04/27/2007
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 27, 2007
Present: Frank Hibbard Mayor
John Doran Vice-Mayor
Carlen Petersen Councilmember
George N. Cretekos Councilmember
Paul Gibson Councilmember
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager
Rod Irwin Assistant City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order
.
The Mayor stated that the legislature probably will meet in special session to complete
its work on property tax reform.
General Introduction
The City Manager said none of the proposed reductions was discussed with
Councilmembers before being presented to the public.
Discussion of Budget Task Force Recommendations
The City Manager introduced Budget Task Force recommendations. Consensus was to
review recommendations not supported by staff.
1) The City Council consider a self- imposed cap on annual General Fund
budgeted expenditures to the CPI (Consumer Price Index) plus 1%.
Staff reported each budget year brings unique challenges and opportunities. The City
Council normally provides direction to the City Manager as to changes they would like to see in
the City’s budget and/or direction as to the millage rate they would like adopted. For FY (Fiscal
Year) 2008, the City Council directed the City Manager to propose a budget that reflects savings
reductions so that the rolled-back rate could be achieved.
Staff Recommends: Although the City Council may strive to achieve a budget that reflects the
CPI plus 1%, staff would not recommend that the Council formally adopt this in a policy
statement. Budget Director Tina Wilson said every budget year is unique.
Discussion ensued with recommendations that policies not hamstring future Councils
and to retain flexibility to meet shocks to the system while striving for this objective.
Budget Work Session 2007-04-27 1
3) The City control the cost of employee benefits by: a) Limit increases to 3% level of
revenue increases (based on the Save Our Homes cap)
Staff Recommends: Staff does not support this recommendation. This is not feasible in
FY 2007/08 or 2008/09 for three of the City's four bargaining units, with whom the City currently
has bargaining agreements through September 30, 2008 (Communications Workers of
America) and September 30, 2009 (FOP Officers and Supervisors). These agreements provide
for pay raises greater than 3%, and increases in other compensatory provisions, including
healthcare. The Unions could refuse to "re-open" contracts to discuss wages, although they
may be more inclined to do so if the alternative is impending layoffs. The City will open
negotiations with the IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) within 60 days, and this
subject could be broached. However, the City must consider the impact of placing limits on pay
and range adjustments will have on its ability to recruit and retain, particularly in the area of
public safety. Adjustments could be made to pay ranges that would maintain the City's
competitive posture with respect to entry rates of pay in the labor market, while reducing merit
increases and GWIs (General Wage Increases). However, this change may entail having to
bargain away the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) and IAFF "step" pay plans (a difficult
proposition not likely to be accomplished except through impasse, unless mitigated by the threat
of layoffs), and would lead to pay compression issues of the type the City is attempting to
extricate itself from through the application of new pay provisions for FY 2007/08 in the current
CWA bargaining agreement.
Human Resources Director Joe Roseto said State law requires the City to negotiate
conditions of employment with its unions. It was commented that Council needs to react to
legislative mandates and unions need to work with the City.
b) Freeze or cap the City’s contribution to health insurance and considering a co-pay
program
;
Staff Recommends: Staff does not support this recommendation. The City currently
provides two HMO and two POS health plans for employees. The City currently pays 100% of
the cost of the basic HMO for the employee, 75% of the premium of the basic HMO for
employee plus one, and 68% of the premium of the cost of the basic HMO for employee plus
family. The additional cost for the buy-up HMO and POS plans is bourn by the employee. The
City budgeted $11.8 million for its portion of the premium for FY 2007.
The City is contractually obligated to provide a health care plan that the City pays 100%
of the premium cost for employee only coverage. Health care is a mandatory subject of
bargaining. All of the employee groups have waived that right to participate in a benefit
committee process, which reviews proposed health care plans and submits a recommendation
to City management for approval by City Council.
