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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_09/12/2013 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA SPECIAL MEETING 1 ST PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 12, 2013 2013/2014 BUDGET Call to Order and Roll Call The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were: Mayor Abby Brennan, Vice Mayor Vince Arena, Council Member Steve Okun, Council Member Tom Paterno and Council Member Frank D'Ambra. Open Public Hearing • Announce that the proposed operating millage rate necessary to fund the budget is 8.69% greater than the rolled -back millage rate of 5.5662 mills. Ms. JoAnn Forsythe, Finance Director, provided a summary of the proposed millage rate and budget funds and noted the total budget of $15,292,463. • Announce Proposed Millage Rate is 6.0500 • Summary of Tentative Budget • Citizen Comments Pat Watkins, 167 River Drive, noted the 2003 millage rate had exceeded 6.2 and that Council had done a great job in difficult times. She voiced her support for the decision to: raise the rate, consider the future and the needs at hand, and to keep Tequesta residents receiving the services they have become accustomed to. Jim Humpage, 562 N. Dover Road, believed raising the millage rate with the small increase was a wise move and within the fiduciary responsibility of the Council and felt (in hind sight) the raise should have taken place sooner. Mayor Brennan closed the public hearing. Close Public Hearing 1. Approve Proposed Millage Rate by Motion of Council MOTION Vice Mayor Arena moved approval of the proposed millage rate; seconded by Council Member Okun. Council Member D'Ambra voiced his opposition regarding the increase. He discussed the economy and felt many were still in difficult economic situations and asked that the Minutes — Special 1 St Budget Hearing Meeting 9/12/13 Page 2 rate be maintained from the prior year. Council Member Paterno stated he agreed with the greater part of Council Member D'Ambra's comments and felt the topic of raising taxes was a main component with the proposed annexation failing. He noted that residents did not want a tax increase and that the incomes had decreased. Council Member Paterno voiced his opinions regarding non - homesteaded property taxes rising and utilizing the Village reserves and reducing the budget. Council Member Okun also agreed that the recent annexation failed because of the cost free benefit from Tequesta's police patrols and fire rescue. He felt that adjusting the tax rate now would eliminate the need for a larger, more painful increase down the road. Vice Mayor Arena voiced that there would never be "a right time" to raise taxes and noted that the millage had decreased over the past 13 years. He stated that employees continue to cut back and that he supported the increase. Mayor Brennan offered admiration for past and present Council and their efforts to negotiate the rate each year. She offered a brief reminder that many services had continued and a bridge had also been built. Mayor Brennan voiced her support for the increase and the obligation to keep the Village fiscally sound and services at the level which was expected. Council Member D'Ambra reported statistics relating to property values, property taxes, and the millage rate and felt government should do more with less when citizens were struggling economically. He commented that a cumulative increase of 17% over the past 6 years had been received by Village employees. Mayor Brennan concluded by stating she would like to see reserves stay flat and Tequesta save for the future required projects. MOTION CONTINUED Motion carried 3 -2 with Council Members Paterno and D'Ambra opposed. 2. Adopt Tentative 2013/2014 Budget by Motion of Council Vice Mayor Arena noted that Tequesta Fest had been taken out of the budget because of its growth and additional expenses. He suggested it be moved back to Village Hall and put back in the budget. Council Member Paterno argued that losing money on events was part of the problem with government and suggested the budget be reduced by cutting these costly events. He commended Parks & Recreation (P & R) on doing such a great job but voiced his opposition regarding continuing events just because they were liked as he felt everyone should take cuts wherever necessary. Vice Mayor Arena stated that Mr. Greg Corbitt, Director of Parks and Recreation, had cut Tequesta Fest in half and believed it was best for the Village not to assess cuts in the Parks & Recreation department. Council Member D'Ambra voiced his opposition Minutes — Special 1 Budget Hearing Meeting 9/12/13 Page 2 regarding the Vice Mayor's proposal and felt the event needed to change. He felt it was taking a lot of taxpayers' money and non - residents were benefiting. Council Member D'Ambra suggested limiting Tequesta Fest to Village residents and their extended families. Council Member Okun supported a smaller version of Tequesta Fest and it's return to the municipal complex. Council Member Paterno suggested the event be combined with another and be held within the existing budget and the funds be reallocated. 3. Announce Time and Place of Final Budget Public Hearing — September 19, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. — Tequesta Village Hall Manager Couzzo announced the final budget hearing date to be September 19, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. 4. ADJOURNMENT Vice Mayor Arena moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Council Member D'Ambra. The motion to adjourn carried unanimously 5 -0; therefore, the meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted, � Cu_ 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.