Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 6E_10/11/2001 OF re. E VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 • 250 Tequesta Drive • Suite 300 Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 • (561) 575-6200 c741. Fax: (561) 575-6203 ,� r o"_�►4v 9o9FS1;`+ tiy N AGENDA PUBLIC HEARING ON MILLAGE AND FY 2001/2002 BUDGET SEPTEMBER 27, 2001, 7:02 PM PRECEDING SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING TEQUESTA RECREATION CENTER 399 SEABROOK ROAD, TEQUESTA CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Village Council of the Village of Tequesta held a Public Hearing regarding the FY 01/02 Millage and FY 01/02 Budget on September 27, 2001. Mayor Genco called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m., and Village Clerk Wolcott called the roll. MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmember Russell J. von Frank, Councilmember Sharon D. Walker, Mayor Geraldine A. Genco, Vice Mayor Joseph N. Capretta, and Councilmember Basil E. Dalack. ALSO PRESENT: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Village Attorney John Randolph, Village Clerk Mary Wolcott, and Department Heads. H. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember von Frank moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Councilmember Dalack. Motion carried 5-0. III. PUBLIC HEARING A. Public Hearing for Millage Rate Adoption and Budget Adoption. Mayor Genco announced the Public Hearing for Millage and FY 2001/2002 Budget was open. Finance Director Forsythe announced this was the second and final reading of the ordinances. There have been no changes since the last reading, and this will be the budget for the next year. Attorney Randolph read the ordinance in its entirety. Recycled Paper Page 2 Budget Hearing September 27, 2001 Ordinance—Second Reading—An Ordinance of the Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Palm Beach County, Florida, providing for levying a millage rate of$6.7305 per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation for the Fiscal Year 2001/2002 providing an effective date... MOTION: Councilmember von Frank moved to approve the millage, seconded by Councilmember Dalack. Mayor Genco requested public comment. Taimor Carey, 199 Fairwind Drive, stated two weeks ago Sharon Walker personally handed him documents, and at first glance, numbers have appeared reasonable, but when reading carefully, he saw some disturbing discrepancies, and is wondering if there is something he doesn't understand. Last year when Councilmember Schauer was trying her best to expand the recreation program and creating a place for skateboarding, Mrs. Walker mentioned that was a good idea. Mrs. Walker, are you now suggesting you'd like to get rid of recreation? In this budget you claim to be saving $93,652 for taxpayers. If I assume there are 5,000 people in our Village, you are talking about saving $18.76 a year, or$0.36 a week. He would gladly pay that for the children of the community so they would have a place of their own. The $2,000,000 in a cash account that did not bear interest, Mrs. Walker, you voted this misfortune, why didn't you try to save $165,000 per year in interest, which is now much more than you are trying save the taxpayers now? Councilmember Walker stated our citizens are split 50/50 on a survey about whether they would back a full-time recreation department. We have no money for programming, meanwhile we will have a director and no programs. I am not privileged to know the details of the $2,000,000.00. I voted for what is on the piece of paper. The facts have come to light after that vote. Taimor Carey asked what are you trying to save from recreation, $18.73 per year $0.36 a week for our children. Ron Priorer wanted to know why Sharon Walker wasn't allowed to proceed with her proposed budget—she should at least have a chance to explain her side of the budget. Page 3 Budget Hearing September 27, 2001 Councilmember von Frank stated he was not aware of the facts until after the meeting if I was aware of it I would have had further discussion. Ron Priorer stated it seems the decision to approve the budget was made before the meeting tonight. Councilmember von Frank stated we had a workshop on a Saturday morning where we went through the whole budget. At first reading, Mrs. Walker should have given me that information. Councilmember Dalack asked if there had been an attempt by Mrs. Walker to propose a change in the budget. Mayor Genco stated we spent five hours going through the budget item by item on a Saturday. It is called a workshop. This is a public hearing—it is for the public to speak up. We did our homework, and we presented it to you. Councilmember Walker stated had I been given more than five working days with two revisions, I could have come up with suggestions before I did. I didn't realize as a member of the Council I had no right