The City will explore alternatives in seeking renewal with the current health carrier
(United Health Care) that will help the City control costs. This will include development of a new
plan option to be funded by the City at 100%, as well as increasing the employee share of
premiums or modifying benefit levels in order to maintain existing plan options. Should the City
be unable to reach agreement with United, and depending on the perspective of the benefit
committee, the City will be prepared to issue a health insurance RFP (Request for Proposals)
for plan year 2008. Health care, along with the Pension, are extremely important benefits for
City employees. Any cost increases will impact employee satisfaction.
Budget Work Session 2007-04-27 2
Mr. Roseto said if unions did not waive this right, the City would have to negotiate health
insurance benefits with each union. The next plan will have a zero increase in premium costs
but increases to co-pays and prescription drug costs are expected. Finance Director Margie
Simmons said first responder Workers Compensation increases cannot be calculated.
Mr. Roseto said pooling health insurance coverage with an entity with a bad claims
experience would be problematic. Ms. Simmons said the City is required to allow retirees into
its health plan and meet a new accounting requirement to book a $2-million liability.
e) Consider an employee buyout program for retirement eligible employees
;
Staff Recommends: Staff supports this recommendation. Staff believes that City
government benefits greatly from the presence of longtime employees. The benefit of this
recommendation would have to be weighed against the loss of experience as well as the
significant up front cost of the buyout since the amount provided must be enough to create an
incentive for employees to take advantage of it. There could be a greater savings if employees
offered this benefit were in classifications where FTEs were being reduced.
AND
f) Evaluate pension alternatives such as replacing the defined benefit plan with a defined
contribution plan
;
Staff Recommends: This recommendation requires more study and discussion between
the City Council and administration before the City proceeds. Should the current plan be
discontinued, the City would be required to negotiate the change with all bargaining units, pass
the changes at referendum, and institute a transition plan that would be required for employees
currently in the plan. In addition, impacts on the retention of employees with defined
contribution plans, which is portable, verses the defined benefit would need to be analyzed and
the impact quantified. Elimination of the defined benefit plan would require the City to reenter
Social Security, with employees and the City each paying the required 6.2% of pay contribution
(total of 12.4% of pay), a cost that the City and employees do not now incur. That cost, plus the
cost of the defined contribution plan, would need to be weighed against the costs of the City's
current plan.
Mr. Roseto recommended the City Council discuss the Pension Plan separately. It was
noted that buyouts are expensive initially, with long-term savings occurring in 10 to 20 years.
Ms. Simmons said the earlier someone draws a pension, the more it costs the plan. It was
requested that staff investigate providing incentives to persons close to retirement.
4) The City budget for 2008 utilize a minimum of $6 million from the available $15 million
pension plan “set aside” credit to assist in the funding the Pension Plan contribution for
that year. We further recommend that the $1.5 million no longer required to fund the
“special” fireman’s pension fund also be used to fund a portion of the required 2008
pension contribution
.
When it became apparent that the City’s contribution to the Pension Plan could be
expected to stay at the 20% of pay level, staff prepared a plan that would achieve that result
while minimizing volatility, risk, and annual impact to the City. The plan involved slowly
increasing the City’s contributions from the then 7% of pay to an amount that would maintain a
level of reserves as a cushion against future volatility. The plan included contributing 10% of
Budget Work Session 2007-04-27 3
pay in FY 2006, 13% of pay in FY 2007, 16% of pay in FY 2008, and 19% of pay in FY 2009. At
the end of this period (FY 2009), the credit balance would have been reduced from
approximately $25 million to $12 - $13 million, or the equivalent of 75% of one year’s required
contribution. Staff feels that this is a minimum acceptable level and that 100% of one year’s
required contribution is more appropriate. Staff feels that this could be dealt with each year as
the actuary report is issued. Staff currently is waiting for the January 1, 2007 actuarial
valuation, and based up the results, can alter the plan as financially prudent. The required
contribution each year is determined by many variables, many of which the City has little or no
control, such as investment returns, retirements, withdrawal rates, disabilities, mortality, etc.
