Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_09/28/2006• MINUTES VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE FINAL FY 2006/2007 MILEAGE RATE AND FINAL FY 2006/2007 BUDGETS SEPTEMBER 28, 2006 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Village Council held a Village Council Special Meeting at the Tetluesta Recreation Center, 399 Seabrook Road, Tequesta, Florida, on Thursday, September 28, 2UU6. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Gwen Carlisle. Council Members present were: Mayor aim Humpage, Council Member Gera!~lits~ ,~: ~:~;tt;t€; ;iE_~E ~'~ Et~«~1 * ` ---! " , Watkins. Vice Mayor Patcrno . as tcEcplh~^: ~ € ~ ~:> f ~ l ~ ~ F= - ~-~„ "= t attendance were: Village Manager Michael lam. Couzzo, .Er., an;3 Village CI~Ek Gwen Carlisle, and Department l-ie;u..~. ii. ~L~I)Vr; ~F f~l..L~lsir~ii~i'u • Mayor Humpage led in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Mayor Hu~npagc z.uiYiai :°:~~'::Fray~;r ~ :i:.°-:$::~' .r l;; le.e~;I:ia~~, Fi3a:Y~ to 3liCciiiiY~;FYV%iC ~v e'v~;iJ`a;fEe could hear. ~l. Ai~P'ROVAL OF Ai~EiyDA ~'~~O T ION: t,0iliit;ti 1b1e,-;~ber 1Futkif~.s ,i1()i%Lt~ t~ u~pr~ve ~11e crge~iclu u~ sufJtrilCCeil; ~ec;or~Ueit by cuutacrt 1~lentber~ Cr~nCC7; mvtrtln pusseU ~-Ei. Iti . PUBLIC HEaIIII~ii=S :. ~ ~ . ' •_ = a ,~~,d l~eaciing-An Ordinance oL the V iilag ~ !-~-.,_.....-,:t _.c ~t,.._ ~r;tt~,._ ~F T_.,.__.,.,a., n.tt...._. rt._~,.t2 r_-__„.-~. rt.~_:.a~ _ .,.....~. • ~ - - -_ ~i=' 1Fa • --ItiitL 5.(si t"i!i ,, a is .ts .r a :__ ~s~ ]i '- 3~•^..,~, is •..i~i =.. ri }!iv'vitl3ngg fGr le~~y°ing H miliage rate Of 6.49$0 per $I,UUU.UU of ta~abie €~t~on l~.l~b`~/o greater tFru~ tine T°cl{ii,~~ t~ ~i'P~ ~,~;;~~~r,~ ..:z;-~ tt' ~ ` ~.z ~ ~ - o -_-. .. ct•t nnn nn _F a~___Lt_ __..t_. ~.: ~,._ C_.~ a,_ rr_.,,t tr~,.. ~nnCrnnnr!_ _°-_t providing for an effective date. a.e..__~~ .t.~ n._t_t:n t'T.~....:~.. -r>^ ~r:tt..~_ nt._._t_ ... ~_. 1VYQj'Vi AitiiVUiilJlJO LSiG SUViiiJ 3SG{ii iii i~> ~.ii.•ii, Ys,iG €"Liit2D~.. z_~±'*_•ir_ i__'. _--'. Ordinance 1Vo. 6U8 in its entirety. viiiabe Manager tv'QUZZC- stated the budget retlee•ts tyre ce~micleraticle~s n..._.,...:s _.s_ a__.....,~ .t..~:_ ~i,r,,,, >"..a..,.~ _r_..t_~ ~a «r".. • L~L!lliiG4i iiYCIUG Ullk Silk l,it14R l..i SiGG i!!l!l YJG4 WI_ii RJ!lt l~,i~ elllll ~iG ~.) l,Y ll,.li i~. public hearing. Minutes -Public Hearings -Special Village Council Meeting 09/28/2006 Page 2 • (Public Comments) Ms. Dottie Campbell, resident of Eastwinds Circle apologized for not attending the workshops. She encouraged Council to support the budget, and support the Village. She mentioned she has been a resident for 36 years and has seen the growth, and particularly in the last ten years. She indicated she has worked as an Election clerk in the current Council chambers. The building, now housing Recreation is outstanding compared to years ago when it was bug infested. She commented she owns commercial property and a home in Tequesta, and cannot understand all the complaining. She encouraged Council to be proud, noting when she drives by the Public Safety Facility and the new Village Hall, wlaicla are paid for, she is very proud. She commented she does not like when the „4:._~.;~.: „~~ ~:;-~~~;~ariso~~s and Tequesta is put at the bottom of the 40 da?~,.a;iz~aiti.+",S. She felt if tlai;re is a compliant ora. salaries, it is the Village. doey,+~s not pay Stan enough. She nom ted when someone is trained in Law r.. T•'~i`e °.3,llizYlt ji ~l t~„ ~l {~-teT~ iZ 1\; l` f•! S} •:ltl ~ E~:': .~.,... J.i_ '•T ~' '.- .t.,t n Ez~-! C~ r;~ ~-~ C` f 61 ~,. ~~-~~ + +1.P -p,.1~4,~c. ~tr?~t j?a€.^2~ t 1~..4 .2 . .,. .. ,..~ - ,.: ,, this year, anct to loot; forward to an Increase next year. " ' ~ ~ . , ~ s: ~;; #~eacon Street and resident of Stuart "- '!; _~r ~ a _ ', ,:! - a t„ ;',~z~;3cil regarding their property tax bill. Sla^ • pointed taut their tax bill amount and what the taxes would be if someone Jere to pun;hase their name icxl;ay ~t~~ = ~ ' '_~omestead exemption, as the Council mcmb~::~ h~~~=~ ~'~ ~ . _ , is disappointed Council has decided to leave the millage rate at 6.49x6i~ • ' , ,.,.. .~ „ ktY:3 ,.:idle ine properly values in '1'eque4~ ~~ ^"' _ e,~, ~ l± ~'~';~~~il had all this extra money and 3:~ti ,., l;~okir~b at ways to spend it. She felt Council needed to reduce the budget, -xnd that spending is out of control. Slae sE;~,~~;:.