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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_6/20/2019Y'OtnOF r[p Rd 4 w t �Ck COUNfi MINUTES WORKSHOP MEETING VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL JUNE 20, 2019 8:30 AM VILLAGE HALL CONFERENCE ROOM CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Abby Brennan at 8:30 a.m. A roll call was taken by Deputy Clerk Mary Ann Grieser. Present were: Mayor Brennan, Council Member Brandon, Vice -Mayor Johnson, and Council Member Stone. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS AGENDA ITEMS 1. Review and Discuss FY 201912020 Annual Budget - Water Utilities Fund Pending Tequesta Village Manager Jeremy Allen attended the meeting via Skype. Acting Manager Weinand and Council addressed the need to balance the revenues and expenditures, transferring $590,000 from Water to General to cover administrative fees, placing $500,000 from emergency fund into the Water Department, water meter replacement project, water department generator, water rate study budgeted for next year, and the storm water rate study was expected any day. Detailed discussed took place on an increase in water cash, storm water increase, water sales, water surcharges, and unincorporated charges. Mr. Nate Litteral, Water Treatment Plant Superintendent, discussed the possible membrane replacement. Council again discussed annexation and water supplied to unincorporated neighborhoods. Refuse and Recycling Mr. Weinand noted the revenues were budgeted at $484,000 and expenses at $497,000 and suggested pulling $11,000 from reserves to balance. He stated Council couldn't use for anything else and that rates stay the same and suggested a rate adjustment. Storm Water Mr. Weinand stated Council would set the storm water rates during the July Council Meeting. Revenues were $745,650 and would need to transfer $292,000 out of Reserves to balance as there $300,000 in projects and the Fund Balance had about $2 million. Council discussed the Country Club sidewalk project, line pipe down Seabrook, concrete not being sealed and needs to be lined with rubber. The engineers would provide a five year report by the end of the month and there were not personnel changes. Police A police increase would take place with the Union contract. Council discussed vehicles, cutting a vehicle, staffing, overtime, using exempt employees to help cut down on OT (overtime), staffing in dispatch operations and work hours, funding projects from the Special Law Enforcement Trust Fund, and pension costs and potential transfers. Parks and Recreation Budget operations were up .04% and a part-timer was taken out. Discussion ensued on special events,Tequesta Fest, increasing event vendors, and moving Tequesta Fest to County Line Road. Mr. Corbitt stated if forced they could do it, but didn't recommend due to parking issues and ride limits. He stated Paradise Park allowed for heavy rides in the parking lot and could be fenced in. County Line Road had law enforcement issues due to jurisdiction. Council addressed repairs to the recreation center, roofing repairs being made, and Council Member Stone voiced concern with building a new community center anytime soon and the need to get the budget balanced and the two month reserve. Mayor Brennan agreed and suggested a tax revenue bond and putting it in resident hands as a ballot initiative - could be debt service on bond and could be an assessment and not on millage. Vice -Mayor Johnson favored a residential vote. Mr. Weinand discussed the big disparity in ambulance fees and noted Fire would be bringing a fee increase to Council in July. He discussed implementing a building department administrative fee, but did not know a rate as of yet. He also noted a gas company was selling gas in the Village but the Village was not getting its tax component. Mr. Weinand addressed the need for cyber insurance due to the recent cyber attacks and ransoms being paid. Council Member Brandon stated if they continued to cut services the Village would dwindle away. Mr. Weinand stated they could save and not buy capital such as no new ambulance, no new police cars and no switch replacement. He suggested departments consider cutting programs like National Night Out, Easter Egg Hunt - noting these events were not critical but the community liked them. Council Member Brandon stated these services enhanced the community. Council discussed taking a hybrid approach with a minimal tax increase, and residents moved here for the services. Vice -Mayor Johnson noted there was a disconnect with how tightly the budget was in comparison to the wealth of the community. She stated the community was well off and willing to spend for nice things while Council and staff were pinching pennies. Council Member Brandon noted there used to be a pamphlet that explained the budget. Consensus of Council agreed to freeze hiring until October except for public safety positions. Mr. Tom Bradford, resident, spoke about cities being near the 10 mill cap and the tax base not keeping up and putting stress on the budget. He stated the Village must keep the millage as low as possible to avoid being like other cities. He noted the Village must reduce employees over time through attrition. Mayor Brennan noted 75% of staffing was public safety and Council Member Stone stated residents wanted services. He suggested a campaign with the unincorporated areas to educate them on Village service, the upcoming bridge closing and encouraging annexation. Council Member Brandon asked to track how many actual emergency calls the Village answers on behalf of the County to which Mr. Weinand explained when needed the County comes and the relationship is important. Council Member Stone suggested separating the millage and have a separate fire rescue millage for comparison and there was detailed discussion and Ms. Gload advised that could be shown in the Budget in Brief as opposed to placing it on the tax bill. Mr. Weinand estimated it took 2.4 mills to run Fire Rescue. Vice -Mayor Johnson felt it was important to show the comparison for educational and annexation purposes. Mayor Brennan disagreed and did not support this request. Council Member Brandon agreed with Council Member Stone and Vice -Mayor Johnson. The next budget workshop was set for July 11, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. ADJOURNMENT Vice -Mayor Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:59 a.m.; seconded by Council Member Stone; motion carried unanimously 4-0. Lori McWilliams, MMC Village Clerk Note: These summary minutes are prepared in compliance with 286.011 F.S. and are not verbatim transcripts of the meeting. All referenced attachments are on file in the Village Clerk's office.