08/13/2007
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
August 13, 2007
Present: Frank Hibbard Mayor
John Doran Vice-Mayor
Carlen Petersen Councilmember
George N. Cretekos Councilmember
Paul Gibson Councilmember
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager
Rod Irwin Assistant City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 - Council Discussion Items
2.1 Opening Comments - Bill Horne, City Manager
The City Manager said the proposed budget incorporates all of the hard work done by
the City Council to this point.
2.2 Presentation - Tina Wilson, Budget Director
Budget Director Tina Wilson provided a PowerPoint presentation and reviewed the
proposed FY (Fiscal Year) 2007/08 Annual Operating & Capital Improvement Budget and
service reductions. All funds will increase from $396 million in FY 2007 to $397 million in FY
2008.
Changes to General Fund departments from FY 2006/07 to FY 2007/08 increase by $1.3
million from $121.9 million to $123.2 million: 1) Police Department - $1.4 million increase from
$35.6 million to $37 million; 2) Fire Department - $1.3 million decrease from $22.7 million to
$21.4 million; 3) Parks & Recreation Department - $0.4 million decrease from $22.3 million to
$21.9 million; 4) Public Services and Engineering - $0.3 million increase from $10.4 million to
$10.7 million; 5) All Other - $0.2 million increase from $30.9 million to $31.1 million; and 6)
Reserves - $1.1 million increase to $1.1 million.
General Fund Expenditures of $123.2 million: 1) Public Safety – 47%; 2) Quality of Life –
24%; 3) Administration/Other – 14%; 4) Engineering/Public Services – 9%; 5) Planning &
Development – 5%; and 6) Reserves – 1%. General Fund Expenditures of $123.2 million: 1)
Personnel – 66%; 2) Operating Costs – 16%; 3) Internal Services – 12%; 4) Transfers – 3.5%;
5) Debt - 1.5%; and 6) Reserves – 1%.
Council Special 2007-08-13 1
While taxable values have increased 5%, or $0.5 billion, from $10.7 billion in 2007 to
$11.2 billion in 2008, the scale of increases has slowed. As required by State law, the budget
reduces the millage rate 10.2% from 5.2088 mills in FY 2006/07 to a proposed rate of 4.6777
mills in FY 2007/08. City taxes on a house valued at $150,000 in 2007 will decrease by $59.20.
To achieve Budget Task Force recommendations, the City has: 1) adopted a self-
imposed cap; 2) limited the growth of facilities and FTEs; 3) reduced the Parks & Recreation
budget, 4) consolidated Public Communications; 5) eliminated or reduced wind coverage on
City facilities; 6) prohibited use of reserves to fund FTEs; 7) eliminated Fire Plans Examiner
position; and 8) no transfer of FTEs from Enterprise Funds to the General Fund.
Additional public hearings on the budget are scheduled for September 6 and September
20,2007.
2.3 Public Input
Bill Jonson requested that the comparative study on Clearwater's stormwater rates be
completed and recommended budgeting sufficient funds for infrastructure.
Lucille Casey requested the City fund the SROs (Student Resource Officers) at previous
levels.
Anne Garris reported volunteers are working on the concept of a combined beach library
and recreation center.
2.4 Council Discussion/Direction
Council member Doran said the City did not have the option to fund two SROs at each
school. The School Superintendent will assign one SRO to each high school and middle
school. The Police Officers will be in the area during school hours.
Council member Gibson said low attendance tonight is due to the significant reduction to
the millage rate. He supported the set aside for reserves. He said the City Council had done a
good job of retaining essential services.
Councilmember Petersen thanked the Budget Task Force for their efforts.
3 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m.
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'- -Mayor
City of Clearwater
Council Special 2007-08-13
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