10/02/2023 - Budget City Council Meeting Minutes October 2, 2023
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Monday, October 2, 2023
6:00 PM
Special Budget Council Meeting
Pinellas County, The Palm Room: 333 Chestnut Street,
Clearwater, FL 33756
City Council
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City of Clearwater
City Council Meeting Minutes October 2, 2023
Roll Call
Present: 5 - Mayor Brian Aungst Sr., Vice Mayor Mark Bunker, Councilmember
David Allbritton, Councilmember Kathleen Beckman and
Councilmember Lina Teixeira
Also Present: Michael Delk—Assistant City Manager, David Margolis — City
Attorney, and Rosemarie Call — City Clerk.
To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
1. Call to Order— Mayor Aungst, Sr.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
Public Hearings - Not before 6:00 PM
2. Administrative Public Hearings
2.1 Adopt Ordinance 9713-23 on second reading, declaring the millage rate to be levied for
the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2023 and ending September 30, 2024, for operating
purposes including the funding of pensions, debt service, and road maintenance for
capital improvement expenditures at 5.8850 mills, which is a 10.27% increase from the
rolled back rate of 5.3370 mills.
In accordance with Chapter 200 of the Florida Statutes, which defines
requirements for the Determination of Millage and the rules governing Truth in
Millage (TRIM) compliance, the City Council must hold two public hearings to
adopt a final millage rate for the new fiscal year. The adoption of this ordinance
to establish the millage rate and the two related budget ordinances are an
integral part of fulfilling these requirements.
The City Council set a tentative millage rate of 5.8850 mills on July 20, 2023,
which is the rate that appeared on the TRIM notices mailed to taxpayers in
August. The millage rate of 5.8850 mills represents a 10.27% increase from the
rolled back rate of 5.3370 mills.
Ordinance 9713-23 is presented in order to adopt the millage rate of 5.8850
mills to support the operating and capital improvement budgets for the 2023/24
fiscal year.
Ordinance 9713-23 was presented and read in full.
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City of Clearwater
City Council Meeting Minutes October 2, 2023
Vice Mayor Bunker moved to adopt Ordinance 9713-23 on second
reading, declaring the millage rate to be levied for the fiscal year
beginning October 1, 2023 and ending September 30, 2024, for
operating purposes including the funding of pensions, debt
service, and road maintenance for capital improvement
expenditures at 5.8850 mills, which is a 10.27% increase from the
rolled back rate of 5.3370 mills. The motion was duly seconded
and upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: 5 - Mayor Aungst Sr., Vice Mayor Bunker, Councilmember Allbritton,
Councilmember Beckman and Councilmember Teixeira
2.2 Adopt Ordinance 9714-23 on second reading, adopting an operating budget for the fiscal
year beginning October 1, 2023 and ending September 30, 2024; authorizing the City
Manager to issue such instructions that are necessary to achieve and accomplish the
service programs so authorized; authorizing the City Manager to transfer monies and
programs among the departments and activities within any fund as provided by Chapter 2
of the Clearwater Code of Ordinances.
In accordance with Chapter 200 of the Florida Statutes and the rules governing
Truth in Millage (TRIM) compliance, the City Council must hold two public
hearings to adopt the budget. The adoption of this ordinance and the related
ordinances adopting the 2023/24 millage rate and the Capital Improvement
Budget are an integral part of fulfilling these requirements.
On June 30, 2023, the City Manager provided the City Council with a Preliminary
Annual Operating and Capital Improvement Budget that outlined estimates of
revenues and expenditures for the 2023/24 fiscal year. The City Manager
presented the preliminary budget at the City Council meeting on July 20, 2023,
for Council discussion and citizen input. In addition, a Special Budget Work
Session was held on August 7, 2023, for Council discussion of the proposed
budget.
No changes have been made to the Preliminary Operating Budget.
Ordinance 9714-23 was presented and read by title only.
Councilmember Beckman moved to adopt Ordinance 9714-23 on
second reading, adopting an operating budget for the fiscal year
beginning October 1, 2023 and ending September 30, 2024;
authorizing the City Manager to issue such instructions that are
necessary to achieve and accomplish the service programs so
authorized; authorizing the City Manager to transfer monies and
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City of Clearwater
City Council Meeting Minutes October 2, 2023
programs among the departments and activities within any fund
as provided by Chapter 2 of the Clearwater Code of Ordinances.
