HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-14 - City Commission Budget Workshop Meeting MinutesFIRST BUDGET HEARING MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
5:05 PM
COMMISSION CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Michelle J. Gomez called the Thursday, September 14, 2023, City Commission Special
Meeting, being held in Commission Chambers, to order at 5:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present were Mayor Michelle J. Gomez, Vice Mayor Marlon D. Bolton, Commissioner Kicia
Daniel, Commissioner Morey Wright Jr., and Commissioner Elvin Villalobos.
Also present were City Manager Levent Sucuoglu, Assistant City Manager Maxine Calloway, City
Attorney Hans Ottinot, and City Clerk Kimberly Dillon.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Gomez led the Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence.
4. PUBLIC HEARING(S)
Mayor Gomez introduced the topics to be covered. She shared that the Commission had
held workshops throughout the year, including a budget workshop on June 21, 2023, to
provide direction to staff regarding the submittal. She thanked her colleagues for their
participation and recommendations throughout the process.
4.a. TR13983 - A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida,
relating to the provision of Fire Rescue Services, facilities and programs in the City
of Tamarac, Florida; reimposing Fire Rescue Assessments against assessed property
location within the City of Tamarac for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2023;
approving the rate of assessment; approving the assessment roll; providing for
conflicts; providing for severability; providing an effective date.
City Manager Sucuoglu made a brief statement regarding the Fire Rescue Assessment for
Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) and stated the residential rate was recommended to be set at $420
per dwelling unit, an increase of $70.
City Attorney Ottinot read the title for the record.
Budget Manager Jeff Streder provided a presentation, which is on file in the City Clerk's
Office.
Commissioner Villalobos stated there had not been an increase since 2016 and discussed
the reasons for the recommended increase.
Minutes
September 14, 2023 — First Budget Hearing Meeting
Page 2
Mayor Gomez opened the floor to comments from the public, however there being no one
to speak, closed public participation.
Moved by Commissioner Villalobos; seconded by Commissioner Wright to adopt
Resolution TR13983.
Motion Approved: 5-0.
Voting For: Mayor Gomez, Vice Mayor Bolton, Commissioner Daniel, Commissioner
Wright, and Commissioner Villalobos. Voting Against: None.
4.b. TR13984 - A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida,
relating to the levy and collection of the City's Stormwater Management Utility Fee
within the municipal boundaries of the City of Tamarac for the Fiscal Year beginning
October 1, 2023; approving, confirming, and adopting the Stormwater Management
Utility Fee and Stormwater Management Utility Fee Roll; providing for other matters
relating to the levy and collection of the Stormwater Management Utility Fee on the
annual property tax bills; providing for conflict; providing for severability; and
providing for an effective date.
City Manager Sucuoglu made a brief statement regarding the Stormwater Management
Utility Fee Assessment for FY24 and stated the residential rate was recommended to be set
at $160.61 per equivalent residential unit (ERU), an increase of $6.16, or four (4) percent.
City Attorney Ottinot read the title for the record.
Budget Manager Streder provided a presentation, which is on file in the City Clerk's
Office.
Mayor Gomez opened the floor to comments from the public, however there being no one
to speak, closed public participation.
Moved by Commissioner Villalobos; seconded by Commissioner Wright to adopt
Resolution TR13984.
Motion Approved: 5-0.
Voting For: Mayor Gomez, Vice Mayor Bolton, Commissioner Daniel, Commissioner
Wright, and Commissioner Villalobos. Voting Against: None.
4.c. TR13985 - A Resolution of the City of Tamarac, Florida, relating to the provision of
Residential Solid Waste Collection Services in the City of Tamarac, Florida;
approving the Assessment Rate for Residential Solid Waste Collection Services for
the Fiscal Year beginning on October 1, 2023; imposing a Residential Solid Waste
Collection Assessment against assessed property located within the City of Tamarac
for the Fiscal Year beginning on October 1, 2023; providing for severability;
providing for conflicts; and providing an effective date.
Minutes
September 14, 2023 — First Budget Hearing Meeting
Page 3
City Manager Sucuoglu made a brief statement regarding the Residential Solid Waste
Collection Assessment for FY24 and stated the residential rate was recommended to be set
at $278.75 per residential dwelling unit, which is no increase from FY23.
City Attorney Ottinot read the title for the record.
Budget Manager Streder provided a presentation, which is on file in the City Clerk's
Office.
Mayor Gomez opened the floor to comments from the public.
Matthew Guidera, 6007 NW 67th Avenue, Tamarac, asked whether the City had sought
other providers of solid waste services, other than the giant Waste Management.
City Manager Sucuoglu explained this was the last year of a contract with Waste
Management, and the City had already begun the procurement process to search for the
next provider. He provided a brief timeline of the process.
Mayor Gomez closed public participation.
Moved by Vice Mayor Bolton; seconded by Commissioner Villalobos to adopt Resolution
TR13985.
Motion Approved: 5-0.
