNEY Council questioned it was a legal requirement to go whether CONT) out for an legal services, and was informed that the