The Task Force recommendation to use $6 million from the credit balance would result
in a credit balance of less than $10 million in FY 2008, and if a similar amount was used in FY
2009, a credit balance of approximately $4 million, or less that 25% of one year’s required
contributions. Staff feels that this would not be financially prudent and would put the City at risk
with regard to potential volatility and annual impact to the City.
With regard to the $1.5 million in Firemen’s Pension Plan contributions, staff has
received the January 1, 2007 actuary report that confirms that there is a $0 required contribution
for FY 2008. This $1.5 million expense has been removed from the proposed budget, which
has the same bottom line impact to the budget as using it to fund a portion of the City required
contribution.
Staff Recommendations: 1) Fund FY 2008 City pension plan contribution at 16% of pay,
using approximately $3.2 million of credit balance (pending receipt of actuary report) and 2)
Remove the $1.5 million Firemen’s Pension contribution from the budget, which has the same
impact as using it to fund part of the City’s pension contribution.
Ms. Simmons said the market’s decline affected the Plan’s return on investment. The
State requires the City to provide a minimum annual contribution of 7%. Staff is prudently
lowering the credit balance since the contribution requirement increased above 7%.
7) Take home vehicles be limited to Pinellas County for all staff and that City vehicles are
tools that allow employees to do their tasks and should not be used as employee perks
.
Staff Recommendation: City Management is in the process of reviewing all take home
vehicles. The Police Chief has proposed that the City consider a more efficient 20-mile radius
solution. City management supports this alternative.
Police Chief Sid Klein said officers who live in the City are provided take-home cars,
which are needed for quick response. He said the 20-mile radius solution parallels limits
established by other agencies. Officers are on the clock from the time they are called. It would
be inefficient for officers to drive to headquarters before reporting to a crime scene or face
parking constraints associated with a personal vehicle.
11) It appears that the ratio of Fire Chiefs to the number of firefighters is inconsistent
with surrounding municipalities to the degree that it merits an in-depth review by
management. Consistent with this review an examination of the management to staff
ratios in all major departments should be conducted.
Staff Recommendation: Staff does not agree with the recommendation concerning the
Fire Chiefs ratio. The information staff supplied to the Budget Task Force did not indicate any
Budget Work Session 2007-04-27 4
inconsistency. There is no data to support this recommendation. In fact, City documentation
indicates the opposite.
This City did pay for a professional consultant study that included this type of review.
Staff has used the MGT study as a guiding principle since it was published over three years
ago. In a detailed study of the department, concluded in March 2004, the following was
determined regarding CFDs ratio of chief officers: 1) department currently has insufficient
number of senior Chief Officers to provide adequate senior management for “on call” availability
on a 24/7/365 basis; 2) organization did not provide sufficient senior management to adequately
focus on certain department functions; 3) organization did not provide management presence
on a 24/7/365 basis; and 4) Command officers at emergency incidents were burdened with too
many detail functions.
These issues were addressed in the department reorganization implemented in
September 2004. Since he arrived, the Fire Chief’s commitment to the City Manager has been
to hold in place the FTE level for senior staff. There has not been a single FTE added to the
Chief’s staff. Staff has changed designations and duties, but there have been no additions.
There was a conversion for District Chiefs to Assistant Chiefs on shift, but the numbers
remained the same. MGT study recommendations were based on current FTE numbers.
Fire Chief Jamie Geer said while the number of firefighters increased by 10%, the
number of fire chiefs did not change. Data provided the Task Force reflect department staffing
levels are consistent with nearby cities. It was stated that the Task Force had insufficient time
for an in-depth review.
14) The City Fire Department institute a firefighter volunteer service program in selected
fire stations to evaluate the potential effectiveness of the program and the station that
successfully implements this program and has demonstrated one full-time firefighter
position completely staffed by the volunteer program be allowed to add one paid
firefighter FTE to the station when additional personnel are needed
.
Staff Recommendation: Staff does not understand how the proposal adds an "FTE when
additional personnel are needed" or "one full-time firefighter position completely staffed by the
volunteer." Staff can calculate costs associated with bringing a volunteer into service, turnout
gear, physical, testing, inoculations, Workers Compensation insurance, certifications, State
retirement, and training. Staff can provide a cost associated with a layoff of a firefighter.