~ w ~ ' ~ ~ ` ~ , cone to cut costs, and keep only the neces5a~° ~~~~*;:,~- _' `t-~ vanes that are just nice to have. She felt Tequesta residents could trace: i~a a water park, and that '1'equesta does not need one. (Council Comments) Vice Mayor Paterno commented lac did aac7t ~~,! C,'~_F~;sG.:' . ' ' '.. '' millage at this pceiret, 1?ut lac w€atald like t€~ -~^ tl'~ '.etc:, ~r I~sR • ~-'~_ -' `- last years. He noted with the proposed budget it would not be possiblEr, so as far as the millage is concerned, he felt Council would have to stay wit'? the proposed treillage. C'tatencE! McEYehc~r` W~etlCite~; cteEeeEeeettEr}el ~E E,<<;•;. ~ ':::::'. ' - J .~ sensitive to what is going on with property ta~:es =~rA s <<_ ~A =tF=~,~F~ ~,~K- explained as the property values were raising, everyone was F~e.. exciterd -- ''~_ '-~;` nrLot .r°l~ae of proper#ies, until they received their tax 1;:.. ~~° ~'°~t the Village runs as a good business; Council and Staff aze very V L1L 1~.1 cautious atad careful. Minutes -Public Hearings -Special Village Council Meeting 09/28/2006 Page 3 • She mentioned if there was a reduction and it was brought down to 6.3%; that sort of reduction saves a property owner $18.00 per $100,000 of assessed value. She pointed out that small correction is not going to solve the problems with the non-homesteaded properties. Council Member Watkins mentioned Council and Staff have worked very hard to put this budget together, taking into consideration the projects that were planned and ongoing for several years, such as the new Village Hall, and the WTP. She stated Council is looking to finish those projects, and have had a lot of Capital expenditures they are paying cash for. She commented there are not many municipalities that have paid cash for large projects. She felt this is a time to be cautious, and not have a knee jerk reaction and lower it this year; and then have to turn around next year (if assessed values go down} and not be able to incorporate it into their budget. She stated if there is a way to come down on the budget, they will. She stated they are not there to spend the resident's money haphazardly. She felt she would err on the side of caution and leave this budget alone this year, and look at next year with the unknowns. She commented she understands their concerns. ~~~~~ ~1~;liiui:t° Ucuio noted she agreed they are at a point where, at this late iana~rz there is not a lot they can do to change this. She stated Council a:~d S}~ ~ did make a lot of changes from the original budget that was i;si~posed to Council. She noted they cEat b~3cl; c~~~ stE~£C 1: `t~ ~~? • :?offemnt projects. RhP _r~?entinrtecl ("nt~nc~l tank ~ h.~rrlc~r t~-~~k ~t ,ut~.~t st r pasts are; and Village's revenues pay for the costs. She stated what they ' - ... -. ' _ z. ~ ~ ~ ~ r~s that cost them money: l) Staff/Personne? „?~~, t- ;~~~ 1-~yne0ts, She noted a study was done and the Village is 5~' in the tap care file far the state, or very close to it. She felt the salaries are very fair, especially when looking at tl.~ :~~ _. _ _~-- , defined benefit pension plan; and 2} QperatirEg ~ ~ =: . ~.i ..* r ~, . ,. _, mechanical equipment, etc. Council Member Genco stated when yap: lcok :at lx7th of these the budget is really strapped versus what the revenues are. Council Member Cienco felt rolling back the millage today would result in R E i i :: a lower eumulattve effect of rc~ ~.~ z «~- J ___ ~ __ J two t0 three years will be a pmble~. ~'ltt r~'~t tt:e;` ~j ^ ns~ ~~-_ m, ren ~n.^ i .: b._.. what people are paying today, which Council ;;.2crr~ ~:~ `v'u`,~irls calcul;~t~u, 3 1 Y .i i r'~L_ - - -~ - ,1, ; ~ ,~ 3 ; ~ ~ ~t;~ vut a trou e m e years to come. S e mentione f' :x~,;;;;'; 'lcd at the operating costs, the costs of employees having d ;~~urk environment around them, and they have looked at where they could trim things back. She stated ifythey could ~1~. ~~, Edr.~; .,, ..~ ,.,.,.- ' ,~'~;.. w©uld be lower. if tl~e~e tS anytlling thou.' Cf?Llld ~-1C? t4~ s~ j ~i'?s it ~:s [ E e ~:~+,- s~o that point in lime, based on projections, they will da sa. • Council Member Genco felt there are a lot of things not in the Reserves that should be in the Reserves. Minutes -Public Hearings -Special Village Council Meeting 09/28/2006 Page 4 • Council Member Genco stated that is what a reserve is for, and if they are part of a homeowner's association, they aze well aware they have a sheet when they figure out when the pazking lot is being repaved, when the tennis court needs to be redone, and when the roofs need to be replaced. 