HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-09-06 - City Commission Special Meeting Minutes7525 NORTHWEST 88TH AVENUE 0 TAMARAC, FLORIDA 33321-2401
TELEPHONE (305) 722.5900
RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTIONS/DISCUSSIONS
SPECIAL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA
There will be a Special Meeting of the City Council on
Tuesday, September 6, 1988, at 7:00 p.m., in the Council
Chambers at Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88 Avenue, Tamarac, to
hold public hearings on the proposed millage and tentative
budgets for Fiscal Year 1988/89.
1. ANNOUNCEMENT of percentage increase/decrease in
proposed millage rate over/under the rolled -back rate
necessary to fund the General Fund budget for Fiscal
Year 1988/89.
FINAL ACTION:
The millage rate was increased b 9.66%.
2. PUBLIC HEARING on the proposed millage rate for Fiscal
Year 1988/89.
FINAL ACTION:
Public hearing was held.
3. PUBLIC HEARING on the tentative General Fund budget for
Fiscal Year 1988/89.
)10 FINAL ACTION:
Public hearing was held.
4. MOTION TO ADOPT a proposed millage rate for Fiscal Year
1988 89.
FINAL ACTION:
ADOPTED a 3.3598 milla a rate for FY 1988/89.
5. MOTION TO ADOPT a tentative General Fund budget for
Fiscal Year 1988/89.
FINAL ACTION:
ADOPTED a tentative budget of $16,408,998.00 for
FY 88/89.
6. ANNOUNCEMENT of percentage increase/decrease of
recomputed millage rate over/under the rolled --back rate
necessary to fund the General Fund budget for 1988/89.
FINAL ACTION:
The percentage of increase of recomputed millage rate is
9.66%.
7. ANNOUNCEMENT of the time, date and place of the second
public hearing during which a final millage and General
Fund budget shall be adopted.
FINAL ACTION:
The second public hearing is scheduled for Thursday,
September 22, 1988 at 7:00 P.M. in City Hall Council
Chambers.
8. PUBLIC HEARING on all other fund budgets for Fiscal
Year 1988/89.
FINAL ACTION:
Public hearing was held.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF HANDICAPPED STATUS
9. MOTION TO ADOPT tentative budgets for all other funds
for Fiscal Year 1988/89.
FINAL ACTION:
Public hearing was held.
budgets for all other funds
adopted:
Special Revenue Funds
Debt Service Funds
Capital Project Funds
Utilities East Fund
Utilities West Fund
Internal Service Fund
General Agency Fund
TOTAL:
The following tentative
for FY 88/89 have been
$ 38,750.00
946,712.00
2,788,997.00
391,548.00
18,536,252.00
1,974,917.00
40,000.00
$24,717,176.00
10. ANNOUNCEMENT of proposed debt service millage rate for
Fiscal Year 1988/89.
FINAL ACTION:
The proposed millage rate for General Obligation Bonds
is:
1975 Issue .0553
1986 Issue .5100
1987 Issue .2483
TOTAL: .8136
11. MOTION TO ADOPT a proposed debt service millage rate
for Fiscal Year 1988/89.
FINAL ACTION:
ADOPTED the proposed millage rate for General Obligation
Bonds:
1975 Issue .0553
1986 Issue .5100
1987 Issue .2483
TOTAL: .8136
All meetings are open to the public.
CAE/nr
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Carol A. Evans
City Clerk
Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes
If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the city
Council with respect to any matter considered at such meeting; or
hearing, he will need a record of the proceedings and for such
purpose, he may need to ensure that a verbatim record includes
the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based
CITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COUNCIL FIRST BUDGET HEARING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1988
TAPE 1
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Abramowitz called this meeting to Order on
Tuesday, September 6, 1988 at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers.
MEDITATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Abramowitz called
for the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a Moment of Silent
Meditation.
13!1DkAm1k111W
T_ r_•n 77 'ern T;
Mayor Norman Abramowitz
Vice Mayor Jack Stelzer
Councilman Dr. H. Larry Bender
Councilman Bruce Hoffman
Councilman Henry Rohr
John P. Kelly, City Manager
Richard Doody, City Attorney
Ken Burroughs, Finance Director
Carol A. Evans, City Clerk
Patricia Marcurio, Secretary
Pauline Walaszek, Special Services
Secretary
Mayor Abramowitz said the Tamarac Police Department
apprehended and incarcerated the rapist of
Sunflower/Heathgate and he asked for a round of applause
for the Tamarac Police Department.
Mayor Abramowitz wished the Jewish residents a happy and
healthy New Year and he wished the non-Jewish residents a
happy and healthy Holiday on their next Holiday.
Mayor Abramowitz said he would like to discuss the
purpose of this meeting and why so many residents are
attending.
Mayor Abramowitz said when the Budget preparation began,
the City Manager met with the Councilmembers and
explained the financial position of the City. He said
there was a 1 million dollar shortfall in the Budget
which meant that if the City sat still without increasing
any of its services, the City would be short 1 million
dollars. He said he did not want to discuss why there is
a shortfall; however, the revenue from the Building
Department and Revenue Fees were below expectations.
Mayor Abramowitz said during the City Council Budget
Workshop meetings, the City Council instructed the City
Manager to bring the Budget to where there was no
shortfall. He said the City Council told the City
Manager not to worry about next year because Plans for
Land Section 7 are presently being brought before the
County Commissioners.
Mayor Abramowitz said the City Council had 3 options in
making up the shortfall, one option was to cut the
services. He said the City's services should be
Page 1
9/6/88 - Budget Hearing.
improved 100% and the last thing in the world everyone
wanted to do was cut the services.
Mayor Abramowitz said the two options remaining were to
increase the ad valorem or impose a Utility Tax. He said
the City Council was advised that the most equitable and
rapid way to make up the shortfall was to impose a
Utility Tax.
Mayor Abramowitz said approximately 4 months ago a Town
Hall meeting was called regarding the condition of the
water and sewer pipes. He said the residents were very
concerned with the cost of their water and sewage rates
and the City Council informed them that the water used to
water their lawns also included sewer charges. He
suggested that the residents buy a second meter and the
residents informed him that cost for a second meter was
$1,500.00. He said the City Council was concerned and
confronted the former Director of Utilities/Engineering
who said the actual cost for a second meter was
$1,540.00. He said the City Council investigated this
matter and an Ordinance was passed charging $150.00 plus
$40.00 for installation of a second meter.
