07/10/1991 CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
July 10, 1991
The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met at City Hall with the following members present:
Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner
Sue Berfield Vice-Mayor/Commissioner
Lee Regulski Commissioner
William Nunamaker Commissioner
Richard Fitzgerald Commissioner
Also present were:
Michael J. Wright City Manager
Milton A Galbraith, Jr. City Attorney (Arrived 9:02)
Kathy S. Rice Deputy City Manager
Elizabeth Deptula Assistant City Manager
Tina Wilson Acting Budget Director
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. and the following was discussed.
ITEM - Ad Valorem Tax Millage Rate for Fiscal Year 1991/92 and set Public Hearings on the Budget for 8/15/91 & 9/5/91
In accordance with the TRIM Bill process, it is necessary for the City Commission to adopt a tentative millage rate prior to finalizing and adopting the Budget. The tentative millage
rate will be included in the TRIM notices sent to taxpayers by the County Property Appraiser in early August and can not be increased without special mailing; however, the millage rate
may be decreased prior to the adoption of the final budget following Public Hearings in September.
The City Manager's recommended millage rate of 5.2037 mills is the same as the current year rate. If the recommended 5.0237 mills rate is approved, all advertising requirements will
indicate a tax increase of 1.7% over the roll back rate of 5.1158 mills. The roll back rate according to the State's definition, is the millage rate exclusive of new construction, additions
to structures, deletions and property added due to geographic boundary changes, which will provide the same ad valorem tax revenue as was levied the prior year.
In order to avoid any advertised increase, the rate of 5.1158 mills would have to be adopted, generating $20,564,518 and requiring a $353,342 reduction in the recommended budget.
A question was raised regarding the possibility of the revenues projected not being obtained. Elizabeth Deptula, Assistant City Manager, stated the City budgets 95% of the values given
by the Property Appraiser. If revenues are reduced significantly, the budget would have to be adjusted.
Discussion ensued regarding the need to schedule a worksession to discuss the budget in detail.
Commissioner Regulski moved to set the tentative millage rate of 5.2037 mills for fiscal year 1991/92. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Commissioner Fitzgerald moved to set two public hearings on the budget for August 15, 1991 and September 5, 1991, no earlier than 6:00 p.m. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
The City Manager reminded the City Commission that a town meeting to receive input regarding the budget has been scheduled for July 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the East Library.
It was the consensus of the City Commission to schedule a budget worksession for Monday, July 22 at 9:00 a.m. Questions regarding the budget can be submitted to staff prior to that
meeting.
The City Attorney reported he has received a staff draft of an Ethics Commission Opinion that travel expenses paid by the City are not considered gifts and need not be reported.
The meeting adjourned at 9:09 a.m.