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08/09/1988 - Budget Town Meeting CITY COMMISSION - SPECIAL TOWN MEETING TO DISCUSS BUDGET August 9, 1988 The Town Meeting was called to order on Tuesday, August 9, 1988, at 7:01 p.m., with the following members present: Rita Garvey Mayor-Commissioner James Berfield Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Lee Regulski Commissioner Don Winner Commissioner William Nunamaker Commissioner Also present were: Ron H. Rabun City Manager Betty Deptula Budget Director Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk The City Manager reviewed the current situation stating there is a lessening tax digest or a drop in taxable value and that there are rising costs for insurance, repair of the bridge, and advanced waste water treatment which is being required. He stated that the 5.1 millage rate proposed for this year is a 2 percent increase over the 5.0 mills last year. He reviewed the history of the population increase of the City. He stated Clearwater includes a land area of 34 square miles. The service enhancements proposed in this budget include adding ten police officers and civilianizing five positions, which will result in the fifteen additional officers on the street. An economic development director will be hired; a public information officer will be hired who will consolidate the public information functions for better service to the citizens, and there will be an additional person in internal audit. Property taxes Revenue from property taxes represents 34 percent of the City of Clearwater's revenue. The City of Clearwater's portion of the total tax bill is 25 percent. The City Manager reviewed some of the major projects including lease purchase of fire engines, road projects, resurfacing sidewalks, bike trails, storm sewer improvements, computerization of the traffic signals, and park land acquisition. The City Manager announced that public hearings on the budget will be September 1, 1988 and September 15, 1988. Citizen Input Howard Pea spoke regarding park land acquisition and questioned why the City would be buying land for Parks and Recreation when having to charge a toll for the bridge. The Mayor responded that monies for Parks and Recreation comes from impact fees that have to be used for purchasing land. She stated the proposed PRIM projects would be a referendum item in the future. Mr. Pea requested an explanation regarding how the tax rate is established. Betty Deptula, Budget Director, stated that, in the general fund, the anticipated expenditures are established and that determines what revenues will be needed. The tax rate is calculated from that. In response to further questions by Mr. Pea, it was indicated that there are cost savings when the City is able to expend less than budgeted and that the City may be able to use some of its surplus funds toward the bridge. Edward Sorenson spoke regarding the proposed Landmark Connector Road. He stated the residents of Eagles Glen are opposed to the road due to safety concerns and also they feel it is an unnecessary expenditure. He stated the road would serve only high school children and would be creating a raceway. He stated the money should be spent on the bridge instead of the connector road. Richards Fitzgerald, President of the Coalition of Homeowners Association, spoke in opposition to the connector road. Tom Daniels, representing the Oak Creek Homeowners Association supported park land acquisition and the connector road. He stated that for many years the homeowners in Oak Creek have experienced traffic problems and that once Ashland Heights was opened it helped their problems. The connector road would eliminate the problems for both subdivisions. Gary Klein, representing Ashland Heights Subdivision, spoke in support of the proposed connector road. He stated that it is needed for the safety of the residents in the subdivisions of Ashland Heights and Oak Creek. Nellie Owens, President of the Clearwater Point Condo Association, requested clarification regarding the proposed increases in non-resident fees for Parks & Recreation and Library. The City Manager responded that the City is proposing a card system, however, for passive parks & recreation facilities, these would not be needed. She questioned whether or not consideration had been given to increasing fines in order to fund the additional patrol positions. It was reported that the County Court system did not have to follow our fines and that traffic fines are set by the State. She requested that the Office of Economic Development be charged with finding work for able bodied people on welfare. The City Manager reported that the Economic Development Officer's purpose will be to seek to bring in industry or expand existing businesses to create jobs and increase the tax base. In response to Mrs. Owens questions regarding using high school land for the Library, it was indicated that the high school is not convenient and the land is required for the school. She also questioned whether or not impact fees paid for total construction of new streets, sewers, etc., and it was reported that they do not; however, they do pay for more than they used to. There is an attempt to assure that growth pays for itself. Mrs. Owens recommended that the old bridge, south of Memorial Causeway, be renovated for use in evacuation situations. She stated long range planning should include a north bridge from Clearwater Beach. Ed Wheeler spoke in opposition of the connector road citing safety concerns and requested that alternative solutions for the traffic problems of Ashland Heights and Oak Creek be investigated. Ilene Klein spoke in support of the connector road, stating that it is needed for the safety of the two subdivisions. Joan Mills spoke stating she was disappointed that there had not been any cuts in positions and savings of dollars. The City Manager reported that, if ten police officers had not been added to the budget, there would have been a reduction in Personnel. Discussion ensued regarding the quality of life for the citizens in Clearwater and how to pay for it. Diane Camp spoke in support of the connector road, stating there needed to be a more even distribution of traffic. Nancy Nicolet spoke in support of the connector road, stating that while there would continue to be a problem, it would be more evenly distributed. Norm Frolech spoke regarding the Clearwater Pass Bridge and requested a recap of the income and expenditures of the bridge over 25 years. He stated that Sand Key Bridge is a bandaid and that a bridge should be built starting at Osceola Avenue. It was reported that a paper is being prepared regarding the income and expenditures for the bridge. Drew Ira spoke in support of the connector road. He stated he supported the Police and Fire budgets and Parks and Recreation budget. He suggested a fence along the right-of-way that backs up to Eagles Glen to alleviate that subdivision's concerns regarding the road. Bill Schram spoke in opposition of the connector road, stating he felt that the 300,000 dollar estimate was too low, and he suggested strategically located stop signs and police patrols. Norm Smith spoke stating he is appalled that there are no sidewalks in the Oak Creek Subdivision. He recommended closing off an end of the street. He stated that putting in the connector road would merely shift the problem. Paul Thomas stated he was originally opposed to the road; however he is concerned regarding emergency service access. He stated there needed to be studies regarding what the connector road would do. Dick White, Member of the Board for Landmark Homeowners Association, stated their consensus is they feel strongly the road is not necessary. He recommended police patrol during critical time periods. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.