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04/09/1990 CITY COMMISSION WORK SESSION BUDGET POLICY April 9, 1990 The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met at City Hall with the following members present: Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner Richard Fitzgerald Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Lee Regulski Commissioner William Nunamaker Commissioner Sue Berfield Commissioner Also present were: Ron H. Rabun City Manager Kathy Rice Assistant City Manager Charles Hunsicker Assistant City Manager Michael Wright Assistant City Manager Elizabeth Depula Administrative Services Director Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk The Mayor called the meeting to order at 1:03 p.m. The Mayor requested direction from the Commission regarding whether or not the City Manager should be in attendance at the April 12, 1990 special meeting regarding the Gas Division Request for Proposal for sale. Mr. Rabun has been scheduled to be out of town on this date for some time. Consensus of the Commission was that his attendance was not needed. The City Manager indicated the purpose of this meeting is to provide the Commission with a "snapshot" regarding the budget and to request policy guidance from the Commission at this time. He stated there will be several more meetings before the budget is issued. Elizabeth Deptula, Administrative Services Director, reviewed the revenues of the City, stating that in fiscal year 1990-91 32.8% of the City's revenues will come from property taxes. Increase in the tax base is estimated at only 1%. The revenue manual was distributed. In response to a question, it was indicated that revenues from the "Penny for Pinellas" sales tax are being kept in a separate fund. The City Manager reported the general fund can be balanced without any additions and no increases in salary. He stated the majority of monies in the general fund are spent on employee cost. General fund expenditures by the Fire, Police and the Parks and Recreation Department were discussed with it being indicated that the major portion of their budgets is personnel. A major effort in the last few years has been increasing Police Department personnel. It was also stated many programs offered by the Parks and Recreation Department bring money back into the City. In response to questions regarding funds coming in from the bridge, it was indicated that bridge tolls are in a separate enterprise fund and fines collected from the speeding enforcement effort stay in the general fund. In response to questions regarding the City's recommendation for no enhancement, the City Manager stated that this is just providing the Commission with the bottom line, and that it is not his recommendation. In response to questions regarding the self insurance program, it was indicated that all funds contribute to this and there is a little over $1 million in this fund. Regarding the unrestricted balance, it was indicated that fund was at $4.9 million at the end of the last fiscal year. In response to a question, it was stated only one of the settlements on Sand Key came out of the general fund and we currently have a 9.3% surplus. In response to a question regarding whether or not we have calculated the monies lost due to the re-evaluation of apartments throughout the County, it was indicated that this will mainly affect St. Petersburg and is not a significant loss for the City of Clearwater. It was reported that the Property Appraiser is assessing the impact of concurrency on the ability to sell property in establishing his assessments of these properties. Enhancements that have been requested by the departments for the 1990-91 budget will cost $3,717,045. In response to a question regarding the request for additional code enforcement officers, it was indicated that we are considering two additions to this effort. The City Manager reported the City hopes to establish a stormwater utility fee that will directly offset general fund needs. In response to a question regarding stormwater management, it was stated that this will be mandated by the State in the near future and a fee will be charged to each home based on impermeable surface. It was indicated the stormwater utility fee would generate operating costs and would reduce the impact on the general fund. The City Manager reported that 41 positions have been eliminated over the past year and a half. Fees have been increased and street sweeping has been cut. He stated major savings of dollars are behind us while we continue to look at increasing productivity. Discussion ensued regarding the requested enhancements in the Police Department with it being indicated that staff is requesting 10 patrol officers, 2 sergeants and 2 civilians. The additional officers would be distributed to the east and west districts. It was indicated that monies needed to fund the Center Foundation activities are included in the Parks and Recreation budget. In response to a question regarding vacancies in the Police Department, it was stated there are currently six vacancies. The Police Department does have a list from which it can hire new officers. In response to a question whether or not there will be a decrease in cost for the advanced wastewater treatment plants, it was indicated that these costs will increase as the State requires higher licensing. It was reported we are continuing and beefing up our volunteer effort. Concern was express regarding a proposal to hire a volunteer coordinator. It was requested there be greater effort in the Environmental Office as plantings required in the Code are to live through one year. It was also indicated that the Code needs to address trimming of trees, not just removal. It was reported that the "Penny for Pinellas" sales tax funds will provide 0.25 mill for capital improvement programs. In response to a question regarding enterprise funds providing more dollars to the general fund, it was indicated that more money could be taken out of the gas, marina and parking funds. However, bond covenants for the Gas Division need to be closely evaluated. A question was raised regarding establishing cost of living and merit increases for current employees. Staff will shortly be going into union negotiations. The Mayor requested direction regarding the increases in the Police Department and it was indicated this will be the first item discussed at the Budget Work Session. In response to a question regarding adding people for code enforcement, it was indicated that in 1992 the sign amortization period will be over and there will be additional efforts needed in that area. Concern was expressed regarding newspaper reports of City employees operating a business in violation of City Code. Concern was expressed that full time City employees would have the time to run an outside business. Concern was expressed regarding possible cuts in Parks and Recreation programs. Discussion ensued regarding recycling. It was emphasized that State Statute requires us to reduce our waste stream by 30%. Direction from the Commission was requested. The Commission indicated it is willing to evaluate proposals for increases in the millage rate. Discussion returned to employees having outside jobs and whether or not we were receiving full productivity from our employees. It was indicated work measurement programs are used in Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments. Other enhancements being requested are employees for the Personnel and Library departments and a micrographics program by the City Clerk Department. Bob Shermer, Budget Advisory Committee member, questioned whether or not computer deficiencies were being evaluated. He indicated he thought the Commission should consider the use of super minis. He stated the purchase of the mainframe computer two years ago was based on erroneous information and that the City is using software that should have been disposed of. It was indicated that a proposal for a utility billing system is coming forward in May and this will set the stage for future computer applications. Discussion returned to after-hours work by employees and it was indicated that concerns were based on loss of energy by the employee and possible use of City equipment and material. A request was made that the Commission address participation in the library cooperative. It was indicated that the projected funds from the cooperative have not materialized. It was also stated that 50% of the use of the reference section is by non-residents. It was reported that the April 24th town meeting would provide for budget input. It was also stated that the first budget workshop has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on the 24th of April. The proposal is to release the recommended budget on July 2, 1990. The meeting adjourned at 3:12 p.m.