08/01/2000 (2)
CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSESSION
CITY OF CLEARWATER
August 1, 2000
Present: Brian J. Aungst Mayor/Commissioner
J. B. Johnson Vice-Mayor/Commissioner
Ed Hooper Commissioner- departed at 10:27 a.m.
Robert Clark Commissioner
Ed Hart Commissioner
Also present: William B. Horne II Interim City Manager
Garry Brumback Acting Assistant City Manager
Bob Keller Assistant City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The meeting was called at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall to discuss the Fiscal Year 2000/01
budget for City Utility Departments.
ITEM #3 - Presentation of Solid Waste/Recycling FY 2001 Operating Budget
From FY (Fiscal Year) 1999/00 to 2000/01, Solid Waste budget will increase from
$14.63-million to $15.37-million and Recycling budget will increase from $2.2-million to $2.32-
million. Solid Waste collection and disposal and Recycling collection and marketing are
mandatory programs.
Proposed Solid Waste expenditures increase from FY 1999/00 budget of $14.63-million
to FY 2000/01 budget of $15.37-million: 1) personnel – $4.43-million to $4.59-million; 2)
operating expenses - $5.78-million to $5.87-million; 3) internal services - $3.14-million to $3.48-
million; 4) capital improvements and debt - 2% of expenditures - $0.29-million to $0.29-million;
and 5) transfers - $0.99-million to $1.14-million.
Key issues include adding a roll-off truck when business justifies the purchase. Solid
Waste Assistant Director Jim Maglio said the roll-off program is paying for itself. Solid Waste
rates are scheduled to increase from $19.46/monthly in 2000 to $20.65/monthly in 2001. Next
year, staff will analyze data to recommend 2002 rates.
Proposed changes for Recycling expenditures from FY 1999/00 budget of $2.2-million
to FY 2000/01 budget of $2.32-million: 1) personnel – $812,000 to $864,000; 2) operating
expenses - $495,000 to $564,000; 3) internal services - $425,000 to $530,000; 4) debt -
$75,000 to $26,000; and 5) transfers - $393,000 to $336,000.
Key issues related to Recycling include potential expansion to Indian Rocks Beach, and
agreements: 1) second year of three-year contract to service north Pinellas County drop-offs
and 2) fifth year of five-year interlocal agreement to receive State grant funds. Both
agreements can be extended. The recycling rate was reduced by 2% on April 1, 1999. The
$1.95/monthly rate will be unchanged for three more years. The recommended increase of
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two FTEs (Full-Time Equivalent): 1) Swing Driver for Transfer & Collection and 2) Welder for
container maintenance, will be supported by generated revenue and will not impact rates.
Mr. Maglio said the recycled commodities market is above average, although the
upswing is probably temporary. Plans are to purchase with cash a multi-family recycling truck
in 2001, reducing the debt service. Extending the useful life of older vehicles reduces the
drain on the vehicle sinking fund. Controller Paul Nystorm said Recycling’s most significant
internal cost is vehicle operations. Budget Director Tina Wilson said increased fuel costs
affect the entire fleet. Fleet management costs are passed back to the department as an
operating cost. It is difficult to estimate future fleet costs. Mr. Nystrom said the department
was restructured after a review indicated that one Solid Waste driver was spending more than
half his time on recycling work. Mr. Magio said comparing rates with other municipalities is
difficult as the City provides additional services. Other municipalities have approached the City
to provide services.
ITEM #4 - Presentation of Gas FY 2001 Operating Budget
Proposed changes for CGS (Clearwater Gas System) expenditures from FY 1999/00
budget of $22.77-million to FY 2000/01 budget of $23-million: 1) personnel - $4.43-million to
$4.18-million; 2) operating expenses - $12.09-million to $12.01-million; 3) internal services -
$1.56-million to $1.6-million; 4) capital improvements - $0.05-million to $0.02-million ; 5) debt -
$2.18-million to $2.18-million; and 6) transfers - $2.54-million to $3.01-million. The budget
reduces staff from 95 to 91.
Within the past seven years, the number of CGS customers has increased by 33% to
15,500. CGS serves 17 municipalities and two counties and is extending lines toward Madeira
Beach. CGS sales have increased by 35% to 20.1-million therms. Since FY 1992/93, CGS
revenues have increased from $12.9-million to $22.4-million. Staff estimates FY 2000/01
revenues will decrease to $21.9-million due to higher fuel costs. Since FY 1992/93, CGS
payments to the City are estimated to increase from $2.5-million to $4.7-million. Payments to
the City equal 21% of CGS revenues.
CGS Assistant Director Jim Geary said Clearwater Customer Service, CGS, and
Information Technology share management at the Municipal Services Building. Transferring
computer programmers from CGS to Information Technology will benefit the City. With energy
prices at record highs, staff anticipates gas and operating costs will decrease. To lower costs,
staff is securing long-term contracts and working with the largest customers to purchase strips
of gas. Staff is working to expand services in Pasco County. Staff analyzes the commodity
market daily and works with its consulting firms to estimate future energy costs. A pipeline
across the Gulf of Mexico will provide an interconnection one mile from the City’s Pasco
County gate station. Plans for a pipeline to Manatee County are uncertain.
ITEM #5 - Presentation of Water / Sewer FY 2001 Operating Budget
The major programs of the Water and Sewer Utility are: 1) water supply; 2) water
distribution; 3) wastewater collections; 4) Lab and IP program; 5) Water Pollution Control; and
6) reclaimed water. The rate study identified a $24-million CIP (Capital Improvement Projects)
increase: 1) $4.5-million – sewer pipes & manholes portal access; 2) $14-million –
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rehabilitation of 25 pump stations; 3)$2-million - construct water main to Clearwater beach; 4)
$1.3-million – meters and backflows; and 5) $2.2-million – miscellaneous water and sewer
projects. Staff recommends adding 7 FTEs: 1) 1 - water; 2) 1 - industrial pretreatment; 3) 3 -
wastewater collection; and 4) 2 - reclaimed water. A 3% increase in expenses is anticipated
with $7.36-million for personnel and $7.5-million for CIP and debt service.