Mayor Abramowitz said that he ran on a platform for
election that Utility Taxes would not be imposed;
however, he never expected to find these problems in the
City. He said he made a pledge that when he became
Mayor, he would work at correcting the problems and
imbalances within the City.
Mayor Abramowitz said the City Council has been
investigating several matters and they are finding things
that were not known. He said he was not qualified to
explain how, where and when these problems began;
however, the City Council discovered 1.5 million dollars
of surplus in the Utility Fund. He said the City Council
was doing everything in their power to return this
surplus to the residents.
Mayor Abramowitz said he was attending a function and two
female residents asked why taxes are not placed on
cigarette, liquor and gasoline items rather than
Utilities. He said the City could not legally impose
these taxes and he was very disappointed with the
residents asking the City Council to tax these items
knowing the legal ramifications in doing so.
Mayor Abramowitz said earlier in the day, the City
Council called an emergency City Council meeting to
discuss the proposed 6% Utility Tax. He said all of the
money being recovered was done through the assistance of
the City Manager and Finance Director. He said the City
found 3 accounts with usable money and the City Council
voted on several items as follows:
"C/M Bender made a Motion which was seconded by C/M Hoffman
and unanimously approved to ABOLISH the proposed 6% Utility
Tax from this year's Budget."
Mayor Abramowitz said the monies found in the accounts
are being applied to the shortfall in the Budget;
however, the vote on this Motion was not unanimous. He
said the proposed 6% Utility Tax would be abolished by
using surplus monies from the Utility and other Funds to
balance the Budget.
Page 2 `--
9/6/88 - Budget Hearing
Mayor Abramowitz said he wished every resident could be
the Mayor for 30 days because he was so much smarter than
his first day as Mayor. He said he has had the hardest 3
weeks of his entire life in reviewing the Budget and the
City Council was trying very hard to accommodate the
needs of the residents; however, the City Council needed
the support of the residents. He said the residents
should understand that the City Council had to provide a
lifestyle and a safety factor for the City and its
residents.
Mayor Abramowitz said a resident suggested the City cut
back on the Fire Department. He said he would like the
residents to ask the gentlemen's wife who was saved by
the City's Fire and Utility Departments when their car
went into the lake and the people who were rescued by the
Fire Department during the Sabal Palm fire, if they would
like the services of the Fire Department cut. He said he
receives letters from residents complaining about the
Police Department; however, he receives double the amount
of complaint letters stating how the Police Department
provided services over and above the call of duty. He
said during the last bad rainfall, the Public Works
Department had 262 emergency calls and they take care of
approximately 6,000,000 square footage of grass with a 7
man crew.
Mayor Abramowitz said he did not want to hear the
residents requesting that City's services be cut because
the services should be improved: He said if the surplus
monies were not available, he would not have changed his
mind about the proposed 6% Utility Tax.
V/M Stelzer said the City Manager confronted him earlier
in the day regarding the proposed 6% Utility Tax. He
said he had a solution but was not going to discuss it at
that time because the City Manager would go to the other
Councilmembers with the solution. He said the City
Manager informed him of what the Councilmembers were
proposing and he disagreed with the proposals because
they were illegal. He said he told the City Manager
about his suggestion providing the City Manager did not
discuss the suggestion with the Mayor.
V/M Stelzer said he proposed a solution to the Mayor and
an emergency special meeting was called. He said he
submitted a proposal 3 days ago and he read it at this
time. (SEE ATTACHMENT)
V/M Stelzer said at the Emergency meeting held earlier in
the day, he proposed his suggestion of transferring
$1,000,000.00 from the Utility surplus to the General
Fund; however, the City Council wanted to take
$500,000.00 from the Utility surplus and $500,000.00 from
Interim Service Fees.
V/M Stelzer said the City does not collect taxes from
people building; however, Interim Service Fees are
charged. He said last year, the City of Oakland Park was
sued by a developer to return his Interim Service Fees
and, when this occurred, Tamarac placed last year's
Interim Service Fees into an escrow account to avoid this
type of problem.
V/M Stelzer said he was against the City Council's
decision to take last year's escrow of about $250,000.00
and place it into the current Budget and take the
Page 3
9/6/88 - Budget Hearing
anticipated Interim Service Fees for next year of
approximately $250,000.00 and place it in the Budget with
$500,000.00 from the Utility surplus.
V/M Stelzer said he objected to the City using the impact
fees because it was illegal and the City may be sued. He
said if the City was sued, the money would have been
spent and the same amount would have to be paid back.
V/M Stelzer said since the Ordinance reducing the cost of
the second meter was passed, approximately 6 people
applied for a second meter.
V/M Stelzer said the City Council has not been
investigating these matters; however, he has. He said he
has investigated the Utilities Department for several
years. He said the City's Drainage Fund was created in
1979 and Leadership Homes, Inc., gave the City $79,000.00
in Impact Fees. He said the City kept charging.
developer's Impact Fees to take care of any problems that
may have occurred.
V/M Stelzer said in 1980, Councilwoman Massaro
t.raristerred $600,000.00 from the General Fund to the
Drainage Fund and, even though he was not a
Councilmember, he challenged the Accountant, City Manager
and City Attorney to show him where anyone had the right
to transfer this money.
V/M Stelzer said since then, the City has been
transferring small amounts such as, $100,000.00,
$200,000.00, etc., into the Drainage Fund and, to date,
the City has transferred approximately $1,100,000.00 into
the Drainage Fund. He said since 1980, the developer's
have contributed approximately $1,000,000.00 to the
Drainage Fund; however, the City spent approximately
$1,200,000.00 in drainage projects.
V/M Stelzer said he suggested the City Manager and the
Finance Director take back the money that the City has
contributed to the Drainage Fund in an amount of
$850,000.00. He said there are several Funds sitting
idle at this time, which are, the Drainage Fund, Impact
Fees for traffic -throughways (which Council wanted to use
but changed their mind) and the Interim Service Fees.
ZI/M Stelzer said he approved of eliminating the proposed
Utility Tax and using 1 million dollars from the Utility
surplus because he was sure there was at least 4 million
dollars in surplus above what was generated this year.
Mayor Abramowitz said he had a Resolution from 1986 where
there was a surplus of approximately $500,000.00 and the
rates were raised 20% in which V/M Stelzer voted "Aye".
He read from the Minutes of September 8, 1986 as follows:
"V/M Stelzer MOVED to APPROVE Temp_ Reso. #4250 setting the
millage rate of 3.35 with a 6$ Utility Tax, SECONDED by C/M
Stein."
