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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-24-03 Minutes SS MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION FINAL BUDGET SPECIAL SESSION HELD SEPTEMBER 24, 2003 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the Final Budget Special Session to order in the Commission Chambers at 7:05 p.m. and announced this was an advertised public hearing to finalize the budget and adopt a final millage rate for the City of Ocoee. The City Commission has previously approved a tentative millage rate of 4.5789 mills, which represents a 2.2213 % increase in millage over the rolled-back rate of 4.4794 mills. City Clerk Grafton called the role and declared a quorum present. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Howell, Johnson, and Parker. Also present were City Manager Gleason, City Clerk Grafton, Finance Director Horton, Finance Supervisor Carter, Budget Analyst Brosonski, Accountant Bishop, Police Chief Goclon, Parks/Recreation Director Farmer, Fire Chief Strosnider, Chief Communications Supervisor Simanski, Information Systems Director Ross, Human Resources Director Diedrich, Community Development Director Wagner, Building Official Phelps, Public Works Director Wheeler, and Support Division Chief McNeil. PUBLIC HEARING Finance Director Horton reported the percentage rate increase of the tentative millage rate over the rolled-back rate is 2.2213%. The ad valorem tax revenues are being increased by $343,394 to provide funding for operating expenses, programs, capital improvement projects, and the purchase of equipment and vehicles. The public hearing was opened. Mayor Vandergrift asked for public comments and there were none. The Commission agreed to proceed without having the budget message read from the book. Mayor Vandergrift asked if there were any comments from Commissioners and there were none. Mayor Vander2rift. seconded by Commissioner Anderson. moved to amend the budget bv postponing the establishment of Battalion Chief until next year. When discussion was called, Commissioner Anderson inquired of Fire Chief Strosnider the duties of Battalion Chief. Fire Chief Strosnider responded stating that the new Law 1710 requires a Battalion Chief and this position has already been deferred for two years. Fire Chief Strosnider described the duties of the said position and how imperative it is that it be approved. Discussion ensued. Ocoee City Commission Special Session September 24, 2003 Commissioner Parker stated that this was a matter of safety and organization. If there is more than one thing going on, then the lieutenant is too busy. Commissioner Johnson thinks the position is necessary due to the growth of our City. Commissioner Anderson stated his concern with the number of Battalion Chiefs needed. Commissioner Howell asked which annual budget the additional positions would affect. Financial Director Horton responded that approximately $175,000 was included in the proposed budget for this purpose. When the vote for the proposed amendment was called, the motion lost 1-4 with Commissioners Anderson, Howell, Johnson, and Parker voting no. Commissioner Howell proposed to give all employees an increase in pay of $ .50, rather than 3 % of their current salary in order to be fair to all employees, as well as saving the City money. City Manager Gleason expressed his concern for those employees that have higher education and skills in their job and felt that these employees should be compensated for such. He said that the City could afford the proposed 3 % across the board. Mayor Vandergrift asked for Commissioner comments. Commissioner Parker agreed the 3 % increase would be the best choice. She requested that a wage study be completed. City Manager Gleason mentioned that the average household income for a City of Ocoee resident is $50K. Commissioner Johnson agreed with Commissioner Parker regarding the wage study. He said that he had no problem with the 3 % increase. Human Resources Director Diedrich said that an outside consulting firm would cost about $50,000 to perform the study. Mayor and Commissioners agreed to call neighboring communities for comparisons. As there were no amendments, City Attorney Rosenthal announced the proposed final millage is 4.5789 mills, which represents a 2.2213% increase in the millage over the rolled- back rate of 4.4794 mills. This percentage is the proposed final percentage increase in property taxes. Motion to approve Ordinance No. 2003 -36, setting rmal millage rate. Commission Parker. seconded bv Commissioner Johnson. moved to adovt Ordinance No. 2003-36 setting a final millage rate at 4.5789 mills for fiscal vear 2003 - 2004. Page 2 of 4 Ocoee City Commission Special Session September 