Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-10-87 WS MINUTES OF THE BUDGET WORKSHOP OF THE CITY COMMISSION HELD ON SEPTEM8ER 10, 1987 - The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ison at 7:00 p.m. and he requested a moment oE silent prayer Eor Pope John Paul's visit to the United States. PRESENT: Mayor Ison, Commissioners Johnson (arrived at 7:19 p.m.>, Dabbs, Bateman and Hager, City Manager Ryan, Finance Director Poston, and City Clerk Catron. ABSENT: None DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED BUDGET AND MILLAGE FOR 1987/88 City Manager Ryan explained that there were that he wanted to bring to their attention proposed budget. several items regarding the - The first item was that he had asked the Finance Director to spread a 5% increase throughout the salary accounts with the intent oE doing a market analysis survey on wages and then increases be given to reElect the need indicated by the survey. This meant that some might get 2%, 5% or 10% and it would be retroactive to October 1, 1987. Mayor Ison questioned salaries for the Eire and police departments since we had lost approximately 5 employees from each of those departments to Orange County. Rick Fitzgerald, with our financial consulting firm, introduced to the Commission and was present if there any questions. was were Je City Manager Ryan pointed out the new General Government Services Account 516 that was set up this year Eor the purpose of the buyout of sick leave, contingency fund, salary increases, etc.. He suggested they might want to move the proposed 5% salary increases to this 516 account until the salary survey was completed. He did not want the employees to think they would automatically be getting raises Just because it was proposed in the budget. He wanted to change the vacation and sick leave policy to "personal leave" and allow so many days to be carried forward. They are working on the personnel rules and regulations and hope to incorporate this idea in those rules. He explained that the City of Ocoee had one of the most excellent benefit packages in the tri-county area. The Commission then went over the expenditures portion oE the proposed budget and asked about several of the accounts. Mr. Ryan explained that some oE the accounts were set up to better track expenses such as moving the building maintenance to account 514. There will be an increase in the Sanitation Rates to the residential and commercial customers but no increases in the water rates. Mayor Ison asked the City Manager to check with Mr. Wallick about recycling and felt now was the time to 1 - Peg. 2 City COMMia.ion 8udg.~ Workahop S.p~.Mb.r 10, 1987 initiate some type of recycling. Mayor Ison asked the Commission what their preference was on proposed bus service as far as allocating any monies. Mr. Ryan stated they could set up a fund under the Account 516 as a reserve for bus service. Commissioner Bateman supported the Mayor#s proposal on a trial basis but felt the schedule needed to be trimmed down to a van type of bus or smaller. Commissioner Johnson, Dabbs and Hager were in favor of allocating some monies in reserve for a proposed bus service and then see what funds the other cities or the county might allocate. Mr. Ryan said that we should look at what other cities have paid or are paying for bus service. Mayor Ison asked that the City Manager have letters hand delivered to Mayor Barber of Winter Garden and Chairman Treadway of Orange County advising them that the City of Ocoee had recommended changing their budget to allocate $25,000.00 towards a proposed bus service for the Ocoee area. - City Manager Ryan pointed out the Street Department Account 104 and explained that monies had been included to finish some of the sidewalk proJects along Highway 50. Orange County had requested comments from the City regarding how the estimated $1.7 million anticipated over a 10 year period from the Local Option Sales Tax would be spent. Mr. Ryan stated that he responded that it would be spent on transportation off-setting growth. Mayor Ison said it could also be used for parks. Commissioner Dabbs stated that 80% should be used for transportation and drainage. Mayor Ison reported on his trip to the Florida Department of Transportation in DeLand. The meeting was favorable and he found that if the City proceeded with proJects that DOT already had in their planning schedule, they might be willing to reimburse the City, although there would be some risk due to a clause that referred to "approval subJect to the State Legislature". DOT also approved the use of Bowness Road as the State Road through the City thus taking the traffic off of Bluford. Mayor Ison asked that the City Manager, City Planner and the Public Works Director get together and decide on any maJor road improvements that needed to be done and get them to DOT in DeLand as soon as possible. He stated that he had never before had the cooperation with DOT that he has had this last year. ~e Commission Hager asked the Commission to consider dropping the proposed millage of 2.9 mills to 2.8 mills. He felt this would help offset the increase in property values that some of the residents have experienced. Commissioner Johnson spoke against dropping the millage and explained that he felt the money was needed in the budget. Commissioner Dabbs 2 e Peg. 3 C!~y Co~~i.a!on 8ud9.~ Workahop S.p~.Mb.r 10, 1987 stated that dropping the millage would help but not that much and agreed with Commissioner Johnson somewhat in that some spending should have been done years ago. Commissioner Bateman stated that he half heartedly supported the drop in the millage but felt it was not enough. Mayor Ison stated that from a marketing aspect, he would like to have the advantage from lowering the millage. Commissioner Hager reported that when he first came on the Commission the millage was at 10 mills and that one of the things he had worked towards was reducing the millage. City Manager Ryan stated that they had delayed proceeding with the "Impact Fees" because the State Legislature was supposed to have dealt with the issue but they did not, and felt that now was the time to move forward with them. Mayor Ison also requested that this time a school analysis be done along with the other studies. He asked the City Manager to put the "Impact Fee" item on the agenda for the next meeting. The final hearing on the budget and millage will be held at the September 15, 1987 Commission Meeting. - The meeting adJourned at 8:40 p.m. ----~-iL---- MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK r- 3 ------l