HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_08/01/2008MINUTES
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA
BUDGET WORKSHOP
AUGUST 1, 2008
Call to Order and Rotl Call
The meefing was called to order by Mayor Pat Watkins at 9:00 a.m. A roll call was taken by
Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Pat Watkins, Vice Mayor Calvin Tumquest,
Council Member Vince Arena, Council Member Jim Humpage, and Council Member Tom
Patemo. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., and Village Clerk
Lori McWilliams.
1. Review of Proposed 2008-2009 Budget
Manager Couzzo opened the discussion on the General Fund Revenues.
Items discussed:
• Permit fees significantly reduced
• Improving Service:
o Better utilize employee's service positions to balance revenues.
o Utilizing part time positions when available instead o full time.
o Bringing down overtime cost.
o Offer passport services which would also generate revenue.
• Grant money for the Fire department.
• Public Works picking up field work to cut back on contractual services.
• Parks and Recreation expanding programs while reducing staff time.
Manager Couzzo explained the funds including taxes and projections in the General Fund
Expenditures. Staff was commended by Gouncil on their successful efforts in the budget
reductions. He also explained that full time positions have been reduced by 2 to from last year
to 84 at present. The need to get up to speed with document storage was discussed. Manager
Couzzo noted a larger change in the Clerks budget related to the expense of contractual
pension work to the pension budget.
The Manager suggested some cuts would affect the level of service that the Village offers and
felt Tequesta had made great decisions in the past. He suggested re-examining all areas of
the Village for savings to avoid dipping into the Village's reserve money.
Consensus of Council agreed to request revisiting the Jupiter Inlet Colony contract wi#h
consideration of a higher rate to counter balance increased cost to the Village.
Budget items discussed:
• Village cars in the Police Department and the Marine unit
• Inspection Service, Electronic files and the poskives in Tequesta's business
development
• Postponing the Ambulance purchase
• Landscaping expenses and maintenance
• Salary increases related to all employees
• Contributing regularly to JTAA as a yearly budgetary item
• $75,000 for Tequesta Bridge construction
Manager Couzzo offered an update on the Tequesta Bridge including:
• Environmental aspect
• Progress with the Design & Engineering process
• 2009 summer construction schedule
• Budgeting options
• Phases of the bridge project
Council Consensus was to obtain a loan for no more than one and a half million.
Manager Couzzo explained:
• Estimated figures and the rate structure relating to the Water Fund.
• Bonds and savings
• Capital Improvement Fund which related to the bridge engineering
• Reserve contingency /projected revenues
• Refuse and recycling increase of less than 3%
• Budgeting for the bridge design now with the remainder budgeted once permitting is
obtained.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved to adjourn the meeting at 12:11a.m.;
seconded by Council Member Arena, motion carried unanimously 5-D.
Respectfully submitted,
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Lori McWilliams, CMC
Village Clerk
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