The motion was duly seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: 5 - Mayor Aungst Sr., Vice Mayor Bunker, Councilmember Allbritton,
Councilmember Beckman and Councilmember Teixeira
2.3 Adopt Ordinance 9715-23 on second reading, adopting the capital improvement
program budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2023 and ending September 30,
2024; approving the six-year capital improvement program which shall be reevaluated at
the beginning of each fiscal year; authorizing the City Manager to issue such instructions
that are necessary to achieve and accomplish the capital improvements so authorized;
authorizing the City Manager to transfer money between projects in the capital
improvement program; appropriating available and anticipated resources for the projects
identified.
In accordance with Chapter 200 of the Florida Statutes and the rules governing
Truth in Millage (TRIM) compliance, the City Council must hold two public
hearing to adopt the final budget. The adoption of this ordinance and the related
ordinances adopting the 2023/24 millage rate and operating budget are an
integral part of fulfilling these requirements.
On June 30, 2023, the City Manager provided the City Council with a Preliminary
Annual Operating and Capital Improvement Budget that outlined estimates of
revenues and expenditures for the 2023/24 fiscal year. The City Manager
presented the preliminary budget at the city council meeting on July 20, 2023,
for Council discussion and citizen input. In addition, a Special Budget Work
Session was held on August 7, 2023, for council discussion of the proposed
budget.
No changes have been made to the Preliminary Capital Improvement Budget.
Ordinance 9715-23 was presented and read by title only.
Councilmember Allbritton moved to adopt Ordinance 9715-23 on
second reading, adopting the capital improvement program
budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2023 and ending
September 30, 2024; approving the six-year capital improvement
program which shall be reevaluated at the beginning of each
fiscal year; authorizing the City Manager to issue such
instructions that are necessary to achieve and accomplish the
capital improvements so authorized; authorizing the City
Manager to transfer money between projects in the capital
improvement program; appropriating available and anticipated
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City of Clearwater
City Council Meeting Minutes October 2, 2023
resources for the projects identified. The motion was duly
seconded and upon roll call, the vote was:
Ayes: 5 - Mayor Aungst Sr., Vice Mayor Bunker, Councilmember Allbritton,
Councilmember Beckman and Councilmember Teixeira
3. Citizens to be heard re items not on the agenda - For purposes of this role,
"items pertaining to city business" includes any matter within the Council's or the
City Manager's power to act, any matter that the Council previously voted on or
discussed at the dais, or any matter discussed by or scheduled to be considered by
another governmental entity that affects the operation of the City. Each person who
wishes to address the Council shall complete a comment card and submit the card
to the City Clerk (right-hand side of dais) before the speaker will be permitted to
speak. However, if the speaker has just arrived or decided to speak, the Chair may
allow the card to be filled out after speaking. Individuals will limit their comments to
a maximum of three minutes. The Mayor shall advise the speaker that their time has
expired. If the person remains at the podium, thereby interfering with other persons
who may wish to be heard, the speaker's microphone may be turned off, or the
Mayor may rule the person out of order in accordance with Rule 15.
4. City Manager Reports — None.
5. City Attorney Reports — None.
6. Closing comments by Councilmembers (limited to 3 minutes)
Councilmembers thanked staff for their efforts on the budget and said
Council hears the salary concerns raised by employees and is working to
address them.
Vice Mayor Bunker said Council is considering how to address employee
salary concerns; he wants employees to enjoy working for the City and
afford to live in the city.
Councilmember Beckman thanked staff for creating the budget brochure,
which is helpful to residents.
Councilmember Teixeira wished all a Happy Spanish Heritage Day.
7. Closing Comments by Mayor
Mayor Aungst, Sr. thanked staff for their efforts on the budget. He offered
his condolences to the Fisher Family, Fred Fisher was a philanthropist in our
community who helped many organizations in Clearwater.
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City of Clearwater
City Council Meeting Minutes October 2, 2023
8. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m.
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