'They have it on a schedule that runs from 1-20 yeass, and they appropriate the proper percentage of the cost to each yeaz, so in yeaz 5 they do not end up in trouble, because they do not have the money. That is what reserves are all about, knowing you have money in the bank to take Gaze of the costs. She pointed out they are going to be looking at that, and at operating costs, and do whatever they can to bring the budget to what is realistic and obtainable as they can. Council is going to go through it and work with the employees, and do what they can. Mayor Humpage mentioned his rental properties have quadrupled in price, and he just sold one property recently. He pointed out he understands where Ms. Vokoun is coming from, and Council Member Watkins and Council Member Genco echo his feelings. He commented they have worked hard on this budget, and tried to do what they could to bring everything to the plate, and take the taxpayers into consideration. He felt Council Member Genco was one of the strongest supporters as to how the Village will look at this 5 years down the road to be sure they are solvent. • He stated it is a considerable increase. He mentioned just as Ms. Campbell indicated taxes are still deductible in the residents favor. He commented this Council has developed a posture, "pay as they go" and there is some consideration to the cost of that, and it involves debt service, and passing debt on. He indicated the posture is if they cannot afford it, they do not want to buy it. He stated sure Council would like to reduce the millage rate; everyone wants taxes reduced. He noted to give the residents what they want in Tequesta, Public Safety and the services they receive, and keep this Village in the condition it is in, this budget is what it is. He stated if they were to lower the taxes, they would have to cut something from the budget. He noted at this point in time, they did not see that as something they choose to do. Mayor Humpage felt it was the consensus of the Council that they look at. this budget, and if they could do any economizing they will do so. This gives them a good opportunity to look where they are in 12 months from ~~~,w 1 le ~t~tes~ lac' r~;ally vvculd like to see the millage rate reduced, but at dais taoint in timc he does not feel that is possible. He felt it is a good possibility for next year. lle stated he appreciates all the comments, and this Council is aware of where the residents are coming from, and they heaz them speak. • Mayor announces the Public Hearing is closed. Minutes -Public Hearings -Special Village Council Meeting 09/28/2006 Page 5 • MOTION: Council Member Watkins moved to approve Second Reading of Ordinance 608; seconded by Council Member Genco; motion passed 4-0. 2). Ordinance No. 609-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, 2006. Mayor Humpage announces the Public Hearing is open. The Village Clerk reads Ordinance No. 609 in its entirety. Mayor Humpage mentioned in error in Section 2, the Clerk read the Ordinance, and in the last sentence the correct word is "Reserves". Village Manager Couzzo mentioned the final budget reflects the comments and the direction of Council during the period of the workshops and the first public hearing. (Public Comments) Mr. Jim Gibbs, resident of Beacon Street mentioned he received a copy of the budget worksheet, and in his career did a lot of acquisition analysis if they wanted to buy a company. He noted after going through the proposed • budget, he came to the conclusion this is what he calls shell-game accounting, in other words which shell has the pea under it. He could not compare the reserves from last year to this year, and rt appeared the Reserves disappeared in the document. He noted at the last meeting Council Member Genco commented she did not know how much it would be to repave a road. He indicated he opened the yellow pages and found paving contractors and called them; the average life of an asphalt paved road is a minimum of 20 years. He noted the Village's amortization is over 30 