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Home My WebLink About2006-09-20 - City Commission Special Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2006 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the Special Meeting of the City Commission to order on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 5:15 p.m., in the Commission Chambers at Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, Florida. PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Commissioner Patte Atkins -Grad, Commissioner Marc L. Sultanof and Commissioner Harry Dressler ABSENT: Vice Mayor Edward C. Portner ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Samuel S. Goren, and City Clerk Marion Swenson Commissioner Atkins -Grad led the pledge of allegiance. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said this is a special meeting of the City Commission of the City of Tamarac for the public hearings on the final millage and budget for Fiscal Year 2007. Florida Statutes require two public hearings, the first of which was held on September 13, 2006. Before the final public hearing begins, the City Manager has a statement. 1. City Manager Miller said in accordance with TRIM he is required to read the following statement: The tentative General Fund budget of $48,467,000 is more than the Fiscal Year 2006 adopted budget of $43,267,300. The City proposes to levy a millage rate of 6.2224 for General operating purposes, which is a 17.74% increase over the rolled -back rate of 5.2847 mills. The proposed Debt Service millage rate of .1305 mills is a decrease from the current Debt Service millage rate of .3530 mills. City Manager Miller invited Financial Services Director Chapman to give an overview of the budget prior to beginning the public hearings. Financial Services Director Chapman gave an overview of the budget and spoke of the citizen survey that was conducted by an outside consulting firm, discussed the budget, how the revenues are used, our direction for FY07 and the public's satisfaction with the services Tamarac provides. Financial Services Director Chapman gave an overview of the history of taxation in the City of Tamarac and explained the TRIM notice. 2. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco opened the public hearing on the final millage rate for FY07. Deborah Fleischman, 8612 NW 79 Street spoke about comments made at the previous meeting regarding disclosure. Commissioner Sultanof responded and said there is an appeal process people should be aware of in order to try to get their taxes lowered. Jay Koutcher, 8173 Royal Palm Court said he missed Financial Services Director Chapman's presentation as he arrived late, spoke against tax increases and wished the Mayor and City Commission a happy new year. Mr. Koutcher said the City Special Commission Meeting September 20, 2006 Page 1 of 3 needs an Educational Advisory Board. Financial Services Director Chapman gave a brief overview of the budget for Mr. Koutcher. Commissioner Dressler said it is difficult for people who do not work with numbers to understand the tax and budget issues and said the TRIM Notice is comprised of several taxing authorities, of which Tamarac is a small part. Tamarac is going through a change with an infusion of young families. In addition to the programming we provide for seniors, we must now add programming for young children and teens. Commissioner Dressler added the influx of teenagers may mean a higher crime rate and in order to steer clear of crime we must have after school programs and swim programs, so we will need more money than in the past to provide these additional services. The property assessments are higher this year so we have money that can be allocated for these programs. We may not be as fortunate in the future. The City is not misspending its funds. The property appraiser did not cut her budget as other constitutional officers did. Commissioner Dressler said when he looks at the budget he asks `what we are spending our money on', and it is all for the public safety and public good. A small part of our money comes from property taxes, and if residents feel they are being unfairly taxed they should blame the legislature and our governor; talk to the legislators and talk to Lori Parrish, and support a gubernatorial candidate who will in turn support lowering taxes. Tamarac provides the highest services at the lowest cost. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she and the City Manager have decided to workshop the Educational Advisory Board matter, and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco spoke of the Educational Summit that was held on Monday evening. Joseph LaPlaca, 7851 Granville Drive asked if the City spent $17 million on a piece of property and what is intended for the property. Financial Services Director Chapman said the City purchased property for $7 million and intends to build a new utilities complex on the property. With no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco closed the public hearing on this item. 3. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco opened the public hearing on the final General Fund and other Fund budgets for FY07. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco closed the public hearing on this item. 4. ADOPTING THE MILLAGE FOR THE 2006 TAX ROLL: (TO2120) Motion to adopt ordinance on second reading adopting the millage for the 2006 tax roll; levying a tax for general operations on all properties for the Fiscal Year 2007; levying a tax for the payment of principal and interest for bonded indebtedness; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. City Attorney Goren read Temporary Ordinance 2120 on second reading by title. Commissioner Dressler seconded by Commissioner Atkins -Grad moved approval. On roll call Commissioner Sultanof voted "yes", Commissioner Atkins -Grad "yes", Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes", and Commissioner Dressler "yes". Motion carried. ADOPTED ON FIRST READING SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 ADOPTED ON SECOND READING SEPTEMBER 20, 2006 ORDINANCE NO. 2006-15 Special Commission Meeting September 20, 2006 Page 2 of 3 5. GENERAL FUND AND OTHER FUND BUDGETS: (TO2121) Motion to adopt ordinance on second readies adopting the budget for the General Fund and each of the other Operating Funds and the Capital Improvements Fund for the fiscal year 2007; allocating, appropriating, and authorizing expenditures as presented in the budget; providing for the revenues necessary to fund the expenditures of each of the funds; authorizing budgetary control by department total for all appropriations. City Attorney Goren read Temporary Ordinance 2121 on second reading by title. Commissioner Sultanof seconded by Commissioner Dressler moved approval. On roll call Commissioner Dressler voted "yes", Commissioner Sultanof "yes", Commissioner Atkins -Grad "yes", and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco "yes". Motion carried. ADOPTED ON FIRST READING SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 ADOPTED ON SECOND READING SEPTEMBER 20, 2006 ORDINANCE NO.2006-16 6. ADOPTING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM CIP : (TR11031) Motion to approve resolution adopting the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for the five year period beginning with Fiscal Year 2007. City Attorney Goren read Temporary Resolution 11031 by title. Commissioner Atkins -Grad seconded by Commissioner Sultanof moved approval. On roll call Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco voted "yes", Commissioner Dressler "yes", Commissioner Sultanof "yes", and Commissioner Atkins - Grad "yes". Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. R2006-167 Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco thanked everyone for attending the meeting and said she wished more people would attend to listen and participate. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco explained the Mayor and City Commission started reviewing the budget in June at a budget workshop and examined and reviewed the budget through the summer. The process will begin again next June and Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she welcomed the public's input. Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said she is proud to be the Mayor of Tamarac and serve with this Commission. The Mayor and City Commission do their best to deliver services to the residents and this is a great City. Mayor Flansbaum- Talabisco thanked Financial Services Director Chapman, City Manager Miller, City Attorney Goren and the staff for their efforts on this budget. There being no further business to come before the Mayor and City Commission, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the Special Meeting of the City Commission at 6:00 p.m. I'. MARION S ENSON, CIVIC CITY CLERK Maw / � /�,, ��_�1./.. /I .. Special Commission Meeting September 20, 2006 Page 3 of 3