HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-14 - City Commission Special Workshop Meeting MinutesSPECIAL COMMISSION WORKSHOP
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2009
ROOM 105 — TAMARAC CITY HALL
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco called the Special Workshop meeting
to order at 3:00 p.m. in Room 105, Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac,
FL.
PRESENT: Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Vice Mayor Patricia Atkins -Grad,
Commissioner Pamela Bushnell, Commissioner Diane Glasser, and Commissioner
Harry Dressler.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, Assistant City Attorney Julie Klahr,
Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial Services Director Michael C. Cernech, and City
Clerk Marion Swenson.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco led the pledge of allegiance.
City Manager Miller addressed the three actions set for tonight's public hearing on the budget;
millage rate, fire assessment, and budget and respective funds that establish the budget, and
recapped discussions held in July when the Commission asked staff to look into reducing the
budget and the millage rate. Staff was able to reduce the budget approximately $6 million from
last year's budget; with the $5 million reduced the year before, we are now talking about an
approximate $11 million reduction over the last two years. The proposal before the Mayor and
City Commission reduces the original millage from 6.3 to 6.15. We have eliminated the 18%
water conservation surcharge, as directed by the Mayor and City Commission, while
maintaining the levels of service for police and fire departments. There are no service level
changes in the budget and no fire assessment increase. Additionally there are no staff layoffs
in this budget, although 13 positions remain unfunded. Since 2007 we have eliminated 38 full-
time positions, and we are at approximately the same staffing level for full-time positions as we
were in 2000.
Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial Services Director Cernech gave an overview of the
budget and spoke of property tax reform, the decline in real estate values, and the fact that
with the reductions made we are down from $105 million in 2008 to $96 million today. Deputy
City Manager/Interim Financial Services Director Cernech explained how the home values
affected condominiums, townhomes, and single family homes. The 2010 budget is now at
$94,585,850 million. The percentage of property taxes that fund the FY1020 budget is 20% for
all services the City provides. Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial Services Director
Cernech discussed the fire assessment and said 67% is paid for by residential properties and
33% by commercial/industrial/institutional.
Commissioner Dressler questioned the monetary difference between 90% and 100% of the fire
assessment fee, given current delivery standards and Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial
Services Director Cernech said it is about $400,000 - $500,000.
Special Workshop Meeting
September 14, 2009
Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial Services Director Cernech continued explaining in June
the budget was $99,137,370 and we balanced the budget using no reserves and a roll back
rate of 6.3752. The Commission moved this ahead with objections and direction to further
review the numbers and make adjustments.
Commissioner Dressler left the room at 3:50 and returned at 3:51 p.m.
The September budget has been reduced to 6.15; debt service was reduced by $1,500,000;
the Utility CIP was reduced by $1,750,000; the Fire/Rescue budget was reduced by $800,000;
and grant match reduced by $750,000. The Fire/Rescue reductions are in salary and benefit
costs through attrition ($400,000); elimination of the dive rescue team ($60,000); and reduction
of the overtime budget ($160,000).
Commissioner Bushnell questioned whether we would be going into the reserves and Deputy
City Manager/Interim Financial Services Director Cernech said no. There was discussion
regarding the grant match. Commissioner Bushnell spoke of six people from District 1 who
questioned the increase in taxes but said after speaking with them they were satisfied and
understood her reasoning, and she is happy staff went back to the budget and did what the
Mayor and City Commission asked.
Commissioner Dressler said he had two or three calls from residents asking for help
interpreting the TRIM notice. Commissioner Dressler spoke of a 6.15 millage rate and the
approximate $1 million deficit given the expense of fire and police. Commissioner Dressler
questioned where the $400,000 would come from and Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial
Services Director Cernech said it would come from other sources such as building permits,
business licenses and other revenues to the general fund. There was discussion regarding
budget cuts in the departments.
Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial Services Director Cernech said the budget is very lean
at $94 million and without revenue enhancements. We will be very lean next year. In 2011
property values could be down 20% so we are trying to take logical steps and have a logical
progression into 2011. It will be a daunting task; without revenue enhancements we will look
at additional reductions in services; however, we would prefer not to do that and we do not
think the constituents would want that.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco confirmed this year there are no significant service reductions.
There was discussion regarding the credit rating agencies. Commissioner Dressler confirmed
a millage rate of 6.15 would not necessitate a super majority vote in subsequent budgets.
Deputy City Manager/Interim Financial Services Director Cernech agreed and said the 6.15
millage would lower the foundation and that will be the starting point for next year.
Commissioner Bushnell asked which other districts received comments or questions from their
constituents.
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September 14, 2009
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Commissioner Glasser said she received some calls. Commissioner Glasser cautioned the
Mayor and City Commission to vote responsibly for the good of the entire city.
Commissioner Dressler said he received two or three phone calls regarding the TRIM notice
and asked what other cities are asking for with regard to millage rates.
City Manager Miller said other cities are raising the millage rates across the board. Most cities
have a utility tax, which Tamarac does not have. Next year we are looking at a millage rate of
about 7 just to bring in what we bring in this year. We will have challenges with the residents
and we will probably have to look at program cuts and staff reductions.
Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco said the Mayor and City Commission is a great team and all are
trying to make the best decision possible.
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Flansbaum-Talabisco adjourned the Special
Workshop meeting at 4:43 p.m. =
Marion Swe on,
City Clerk = v
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September 14, 2009
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