Mayor Abramowitz said the only people being blamed by V/M
Stelzer are the people that were not present to defend
themselves.
V/14 Stelzer said in 1986 a Resolution was passed;
however, the City did not receive the Accountant's Report
until December of each year. He said the Utility
Director argues during the Budget preparations that a
Page 4
9/6/88 - Budget Hearing
Utility rate increase was needed, the City Council could
not do anything but approve it. He said he found the
surplus after the reports from the Accountants were
received in 1986 and, at the beginning of 1987, he began
to investigate the surplus.
Ken aurroughs, Finance Director, said he has experienced
32 years of service as a Finance Director in the State of
Florida and Broward County. He said he had 32 years of
impeccable credentials and he assured the City that there
is no surplus in the Utility Fund other than the 1.5
million dollars revealed in this year's Budget.
Mr. Burroughs said he challenged V/M Stelzer to prove
otherwise. He said he offered to buy him a steak dinner
in January, 1989, if he was wrong. He said if V/M
Stelzer is wrong, he should resign.
An Unannounced Speaker said the residents are concerned
with the Budget for next year and not care what happened
in the past.
V/M Stelzer said he was asked where he received his
irif^rmation regarding the Utility surplus. He said he
received the information on the report submitted by
Touche Ross for 1987 which indicated a $15,000,000.00
surplus and included the CIAC Fees.
1. ANNOUNCEMENT of percentage increase/decrease in proposed
millage rate over/under the rolled -back rate necessary to
fund the General Fund budget for Fiscal Year 1988/89.
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION:
ANNOUNCED the General Fund Budget for
Fiscal Year 1988/89 increase to be 9.66%
over the roll -back rate.
Mayor Abramowitz said it is his duty as Mayor to announce
that the proposed millage rate for the General Fund
Budget for Fiscal Year 1988/89 would be increased to
9.66% over the roll -back rate.
2. PUBLIC HEARING on the proposed millage rate for Fiscal Year
1988/89.
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION:
Public Hearing was held.
ANNOUNCED the proposed Millage
Rar_P to be 3.3598 for Fiscal Year
1988/89.
City Manager Kelly said the proposed Millage Rate for
Fiscal Year 1988/89 is 3.3598, which is an increase of
.32 over the previous year.
Mayor Abramowitz Opened the Public Hearing.
Abe Garr, President of the Kings Point Civic Association,
said his Association represented over 1,000 families
living at Kings Point and was increasing monthly. He
said the primary function of the Civic Association was to
protect the residents of Kings Point as well as the other
residents in the City against unfair taxation, arbitrary
decision and implementing Budget restraints. He said the
Association was formed to give positive input to
Page 5 �'
9/6/88 - Budget Hearing
TAPE 2
Tamarac's Governing Body and work in a cooperative manner
to make the City a better place to live. He said the
Association was non -political and its members were
interested in fair and equitable treatment by the City
Government.
Mr. Garr said the Kings Point Civic Association has
inspected the Budget proposal and find it unrealistic,
inconsistent, inconclusive and vague in certain areas.
He said members of the Civic Association would be asking
the City Council, questions regarding the allocation of
Funds, surplus and the reason for over -estimating the
City's needs.
Mr. Garr asked why the Budget was being increased when in
the past two years, the City's expenditures never
exceeded their requests. He said if the sewer and water
taxes were over -estimated resulting in a 1.5 million
dollar surplus, then the surplus should be transferred
into the General Fund to make up the shortfall in the
Budget.
Mr. Garr had concerns with the City imposing a 6% Utility
Tax. He said the residents were present to protest the
Utility Tax and there were petitions being circulated on
this matter.
V/M Stelzer said at the Tamarac Presidents Council
meeting Mr. Garr stated that there were petitions being
circulated for this matter. He asked the City Attorney
to read Section 6.09(d) of the City Charter.
City Attorney Doody read Section 6.09(d) of the Charter
as follows:
"The initiative power shall not extend to the proposing of
changes of any part of all of the annual budget or capital
program or ordinance making or repealing any appropriation
of money, fixing the salaries of city officers or employees
or authorizing or repealing the levy of taxes."
C/M Hoffman said this matter was moot because the City
Council was not going to impose a Utility Tax.
Jim Timerium, Resident of Sunflower/Heathgate, was
concerned with how much money was in the 3 accounts and
Mayor Abramowitz said $640,000,00, $321,000.00 and the
account which will be used for the Budget will contain
$532,000.00.
Mayor Abramowitz said the accounts have been in existence
for several years. He said the account containing
$640,000.00 was created in 1979.
Mr. Timerium said in 1977 the City Council had a Building
Inspector who was employed by Leadership Homes, Inc., who
constructed defective homes in the Sunflower/Heathgate
area and the City Council covered up the mistakes so the
City would not be sued. He said every time the City is
in trouble, the City Council asked the residents to help
and raised fears; however, every year, the City Council
expected the residents to have faith in them to make the
right decision and, every year, the City Council makes an
error.
I
1
1
Page 6
9/6/88 -- Budget Hearing
Mr. Timerium said he would like to know what services
where given to the Sunflower/Heathgate area since 1977.
He said the residents were paying the City Council small
salaries to do a good job and every year the residents
were faced with a tax increase. He said he wanted the
City Council to make the right decisions so that the
residents did not have to deal with the same matters each
year.
Mr. Timerium said the City Council should not be raising
the taxes every year because the young people in Tamarac
were not able to assume the City's responsibility
forever. He said if the taxes are continuously raised
and the City Council continued showing their ill -will to
the residents, there will be nothing left in Tamarac but
the Municipal Complex.
C/M Rohr said he did not want this City Council being
accused of doing things that they were not aware of. He
said if the residents think that every Councilmember was
voted into office knowing all about the City and the
responsibilities of the position, they were mistaken. He
said it took time to learn about the City and the
Government.
Mayor Abramowitz said Mr. Timerium would not remain at
the meeting to hear the answer to his questions; however,
Mr. Timerium asked what the City was doing for the
Sunflower/Heathgate area. He said the City was doubling
the size of the Sports Complex and the voters approved
$1,250,000.00 for a Multi -Purpose Recreation Center that
would assist the teens and children. He said the City
recently had 260 children in the Summer Program. He said
more has been done for the young people in the City
within the last year than in the past.