Concern was expressed that this recommendation could compromise public safety. Fire
Chief Geer said staff could explore supporting roles for volunteers.
Review of Updated Five-Year Forecast
The Five-Year Forecast was designed as a management tool to provide an enhanced
level of financial planning for the City’s General Fund. Financial planning expands a
government’s awareness of options, potential problems, and opportunities. The long-term
revenue, expenditure, and service implications of continuing or ending existing programs or
adding new programs, services, and debt can be identified. The financial planning process
helps shape decisions and allows necessary and corrective action to be taken before problems
become more severe.
A financial plan is not a forecast of what is certain to happen, but rather a device to
Budget Work Session 2007-04-27 5
highlight significant issues or problems that must be addressed if goals are to be achieved. The
City of Clearwater’s General Fund projections are based upon current projected levels of
service and staffing in the FY 2006/07 adopted budget, other than where noted.
General Fund
The General Fund is the general operating fund of the City. This fund was established
to account for revenues and expenditures involved in operating general functions of a non-
proprietary nature. Major revenue sources include property and other taxes, franchise and
utility fees, licenses and permits, fees for services, and charges to enterprise operations for
administrative or specific services. The major operating activities supported by the General
Fund include most traditional tax-supported municipal services such as police and fire services,
transportation, economic development, parks and recreation, libraries, administrative offices,
planning services, and public works operations.
Growth and Inflation
The rate of inflation is projected at 3.5% in FY 2007/08. This is based upon current
trends on the average CPI for All Urban Consumers provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The forecasted inflation for FY 2008 - 2012 also is projected at an annual rate of 3.5%.
Revenue Projections
Projection of revenues and other resources is critical in order to understand the level of
funding available for services and capital acquisitions. Projections for future budget periods
help determine the likelihood that services can be sustained and highlight future financial issues
to be addressed. Preparing revenue projections also enhances a government's understanding
of revenue sensitivity to changes in assumptions and to controllable factors such as changes to
tax rates or fees. Revenue forecasts for the City are based upon known factors and trend
analysis, reviewing the previous five-year history of actual receipts.
Property Tax Revenue
Property tax revenues are the largest source of revenue for the General Fund,
representing 41% of the total anticipated General Fund revenues in the 2006/07 annual budget.
The City is basically “built out.” Therefore, the City will not see much increase in taxable values
from major new residential development. Still, the results of economic development and
redevelopment within the community in the last several years is readily apparent in growing
taxable values, with increases of almost 9.6%, 11.7%, 15.5%, and 23.3% respectively, in each
of the last four fiscal years.
As a means to review the impact of “rolling back the millage” next year, tax revenues are
forecasted to remain flat for FY 2007/08. An additional $500,000 of property tax revenues has
been included based upon anticipated $100 million of new values on the tax role in the new
fiscal year. Estimated receipts for years after 2007/08 are reflected at a conservative increase
of 3% annually.
For the purposes of this exercise, the City’s taxable values reflect a 3% increase in
values each year over the five-year period, and the taxable value for the purpose of computing
the estimated millage rates in future years has been frozen at the 2006/07 values of $10.6
billion.
Budget Work Session 2007-04-27 6
Communications Services and Sales Tax
The anticipated revenue from the Communication Services tax was budgeted at almost
$6.6 million of the total $121.9 million budget, or 5% of General Fund revenues in FY 2006/07.
Receipts for the current year are slightly stronger than budgeted. For FY 2008, budgeted
receipts are estimated at approximately $7.1 million, with a growth factor of about 1% thereafter
based upon the five-year historical trend.
The growth in sales tax revenues remains fairly flat at about 1% per year on average.
Sales tax revenue projections for the current year most likely will need to be adjusted
downward. For FY 2008 and thereafter, tax projections reflect a growth factor of 1% based
upon revised projections in FY 2007/08 and annually thereafter.
