10/07/1981
CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORK SESSION
October 7, 1981
The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met in a budget work
session at the City Hall, Wednesday, October 7, 1981, at 9:38 a.m., with
the following members present:
Charles F. LeCher
Rita Garvey
James Calderbank
Kathleen Kelly
Also present were:
Anthony L. Shoemaker
Thomas A. Bustin
Lucille Williams
Mayor-Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
The Mayor called the meeting to order. The City Manager reported the
City's intervention in the General Telephone rate request resulted in a
$155,000 reduction in the City's telephone bill at a cost of approximately
$30,000.
The City Manager provided a list of possible reductions of new
personnel amounting to $128,605; new equipment, $32,139; elimination of
contributions to the capital improvement program $199,350 and deletion of
the E.C. Moore Complex, Jack Russell Stadium, Morningside Parking Lot and
Airpark projects in the amount of $214,000 for consideration instead of an
overall operating budget reduction of $600,000. An analysis of the travel
expense budget and the overtime budget was also presented and discussion
ensued on across-the-board percentage reductions. The Mayor responded that
an $84,000 decrease would only amount to a .04 of a mill reduction in tax
millage.
Police Chief Klein responded to questions on his travel budget,
stating it included investigative expense, the return of out-of-state
prisoners, training schools, etc.. In response to questions on the jail
renovation, he stated demolition of the interior has already been
completed.
Commissioner Kelly suggested all departments justify increases in
overtime over and above last year's figures and that items remain with the
same department and not be transferred to different departments in order to
follow a trail.
Chief Pitts, in response to overtime questions, reported their
overtime was due to emergencies at shift-change time.
An analysis is being prepared on the use of City cars. There are 13
replacements in the 81-82 budget and eight of them are for police sedans.
Discussion ensued on Sand Key Park. Ream Wilson, Parks and Recreation
Director, stated the $30,000 for restrooms proposed for the bay side of
Sand Key on City property are necessary. He suggested that capital projects
be deleted or put on hold instead of reducing the operating budget.
The Mayor noted that a $600,000 out in the budget for the average
homeowner with a $40,000 assessed valuation, would amount to less than a
$9.00 decrease in taxes.
The Mayor requested the legislature be petitioned to establish the
Trimm Bill roll back rate, plus the consumer price index as the City's cap
millage rate and that they develop new revenue sources and expand on
revenue-sharing funds. He noted that the Resource Development Committee
reports on new projects, but does not give bottom and suggested staff
prepare a comparative report on the project's impact on the City and the
cost of providing City services. Commission consensus was to support a 1%
sales tax increase to lower the burden on the property owner.
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1. 10/7/81 Budget Wk Session
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Commissioner Kelly spoke in support of a set percentage increase in
the operating budget each year and to out back on the paper flow throughout
'the City.
A comparison of five-line items,•'professional services, employee's
expenses-meals, office-supplies, training and reference materials, other
services and charges, in the general fund budget for 1980-81 and 1981-82
and the percentage of change was presented.
The City Manager reported City departments had greatly reduced fuel
and energy consumption.
Max Battle, City Engineer, spoke in support of various capital
improvement programs.
Meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m..
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10/7/81
Budget Wk Session