Walter Rekuc, Resident at 5402 Red Cypress Lane, said he
has analyzed the Budget for several years. He said the
Budget process was an operating plan and the City Manager
is to take proper care in accordance with the Florida
Statutes. He said the residents should receive a
separate list of the cost reduction and improvements in
this year's Budget.
Mr. Rekuc said the Building Fee income was being
decreased; however, the expenses were increasing to
approximately $610,000.00. He said a reduction of the
expenses were needed and they had to be imposed by tough,
heavy management supervision.
Mr. Rekuc said the City's personnel was increased from
380 as of June 1, 1988 to 430 for next year. He said the
City had 6 employees which are receiving over $50,000.00
Per year from a 10 million dollar operation and there
were 21 employees receiving approximately $40,000.00 per
year and 46 employees receiving $30,000.00 per year. He
said the employees have not received that many increases;
however, the City's staff was very top-heavy.
-Mr. Rekuc said there were several Cities planning for
their future by combining Police and Fire Departments
under a Public Safety Director with cross training. He
said the City could do this saving $1,600,000.00.
Mr. Rekuc said the City should consider the recycling of
garbage as soon as possible as several other Cities are
doing or planning to do because the saving to the City
could be approximately $750,000.00.
Page 7`
9/6/88 - Budget Hearing
City Attorney Doody said a lot of the discussion was
referring to the General Budget and he suggested that the
City Council allow this discussion on Item 3.
Melanie Reynolds, Resident of Sands Point, said the Mayor
has frequently stated that he did not want surprises and
neither do the residents; however, when last year's ad
valorem tax was given as 3.034 mills, she was informed by
the Department of Revenue that the actual millage rate
was 3.69 which included the General Fund and the Debt
Service for the General Obligation Bonds for 1975/76/77.
She said she was surprised in receiving this information
and she asked if the Debt Service charge on the Utility
Bills was for Revenue Bonds. She said the Revenue Bonds
were not supposed to be paid by the residents and she
asked if the residents have been double taxed.
Mr. Burroughs said the Florida Statutes provide that the
Operating Millage be discussed first. He said Item 10 on
the Agenda addressed the Debt Service Millage for the
General Obligation Bonds and, as outlined on Page 12 of
the handout Budget, a millage percent of .8136 is
indicated. He said this was the amount of money required
to pay the interest on the 1975/76/77 General Obligation
Bonds. He said the City Council could not change these
figures.
Mr. Burroughs said adding .8136% General Obligation Bonds
to the proposed Operating Millage of 3.3598% gave a total
bottom -line millage of 4.1734% or an increase of 48 cents
per thousand.
Mr. Burroughs said the Debt Service charge on the.utility
bills was another name for a service charge. He said
this charge did not cover the General Obligation Bonds or
the Debt Service for the Utility Bonds. He said the
charge was intended to reflect a cost of the 1986 Utility
Bonds. He said Tamarac was the only City in the State of
Florida that has this charge on the Utility Bill.
Mr. Burroughs said he has received calls from the
Department of Revenue regarding this matter and after
explaining the charge to the Department of Revenue, they
were satisfied that it was not a double taxation.
Mayor Abramowitz Closed the Public Hearing with no
further response.
3. PUBLIC HEARING on the tentative General Fund budget for
Fiscal Year 1988/89.
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION:
Public Hearing -was held.
Tentative General Fund Budget for Fiscal
Year 1988/89 would be incrpncpH hu
$1,100,000.00 or 7.95%
City Manager Kelly the State of Florida credited the City
for having 39,630 residents as of April 1, 1988; however,
on June 17, 1988, the City annexed an additional 2,600
residents which gave the City a minimum base of 42,230
residents. He said a true figure would be approximately
45,000 residents and, in past years the City has
prospered due to continued growth and significant
investments from the developers money by various fees.
Page 8
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1-1
1
9/6/$8 -- Budget Hearing
City Manager Kelly said as long as the City continued to
grow the residents would be able to enjoy a low tax rate.
He said this year, development has begun to slow down
causing the City to pay their own way. He said during
the early stages of the Budgetary process, he was finding
that in order to meet the needs of the City, a
substantial tax increase would be necessary. He said the
revenues anticipated by the Building and Planning
Departments had to be reduced causing the City to risk
legal challenges in using the Interim Service Fees to
contribute to the City's shortfall of approximately 1
million dollars in the General Fund.
City Manager Kelly said the shortfall came from expected
revenues in the Building Department of approximately
$376,000.00, approximately $70,000.00 in Engineering,
Interim Service Fees of approximately $246,000.00, which
are in an escrow account, and Union raises of 4%. Also,
the shortfall was caused from last year's Budget when the
sale of surplus property was expected and the money was
to be used on capital equipment. He said the property
was not sold and the only equipment purchased last year
was for the Police Department.
City Manager Kelly said the needs for equipment were
continuing to exist and, each year, the City Council
wants to wait to purchase equipment until the next year.
He said each time the purchase of equipment is put off,
the equipment continues to get older and worse. He said
there are Union Grievances with class action suits
stating that the City was allowing the employees to use
unsafe equipment and the insurance risk by using unsafe
equipment was great.
City Manager Kelly said the Burglar Alarm Fees were
eliminated to accommodate the residents complaints;
however, there would be approximately $100,000.00 in
revenues eliminated with the Burglar Alarm Fees. He said
the overall budgeted increase over last year is
$1,100,000.00 or 7.95%
City Manager Kelly said the General Fund Budget was
separate and distinct from the Utilities Budget which
covered the Administration and Operations of the water
and sewer systems.
City Manager Kelly said the property tax applied to the
General Fund and the water and sewer bills are applied to
the Utilities Budget. He said he had to propose a
solution to accommodate the shortfall and he recommended
the 6% Utility Tax which seemed to be the most feasible
and logical way to get the money. He said he believed
that the residents would approve of this tax since the
surplus from the Utility Fund would be used to reduce the
rates. He said he now sees that this was not correct.
City Manager Kelly said it was very difficult for him to
convince the City Council that a 6% Utility Tax would be
the best avenue to take in making up the shortfall. He
said the City Council had to take several weeks to make
their decision and investigate other areas. He said he
informed the City Council that the 6% Utility Tax would
be the lowest in Broward County and he felt it would be
approved; however, he was wrong.
Page 9
9/6/88 - Budget Hearing
City Manager Kelly said everyone could criticize the
increase; however, when they see the type of equipment
being used to service the City, they may not be so
critical.
