Loading...
02/01/2000FIRE TASK FORCE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER February 1, 2000 Present: Bill Horne Chair (non-voting) Joe Calio Task Force Member Joe Evich Task Force Member Rowland Herald Task Force Member Russ Kimball Task Force Member George Krause Task Force Member John Lee Task Force Member Bill Schwob Task Force Member Duke Tieman Task Force Member William Sherman Task Force Member Doug Williams Task Force Member Jean Stuart Task Force Alternate Absent: Scott Nall Task Force Member Also Present: John Carassas Assistant City Attorney Margie Simmons Finance Director Tina Wilson Budget Director Cyndie Goudeau City Clerk Sue Diana Assistant City Clerk Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM 2 – Approval of Minutes Member Schwob moved to approve the minutes of the January 11, 2000, meeting, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Calio stated he had been contacted by the Tampa Tribune to comment on behalf of the Fire Task Force. Discussion ensued and it was indicated, until the Task Force reaches a consensus for a recommendation, no comments by individual members will be offered. It was noted the audio tapes and minutes of the meetings are available for review by the press and the public. ITEM 3 – Discussion – Reaching Consensus on Funding Options It was noted the booklet containing updated data distributed by the Finance Department at the last meeting was extremely helpful. Member Evich distributed a handout indicating he re-reviewed the available data and input from the meetings and concluded a fire fee is not a viable solution and in the best interests of residents. He felt a fire fee would shift a larger part of the burden to residential units. Properties currently exempted by the homestead exemption will be subject to the fire fee. He said not everyone would pay their fair share, as exemptions would be granted, shifting an additional burden onto the ad valorem tax base. He said the fire fee is regressive and would be hard to sell to the public. Member Herald said when the fire fee was calculated by Government Services Group, Inc., revenue was backed out of the Fire Department’s budget, not the entire City’s budget. He said the fire fee was designed to generate the difference between the total cost of the Fire Department operations minus the revenue generated. Chief Herald noted a homeowner with a 1,000 square foot home receives the same level of service as a 3,000 square foot home. The level of service changes for a factory, hospital, nursing home, etc., as additional resources are required to provide appropriate service levels. He said, if the belief is that those with the greater ability to pay should pay more, then the best alternative would be ad valorem taxes. If one believes that everyone should pay equally for services, then a fire fee is more appropriate. Discussion ensued regarding the number of possible funding options and it was questioned if more than one could be presented to the Commission. It was remarked the intent of the Task Force is to reach a consensus regarding a recommendation to the Commission. The recommendation does not have to be unanimous. The report can reflect dissenting views. Discussion ensued regarding the use of Penny for Pinellas dollars as a funding source. It was suggested that facilities, including land and vehicles for the Fire Department, come from that source. Specific areas were targeted and prioritized as follows: 1) Sand Key station; 2) Northwest station; 3) training facility; 4) Clearwater Mall facility; 5) maintenance shop and supply; and 6) administration including the main station. Discussion ensued regarding unresolved issues such as the Clearwater Mall development and an agreement with the Coast Guard for a joint facility on Sand Key. It was indicated the Task Force’s report to the Commission could allow for shifting costs to other areas should these issues be resolved. The time table could be accelerated in some other areas to include apparatus or other equipment. Finance Director Margie Simmons said to keep in mind, as Penny for Pinellas dollars are received, the earlier a project is slated, chances are it will have to be financed. Therefore, it is important to request funds plus financing costs. Discussion ensued regarding applying ad valorem taxes for personnel and other capital needs that cannot be funded with Penny for Pinellas dollars in the absence of a fire fee. Discussion ensued in regard to imposing a fire fee and concern was expressed regarding buydowns, the burden on residential units, tax-exempt entities, costs to nursing homes, and the proliferation of fees. It was suggested, if the need has been determined, to move forward using the ad valorem system already in place. It was remarked a fire fee could be considered to pay for debt service on apparatus present and future. It was commented the premise of a fire fee is that everyone pays the fee and no buydowns will be permitted. It was felt a fire fee would not be well accepted. It was remarked not enough information regarding administration of a fire fee, including how to handle exemptions, has been presented. There was discussion regarding Penny funds and it was remarked the Commission could choose to reprioritize the Penny for Pinellas list. It was felt public health, safety and welfare of the citizens should be a top concern. It was noted the Commission could add or delete projects after holding a public hearing. Concern was expressed should a fire fee be discounted as a viable alternative this year, it may be difficult to reintroduce it in future. A suggestion was made to use a reduced fire fee in conjunction with Penny for Pinellas dollars and ad valorem taxes to achieve the needs of the Fire Department. It was remarked even a minimal fire fee might be difficult to collect from tax-exempt entities. It was remarked citizens are being charged for reclaimed water, and the County 911 funding fee, regardless of usage, without buydowns. It was remarked it appears there is some utility in a fire fee, but the Task Force is not ready to come to a firm recommendation without further study and research. The Chair asked for a vote regarding using some element of a fire fee as a funding source. Members Calio, Herald, Krause, Lee and Tieman voted in favor of a fire fee; Members Evich, Kimball, Schwob and Williams voted against a fire fee; Member Sherman abstained and Member Nall was absent. The vote was five in favor, four against, one abstention and one absence. Member Sherman expressed concern regarding conviction by the Task Force. He said there must be strong conviction from those who want to sell an idea. He said he senses that the members want to present a view that is comfortable and political; the easy way out. He said he is convinced of the Fire Department’s needs and wished others could be educated on these needs. He believed the majority of citizens would pay to have a basic need serviced. Staff was requested to provide scenarios indicating the impact on residential and all other categories. Scenarios will reflect a combination of a fire fee and ad valorem taxes, a 25/75 split, a 50/50 split and a 75/25 split. Scenarios will be based on the use of $4 million of Penny for Pinellas funds and 25% buydown for certain commercial properties. The next meeting will be at 3:00 p.m. on February 15, 2000, at City Hall. ITEM 4 – Presentation to City Commission (Time Permitting) Part I – Background/Needs It was requested this information be mailed to members before the next meeting. Part II – Financial Continued to the next meeting. ITEM 5– Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.