years. He mentioned his neighbor, a snowbird, called him after the last meeting, and asked how the public hearing went; he told him Council voted for the millage rate, and he said when they return in November they would be putting afor-sale sign up, and moving. Mr. Russell von Frank, resident of Dover Road commented if the residents were here years ago they would understand how the Village now has a well run Finance department. He explained his neighbor across the street is enclosing his porch, and has had the contractors out, in the meantime the Building inspector pulls up and chats with the neighbor. He explained he left and came back 45 minutes later, and the inspector was still chatting, in the mean time the car had been running the entire time. He wanted to bring it to the attention it was a waste of gas, and if the gentlemen was using his own gas, he would have probably turned the • vehicle off. He commented he called the Village Manager and learned he was out of town and that is why he did not receive a return call until a week later. Minutes -Public Hearings -Special Village Council Meeting 09/28/2006 Page 6 • Mr. Von Frank noted the same situation, with the same gentlemen happened again, and he in turn called the Assistant Manager again. Council Member Genco asked if he was referring to a private contractor, or a Village employee. He just wanted Council to be awaze this was a Village caz, and Village employee. (Council Comments) Council Member Watkins noted she would offer the same statements as she made previously. She encouraged the residents within the course of the yeaz, if there was anything they wanted Council to consider, to change, whatever it is, she asked that they would communicate with Council. She stated they could only do their jobs, as well as, the input they receive from them, and their concerns. She noted if they have issues they want Council to address, they need to address throughout the year, during the budget workshops, but not when they aze passing these ordinances. She felt it would be helpful to have these issues in a timely fashion. She commented this budget did not happen over night, it was worked on very hazd by staff, and Council. She commented she appreciated everyone's time and input, with a lot of give and take, and making the whole thing come together. She especially thanked the Finance Director, Ms. JoAnn Forsythe, and her department for giving to Council in a fashion they could read and • understand. Council Member Genco agreed she would mirror Council Member Watkins comments about the gratitude for the Finance Department. She stated she knows everyone may not be perfectly happy with the output, but the output was done very well, It represents accurately the information within the document. She thanked the staff and the finance department for all their hazd work. Council Member Genco stated she wanted to make one clarification about the Reserves. She commented what may end up happening after they look at the reserves, is that they find out they do not need as much money as they think. She stated that is the reason they need to review it, and they will find out. She noted Council received a draft from the Village Manager saying that there is a decrease of 25% in the prior yeaz of $3,545,730.00. She felt that language was misrepresented. She noted the Village does not have a decrease. Last yeaz, which is actually this yeaz 2005/2006, as of 9/14/2006 the General Fund budget was $10,058,332.00. She asked if the document could be corrected, and accurately reflect the information, and also for the Water Utility. She felt those statements were misrepresented and the Village should tell people what they aze omitting, and what the bottom line number is. She stated this not the kind of accounting she likes to see made public. • Minutes -Public Hearings -Special Village Council Meeting 09/28/2006 Page 7 • She indicated the amounts remaining in the General Fund for 2004 and 2005, and noted the bottom line figure as stated this yeaz, 2006, could not be a 25% decrease. She felt things were being omitted, and to come up with these numbers in her business they call it "Material omission". Village Manager Couzzo stated he would send Council a detailed response. Council Member Genco stated she wanted a correction, not a response. Village Manager