Proposed changes for Utility expenditures from FY 1999/00 budget of $40.28-million to
FY 2000/01 budget of $39.48-million: 1) personnel - $6.95-million to $7.36-million; 2) operating
expenses - $15.9-million to $16.2-million; 3) internal services - $3.16-million to $3.19-million; 4)
capital improvements and debt - $6.49-million to $7.5-million; and 5) transfers - $7.78-million to
$5.23-million.
Public Utilities Director Kevin Becotte said the City purchases 80% of its water from
Pinellas County. The new main across Clearwater Harbor replaces a 40-year old pipe. Staff
hopes installation will be completed before bridge construction begins. The old line will remain
submerged. The USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) has requested Clearwater
and St. Petersburg to participate in a major initiative evaluation system to determine necessary
capital improvements. He reviewed FTE positions needed to address grease in wastewater.
Also, staff is working with customers to affect solutions at the point of service. Positions are
needed for annual inspections of backflow preventers.
Mr. Becotte said the City does not reinspect restaurants required to have grease traps
but is developing a policy for annual inspections. It is difficult to trace the origin of grease.
Concern was expressed that permit fees not exceed $100. As no controls are in effect for
residential customers, he suggested that education programs may be helpful. Grease in
wastewater is a countywide problem.
Concern was expressed that the department has too much staff. Mr. Becotte said the
rate increase covers the additional FTEs. Staff will provide a detailed worksheet regarding the
additional positions. The aging system requires additional efforts to meet resident
expectations. It was recommended that personnel increases be controlled.
ITEM #6 - Presentation of Stormwater FY 2001 Operating Budget
The mission of the Stormwater Program is to manage, conserve, and protect City
natural water resources for their scenic beauty and full beneficial use by residents and visitors.
Stormwater programs include: 1) maintenance; 2) operations; and 3) capital projects. The
program maintains ten miles of ditches, sweeps 22,000 miles of street; and cleans 11,000
catch basins and 32 lakes. The stormwater program employs 36 FTEs.
Proposed changes for Stormwater Program expenditures from FY 1999/00 budget of
$5.11-million to FY 2000/01 budget of $5.04-million: 1) personnel - $1.45-million to $1.5-
million; 2) operating expenses - $1.26-million to $1.26-million; 3) internal services - $0.69-
million to $0.84-million; 4) capital improvements - $0.05-million to $0.08-million; 5) debt - $0.58-
million to $0.48-million; and 6) transfers - $1.08-million to $0.88-million. The number of FTEs is
unchanged. Operation costs remain constant. Maintenance expenses have increased by 6%
while project costs have decreased by 16%. Increases are due to NPDES (National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System) related costs and higher operating expenses.
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For Stormwater Program projects, staff anticipates the City will spend $11.6-million in
FY 2001 & $17.8-million in FY 2002 - 2006: 1) Stevenson Creek - $0.6-million & $1-million; 2)
Storm pipe repair/replacement - $0.38-million & $3.7-million; 3) FDEP (Florida Department of
Environmental Protection) compliance - $0.22-million & $0.08-million; 4) Town Pond - $3.5-
million & $3.2-million; 5) utility rate projects - $0 & $5.16-million; 6) Kapok Tree Park - $6.2-
million & $3.4-million; and 7) other - $0.07-million & $0.28-million. Staff anticipates a 4.3%
increase in FY 2001. A rate study update is underway.
Assistant Director of Engineering/PD&E Tom Miller reviewed the Stevenson Creek
project and watershed management plan. Costs will be split between the City and SWFWMD
(Southwest Florida Water Management District). New flood areas have been identified and
added to the watershed plan. The State is contributing more than $1-million. Projects that
resolve short-term issues will be completed by January 2000. The dredging project must be
permitted before the environmental restoration plan can be finished. While the City must fund
35% of the dredging project, it has not identified a source for the $3-million. Staff is ranking all
issues related to Stevenson Creek. While erosion is a problem, it is most important to prevent
home flooding. Homeowners are expected to share the cost of solving erosion issues. A new
program will offer grants to share costs and improve drainage and water quality. The entire
creek must be addressed. City Engineer Mike Quillen said none of the City’s storm systems
could handle six to eight inches of rain. Staff is using rain gauges to compare rainfall and
consider controls. The City is trying to control water from a 100-year storm.
ITEM #7 - Review of General Fund issues
In her July 28, 2000 memorandum, Budget Director Tina Wilson reported the City had
received Pinellas County’s “Certification of Taxable Values” on June 7, 2000, after release of
the Preliminary budget. The ad valorem revenues are approximately $122,930 greater than
estimated, with an additional $115,220 to the General Fund and $7,710 for road millage. The
Interim City Manager recommended funding CHIP (Clearwater Homeless Intervention
Program) with $50,000 from the General Fund for fiscal 2001. The Police Department will fund
an additional $50,000 from savings within the current budget. The $62,500 balance of
additional ad valorem revenues can be targeted for other programs or appropriated as a
transfer to retained earnings. Acting Assistant City Manager Garry Brumback said the CHIP
program needed an additional $100,000.
Concern was expressed that the reduction of the road millage allocation would
undercut the maintenance of aging infrastructure.
ITEM #8 - Open for Commission Discussion
Marketing Information and an outline of social services programs were requested. It
was recommended that funds not used for road millage be directed to traffic calming.
ITEM #9 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 10:42 a.m.
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