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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_09/07/2005 BudgetVILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR THE TENTATIVE 2005/2006 MILEAGE AND TENTATIVE 2005/2006 BUDGETS SEPTEMBER 7, 2005 TEQUESTA RECREATION CENTER TEQUESTA, FLORIDA I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Village Council held a Village Council Special Meeting at the Tequesta Recreation Center, 399 Seabrook Road, Tequesta, Florida, on Wednesday, September 7, 2005. The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Gwen Carlisle. Council Members present were: Mayor Jim Humpage, Vice Mayor Pat Watkins, Council Member Geraldine A. Genco, and Council Member Edward D. Resnik. Council Member Tom Paterno was out of town due to prior Village commitments. Also in attendance were: Village Attorney Karen Roselli, Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., and Village Clerk Gwen Carlisle, and Department Heads. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA . MOTION: Council Member Resnik moved to approve the agenda as submitted; seconded by Vice Mayor Watkins; motion passed 4-0. III. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1) Ordinance No. 601-First Reading-An Ordinance of the Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Palm Beach County, Florida, providing for levying a millage rate of 6.4980 per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation 13.687% greater than the rolled- back millage rate of 5.716% per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation for the Fiscal Year 2005/2006; and providing for an effective date. Mayor Humpage announced the Public Hearing was open, and read the title of Ordinance 601. Village Clerk Carlisle read for the record Ordinance No. 601 in its entirety. Village Manager Couzzo mentioned the Village Council met previously in a Village Council Budget Workshop, which lasted about 10 hours. He noted Council also had individually met with Staff to ask questions. He mentioned the Budget in Brief was located on the back table and available for the public. He commented the Budget in Brief document was a simplified version of the entire budget, and it is intended to be a guide to a better understanding of the budget. • ' Minutes -Public Hearings -Village Council Meeting September 7, 2005 Page 2 Village Manager Couzzo indicated it gives an overview of the high points and explains some of the terminology in regard to a municipal budget. Mayor Humpage commented this was the portion when residents could make their comments or ask questions regazding the millage and budgets. He noted the Budget in Brief document was on the back table and if there were any questions, that they could also be addressed at the second hearing of the millage and budgets on September 15, 2005. (Public Comment) Mr. Cazl Hansen, resident of River Drive and former Council Member commented the Village has been accused often of having higher taxes, and asked where was the Village's Millage rate was in relationship to the other 38 Palm Beach County municipalities. He noted the middle was previously at 20.Village Manager Couzzo indicated the Finance Depaztment ran afull-page analysis, and what has happened over the last five years, on an annual basis, the Village has dropped a notch into a lower category. He noted the Village was at azound 17. Council Member Genco commented the Village was right in the middle at this time, and in 2000 was at number 11. Mayor Humpage indicated if Mr. Hansen would contact the Finance Department they would give him a copy of the analysis. (Council Comments) Vice Mayor Watkins commented the Council Budget Workshop was quite lengthy, but was a very good workshop. She noted Council had a lot of questions, • and got a lot of answers, and noted if the residents look azound the Village they could see where their tax dollars were being spent. She pointed out the Village has a lot going on with the new well and the new Village Hall. She noted Council has received a lot of good comments from the Mayor's survey, and the residents were happy with what was going on in the Village. She commented she was appreciative of the work Staff put in to get the Budget ready and approved for the citizens. Mayor Humpage commented Mr. Hansen was correct in his analogy of where the Village stood in relation to the other municipalities. He noted one of the questions many taxpayers come to him with is: With revenues increasing; why does the Village not reduce the millage rate. He pointed out it was the Council's position to pay as they go, so that there would be no debt service to burden the Village. He commented the additional revenues that the Village has this year would go towards Capital Projects. Council Member Resnik commented over the last three or four years the budget has been put together by Village Manager Couzzo and Staff, and it has been in a very understandable, and readable fashion. He felt each year it has improved, and this yeaz was the best and most cooperative budget workshop that Council has ever had. He commented it lasted a long time, but a lot of things were resolved. He stressed with the Village putting money into reserves over the years, and not doing any budget reductions or tax reductions, it has enabled the Village to come through with some projects that otherwise Council • Minutes -Public Hearings -Village Council Meeting September 7, 2005 Page 3 would have had to go out and borrow money, or go into debt for. He thanked Staff, and the previous Council's for their consideration of the future, and stressed . it has paid off, and would continue to pay off. He thanked Council, and Village Manager Couzzo and Staff for doing a great job, keeping the budget in line, and minimizing any debt to the Village. Mayor Humpage closed the Public Hearing. MOTION: Vice Mayor Watkins moved to approve First Reading of Ordinance 601; seconded by Council Member Resnik; motion passed 4-0. 