Couzzo noted he would have to review the number with Finance. Council Member Genco commented in order to make it look like the Village had a decrease in our spending they have taken money they actually spend out of it. She stated she knows they had inter-fund transfers; they took money out of reserves and spent it. So to say that the Village is spending less now then was spent last yeaz, by 25% is not accurate. She felt to accurately reflect the information, show it in two ways and give the whole picture; do not just give the half that looks good. Village Manager Couzzo stated they would make the changes as necessary. Mayor Humpage noted he did not understand it himself, so if the Village Manager would make the changes, he would appreciate it. Vice Mayor Paterno said, as before, the Village is on a road that the revenues and expenditures aze going to cross potentially a yeaz or two out. • He stressed it needs to be corrected in this budget in order to put the Village in the right direction. He stated with the budget as is, and even in the workshops he had some concerns, which did not go m the way he would have liked it to go. He commented at this point, he could not support the current budget, as proposed this evening. Mayor Humpage commented he echo's the thoughts of some of the other Council Members. He stated he remembers getting into an exchange with Council Member Genco regazding the Reserves, but in reflecting on that he stated she just said something that he had not looked at. He pointed out the Reserves did not disappear, they were there from last year and transferred into this year. He commented when Council Member Genco stated she would like to put some more in the reserves, if when they do the budget and millage rate next year, it is the choice of the citizens to not increase the reserves, or to know what the Village wants in reserves, whether it is 25% or whatever, it allows the Village to have the security to know they do not have to take other monies, and have those in reserves, as a piece of insurance. Mayor Humpage felt Council needed to take a look at the budget, and in this final hour he knows the changes are not going to happen, and that it needs to be to the State by the end of September, so they need to move forward. He stated Council will go back into the budget, as agreed by the i group, and will do it before the first of the year, and see what can be taken out of the budget. Minutes -Public Hearings -Special Village Council Meeting 09/28/2006 Page 8 • He stated Council is aware of everything the residents are telling them; and they plan to get back into the budget between now and Christmas, and see what they can pull from the budget. Mayor Humpage closed the public hearing. MOTION: Council Member Watkins moved to approve Second Reading of Ordinance 609, with the correction as noted by Mayor Humpage; seconded by Council Member Genco. Council Member Genco noted she felt Council agreed to review the budget before the end of the year, and noted it was not stated in the Ordinance. She asked if the language needed to be included in the motion. Mayor Humpage stated he did not know if it needed to be in the motion, but Council agreed to do it before January 1, 2007. Village Clerk Carlisle indicated the minutes would reflect the Consensus of Council to have Council go back and review the budget prior to the first of the year. Mayor Humpage stated Council is leaving the motion as stated with the understanding the Consensus is that before the first of the year Council revisits the budget, and make adjustments. Motion passes 3-1, with Vice Mayor Paterno dissenting. Mayor Humpage thanked Staff and Department heads for their due diligence in helping put this budget together. He stated the Finance Department does a great job. Their work ethic and the people that work this budget do a great job. He thanked his fellow Council Members for the due diligence they used throughout the budget hearings, noting that they do not always agree, but everyone respected one another, and worked through it. V. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Council Member Genco moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Council Member Watkins; motion passed 4-0. Therefore the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 P.M. Gwen Carlisle Village Clerk •