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07/06/1988 - Budget WorksessionBUDGET WORK SESSION July 6, 1988 The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met at City Hall, Wednesday, July 6, 1988, at 3:11 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 Elizabeth Deptula Budget Director Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk The Mayor called the meeting to order and the following items were discussed: The City Manager reported that through some changes in the organization there have been reductions in personnel in some departments and increases in others, resulting in an overall increase of 9.4 positions. In response to a question, it was indicated that the Economic Development Officer would be funded through Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) funds for the first year. Eventually however there may be an 80/20 split due to the Economic Development Officer working in areas other than the downtown. Commissioner Berfield questioned the need for a Public Information Officer and it was stated that this would be a phased approach to enhance the information programs of the City. The Action Center and the switchboard would be placed under the Public Information Officer. Concerns were expressed that this was not a priority and that the City should be looking at becoming more austere and not expanding City staffs. It was stated that the Public Information Officer and the Public Information program overall is an effort to centralize public contacts and to assure that citizens are responded to. A question was raised regarding what the sergeant to officer ratio would be with the addition of 10 new officers. A question was also asked regarding enhancing the Police Aide Program. The City Manager stated that the Police Department is beginning to run out of slots that lend themselves to civilianization and that officers are needed in areas other than the beach. He stated he has tried to trim in other areas to allow an increase in public safety areas. Concern was expressed that the City may be spending too much in the leisure services area. The Police Chief arrived and they returned to discussion regarding the assignment of police officers. The Police Chief responded that ideally a ratio would be 7 to 10 officers to one sergeant and that these sergeants are working supervisors. It was stated, however, that the ratio on the beach is lower due to the concentration of officers in that area. It was stated also that although that ratio is low those supervisors are also responsible for parking enforcement officers and police aides. Commissioner Nunamaker requested that the police aide program be expanded and that it be used wherever possible. The Chief indicated that there would be a meeting with the City Manager regarding the Police Aide program within the next week. The Chief reviewed his current vacancy rate stating that there are 8 vacancies and that they have 4 officers in the academy, 4 new officers in field training and 1 vacancy due to a promotion. There is a current 19 officer shortage in the patrol area. Discussion ensued regarding hiring incentives for lateral entries therefore eliminating the need for the police academy. The Police Chief indicated there is no problem with a lack of applicants, it had been the system that was in place. The system is being changed to allow more rapid hiring of Police Officers. In response to questions, it was indicated that the 10 additional police officers would be going to patrol and that due to the addition of these officers, the overtime budget was reduced considerably. Consensus of the Commission was that the 10 additional police officers would remain in the budget at this time. Discussion ensued regarding the request by the Center Foundation for funding of $1,000,000 or $500,000 per year for the next two years. The Manager indicated there was no consensus regarding this funding, however he placed $250,000 per year for four years in the budget for Commission consideration. Concerns were expressed that the program was good and that the Commission did desire to support it, however there were questions regarding from where the money would come and it was indicated that the Commission would like to see the project go forward but there was also concern expressed that there be no tax increase. A question was raised regarding using surplus funds and the City Manager indicated he wanted to use those funds to bolster the self-insurance fund. Commissioner Regulski expressed concerns that we are still not facing the problem of the homeless and that he would like to see fifty to seventy-five thousand dollars in the City Commissions' budget to address this issue. It was also stated that the tentative millage rate of 5.1 mils was based on the proposal to increase franchise fees from 5% to 6%. That increase is now uncertain. In response to questions regarding any excess funds in the garage, the Budget Director indicated that cash was paid for the National Safe property which depleted that fund. She stated the garage is also paying 50% of the 800 MHz radio system that is currently being installed. The City Manager indicated that there are three major issues to be kept in mind. 1) Clearwater Pass Bridge, 2) Health Insurance and 3) the Franchise Fees. In response to a question regarding monies being set aside for engineering of the solution to the Clearwater Pass Bridge issue, the City Manager indicated the City is paying as much of those costs as it can this year. He also indicated there was a 1.3 million insurance claim on the bridge that has been sent to Lloyds of London. Discussion ensued regarding that the issue currently at hand is to set the tentative millage rate and that additional decisions regarding specifics can be made at a later date. A question was raised regarding whether or not the City was anticipating increasing non-resident fees for such things as Library and Parks and Recreation services in order to make it more attractive to annex into the City of Clearwater. The City Manager stated that if there was no objection he planned to go ahead and advertise for the Assistant City Managers and the Economic Development Director positions. Consensus of the Commission was to proceed. Bill Schwob, Chairman of the Budget Advisory Committee, stated that there was unanimous support for the reorganization by the Budget Advisory Committee quorum. He stated that they were recommending adopting the 5.1 mils at this time with the understanding that it could come in lower. The Budget Advisory Committee members expressed appreciation for the efforts to receive more citizen input in the budget process. The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.