City Manager Kelly said he reviewed each Department's
Budget and the Department Heads were aware that their
Budgets would be cut to the bare bones. He said as long
as the City continues to grow, the City would not have
problems financially; however, the City was not growing
as it has in the past.
City Manager Kelly said the Community Development
Department has to meet the new Growth Management
requirements and one of the requirements was Capital
Improvements. He said each item had to be identified
such as, services, revenues and developments. He said
the equipment needed had to be purchased and funds had to
he available.
City Manager Kelly said there are monies expected for the
future from the sale of the surplus property and Land
q—tion 7; however, the monies were not available for
this year's Budget. He said hopefully, the decision the
City Council made in eliminating the proposed 6% Utility
Tax would be the correct decision.
Mayor Abramowitz Opened the Public Hearing.
Ray Munitz, Resident, said he was a Councilmember for two
ye ars. He said the residents have recently observed this
City Council fighting over who should be receiving credit
for the elimination of the 6% Utility Tax; however, the
credit belonged to the residents for standing up for
their beliefs.
Mr. Munitz said he has been a Certified Public Accountant
for 52 years and dealt with Budgets for several years.
He asked what the unappropriated surplus was estimated to
be on September 30, 1988.
Mr. Burroughs said there would be $348,010.00 of which
City Council directed staff to include the Interim
Service Fees which would make the surplus $615,630.00.
Mr. Munitz said he did not recognize in the anticipated
revenue where the surplus was indicated for balancing the
budget. He said he did not want the General Fund Budget
to be in the same position as the Utility Fund Budget.
Mr. Burroughs said these monies were listed as carried
over funds and Mr. Munitz said the information
distributed to the Public did not indicate the monies
being unappropriated surplus.
Mr. Munitz said the expenses indicated Sanitary Services
of $1,530,217.00 and he did not see it listed in the
revenues.
Mr. Burroughs said the information distributed to the
residents was only a synopsis of the Budget and did not
list all of the line items. He said he could not produce
and distribute detailed items to the public; however, he
can assure the public that the monies anticipated for the
collection of Sanitary Services was in the figures of
charges for services.
1
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Page 10
9/6/88 - Budget Hearing
TAPE 3
Mayor Abramowitz said this meeting was the first
presentation of the Budget and there would be a final
meeting on September 22, 1988 at 7:00 P.M.; therefore,
Mr. Munitz should discuss his concerns with the Finance
Director before the next Budget Public Hearing.
An Unannounced Speaker said the City had an Insurance
Advisory Board and an Investment Advisory Board and he
suggested the City Council create a Budget Advisory Board
to work with the Finance Director and City Manager. He
said the Board could be composed of the residents who are
experienced in balancing Budgets.
Mayor Abramowitz said this was a very good suggestion.
Mr. Munitz asked where the interest income from funds was
listed in the Budget and Mr. Burroughs said the interest
income was listed under the item "Miscellaneous Revenue".
Mr. Burroughs said the State of Florida mandated a
classification of Revenue and Functional Expenditures.
He said in Miscellaneous Revenue, the Interest Income of
each Fund was listed. He said the specific item of
Miscellaneous Revenue for Interest income was $240,000.00
Mr. Munitz said it was very easy.to over --estimate the
expenses and under estimate the revenues causing a
surplus at the end of the year. He said the residents
may be paying an ad valorem rate higher than needed. He
said the Budget was a wish list -and the figures for the
Budget had to be reasonable.
Mayor Abramowitz announced that the 6% Utility Tax was
eliminated from the Budget for the residents who entered
the meeting late.
Herman Gross, Representative of the Civic Association of
Kings Point, thanked the City Council for eliminating the
proposed 6% Utility Tax. He said the Civic Association
has spent a lot of time analyzing the Budget. He said
the Public Works Department asked for $35, 000.00 for the
Buildings and Grounds Budget and the City Manager
increased this amount to $85,000.00. He asked why this
was increased.
City Manager Kelly said the City was obligated to provide
beautification on Nob Hill Road and Mr. Burroughs said
the current Budget provided $70,000.00 for this project
and the project was not implemented. He said the
estimated cost of the project would be $14,000.00 and the
time the Budget was prepared, the Public Works Department
was not aware that the project could not be completed.
Mr. Gross had concerns with the contents of the Legal
Services Account and asked that the COMAR item be
explained and City Attorney Doody said his printout
indicated that there were no legal services; however,
this was not correct.
City Attorney Doody said the legal services for the
previous year were in the amount of $32,000.00 and this
amount were increased this year to $35,000.00. He said
the prosecution services was budgeted last year as
$18,000.00 and this year, there would be an increase of
$2,000.00 making the total $20,000.00. He said the
prosecution services were increased for two reasons, to
Page ll`/
9/6/88 - Budget Hearing
accommodate the increased workload of the Code
Enforcement Board and because there would be 2 more Code
Enforcement Officers hired which would increase the
Board's legal services.
Mr. Gross asked if the Charter Board ever required legal
services and City Attorney Doody said the Charter Board
was authorized under the Charter to hire their own
Counsel; therefore, the cost for their Counsel would be
deducted from their Budget.
Mayor Abramowitz suggested Mr. Gross contact the City
Manager regarding his questions and C/M Hoffman said Mr.
Gross could get the answers to his questions before the
second hearing.
Joseph Schreiber, Resident, said the City Council would
be defeating their purpose in holding a Public Hearing if
the residents were not allowed to ask their questions.
He said the residents were interested in the concerns of
the Budget.
Jess Levine, Resident of Kings Point, said several days
ago AT&T announced that they over paid several areas and
he asked if this would impact Tamarac. City Manager Kelly
said Tamarac would not be affected by this matter.
Bernard Hart, Resident, said the resident who left in a
hurry and stated that his taxes were raised every year
was incorrect because last year, the City's ad valorem
was lowered.
Mr. Hart said last year, there were increases given to
Departments totaling $3,085,775.00 because of the
revenues. He said there were 10 Departments increased
from $50,000.00 to $672,000.00. He said every business
in the Country begins to retrench when they are having
problems with finances.
Mr. Hart said when the Building Department was increased
to $655,632.00 last year, it brings a question as to
whether they should be allowed an increase this year of
$87,000.00. He said Public Works was increased last year
from $352,000.00 to $733,000.00; therefore, it may not be
necessary to allow an additional $65,000.00 for this
year's Budget. He said Parks and Recreation was
increased $239,000.00 last year, and he questioned if an
additional $59,000.00 is necessary this year. He said
these matters should be considered when looking for areas
to cut.