Voting For: Mayor Gomez, Vice Mayor Bolton, Commissioner Daniel, Commissioner
Wright, and Commissioner Villalobos. Voting Against: None.
4.d. TR13986 - A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida,
relating to the provision of nuisance abatement on certain real properties by the City
in accordance with Chapter 9, Article Il, Division V of the City's Code of Ordinances;
approving the collection of a Nuisance Abatement Special Assessment of real
property that has been specially benefited by the City's abatement of nuisances
thereon; approving a Nuisance Abatement Assessment Roll; providing for conflict;
providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.
City Manager Sucuoglu made a brief statement regarding the Nuisance Abatement Special
Assessment for FY24 and stated tax assessment on four (4) properties would total
$4,003.23.
City Attorney Ottinot read the title for the record.
Budget Manager Streder provided a presentation, which is on file in the City Clerk's
Office.
Commissioner Villalobos asked for clarification on what kind of nuisances were being
abated. City Manager Sucuoglu stated these were landscaping and appearance items which
were abated.
Mayor Gomez opened the floor to comments from the public.
Minutes
September 14, 2023 — First Budget Hearing Meeting
Page 4
Elijah Williams, 8131 60th Avenue, Tamarac, stated Code Enforcement had come to his
house about trash cans visible from the street, but the cans have a City logo, so he did not
understand the issue. City Manager Sucuoglu clarify the matter by stating that by
Ordinance the City Code requires that all garbage containers be kept hidden and out of
public view.
Mayor Gomez closed public participation.
Moved by Commissioner Villalobos; seconded by Vice Mayor Bolton to adopt Resolution
TR13986.
Motion Approved: 5-0.
Voting For: Mayor Gomez, Vice Mayor Bolton, Commissioner Daniel, Commissioner
Wright, and Commissioner Villalobos. Voting Against: None.
4.e. T02536 - An Ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida to
establish and levy ad valorem taxes within the corporate limits of the City of Tamarac,
Florida, for the tax year 2023; providing for the levy of ad valorem taxes in the
amount of 7.1766 mills ($7.1766 per $1,000) based upon the taxable value on non-
exempt real estate and personal property located within the City limits of the City of
Tamarac; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an
effective date.
Mayor Gomez stated this was the first public hearing of the millage rate, and a second
public hearing would be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 5:05 p.m.
City Manager Sucuoglu made a brief statement regarding the operating millage rate for
FY24 and stated the proposed rate of 7.1766 mills for FY24 is 0.8325 mills or 13.12 percent
more than the rollback rate of 6.3441 mills.
City Attorney Ottinot read the title for the record.
Budget Manager Streder provided a presentation, which is on file in the City Clerk's
Office.
Vice Mayor Bolton asked for clarification on the difference in revenue between 7.1766
mills and 7.0000 mills. Budget Manager Streder stated the difference in overall budget
would be $994,077, and the median homeowner's savings would be $28.31 for the year.
Vice Mayor Bolton asked staff how the $994,077 would assist the City's operations. City
Manager Sucuoglu explained that as outlined in the budget presentations, the City budget
relies heavily on fund balance to fund the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and
the additional funds would supplement the City's Budget to make sure the City relies less
on the fund balance for Capital Improvement Projects.
Vice Mayor Bolton asked staff to explain the not to exceed rate. Budget Manager Streder
clarified. Vice Mayor Bolton stated he did not support the proposed rate of 7.1766 mills.
Minutes
September 14, 2023 — First Budget Hearing Meeting
Page 5
He discussed the reasons a higher millage rate may have been needed, and stated he would
support a rate of 7.000.
Mayor Gomez stated that during the discussion in the budget workshop, the Commission
had agreed that a rate of 7.000 was the intent. Mr. Streder explained the current budget was
prepared based on 7.1766 mills, but a change to 7.000 would not impact the General Fund
operating budget, as it could be accomplished through an adjustment to the appropriation
from fund balance. He stated staff could provide a revised attachment to the ordinance to
show the shift in revenues, but the budget amount would remain the same. Mayor Gomez
stated that she would rather go with the 7.000.
Commissioner Villalobos asserted the Commission had recommended the increase to
7.1766 at a workshop. He stated the City has money set aside in case a storm comes, so he
is not concerned with that, and noted considering other increases like inflation, and
insurance rates, every dollar counts. He advised he is on board with 7.000 for the third year
in a row.
Commissioner Daniel stated her understanding was that the millage rate was advertised at
the higher rate in case the Fire Assessment did not pass. She asserted now that the Fire
Assessment has passed, the millage rate should be set at 7.000.
Commissioner Wright asked what the current rate was. Mr. Streder confirmed that the rate
in FY23 was 7.000.
Commissioner Wright stated property values had increased by 11 percent in Broward
County. He asked staff to explain the difference caused by that increase. Mr. Streder
provided example numbers.