Utility & Franchise Fees
Franchise fees in the City of Clearwater are levied on companies in exchange for the
right to operate franchises for the purpose of maintaining and operating an electrical or gas
distribution system in the City. Utility taxes are fees levied on the purchase of electrical, gas,
water, oil, or propane within the City.
Overall, receipts from utility and franchise fees from Progress Energy represent the
majority of this revenue category. Although increasing steadily, franchise fee revenues are
growing at a stronger pace than utility tax revenues. Franchise fee revenues are anticipated to
grow at approximately 4% per year and utility tax revenues at approximately 2% per year, based
upon revised estimates for the current year and historical receipts for the past five years.
Other Revenue Sources
The three revenue sources detailed above account for over 69% of the total General
Fund revenues. All other revenue sources are forecasted individually on a line item basis based
upon historical revenue trends.
Expenditure Projections
Assumptions for expenditure projections should be consistent with related revenue and
program performance assumptions. A review of expenditure projections for individual
programs, particularly those with significant unexpected increases or decreases, is critical. The
expenditure projections are presented for each Department, and projections assume all current
programs continue into future fiscal years.
Salary and Benefits
Salary and benefit costs approximate 67.5% of all General Fund expenditures, at $82.1
million. Salary projections are forecasted for budget approved FY 2006/07 full-time equivalent
positions only. Funding for union employees are projected within the limits of current union
contracts and similar increases thereafter. Funding for SAMP (Supervisory, Administrative,
Managerial, and Professional) employees allows for a 4% merit increase. The attrition rate, or
salary savings, is assumed to be 1% for all five years. Medical insurance costs for all
employees are approximately $7.7 million of the City’s total General Fund expenditures in the
approved 2006/07 General Fund operating budget. Medical insurance is projected to increase
Budget Work Session 2007-04-27 7
0% in FY 2007/08 and 6% in each of the years thereafter.
The forecast for FY 2007/08 reflects City pension costs to increase from 13% of covered
payroll to 16%, which continues the plan to reach 20% of covered payroll by 2010 as
recommended by the City’s actuary. A positive note regarding the funding of the Old Fire
Pension is evident in the Fire Department forecasted budget for FY 2007/08. Full funding of the
Old Fire Pension plan is expected by the end of FY 2006/07. This forecast reflects a savings of
approximately $1.5 million starting in 2007/08 in the Fire Department operating budget. This
forecast assumes that these savings will not be diverted to other programs, and will be reflected
as a reduction in General Fund expenditures starting in FY 2007/08.
Operating Expenditures
Operating expenditures include numerous costs, including basic operating supplies,
travel, training, etc. These costs, as a whole, represent approximately 16% of the total General
Fund expenditures. Significant expenditures in the operating category include utility costs for
public facilities such as City Hall, the Municipal Services Building, libraries, recreational facilities,
and contributions to agencies discussed below. Property and liability insurance coverage for FY
2008 is estimated at $4.2 million. For the most part, these expenditures are forecasted to
increase in line with the CPI, which is estimated at 3.5% in FY 2007/08 and each of the years
thereafter.
Contributions to Other Agencies
Contributions to Other Agencies in the General Fund remain as currently budgeted to
include such contributions as the annual contribution to Ruth Eckerd Hall of $477,620 and the
contribution to the African American Leadership Council program in the amount of $100,000.
Internal Service Costs
This category of expenditures reflects the reimbursement to City Internal Service Funds
for services. Again, a major portion of this category of expenditures is directly tied to Salary and
Benefit increases. Internal Service Costs are projected to increase at the rate of 3.5% annually
in each of the next five years.
Operating Capital
The operating capital category recognizes those capital purchases that are less than
$25,000 and not accounted for in the Capital Improvement Fund. These costs represent an
insignificant portion of the General Fund total expenditures at $136,200 annually. These costs
are forecasted to increase at the same rate as operating expenditures, 3.5% annually in each of
the next five years.
