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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_09/06/2011 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 Call to Order and Roll Call The meeting was called to order by Vice -Mayor Vince Arena at 5:31 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Vice -Mayor Vince Arena, Council Member Jim Humpage, Council Member Abby Brennan and Council Member Calvin Turnquest. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo Jr., Village Clerk McWilliams and Finance Director Forsythe. Mayor Tom Paterno and Attorney Trela White were absent. Open Public Hearing • Announce that the proposed operating millage rate necessary to fund the budget is 1.84% under the rolled -back millage rate of 5.8753 mills. • Announce Proposed Millage Rate is 5.7671 • Summary of Tentative Budget • Citizen Comments — There were none Joanne Forsythe, Finance Director announced that the Village's proposed millage rate was 5.7671 mils which was 1.84% less than the roll back rate. She stated that the rate would lower tax proceeds from advalorem property taxes by $85,000. Ms. Forsythe noted key figures in the budget and the total of $14,917,774 with the proposed General Fund budget of $22,590 greater than the current years amended budget. Vice Mayor Arena opened the public hearing to the public for comments; there being none he announced legalities associated with any changes in the millage rate. Council Member Turnquest expressed he was impressed that the shortage was as small as it was as he believed property values had dropped in the Village and commended Manager Couzzo and staff on a job well done. Manager Couzzo noted that the budget was only finalized recently because of pending Police Department (PD) issues. He pointed out that the PD represented approximately 64% of the budget. Manager Couzzo noted that the Village employees had put forth a tremendous amount of work and could have reached their limits. He discussed the General Fund and additional revenue adjustments and explained that the Water Fund was the Village's single greatest capital asset and it had several major capital upcoming Special Council Meeting Minutes — September 6, 2011 Page 2 was the Village's single greatest capital asset and it had several major capital upcoming projects (such as the security system) improvements to be completed. Manager Couzzo stated infrastructure needs would most likely be addressed in the approaching year. He then noted the recycling efforts had produced $30,000 toward Village revenues. Council Member Humpage pointed out the Village would not see any of the County's revenues from their recent implemented increase to property values. He thanked staff for their additional work as he believed it assisted the Village with their budget and accumulating reserve funds. He pointed out that the economy had put the Village in a predicament of having to utilize their reserves and expressed his gratitude to staff for persevering. Council Member Humpage stated he supported the millage rate figure. Council Member Brennan commented that Council did not need the anticipated reserve monies last year of $600,000 and gained a surplus to boost the figure to $800,000. She advised that the increase in permitting and the funds received through Code had increased the reserves by $200,000. Council Member Brennan voiced her concern with staff working to capacity and the potential stress to the Village and employees if even one employee was to leave. Council Member Brennan advised that the Village did not have a backup plan for the Manager's position (who at present was covering many departments). She felt there was not one extra person on staff that could step into the Manager's obligations should he be out for an extended period. She believed the impact from such a surprise situation could be much more costly to the Village than preparing now. Council Member Brennan suggested insurance to subsidize such an incident and commended staff and reassured that their efforts were not un- noticed. Manager Couzzo explained his understanding of "key man" insurance and explained that it was life insurance which would assist the Village as they would be the beneficiary. Vice Mayor Arena recapped some of the past four years of Tequesta's accomplishments and accreditations and voiced his feelings of pride for a Village who carried on when others appeared to be faltering. Close Public Hearing Special Council Meeting Minutes —September 6, 2011 Page 3 1. Approve Proposed Millage Rate by Motion of Council MOTION Council Member Humpage moved approval of the propsed Millage Rate at 5.7671; seconded by Council Member Turnquest; the motion carried unanimously 4 -0. 2. Adopt Tentative 2011/2012 Budget by Motion of Council MOTION Council Member Brennan moved approval of the tentative 201112012 Budget; seconded by Council Member Turnquest; the motion carried unanimously 4 -0. 3. Announce Time and Place of Final Budget Public Hearing — September 15, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. — Tequesta Village Hall Vice Mayor Arena announced that the final budget hearing would be held on September 15, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. 4. Adjournment MOTION Council Member Humpage moved to adjourn; seconded by Council Member Turnquest; the motion to adjourn carried unanimously 4 -0; therefore, the meeting was adjourned at 5:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 0, � ff)twC Q,r- 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.