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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-08-23 - City Commission Budget Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP AUGUST 28, 2000 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the City Commission Budget Workshop to order at 11:05 a.m. on Monday, August 28, 2000, in Room 105, Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88t" Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321. PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Karen L. Roberts, Commissioner Edward C. Portner, and Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof. ABSENT AND EXCUSED FOR CAUSE: Commissioner Larry Mishkin. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, Assistant City Manager Tim Hemstreet, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft, and City Clerk Marion Swenson. City Manager Miller said that the options included the new $268,000 revenue and taxable value and the backup reflects changes requested by the Commission at the July Budget Workshops. City Manager Miller asked for an expression of interest on the millage increase for the September 11, 2000 public hearing. Commissioner Sultanof asked if City Manager Miller felt the Commission would do well to recommend a .75 mil increase instead of a 1-mil increase. City Manager Miller said the Commission could recommend a .75 mil increase. Mayor Schreiber said he found a $3 million increase in this budget from last year, and said the City must cut back on expenses without cutting back on services, Mayor Schreiber said budgeting should be done yearly. Vice Mayor Roberts said the Commission could show financial responsibility and still plan ahead, and asked if the proposed budget included an increase in the Firefighter contract. Assistant City Manager Hemstreet said there was a 5% allowance. Commissioner Sultanof said the people did not ask to have services cut. There was discussion about new development coming into Tamarac. City Manager Miller said that is built into the projection as well as increased taxes from Land Section 7, the normal cost of living, contracts and increases in the operating budget. Mayor Schreiber questioned the new fire station and City Manager Miller said that during strategic planning sessions the Commission asked to include a fire station and this budget allows us to meet our goals. City Manager Miller said the preliminary report prepared by the consultant says that Tamarac is in need of another fire station. Assistant City Manager Hemstreet said it is proposed to finance the fire station and the only fire station expense in this budget is for the consultant's fee. Vice Mayor Roberts said Tamarac needs the additional fire station. Commissioner Portner said we must prepare for the out years, and asked Mayor Schreiber to look at three years and consider a 1-mil increase as opposed to a Budget Workshop August 28, 2000 1 .75 mil increase, as it will protect the City and show responsibility to the residents. Commissioner Portner said Tamarac is looking at annexation and will need to provide services for those areas. Commissioner Sultanof said he wants to do what is right for the public. Commissioner Sultanof said at a recent meeting of the Democratic Club he heard people say they could not believe how much Tamarac is on the move. Everything one hears in Broward County is about Tamarac, and the Commission must prepare for growth and services. Commissioner Portner said at the August 215t Town Meeting and the August 23rd Commission Meeting people said that 1-mil is not out of line, but they did not like the 7% utility tax. Vice Mayor Roberts spoke about the new bus, and said people want to go places outside of Tamarac, which means adding another driver, more maintenance and more gas. Vice Mayor Roberts asked about the difference in the Cable TV figures and the Computer for the front counter for Community Development. Management and Budget Officer Ralston explained that the figures coincide with the proposed budget book. Vice Mayor Roberts questioned the $500 for the Tarheels and why election costs were taken out of the City Clerk's budget. Management and Budget Officer Ralston responded and said the election costs were taken out at the July budget workshop, and if needed will be available from contingency. Vice Mayor Roberts questioned $5,000 for two treadmills for the fire department and it was reduced to $3,000. Mayor Schreiber asked why Parks and Recreation's budget is less for FY01 than FY00, and Vice Mayor Roberts said it was due to the Community Center being completed. Mayor Schreiber asked for an expression of interest from the Commission on an increase in the millage rate. Vice Mayor Roberts, Commissioner Portner and Commissioner Sultanof said 1-mil. Mayor Schreiber said in the interest of unanimity he would go along with a 1-mil increase. Commissioner Portner cautioned the Commissioners against proposing to lower the millage rate in three years, as it is hard to know what will happen with cities facing annexation. City Manager Miller said the expression of interest is for a 1-mil increase, and he will have staff design the budget in that fashion for the first public hearing on September 11 to There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber adjourned the budget workshop at 11.55 a.m. Marion 8wenson, CMC City Clerk Budget Workshop August 28, 2000 2