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07/06/2000CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSESSION CITY OF CLEARWATER July 6, 2000 Present: Brian J. Aungst Mayor/Commissioner J. B. Johnson Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Ed Hooper Commissioner Robert Clark Commissioner Ed Hart Commissioner Also Present: Michael J. Roberto City Manager Bill Horne Assistant City Manager Bob Keller Assistant City Manager Richard Hull Assistant City Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Brenda Moses Board Reporter The meeting was called to order at 10:03 a.m. at City Hall. ITEM #2 - General Introduction The City Manager said consideration was given to addressing the Fire Department’s needs, increasing the millage rate, and expanding some City services in this year’s budget. ITEM #3 - General Overview of City of Clearwater’s Preliminary Fiscal Year 2001 Annual Operating Budget – Tina Wilson, Budget Director Budget Director Tina Wilson presented an overview of the General Fund annual operating budget including General Fund: 1) revenues and expenditures for FY 2000/01; 2) staffing, personnel costs, employee salaries and benefits; 3) other new initiatives; 4) reasons for increases; 5) debt & small capital costs; 6) retained earnings; and proposed budget meetings. The TRIM will be set next week and staff will focus on utility operations and other aspects of the budget. In response to a question, Ms. Wilson said Interfund transfers vary depending on the type of service the General Fund provides. ITEM #4 - Review of Parks and Recreation Initiatives – Kevin Dunbar, Director of Parks and Recreation Kevin Dunbar, Director of Parks and Recreation, reviewed five proposed initiatives for FY 2000/01: 1) new revenue initiatives; 2) athletic youth programs; 3) landscape maintenance contract; 4) Countryside Recreation Center; and 5) SPJC (St. Petersburg Junior College) Recreation Complex. In response to a question, he said a budget amendment will be presented to the Commission for $140,000 in operating expenses and personnel for the new SPJC fieldhouse not currently budgeted.. In response to a question, Mr. Dunbar said $194,000 is budgeted for a skateboard park. Staff is negotiating with SPJC regarding the skateboard park issue and a longer-term lease. It was remarked that once an alternative site is available and skateboard regulations are in writing, violations would be easier to enforce. Discussion ensued regarding fees for tennis courts. Mr. Dunbar said nonresidents will pay more than residents. Mr. Dunbar said decreased attendance due to increased fees was not factored into revenue projections as there are no other recreational facilities available in the City for leagues and other groups. In response to a question, the City Manager said the County is considering a utility tax to generate revenue for maintenance of parks and recreation facilities in North County. ITEM #5 - Review of Marine and Aviation Operations – Bill Morris, Harbormaster Harbormaster Bill Morris reviewed the proposed Marine and Aviation Department budget for FY 2000/01. He said Marina operations have increased due to increases in expenses for products and support of the General Fund. In response to a question, he said the Marina buys fuel in bulk and sells it to the public with a small markup. The Marina’s fuel prices are competitive with other marinas on the coast. Sailing Center operations also have increased due to personnel and fuel costs, capital items, and internal service charges. The Airpark is being converted to an Enterprise Fund and will receive grant dollars from the FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation). Projects at the Airpark will increase the City’s revenue and address noise abatement procedures. He stated the Airpark is understaffed compared to similar size airparks. St. Petersburg has two FBOs because they also have a helicopter operation. Mr. Morris reviewed revenues generated from Airpark hangar rentals and fuel sales. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the new FBO is aggressively pursuing Airpark tenants to sign required leases. The additional employee proposed in the budget for the Airpark would free up the Harbormaster’s time to effectively address other issues. The additional employee will deal with neighborhood issues, oversee the FBO contract, and address after-hour issues. Presently, there are two Police aides stationed at the Airpark to enforce regulations. Police aides identify aircraft and notify the Police who issue the violator a citation when after hours aircraft violations occur. Once Airpark leases are signed, the FBO can evict violators. Mr. Morris said the Airpark and the Marina will operate as enterprise funds on a contract management basis. The two operations will not be merged together. In response to a question, Ms. Wilson said any change in programs or department budgets will be presented to the Commission before implementation. ITEM #6 - Open Discussion In response to a question, the City Manager said this year, an additional $150,000 has been budgeted for traffic calming. A series of traffic calming charettes is scheduled. The Fire Department’s budget proposal includes adding three firefighters and transferring one person for a total of four new firefighter positions. Nine firefighters were added last year and dollars transferred to pay for them. The items recommended by the Fire Task Force will be funded with the exception of construction of new buildings and four-person crews. Four-person crews will be reviewed in more detail this fall. The City Manager said there is also a need for increased code enforcement inspectors due to the increase in complaints received. In response to a question, Ms. Wilson said a quarter million dollar budget reduction is anticipated from decreased overtime costs in the Police Department. The City Manager said the recommended millage increase will suffice for needed services for next year only. Concern was expressed that if issues are not addressed now, the City will have to borrow too much in future years. In response to a question, Ms. Wilson said all the Enterprise Funds make a small profit, except for the Harborview Center. It was remarked increased fees should not be submitted as new revenue sources. It was requested a detailed analysis of interfund transfers be provided, including an analysis of those general funds that were transferred to enterprise funds. Concern was expressed this year’s budget format is less detailed and informative than last year’s and was presented as a one-line budget item per department. Ms. Wilson said the consensus of the Commission was to simplify this year’s budget format. She said the new initiatives regarding the General Fund operations are the only major changes brought forward by the City Manager. Consensus was to reschedule the July 12, 2000, budget meeting to set the TRIM to July 13, 2000, at 9:30 a.m., immediately following the PAC (Pension Advisory Committee) meeting. The canvassing meeting scheduled on July 12, 2000, was rescheduled to 12:30 p.m. on July 12, 2000. August budget meetings are to be determined. ITEM #7 - Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 11:59 a.m.