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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_9/15/2022 (2) lit, IlieS Lio. .,41 -.) MINUTES SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MEETING VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 5:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Molly Young at 5:30 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Council Member Laurie Brandon, Vice-Mayor Kyle Stone, Council Member Frank D'Ambra, Mayor Molly Young, and Council Member Aaron Johnson. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Budget Hearing: a. Announce the Proposed Millage Rate is 6.6290 Mills b. Announce the Proposed Operating Millage Rate Necessary to Fund the Budget is 14.53% Greater than the Rolled-back Rate of 5.7879 Mills c. Summary of Tentative Budget d. Citizen Comments Village Manager, Jeremy Allen, explained the Village of Tequesta was the taxing authority and announced the proposed millage rate was 6.6290 mills. He stated the proposed operating millage rate necessary to fund the budget was 14.53% greater than the rolled-back rate of 5.7879 mills. He reviewed the summary budget was $38,047,264 of which $16,143,248 goes to the general fund. Citizen Comments: Pat Watkins, 167 River Drive, pointed out historically on 9/11/08 council voted 5-0 to reduce the millage rate due to economic times to help residents. However, percentage- wise she was not sure the value was as great as council expected it would be but they wanted to do what was best for the residents at the time. Everyone on council has the responsibility to give the residents the best services possible with the most conservative approach possible. She referenced comments made at the last budget hearing regarding lowering the millage rate, however, believed there were a great number of important projects planned and it would be extremely difficult to cut these projects without causing a ripple effect for decades to come. She encouraged Council to keep the millage rate as proposed and look to future years rather than making a cut at the last hour. Council Comments: • Council Member D'Ambra noted he stood by his previous comments. • Council Member Brandon stated they were not raising the millage rate but keeping it the same as last year. She stated Council went through the entire budget numerous times and many of the projects in this years budget were infrastructure projects residents have requested for years. She understood the uncertainty of the economic times coming, however, council did not have control of outside increases, but does have control of making sure they were closing the gaps in public safety and on infrastructure projects to ensure these projects were completed. She noted she was good with the budget this year and noted council had a many discussions during budget workshops and noted this was not a three- year rate and was reconsidered each year. At the Mayor's request, Attorney Keith Davis read the voting requirements into the record. He explained adopting a millage rate that was 100% or less of the rolled back rate would require a simple majority vote. If a millage rate of not more than 110% of the rolled back rate based on the previous years maximum millage rate adjusted for change in per capita Florida income (number is not the same number of the rolled back rate in resolution) was adopted, then a 2/3 vote of the governing body (4 votes) would be required. A rate in excess of 110% of that same rolled back rate would require a unanimous vote of the governing body. He explained a state worksheet was completed and the calculations come from this document and further advised the millage of 6.62090 requires a 2/3 vote of the body. Mayor Young stated she was not aware Council fell under this voting requirement until last Monday was not sure if that would've changed previous Council discussions. She stated she was disappointed Council did not come up with different solutions to allocate money, nor was it her intent to cut $723,000 from the budget. Rather, she preferred a reallocation of funds for acceleration of projects. Based on the information received, she noted she would support the millage rate. The public hearing was closed. 2. RESOLUTION NO. 30-22, A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE FOR THE LEVYING OF AD VALOREM TAXES FOR THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING ON OCTOBER 1, 2022 AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2023; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Mayor Young stated the final millage rate could not exceed the tentatively adopted millage rate. Council Member D'Ambra moved to adopt Resolution 30-22, setting the final millage rate for the fiscal year 2022/2023 at 6.6290 mills; seconded by Vice-Mayor Stone; motion approved unanimously. 3. RESOLUTION NO. 31-22, A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA, ADOPTING ITS FINAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023; PROVIDING THAT THE BUDGET HEREBY ADOPTED MAY BE ADJUSTED OR MODIFIED BY SUBSEQUENT RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL, OR OTHERWISE, UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Council Member D'Ambra moved to approve Resolution 31-22, adopting the fiscal year 2022/2023 budget; seconded by Vice-Mayor Stone; motion carried 4-1 with Mayor Young in dissent. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Council Member D'Ambra made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:43 pm; Vice- Mayor Stone seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 5-0. Respectfully submitted, 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. A verbatim audio record is available from the office of the Village Clerk. All referenced attachments are on file in the Village Clerk's office.