Loading...
07/16/1990 CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING July 16, 1990 The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met in special session at City Hall, Monday, July 16, 1990, at 9:21 a.m., 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: Ron H. Rabun City Manager Milton A. Galbraith, Jr. City Attorney Betty Deptula Administrative Services Director Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk The Mayor called the meeting to order. The purpose of the meeting is to set the TRIM millage rate for FY 1990/91. The City Manager reported staff is recommending formal public hearings for adoption of the budget for September 6th and 20th, 1990. Staff is also recommending the millage rate be set at 5.7 mils at this time. This is an increase of .6 mils which can be reduced later but cannot be raised once set. In response to a question regarding why staff is not recommending setting the millage rate of 5.6221 as a result of previously identified reductions, the Manager indicated that this would allow the Commission to maintain flexibility. The question was raised regarding the surplus and the City Manager stated staff has been worrying regarding the surplus which was set at 10% by Commission Policy. Staff feels it is best to go ahead and bring the surplus back up to the 10% mark. A comment was made that it was felt the 10% surplus is more important now than ever as the City can no longer count on the increase in assessed value of properties as well as the fact that society has become much more litigious and there are additional liabilities to the City. Concerns were expressed regarding the need to resolve how to pay Center Foundation costs. It was indicated that while the proposed millage rate is only a .6 of a mil increase it does not reflect additional costs to citizens being proposed through the storm water utility fee. Concerns were expressed that the millage rate should not be set at 5.7 mils. It was suggested that the Budget Advisory Committee be requested to investigate overtime charges in the Police Department and to come back with recommendations on how to limit this. In response to a question, the Administrative Services Director stated she was still investigating a discrepancy in the Parks and Recreation Department. Discussion ensued regarding various alternatives for additional reductions in the budget which would allow the Commission to establish a lower millage rate. It was emphasized that this millage rate is a ceiling and that it can be reduced at a future date. Commissioner Regulski moved to set the millage rate for 90/91 Fiscal Year at 5.6 mils. The motion was duly seconded. Upon the vote being taken, Commissioners Nunamaker and Regulski voted "aye". Commissioners Berfield and Fitzgerald and Mayor Garvey voted "nay". Motion failed. Commissioner Fitzgerald moved to set the millage rate for 90/91 Fiscal Year at 5.6221. The motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Berfield moved to set the millage rate for 90/91 Fiscal Year at 5.5. The motion was duly seconded. Upon the vote being taken, Commissioners Berfield and Nunamaker voted "aye". Commissioners Fitzgerald and Regulski and Mayor Garvey voted "nay". Motion failed. Commission Regulski moved to set the millage rate for the 90/91 Fiscal Year at 5.6 mils. The motion was duly seconded. Upon the vote being taken, Commissioners Regulski, Nunamaker, and Fitzgerald voted "aye". Commissioner Berfield and Mayor Garvey voted "nay". Motion carried. The City Manager requested action to set the formal Public Hearings for the budget. Commissioner Berfield moved to set Public Hearings for the budget for September 6, 1990, at 6:00 P.M. and September 20, 1990, at 6:00 P.M. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The Manager requested direction regarding establishing a Town Meeting for budget discussion. Consensus of the Commission was to set the meeting for 7:00 P.M., on August 20, 1990, with the location to be determined. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 A.M.