03/11/1999FISCAL REVIEW COMMITEE MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 11, 1999
Present: Daniel Fleck Chair
Jean Stuart Committee Member
George Byrnes Committee Member
Vacant Seat Committee Member
Vacant Seat Committee Member
Also Present: Tina Wilson Budget Director
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The meeting was called to order at 8:10 a.m. at the Municipal Services Building.
In order to provide continuity for research, the items listed are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
Reports
Member Byrnes met with Dunedin’s Finance Director regarding how their Fiscal Review Committee functions. Dunedin has 37,000 people while Clearwater has over 100,000. Dunedin has two
financial bodies: 1) Fiscal Review Committee and 2) Board of Finance. The FRC has nine members, serve 3 year terms, and generally have some financial background. They work in teams
of two and work closely with staff. They are able to spend considerable time together since they are mostly retirees. Meetings are held as required. The Board of Finance has seven
members, serve three-year terms, and meet once quarterly or as needed. That board serves in an advisory capacity to the Commission and City Manager, referencing all financial affairs
of the City. In response to a question, Member Byrnes said Dunedin’s members are appointed by the Commission. He was unsure who interviews prospective members. He felt Dunedin’s system
is more workable than Clearwater’s. It was questioned how Dunedin’s advisory board procedures relate to the Sunshine Law.
Member Stuart reported on Largo’s FRC. Largo has six commissioners and a mayor. Each appoints a FRC member. Their FRC meets three to four times a year, for approximately 3 hours,
if there are projects to review. A meeting is held in September to review the next budget.
FRC Role
Discussion ensued regarding FRC’s (Fiscal Review Committee) purpose. Budget Director Tina Wilson said that per the newspaper, the Mayor is considering a Blue Ribbon Task Force or a
budget advisory committee. It was noted the City has hundreds of ongoing projects that the FRC does not have the time to review. It was remarked staff does a good job and the FRC represents
the citizenship of Clearwater. A comment was made the FRC is Commission-appointed and should be Commission-directed. Concern was expressed that FRC terms are tied to Commission terms,
and
valuable members are lost when Commissioners’ terms change. It was commented the number of FRC members will not make a significant difference in the board’s function.
Discussion ensued regarding past projects. It was remarked the FRC should be aware of the past, but review upcoming projects and provide insight and objective review to the Commission.
It was remarked Ms. Wilson also can continue to suggest projects for FRC review. It was suggested FRC members review financial aspects of proposed projects, not policy. A comment
was made the FRC’s purpose is to afford a voice in government. It was suggested FRC members initiate and maintain contact with their respective Commissioner regarding upcoming projects
and what they would like the FRC to review. Consensus was for FRC members to contact their respective Commissioner.
The meeting recessed from 9:25 to 9:35 a.m.
Member Stuart moved FRC term limits continue to be tied to their respective Commissioner’s term. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Advisory Board Dinner
Ms. Wilson said the annual Advisory Board Dinner is scheduled for April 6, 1999, at 6:00 p.m. There will be an FRC meeting on April 8, 1999, at 8:00 a.m.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:46 a.m.