Mr. Hart said he has heard discussions regarding the City
approaching buildout and the revenues would have to be
made up. He said the Budget indicated revenues for this
year in the amount of $16,408,998.00 against last year's
amount of $14,879,035.00 which indicated that there were
1.5 million dollars more.
Mayor Abramowitz announced that former Mayor Walter Falck
was attending the meeting and he said he would like to
hear Mr. Falck after this Item was completed.
Karen Dickerhoof, Chairwoman for the Parks & Recreation
Board, said at the Board's last meeting, they reviewed
the Budget and submitted their Budget to the City
Council. She said the Board wanted to support the Budget
with some cautionary remarks.
Page 12
9/6/88 - Budget Hearing
Mrs. Dickerhoof said this year's Budget for the Parks &
Recreation Department was very conservative and the
increase in taxes were not the best answer to the problem
at this time; however, there would be increases needed in
this Department in the future because of the
Multi -Purpose Complex and the Tamarac Sports Complex.
She said there will be expansion of the existing programs
and additional staff would be needed.
Mrs. Dickerhoof said the Parks & Recreation Board agreed
with this year's Budget; however, they have goals in
expanding programs for the youth and senior citizens.
Max Ingram, Resident of Lime Bay, said V/M Stelzer and
Ray Munitz were trying to make heroes out of themselves.
He said these men were on the City Council when the ESM
investment was made. He said in reviewing his 1988
proposed property tax, he found that the City's tax
constituted only 15% of the entire tax bill whereas
Public Schools constituted approximately 40%. He said
last year his tax bill was $45.15 on a $40,000.00
Assessment and Homestead Exemption Tax. He said this
vear, this would increase $4.84; however, the homes with
an Assessment of $100,000.00 will pay an additional
$27.00 per year.
Mr. Ingram said the residents could not expect the City
to furnish services without sufficient taxes to pay for
the needed services. He said the services such as,
Police, Fire, Public Works, Parks and Recreation,
ambulances, Social Services, etc., are needed and the
residents should assume their Fiscal obligations to a
financially.responsible Administration. He said in
another State he paid more taxes; therefore, the
residents should be happy with such a low City tax rate.
Leo Klineman, Resident of Kings Point, said the City
Manager and the Finance Director had a tremendous job in
preparing the Budget and they would probably be very
pleased to have concerned residents who were
knowledgeable about Budgets helping them. He asked the
City Council to consider creating a Budgetary Board to
assist the City.
Vickie Beech, Resident, said she was pleased that Mr.
Hart brought up the matter regarding increases given to
4Aie Departments last year because these matters should be
reviewed. She said she hoped that the City was not
serious about not looking into the past because looking
into the past may create a better future.
Mrs. Beech said the City's employee salaries were much
larger than the surrounding Cities and she hopes that the
City Council recognizes these increases for the
Department Heads. She said if this continues, she would
not be able to live in Tamarac because of the needed
increase in taxes. She said if the residents have to
bite the bullet, then the Department Heads should have to
as well.
Mayor Abramowitz Closed the Public Hearing with no
further response.
Walter Falck, Executive Director of the Broward League of
Cities, said he was not present to discuss the issue of
taxes or deficits, etc. He said he was present to
discuss a matter that he observed as missing from the
Budget, which is the City's Insurance Manager.
Page 13 �J
9/6/88 - Budget Hearing
Mr. Falck said he was not going to speak of personalities
or procedures but of experience. He said when he first
became Mayor of Tamarac, one of first things brought to
his attention was the fact that the City lost their
Workers' Compensation Insurance because the City did not
adhere to the rule book. He said the City entered the
Florida State Pool which was a tremendous cost to the
City by adding 33-1/3% for Workers' Compensation
Insurance.
Mr. Falck said he asked the City Manager at that time, why
the City got themselves into this position and the City
Manager said the Finance Department handled the payments,
the Personnel Department handled the claims and the City
Manager's Office handled the overall review of the
Insurance. He said the City was able to get the
Insurance back; however, changes and modifications had to
be made. He said the City learned that the people
reviewing the policies were not qualified to do so.
Mr. Falck said there have been several problems with
insurance since he has been out of office. He said
within the last 6 weeks, he has been excused from a
personal suit as the Mayor of Tamarac and an individual.
He said part of this suit was because the City did not
purchase the proper type of liability insurance for the
City's elected officials.
Mr. Falck said he was asking from the heart of experience
that the City does not permit another situation where
there are so many people involved in insurance matters
that the City will end up losing their insurance
privileges.
4. MOTION TO ADOPT a proposed millage rate for Fiscal Year
1988/89—.
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION:
APPROVED the illage rate of 3.3598 for
Fiscal Year 1988/89.
* C/M Bender MOVED to ADOPT the proposed millage rate of 3.3598
* for Fiscal Year 1988/89, SECONDED by C/M Hoffman.
V/M Stelzer said the City Council did not agree with the
Insurance Budget at their previous Workshop meeting. He
suggested the millage rate be approved subject to an
analysis of the Insurance rates.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if the figures represented in the
Budget could be changed and City Manager Kelly said the
adoption of the proposed Budget at this time would not
prevent the figures from being changed because this was
the first hearing. He said the City Council could decide
to remodify the Budget before the second hearing.
Mr. Burroughs said the Budget could be decreased;
however, it could not be increased. He said if the
proposed millage rate was adopted at this time, it could
not be exceeded at the second Public Hearing.
VOTE: ALL VOTED AYE
Page 14
9/6/88 -- Budget Hearing
5. MOTION TO ADOPT a tentative General Fund budget for
Fiscal Year 1988/89.
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION:
APPROVED a tentative General Fund Budget
in the amount of $16,408,998.00 for Fiscal
Year 1988/89.
City Manager Kelly said the tentative General Fund Budget
for Fiscal Year 1988/89 is $16,408,998.00.
* C/M Hoffman MOVED to APPROVE the tentative General Fund
* Budget in the amount of $16,408,998.00 for Fiscal Year
* 1988/89, SECONDED by C/M Rohr.
VOTE:
ALL VOTED AYE
6. ANNOUNCEMENT of percentage increase/decrease of recomputed
millage rate over/under the rolled -back rate necessary to
fund the General Fund budget for 1988/89.
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION:
ANNOUNCED an increase of recomputed millage
rate over the rolled -back rate necessary to fund
the General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 1988/89
to be 9.66%.