2) Ordinance No. 602-First 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 Yeaz commencing October 1, 2005, and providing for an effective date. Mayor Humpage read the title of Ordinance 602, and announced the Public Hearing was open. Village Clerk Cazlisle read for the record Ordinance 602 in its entirety. Village Manager Couzzo commented this budget could not be possible without the commitment of this Council and the Mayor, and the time and effort to making this budget a possibility. He indicated there are literally hundreds of hours that go into preparing the budget before the residents see it. He noted Council came in • very eazly in the process and met with him and Staff (4 and 5 hours at a time) and then spent hours at a public workshop. He acknowledged the efforts of Staff, Assistant Village Manager and Director of Human Resources Bob Gazlo, Police Chief Steve Allison, and Fire Chief Jim Weinand (who could not be present because he and Council Member Paterno were on their way back from Mississippi to bring the donated ambulance to those need due to the recent hurricane Katrina). He also acknowledged Mr. Gary Preston, Public Works Director, Mr. Russell White, Public Services Manager and, Village Clerk Gwen Carlisle. He thanked Finance Director, Ms. JoAnne Forsythe and her Staff for their time, commitment, and patience. He commended Ms. Forsythe's patience in the whole process, and the 40 or 50 revisions to the budget document. He commented the Finance Department does a fine job of making sure the assets of the Village are well protected, and well accounted for. Village Manager Couzzo indicated he asked Ms. Forsythe to take a look at and analyze what the estimated projected revenues were for the current fiscal year. Ms. Forsythe commented the analysis was positive. She explained the estimated annual revenue was expected to exceed the amended budget in the General Fund by $659,823.00. She noted the increases were due to an increase in ad valorem taxes of approximately $80,000.00. She commented the interest income surprised Staff, because it more than doubled at $102,000, with the interest rates starting at the beginning of the year at 1.2% and now up close to 3%. • Minutes -Public Hearings -Village Council Meeting September 7, 2005 Page 4 Ms. Forsythe pointed out building permits increased $118,000, and the miscellaneous and recreational programs were up $42,000. She explained FEMA • was unbudgeted additional revenues of $476,000, that the Village had paid for out of fund balance in the prior yeaz, so this money was truly additional monies coming in. She mentioned the expenditures have been reduced and the Village expects them to fall below what the amended budget was, by approximately $641,925. She indicated the Manager's budget was expected to be reduced by $54,000, the general government reduced by $44,000, police patrol reduced by $42,000, fire control reduced by $43,000, debt service reduced by $14,000, and infra-fund transfers reduced by $162,000. She noted this was a total positive effect of $1,031,748, for the current 2005 budget. She commented because of the reductions only $1.5 million would have to be transferred to fund the new Village Hall; the rest would be used from these savings.- Mayor Humpage mentioned Ordinance 601 was for the revenue coming in, and Ordinance 602 was for the money (expenditures) going out. (Public Comment) Mr. Russell von Frank, resident of Dover Road and former Council Member commented he has always admired in the past what the Village Manager and Staff have done. His noted his recommendation has always been to increase the salaries of Staff. He commented hopefully Council has listened cazefully. He noted several yeazs back he had recommended a $30,000 increase for the Village Manager, but former Council Member Capretta was upset with the amount, and it • was negotiated down. He asked Council to increase Staff personnel, and increase salaries. Mayor Humpage commented when Council looked at the budget for this yeaz, and with being able to lower some of the expenditures and keep the budget within line, Council was able to put in some funding for additional Staff. He felt the Village was in the process of advertising some of the positions. He commented the Village was picking up some additional staff, and that it was built into this budget. (Council Comments) Vice Mayor Watkins indicated she would basically have the same comments as mentioned earlier that Staff was doing an excellent job. Council Member Resnik commented this was an excellent budget. Council Member Genco explained for the public this ordinance has to do with the adoption of the budget, and that was basically the plan for how the Village was going to spend the funds that it has in the way of revenue. She noted a budget was something, such as when you have $10,000, and $5,000 would go for the mortgage, $200 for electricity, and $1,000 for insurance, etc. She noted that was the same thing as the Village's budget. She commented in adopting the budget she was very happy with the work that was put into it, and the allocations Council made. • ' Minutes -Public Hearings -Village Council Meeting September 7, 2005 Page 5 Council Member Genco asked that one thing be considered, because it was pazt of the budget process. She felt it has always been very hazd for Council to follow the • amount of money allocated for different .Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). She suggested if there was a way of putting the CIP's into a special criteria azea where there could be a Capital Project allocation table, so Council could refer to, based on the budget, so everyone knows where the Village stands. She felt it would make it easier for the Council as well as for the public to understand all this money that has been budgeted for different projects. She mentioned as well as at the end of year, when it is time to roll it over because it was not spent, Council would know right away exactly how much money has not been spent. She indicated that was one idea she would like to see the Council adopt as part of the budget process. Council Member Genco noted because this is the budget, and it has been approved by Council based on the line items, and that it has been reviewed and discussed based on the needs of the department; she thought it was Council's intention when there was a transfer out of a budget line item in excess of $5,000.00, that not only was Council to know about it, but that they were also to authorize it, because they would be changing the budget. She pointed out when she read Ordinance 602, it says in Section 2, "separate transfers in excess of $5,000 are to be submitted for information". She felt it was not just for "information"; it was also for "approval". She suggested adding the words "and approval" to the ordinance language. Vice Mayor Watkins mentioned she recalled the conversation and the verbiage in the ordinance was simply "for information". She felt that was what Council had agreed upon. Village Manager Couzzo indicated that was the language that was approved last year, but noted budget adjustments were now submitted to Council twice a year. Mayor Humpage pointed out if the adjustments are on the consent agenda they have to be voted on. Vice Mayor Watkins agreed. Ms. Forsythe noted the budgets adjustments are on the consent agenda as information only. Village Manager Couzzo commented Council Member Genco was suggesting a small amendment to the ordinance language, which could be done. Mayor Humpage noted he really did not see a problem since it was being put on the consent agenda to approve any way, and it was Council's opportunity to not approve it. He felt typically it was "for your information", and it was already a pre-approved expenditure. Council Member Genco noted it was not pre-approved. She explained that was the reason, she thought, when Council approved the concept, that because it was not pre-approved, and because of the accumulative nature of it, it could end up exceeding $100,000, and that was the reason Council wanted to have an approval over it. Vice Manager Couzzo agreed, and noted the budget adjustments were not pre-approved, however, the entire budget was previously approved and it could only transferred within the internal budgets of each department. He noted for example, the Police Department has a $100 budget, and they wanted to take $5 and transfer it from personnel to gasoline, he pointed out that was done administratively. • Minutes -Public Heazings -Village Council Meeting September 7, 2005 Page 6 Village Manager Couzzo stressed it does not increase the $100 budget, without coming back to Council. Council Member Genco mentioned whenever a transfer • goes from an outside department, or from a Capital Project (where Staff is transferring it as separate transfer) Council should be looking at it. Ms. Forsythe commented it could not be transferred from fund to fund. Village Manager Couzzo added or it could not be transferred from department to department, it was only within the department. Council Member Genco commented an infra-fund. Mayor Humpage agreed. Village Manager Couzzo mentioned last year or the year before, this allowed any transfers from Capital Projects, back to operating. He pointed out what it really does is it allows the department heads to manage those budgets within the confines of what Council had approved. Mayor Humpage pointed out these are only within the same funds. Village Manager Couzzo agreed, and noted the fund would only be the general fund. Council Member Genco noted it was only within the police department they could move the money from one account to another. Mayor Humpage agreed it could only be within the same department budget. Village Manager Couzzo agreed the monies could not be transferred from Police to Fire, etc. He commented money could not be transferred from the Police Capital Fund to Personnel. He commented for example with personnel, if an officer retired, there would be a normal period to replace that officer, so in order to take caze of that shift, it now would require everyone to fill in on overtime. He stressed Staff could not anticipate all of these variables, so what happens is there would be a surplus in regulaz salaries, and there may not be even money in • overtime, so the money was transferred out to cover the overtime pay. Council Member Genco indicated she was fine with the current language. Council Member Resnik commented he was under the impression the consent agenda, when it listed items to be approved, these were items that were pre-approved and did not need open discussion at the meeting. Village Manager Couzzo.explained the consent agenda was the part of the agenda that was normally considered routine business that did not require extensive conversation of the Council, so a number of the items aze handled at one time, for housekeeping and expedience. He noted he could have provided it to Council in his monthly report, but felt putting it on the agenda made it more accessible to the public. Mayor Humpage pointed out Council does have the opportunity to pull the items from the consent agenda for discussion. Council Member Resnik commented if it was approved on the consent agenda, Council would be approving it as a group, with no discussion needed. He noted if someone does not want to approve the item, they have the opportunity to pull it from the consent agenda. Village Manager Couzzo mentioned there were times Council Members pulled an item so the public was more informed. Mayor Humpage announced the Public Hearing was closed. • Minutes -Public Hearings -Village Council Meeting September 7, 2005 Page 7 MOTION: Vice Mayor Watkins moved to approve First Reading of Ordinance 602; seconded by Council Member Resnik; motion passed 4-D. IV. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Vice Mayor Watkins moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Council Member Resnik; motion passed 4-0. The meeting was therefore adjourned at 6:35 P.M. Gwen Carlisle Village Clerk • •