as a member of the public. Attorney Randolph stated this is an opportunity for Councilmembers to make a point as well as any members of the public. Any Councilmember can state anything they want. Harold Taylor stated I have taken a look at this year's budget in comparison to last year. He has already saved us over $16,000 over last year. If you take a look at the $93,600 figure and look at the savings it is just .065 percent. You will find out that doing that and taking a look at the ad valorem only—it's just $0.05 a day for me, I'll be more than happy to pay. Councilmember von Frank this item just relates to setting the millage rate. The next item will be on the budget itself. Councilmember Dalack mentioned one of the matters suggested in the latest opposition to the budget was an attribution that the Mayor was against reducing the millage rate. My recollection at the workshop hearing was that the Mayor had proposed a reduction _1 Page 4 Budget Hearing September 27, 2001 of the millage rate—it was Dalack who was against it because it was a cosmetic change. To me it would be an insult. It is going to reduce my taxes. A cosmetic reduction is what I was opposed to. Mr. von Frank said even if it is only five dollars a year we should reduce it, and I understand it. Vice Mayor Capretta stated the millage rate is going to stay the same as it has for the past five years, it has gone up only 11 percent in the last ten years. What we tried to do, what we have assumed, is we should control our budgets and manage it in such a way to keep it constant. We tried to hold it steady so the voters would know our millage rate is going to stay the same. Because of new construction, there was a possibility we might lower it slightly. We are trying to do some things we wanted to do for ten years. We haven't had something for recreation. This is a fortuitous opportunity. Point two, you'll notice some of the people we are putting on are really investments for the future. Finance for instance. This time we have given our financial director a couple of people. Actually, you might expect in next year's budget to remove one of these people because she won't need them. Leslie Cook said she was curious about the recreation expense, she wasn't aware that a survey was out regarding how the residents feel about a recreation program. Councilmember Walker stated the Village of Tequesta did a survey in February 2000. Village Manager Couzzo mentioned a telephone survey was done by an independent contractor—it was a representative sample of the population, not everyone. Leslie Cook said that kind of survey is certainly not an accurate depiction of all the residents. Village Clerk Wolcott called roll for the vote: Councilmember von Frank aye Councilmember Dalack aye Councilmember Walker nay Page 5 Budget Hearing September 27, 2001 Vice Mayor Capretta aye Mayor Genco aye Motion carried 4-1. Village Attorney Randolph read the ordinance adopting the budget in its entirety. ii. Ordinance—Second Reading—An Ordinance of the Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Palm Beach County, Florida, providing for the adoption of the budgets for the Fiscal Year commencing October 1, 2001... MOTION: Councilmember von Frank moved to approve the ordinance adopting the budget;seconded by Councilmember Dalack. Jim Humpage stated he is here with reference to the budget—the Village is moving in another direction and it is a nice feeling. I see a lot of citizens, some of you who could disagree with me, keep up the good work. I would like to say I hope the Council approves this budget. I can tell you I own five homes in the Village of Tequesta. I think what this budget does is that we have all had some thoughts of what we would like to see in this Village. We are not going to have a millage rate increase. Richard Berube stated I know the effort put in by Council and staff. We appreciate that effort on all of your parts. My remarks are directed to Mrs. Walker—she is remiss in bringing forward concepts that should have been raised in the budget process. You don't come in at the last moment and change it. I am concerned she would hand it out to some people and not the entire Village. Councilmember von Frank remarked Mr. Couzzo has picked good people, the right people. Councilmember Dalack mentioned the items in the budget are items the current Council inherited from the previous Council. We have to go forward. With that in view, I absolutely concur with the two gentlemen who just spoke. The Village Manager and Finance Director did an outstanding job. Page 6 Budget Hearing September 27, 2001 Village Clerk Wolcott called roll for the vote: Councilmember von Frank aye Councilmember Dalack aye Councilmember Walker nay Vice Mayor Capretta aye Mayor Genco aye Motion carried 4-1. IV. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Mary Wolcott Village Clerk Date approved