Mayor Abramowitz announced that the recomputed millage
rate over the rolled -back rate necessary to fund the
General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 1988/89 was increased
to 9.66%.
7. ANNOUNCEMENT of the time, date and place of the second public
hearing during which a final millage and General Fund budget
shall be adopted.
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION:
ANNOUNCED the second public hearing to
be on September 22, 1988 at 7:00 P.M. in the
Council Chambers.
Mayor Abramowitz announced that the second Public Hearing
in which the final millage and General Fund Budget will
be adopted would be held on September 22, 1988 at 7:00
P.M. in the Council Chambers.
8. PUBLIC HEARING on all other fund budgets for Fiscal Year
1988/89.
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION:
Public Hearing was held.
Mr. Burroughs said the Special Revenue Fund Budget is
$38,750.00, Debt Service Fund Budget is $946,712.00,
Capital Projects Fund Budget is $2,788,997.00, Utilities
East Budget is $391,548.00, Utilities West Budget is
$18,536,252.00, Internal Service Funds Budget is
$1,974,917.00, General Agency Fund Budget is $40,000.00
and combined with the other Funds Budget the total, is
$24,717,176.00.
Mayor Abramowitz Opened and Closed the Public Hearing
with no response.
Page 15
9/6/88 - Budget Hearing
9. MOTION TO ADOPT tentative budgets for all other funds for
Fiscal Year 9988/89.
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION:
APPROVED.
* C/M Bender MOVED to APPROVE the tentative budgets for all other
* funds for Fiscal Year 1988/89, SECONDED by C/M Hoffman.
VOTE:
ALL VOTED AYE
10. ANNOUNCEMENT of proposed debt service millage rate for Fiscal
Year 1988 89.
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION:
ANNOUNCED the proposed debt service millage
rate for Fiscal Year 1988/89 to be .8136%
Mayor Abramowitz announced the proposed debt service
millage rate for Fiscal Year 1988/89 to be .8136%.
Mr. Burroughs said in 1975 the General Obligation Bond
Tgsiip is .0553, 1986 General Obligation Bond Issue is
.5100, 1987 Bond Issue is .2483 for a total of .8136.
11. MOTION TO ADOPT a proposed debt service millage rate for
Fiscal Year 1988/89.
SYNOPSIS OF ACTION:
APPROVED.
* C/M Rohr MOVED to APPROVE the proposed
* p posed debt service millage
rate for Fiscal Year 1988/89, SECONDED by C/M Bender.
VOTE: Mayor Abramowitz - Aye
V/M Stelzer - Absent
C/M Bender - Aye
C/M Hoffman -- Aye
C/M Rohr -- Aye
TAPE 4
Anthony Grimaldi, Resident, said at the beginning of the
meeting, the Mayor made statements that the City Council
was not aware of where the money came from. He said the
City Manager and the Finance Director found a lot of
money. He said the City Manager and the Finance Director
should have submitted the new Councilmembers and the
Mayor with documents of the City and where all of the
money was.
Mayor Abramowitz said when it was time for the Budgetary
process, the Finance Director prepares the Budget for the
City Council for their review. He said the City Council
reviews each line item for each Department.
Mayor Abramowitz said he could not concern himself with
where, who or what; however, the monies were not sudden
discoveries. He said he was not aware of the excess
money in the Budget until they began to review the
Budget. He said there was nothing wrong with the V/M
Stelzer's suggestion; however, he did not want to take
the money from the people.
Mayor Abramowitz said he wanted the surplus returned to
the people without crippling the Departments or the City.
He said the City Council confronted the Finance Director
1
Page 16
9/6/88 - Budget Hearing
1
1
IJ
on the ramifications of reducing the rates with the
surplus and the Finance Director said in a year, the
rates would have to be increased and the Departments
would be crippled.
Mr. Grimaldi said City Manager Kelly has been looking out
for his employees which every employer should do;
however, the Government had to tighten their belts on
several matters; therefore, the City of Tamarac should do
the same. He said if money was needed every year and
brought to the residents through taxes, there would be
problems. He suggested the City Council try to find the
monies elsewhere before upsetting the residents with
taxes.
Mayor Abramowitz said the City was trying to correct th
services in the City and the City Council was trying to
provide the needed equipment and services to the City a d
the Departments in every way possible.
Herman Shulman, Resident, asked how the decrease in the
second water meters was determined and Mayor Abramowitz
Gai,l the residents were being charged for Impact Fees a
second time when they were purchased.
Sonny Winnerman, Resident, thanked the City Council for
doing their homework on the Budget and eliminating the
proposed 6% Utility Tax.
Mayor Abramowitz thanked the residents for their
attendance and good behavior. He said the City of
Tamarac and the City of Lauderhill made presentations
earlier in the day to the Broward County Commission that
may save the City of Tamarac, $1,200,000.00. He said he
has never had the experience of working with experienced
and knowledgeable people such as the staff of Tamarac.
With no further business, Mayor Abramowitz ADJOURNED the
meeting at 9:30 P.M.
t44-4,k-1 Uh
NO MAN ABRUINOWITZ, MAYOR
I
CAROL A. EVANS, CITY CLERK
"This public document was promulgated at a cost of $223.20 or $6.20 per
copy to inform the general public, public officers and employaes of
recent opinions and considerations of the City Council of the City of
Tamarac."
APPROVED AT MEETING OF y/,;�
Page 17
ATTACHMENT I - CITY COUNCIL BUDGET MEETING
9/6/88 Page 1 of
VICE MAYOR STELZER'S Lhfi= SEE PAGE 7
Most of the residents here came down to protest one
item -The Utilities T a.x . I have a suggestion that will
permit the removal of this onerous tax from the B'.idge t ,
so that some of these people could leave early if they so
desired. _.
I was liason to the Budget for four years. The major-
ity of the Council always resisted imposing a Utilities Tax
as it was an outrageous tax and inequitable, and as Ray
',�anitz says "Taxation without Representation"
This year I refused to be liason to the Budget because
your Mayor called me paranoid. You can see what ray colleagues
accomplished.
At one of the Workshop meetings, C/M Hoffman suggested
we assess a 10% Utility Tax and take the Garbage Removal off
the Utility Hill. This would have fulfilled someones Campaign
promise. The majority said no, and settled for a 5% Utility'
tax on Llectric and Telephone to make up the short -fall in the
Budget.