Debt Service Costs
Debt service costs are projected taking into account all lease purchase contracts
anticipated to be outstanding at the end of FY 2006/07 and reflect the impact of current
outstanding public service tax bond commitments. Debt service costs are forecasted to remain
relatively stable throughout the five-year period, and include $1 million of annual debt service for
the Beach Walk project in each of the forecasted years.
Budget Work Session 2007-04-27 8
Transfers to the Capital Improvement Fund
Transfers to the Capital Improvement Fund are forecasted as proposed in the current
six-year Council adopted Capital Improvement Plan.
Forecast Summary Analysis
In summary, the impact of maintaining the current level of ad-valorem taxes, along with
the projection of other given current revenues and current service expenditures produces a
deficit of approximately $3.1 million in FY 2007/08. The projected increase in the new fiscal
year is due primarily to routine forecasted salary increases for current employees and cost index
increases for other supplies and services. Based upon these early projections, it appears that
service cuts of this amount would be necessary to allow no increase in property tax revenue,
assuming revenues meet expectations, and expenditures are in line with forecasted projections.
This forecast does not factor in the impacts of any new programs and/or the impact of unknown
or extraordinary issues during the forecast period.
Ms. Wilson said the five-year forecast is a planning tool. Concern was expressed that
projected revenues and expenditures do not reflect possible decreases to property values. Ms.
Wilson could not project the impacts of State legislation. She estimated one-third of the City’s
taxable value is homesteaded.
Discussion ensued with comments that while residents want additional services, the
budget must be trimmed and citizens need to understand the ramifications of imposed spending
constraints.
Discussion of City Manager’s Proposals for Budget Reductions
The City Manager said positions and programs recommended for reduction will not be
resurrected.
Steve Sarnoff, CWA president, said proposed legislation would reduce local control and
have devastating effects.
John Lee, IAFF president, said critical and essential services should be a priority. He
disagreed with Budget Task Force recommendations regarding a Volunteer Firefighter Service.
Jonathan Walser, representing the FOP, said quality and safety of life should remain a
priority.
Ms. Wilson said not all proposed reductions are in the General Fund and not all listed
positions are vacant.
Development Services
Development & Neighborhood Services Director Jeff Kronschnabl said the
Administrative Support Manager position is vacant with those responsibilities reassigned.
Eliminating the Neighborhood Services Manager and Specialist will negatively impact
neighborhood improvement efforts.
Budget Work Session 2007-04-27 9
Economic Development
Mr. Brumback said proposed reductions would reduce professional services, delaying
some studies and analysis and the level of City participation with TBP (Tampa Bay Partnership).
Equity Services
Equity Services Director Eleanor Breland said proposed reductions do not affect staff
levels but reduce training, materials, and Diversity Council activities. Ms. Wilson estimated
Travel and Training is between 15% and 20% of the department’s budget.
Fire Department
Fire Chief Geer said Squad 49 supports EMS and fire suppression activities. Some
activities and equipment could be transferred to a truck company. The County covers 13% of
squad costs. When unavailable, mutual aid responds. Elimination of the squad would increase
risk and delays. The squad is unique due to its equipment and personnel training.
The two fire inspector positions are filled. Mr. Brumback said when approved, it was
expected that fees would cover position costs. That did not occur. Fire Chief Geer said loss of
these positions would affect the ability to complete the inspections sweep within 24 months.
Routine inspections would need to be supplemented. It was suggested that volunteers could
assist with the sweep.
Fire Chief Geer said no FTE positions would be cut if the SWAT team is eliminated.
Reductions relate to training. Eliminating the Police Department’s Arson Investigator would
require dependence on State investigators. Elimination of the Public Education Specialist would
end educational activities. The Public Information Officer will be consolidated in Public
Communications.
Finance
Ms Simmons said the department’s contingency for the external audit contract was cut.
By eliminating the Accounting Clerk position, which is vacant, and Senior Accountant, the
department will reduce thorough reviews. The Senior Accountant position is partially vacant,
with a staff member working part-time. Mr. Brumback said the administration froze hiring and is
working to reassign staff in positions identified for possible elimination.