24, 2003 Prior to calling for the vote on the above motion, Mr. Rosenthal read the title only of the Ordinance and announced the name of the taxing authority as the City of Ocoee, the rolled- back millage rate is 4.4794 mills, the proposed percentage by which the proposed millage exceeds the rolled-back rate is 2.2213 % . The millage rate proposed by the Ordinance is 4.5789 mills. Mayor Vandergrift asked for public or Commissioner comments. R. P. Mohnacky, 1820 Prairie Lake Boulevard, spoke against the 3 % and in favor of everyone getting the same amount. He asked about the duties of the Human Resources Department and the Communications Department. Human Resources Director Diedrich and Communications Manager Simanski responded. City Manager Gleason stated for the record that the current millage rate is still lower than it was three years ago. Commissioner Parker added that it is a good thing for those citizens paying a higher millage rate because that means that their property value has increased. Commission Anderson commented that the 2.2213% increase over the rolled-back rate is 23 % of revenue for our City. The difference between this increase and the proposed 3 % cost of living increase would create a shortfall. Commissioner Howell said he was glad to see the taxes being cut back over the years and that citizens did not want to see an increase and were satisfied with taxes remaining the same. Commissioner Johnson said the money could be used for other things that we need to do. City Manager Gleason stated that Public Works now has a valid list of improvements, such as roads and sidewalks. Mayor Vandergrift stated that he would like to give direction to the City Attorney to stabilize the enterprise funds in an ordinance form so that we may be able to identify and understand what those funds are. Discussion ensued. He also said that he was opposed to contracting out the garbage pick up and would like to look into the probability of commercializing those servIces. J. Lester Dabbs, 619 Caborca Court, said Commissioner Anderson inadvertently misled the public and the Commission in his comments regarding the shortfall of revenue. He believes that the 2.2213% is going to be assessed against real estate and the 3% COLA is going to be assessed against salaries and that this does not create a shortfall. Commissioners assured that there was no shortfall. City Attorney Rosenthal announced that following the adoption of the millage, the City would be adopting the ordinance for the budget. At that time, the enterprise funds would be adopted and/or money transferred from one fund to another. Page 3 of 4 Ocoee City Commission Special Session September 24, 2003 Mavor Vanderl!rift called the vote to adoPt the millage rate at 4.5789 mills and the motion carried 3-2 with Mayor Vandergrift and Commissioner Anderson voting no. RECESS 8:06 - 8:18 p.m. Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2003 -37, adopting fmal budget. Commissioner Parker. seconded by Commissioner Johnson. moved to adoPt Ordinance No. 2003-37. adoPting the final budget for fiscal year 2003-2004. Prior to calling for the vote on the above motion, Mr. Rosenthal read the title only of the Ordinance. Mayor Vandergrift asked for comments from citizens and Commissioners. Mayor Vandergrift asked if employees who have reached the top of their grade scale would be receiving the cost of living increase. City Manager Gleason explained that such employees would receive a 2 % increase to their hourly wage and the remaining 1 % would be received in a separate payment. Mayor Vandergrift asked if the City could index the wage grade scale to include the increase. City Manager Gleason agreed the idea should be researched. Discussion ensued regarding pay raises and longevity. Mayor Vandergrift asked if the budget reflected any improvements for Silver Star street lighting. City Manager Gleason explained that the City had a contract with FDOT to fund street lighting. Public Works Director Wheeler responded that the street lighting improvements were not included in FDOT's budget for the current year, but may be included next year. Discussion ensued. Vote on motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2003 -37, adopting the fmal budget. When the vote was called to adopt Ordinance No. 2003-37. the motion carried 4-1 with Mavor Vandenn-ift voting no. Commissioner Parker asked if anyone was interested in attending the Health Central Function and all Commissioners had prior arrangements. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Vandergrift announced the end of the budget public hearing and adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Attest: APPROVED: City of Ocoee .~.:S~) D1 ,~. /r--- S. Scott Vandergrift,~ayor '1 Page 4 of 4