During the discussion it was discovered that the FP&L
could not start collecting taxes until two months after the
ordinance was signed, and I pointed out "that this two month -
delay would.reduce the amount' of tax. collected. I suggested
that as long as they were going to impose the tax, it should
be raised to six percent to make up the shortage.
C/M Hoffman, at the Democratic Club ? 'st Wednesday,
started the rumor that I had proposdd th4t the'City
assess a Utility Tax of six percent, which is a lie, so that
he would not be blamed.
The Tax on Electric would have generated about .850,000
and about $ 150,000 on Telephone. At the last Workshop meeting
which no one of the public attended except Melanie Reynolds,
it developed that the FP&L could start up quickly, but we would
have difficulty with Southern Hell. There were too many
companies involved. It was agreed to remove the tax on tele-
phone service, and the Finance Director now cane up with a
new figure for a year's tax on Electric of 'l.300, 000.
It was said at the public mee ting on the Utilities tax,
that the average monthly electric bill: was '>a 100.00 or so a
month. I realize that some homes may have much -more than this
as an average, but also some homes may have less than 3 100.00
average. Let's assume the 1100 is average, so that the tax on
your electric bill would be about $ 60.00 per year.
When the first three Councilmen voted yes' which assured
the passage of the ordinance, I made a horrible .mistake of saying
that I had no alternative and voted 'yes'.
Now let's come to my surestion as to how we can eliminate
this unreasonable tax.
For two years, I have been arguing with the Finance Director
the City Manager, and the Utilities Director that the Utility
��Jr1?�ZC?Ts nP,, rrv; 9/(,/88
-2-
was overcharging the Residents for Water and Sewer, an4 was
accumlating a huge surplus. I could not get a direct answer.
For the year ended 9/30/85, the profit on operations was
2)7,000, and for the year ended 9/30/86, tr,e profit rose
to $ 1,200,000, both years included debt service.
Some time in April of this year, Touche Ross, our
Accoun.-ants finally submitted the report for the year nded
9/30/37, and I reprimanded the Accountant for submitti4g the
reportso late, and without having an exit conference. The
usual procedure is that after the audit is completed, the
Accountant zmeets with Management and discusses the rep rt be-
fore it is issued, to resolve any inaccuries or differ races
of opinions.
Have you any idea what the 9/30/87 report showed as an
operating profit? * 2,100,000 profit.
I demanded a meeting with the Finance Director, the
Accountant and the City Manager. I did not want the U ility
Director in on this meeting.. He always gave me double-talk
answers. •,
I posed several. questions. Who set the rates? What
happens to the excess funds generated? Who authorized the
transfer of CIAC to Surplus?
We receive Contributions in Advanceof Constructiom from
Developers to guaranty connection availablity. These tunds
were always shown separately on the report, asthey rea ly are
Trust Funds.
I asked for an analysis of the Surplus as shown ork the
report. How much is Retained earnings, and how much is for
CIAS's? The Surplus was now around �S15,000.000. Sti 1 no
answer as of today.
Early this year, a Workshop was held :.,t the request of
she Utility Director. He indicated that the rates for this
year would have to go up. Do you remember the rusty p'pes
poisonous water scare? The statement the T,ayor made, ' 0an
you imagine brushing your teeth with this water? " "Th rates
were going up because this condition had to be remedied: This
was only a smoke screen, a red herring, because of Campaign
promises that rates would be reduced. Not a word has Iren
heard of this condition since my article in the newspa rs
exposing this farce.
A short time after the meeting with the Accountan � the
City Manager s,-ignsted to the Utility Director., Sill G eenwood
that he leave the Utility as Director, and transfer to'the
General operations of the City, as an overseer to the lepartment
heads. Bill Greenwood refused to make the transfer, d quit
a
his job, along with Charlotte Bouchard the Accountant �n the
Ut-- lity. �`
COUNCIL MEETING 9/6/$$
Page 3 of 4
--3-
When 3udget discussions started, the Finance Director
stated that this years operations of the Utility would
generate 1,500,000 profit. It was finally disclosed that
Bill Greenwood supplied the engineers with the rates that they
included in their reports. No paper: can be found as to how
the rates were determined.
I t was finally admitted that the water pressure had been
increased to 90,# at the Pump. I had found out about this last
year, but could do nothing about it. Syd Stein was lison to
the Utility, and he knew about the increase in pressure. This
forced residents to useand pay for more water than wci.s needed.
It also increased your sewer ball, which is based on water
consumption.
Sprinklers and garden hoses are generally used with the
controls wide open. There was unneeded pressure in showers
and at faucets. I insisted that the water pressure be reduced
and it has been cut 15#. Not one complaint has been received
of low water pressure.
r
In an interview with the Sun Sentinel reporter last week
your 1,7ayor indicated that there might be a reduction of water
and sewer rates this year, but he had no information as: to what
the reduction would be. This is not so. At a Workshop meeting
last week it was tentatively agreed, but not voted upon,to
reduce the vater rates by 150 per thousand gallons, and the
sewer rates by 250 per thousand gallons, a total of 400 per
thousand gallons. An average home uses between five and six
thousand gallons per month. This would reduce the monthly
ball by 1 2.00 or $ 2.50 per month, or 1 25.00 to $ 3a.00
Der year, which would still leave a substantial portion of the
profit unused from this year.
I have no idea as to the correct amount of Surplus carried
over from prior years. The combination with the CIAC's clouds
the entire picture. I suspect we still have several million
dollars available.
Now here is my suggestion, and I will make it in the form
of a motion. = t -a, of AV, f rle'nds There" on the
is will i, r7ssirrrrett ion by saying that J t is illegal,
o '�°i�l
►.. the City i a, ' : S tz tgte s,
bited," 'or were there any cases 'prdl b `%r g;'MY,
beer. dv W .�" ''zfar cas s ")Dr law t rmi.tt—,# hh
't may never have crime up., and if it is not
b.ted , is pmisablo.
The tremendous surplus in the Utility belongs to the
Residents of Tamarac. The Utility Tax prposed is being assessed
on these residents. Here is my suggestion:
Forego the rate reduction temporarily. Let's wait for the
,ccountant to unravel the mess in the Surplus. We should have
the report sometime in December of this year, ad when we find
/ / I
---
out exactly what our Sury�lus is then we can reduce the rates
intelligently.
I move 11 That moneis be transferred from the Surp us of
the Tamarac Utility West, to the'General Fund in an am unt
sufficent to eliminate the proposed Utility Tax from the
General Budget.
Do I hear a Second?