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03/13/1997FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE CITY OF CLEARWATER March 13, 1997 Present: Daniel Fleck Member Janet MacNutt Member Daniel Moran Member Tina Wilson Budget Director Brenda Moses Board Reporter Absent: John Rich Chair Carol Warren Member The meeting was called to order at 4:45 p.m. in room 344 at the Municipal Services Building, Clearwater, Florida. In order to provide continuity for research, the items listed were not necessarily discussed in that order. Member Moran moved to approve the minutes of December 19, 1996, and January 9, 1997, as submitted in writing to each member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Budget Director Tina Wilson distributed copies of CGS‘: 1) performance indicators through December 1996; 2) performance indicators through January 1997; 3) December 1996, financial statements; and 4) January 1997, financial statements. She also distributed copies of: 1) minutes of FRC (Fiscal Review Commiteee) meetings on December 19, 1996 and January 9, 1997; 2) first quarter FY 1996/97 results for the recycling fund; 3) first quarter budget review for FY 1996/97; and 4) videos and paper copies of the presentation made to the City Commission on the analysis of the first phase of the utility rate study. It was noted many improvements have been made at CGS. Mr. Warrington has taken great care to implement strategies suggested by the consultant’s survey and the FRC. FRC Members were asked to review the CGS information and make note of any questions they had. Ms. Wilson reviewed the first quarter budget report and explained that occasionally amendments are made due to unexpected expenditures incurred for projects related to situations such as the “Virgin Mary sighting.” She reviewed the Harborview Center fund, enterprise funds, the capital improvement fund, and the general fund budget. It was noted every 3 to 4 years continuous and ongoing projects are closed out and re-established to reflect a more precise capital improvement fund total budget. It was noted that many people are uninformed about the Penny for Pinellas. City staff have made concerted efforts to inform employees and the public about the broad range of projects the Penny for Pinellas will fund. Many people do not realize that 35% of the tax is paid by tourists. Improvements to roads and other sectors of the City are inevitable necessities and the Penny for Pinellas has helped to stave off higher millage rates which would otherwise have been incurred for those projects. The Commission has recently approved an ordinance that would require a public hearing be held for any changes greater than $500,000 to an individual project. Unfortunately, many residents do not attend the public hearings. The Bayside Bridge, the new Municipal Services Building and the new Police Building are all examples of projects that were necessary and funded with the help of Penny for Pinellas dollars. It was noted that the City Commission has decided to put the Mandalay Streetscape Project on hold. Some concern was expressed by residents regarding the issue of reducing the number of traffic lanes in that area. The issue of time for completing the project before the end of the year was another factor for consideration. Ms. Wilson referred to the videos and paper copies of the presentation made to the City Commission on the analysis of the first phase of the utility rate study. The current stormwater rate is $3.00 and an increase of $1.50 is anticipated. It was noted this Board may need some time to review all the available information. It was noted that recycling may present an opportunity to reduce rates in the future. Water, sewer and stormwater areas will be reviewed. City management staff and the City Commission will work together to develop utility rate policies. The meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.