Non-Departmental
Ms. Simmons said the City received grants and payments that will reduce the bond
amount. Savings total $370,000. She recommended issuing the bonds for 20 years.
Human Resources
Mr. Roseto reported the Systems Analyst position was eliminated and responsibilities
distributed among staff. The Human Resources Assistant Director position was downgraded.
Library
Budget Work Session 2007-04-27 10
Library Director Barbara Pickell said cuts were spread across the system. Moving the
Beach library to the recreation center would save $100,000. Due to FEMA (Federal Emergency
Management Association) rules, the facility could not be enlarged by much. Cuts would close
the East and Countryside libraries two evenings per week. Mr. Brumback said if the Beach
Recreation Center is closed, economies of scale evaporate and the Beach library would close.
Office of Management & Budget
Budget Director Tina Wilson said the department’s accounting position is vacant. The
department has an intern, needed during the busiest months, and two senior accountants. She
did not know if this level of staffing would be sufficient in the future.
Official Records & Legislative Services
City Clerk Cyndie Goudeau said the Grant Writer position has been vacant for some
time. While the position can pay for itself, it is not required. It was felt the position should not
be cut if it generates income. Mr. Brumback said operational expertise would be lost if grant
writing efforts are consolidated. Ms. Goudeau said the lobbyist funding cut would eliminate the
ability to hire a standby lobbyist should the City’s primary lobbyist have a conflict of interest.
Planning Department
Planning Director Michael Delk said cutting a part-time Staff Assistant would affect the
CDB (Community Development Board) process. It was noted that staffing increased when the
department was deluged with applications. Mr. Delk said current emphasis is on long-range
planning issues and State mandated comprehensive plan changes. Code changes are
ongoing. Professional services reductions affect outside consultants who assist staff.
Police Department
Police Chief Sid Klein said the Senior Staff Assistant position is vacant and its duties
solved with technology. The person filling the Staff Assistant position could be reassigned. The
Public Information Officer position is critical to the department. He recommended consolidating
the position with the Fire Department if change is imminent. He suggested making a one-time
donation to CHIP (Clearwater Homeless Intervention Project) from forfeiture funds.
It was recommended that the School Board be requested to fund SRO (Student
Resource Officers) positions or fill them with certified police officers. Police Chief Klein said the
Sheriff intends to remove deputies from middle schools. It was requested that the Police Chief
talk with the City of St. Petersburg about taking over City forensics.
Engineering
City Engineer Mike Quillen said the Public Works Administrator position is vacant. It is
hard to retain a survey crew. When the positions were approved, staff thought money would be
saved. When the positions are eliminated, not all survey needs will need to be contracted. Mr.
Brumback said the City is working with Progress Energy to meet industry lighting standards.
While small areas with insufficient light will be addressed, an overall savings by reducing lighting
in over lit areas is anticipated. Staff will complete installation of LED lights within a year.
Contracting the work would increase costs.
Budget Work Session 2007-04-27 11
Public Services
Public Services Director Gary Johnson said the three positions identified for elimination,
are filled. Public Services and Public Utilities are working to share training costs. Contracting
tree trimming services would cost more than in-house efforts due to a significant number of
trees. Mr. Brumback said contractors would not agree to be first responders following a storm,
which is essential for clearing roads.
Public Communications
Public Communications Director Doug Matthews said cuts are contingent on other
decisions. Staff is considering alternatives to publishing C-News in the St. Petersburg Times.
The City pays $5,000 to advertise the Farmers Market. Staff will report if the Farmers Market is
advertised with other funds. Staff is reviewing City publication costs and considering better
ways to get information out to the public.
Health Insurance
Ms. Simmons said rates are unknown when Health Insurance costs are budgeted. Due
to the Premium Stabilization Fund, the $6,400 per person rate can be maintained. Ms. Wilson
recommended that the City budget $6,400 per person even if rates decrease.
The remainder of items will be discussed on April 30, 2007.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 12:53 p.m.
Budget Work Session 2007-04-27 12