Commissioner Wright asked for clarification on the budget impact of a reduced millage
rate. Mr. Streder explained. Financial Services Director Christine Cajuste provided
additional information, noting that there were some shifts in some other revenue sources
and that would be ablet to accommodate the reduction in property tax revenues.
Commissioner Wright confirmed he was also in support of a rate of 7.000 mills.
Mayor Gomez asked staff to confirm that there would be no impact to the expenditures for
the employees, Police and Fire, or other services and equipment that are needed to continue
to run the City in a matter in which the commission has been asking through the strategic
planning and the plans for the future. Mr. Steder confirmed. He noted the original budget
was built on 7.000 mills.
Vice Mayor Bolton asked Financial Services Director Christine Cajuste to review the
millage rate from the past three (3) fiscal years. He confirmed it was not true that the rate
had remained the same over that time and discussed historical efforts to reduce the millage
rate.
Mayor Gomez opened the floor to comments from the public.
Minutes
September 14, 2023 — First Budget Hearing Meeting
Page 6
Matthew Guidera, 6007 NW 67t' Avenue, Tamarac, stated anyone who has purchased a
house in recent years has seen sometimes double the amount on their property taxes, so the
median and average numbers do not represent the experience of those residents. He shared
that he knew the City was not responsible for the full increase, but his tax bill had gone
from $3,400 to $6,000. He thanked the Commission for their efforts to keep taxes down,
and highlighted that as property values increase, so does the amount collected. He noted
residents are impacted by markets, COVID-19, and inflation, and businesses are closing,
so the City needs to budget as the residents have had to.
Mayor Gomez closed public participation.
City Manager Sucuoglu made a revised statement regarding the operating millage rate for
FY24 and stated the proposed rate of 7.000 mills for FY24 was 0.6559 mills or 10.34
percent more than the rollback rate of 6.3341 mills.
Moved by Vice Mayor Bolton; seconded by Commissioner Wright to approve Ordinance
T02536 on first reading and to tentatively set the millage rate at 7.000 mills for FY24,
which is 0.6559 mills or 10.34 percent more than the rollback rate of 6.3341 mills.
Motion Approved: 5-0.
Voting For: Mayor Gomez, Vice Mayor Bolton, Commissioner Daniel, Commissioner
Wright, and Commissioner Villalobos. Voting Against: None.
4.f. T02537 - An Ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida
adopting the Operating Budget, Revenues and Expenditures, the Capital Budget, and
the Financial Policies for Fiscal Year 2024; providing for conflicts; providing for
scrivener's errors; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.
Mayor Gomez stated this was the first public hearing of the budget, and a second public
hearing would be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 5:05 p.m.
City Manager Sucuoglu made a brief statement, explaining the tentative Operating and
Capital Budget for FY24 was $254,276,488, which is $6,912,442 less than the amended
budget of $261,188,930 for FY23. He stated the tentative General Fund budget, which is
the primary fund for providing governmental services in the City is $90,489,937, which is
$9,498,346 more than the amended budget of $80,991,591 for FY23. He stated in addition,
the financial policies are part of the adopted budget.
City Attorney Ottinot read the title for the record.
Budget Manager Streder provided a presentation, which is on file in the City Clerk's
Office.
Mayor Gomez opened the floor to comments from the public, however there being no one
to speak, closed public participation.
Minutes
September 14, 2023 — First Budget Hearing Meeting
Page 7
Vice Mayor Bolton asked about the furniture in the City Commission offices and stated he
had not requested furniture. City Manager Sucuoglu stated the administrative staff needs
new accommodations due to a rearranged situation.
Moved by Vice Mayor Bolton; seconded by Commissioner Villalobos to approve
Ordinance T02537 on first reading.
Motion Approved: 5-0.
Voting For: Mayor Gomez, Vice Mayor Bolton, Commissioner Daniel, Commissioner
Wright, and Commissioner Villalobos. Voting Against: None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gomez stated the second public hearing on adopting the FY24 millage rate and operating
budget would be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 5:05 p.m.
There being nothing further to discuss, Mayor Gomez adjourned the meeting at 6:23 p.m.
Minutes transcribed by Crysta Parkinson, Prototype, Inc. and submitted by Monica Barros,
Assistant City Clerk.
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Note to the reader: The above signature is the City Clerk, of the City of Tamarac, Florida. If the
minutes you have received are not signed, or completed as indicated above, they are not the official
minutes of the Special City Commission Meeting held Thursday, September 14, 2023.
Pursuant to Chapter 286.0105, Florida Statutes, if a person decides to appeal any decision made
by the City Commission with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, he may
need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made which record includes the
testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based.
Minutes
September 14, 2023 — First Budget Hearing Meeting
Page 8
The City of Tamarac complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you
are a disabled person requiring any accommodations or assistance, please notify the City Clerk's
Office at (954) 597-3505 of such need at least 48 hours (2 days) in advance. Additionally, if you
are hearing or speech impaired and need assistance, you may contact the Florida Relay Service
by dialing 7-1-1.