HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-07-24 - City Commission Budget Workshop Meeting MinutesMAIL REPLY TO;
P.O. BOX 25010
TAMARAC, FLORIDA 33320
5811 NORTHWEST 88TH AVENUE & TAMARAC, FLORIDA 33321
TELEPHONE (305) 722-5900
July 22, 1986
NOTICE OF BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING
CITY COUNCIL
TAMARAC, FLORIDA
There has been a City Council Workshop Meeting scheduled for
Thursday, July 24, 1986, at 10:00 A.M. in the West Conference
Room of City Hall, 5811 N. W. 88th Avenue, for review of
Proposed Budgets for Fiscal Year 1986/87.
. The public is invited to attend.
Carol E. Barbuto
Assistant City Clerk
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF HANDICAPPED STATUS
CITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING
JULY 24, 1986
Tape CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Hart called the meeting to
1 order at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, July 24, 1986, in
the West Conference Room at City Hall.
PRESENT: Mayor Bernard Hart
Vice Mayor Jack Stelzer
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager, John P. Kelly
Asst. City Manager,
Larry Perretti
Finance Director,
Frank Etheredge
Secretary, Paula Helton
Mr. Kelly stated the City of Tamarac is going into a lean year
and felt the budget was going to be a little restrictive in terms
of the services people would like to get. He further stated that
in terms of the taxes Tamarac is facing and the revenues to
be expected, we may be a little over budget.
Vice Mayor Stelzer commented he feels the City Manager and
Finance Director are in a better position to judge what a
department head needs than any of the Council people. He felt
time could be saved by not reviewing each budget line per line
and only question items that showed large increases from last
year or any major changes.
Mr. Kelly stated that due to the fact he has been City Manager
for a short time he had to rely heavily on Mr. Perretti and Mr.
Etheredge for their input on the budget. He said he met with all
the departments and reviewed the recommendation for each
department and, for the most part the various departments have
felt they could live with the budget. He said there are a few
department heads who had some strong opposition and they were
advised to contact the Council and state their case. He stated
he expected the department heads to fight for their budgets as it
is their responsibility to live with it for the rest of the year.
Mr. Kelly informed Council that Mr. Applegate, in particular, has
objections to his budget. He pointed out there is a difference
in the approach to the City Attorney's budget as compared to some
other departments. He said as City Manager he has a
responsibility to the overall budget, but the City Attorney is
appointed differently from the City Manager and there is a
certain degree of autonomy accorded him.
Mayor Hart said he did not have too many disagreements with the
requested budget, but questionned why the estimated revenues
were reduced by about two million dollars. He gave the example
of Occupational Licenses. Vice Mayor Stelzer said he felt the
revenue should be taken up later and go on with the individual
department heads on expenditures first.
Vice Mayor Stelzer had no disagreements with the City Attorney's
budget, but requested comments from Mr. Applegate.
CITY ATTORNEY (Pages 3 & 4): Mr. Applegate said he was not
satisfied with the recommendations of the City Manager as he felt
Mr. Kelly would have difficulty understanding some of the
numbers. As an example he called attention to a Library Line
Item of $14,500.00. He said this item had not been discussed
with him, but had been cut to $5,000.00. He informed Council
that $10,000.00 of this figure was for a new computer system
called West Law, which is the legal research computer. He stated
that in the long run this would save the City a substantial
amount of money in updating current volumes. He said it would
also save numerous trips to either the Federal or County
Courthouse to do research on issues with volumes the City does
not have due to space requirements.
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He went on further to say this computer system will also save a
substantial amount of time in doing the research. He informed
Council the initial cost of the computer system is approximately
$3,000 To $4,000,but may be lower if it could be adapted to
one of his word processing screens. He said the the average use
charge would be $500 to $600 per month.
Mr. Applegate said he did not anticipate increasing any volumes
or books he already has other than updating them.
Moving to Professional Services, Mr. Applegate said his proposed
budget was $95,000.00. He said the estimated actual for this
year is $99,000.00 and he is going by what the City has paid in
the past for outside professional services.
Vice Mayor Stelzer said the reason for the increase this year was
due to the fact there was no City Attorney.
Mr. Applegate stated that previous City Attorneys had law clerks
and if anticipated a cut in professional services, he would have
requested an increase in regular salaries to cover the expense of
a law clerk. He felt a law clerk would be very beneficial to him
at a later time on a full time basis.
Mayor Hart said that while the estimated actual figure for life
and health insurance for the City Attorney's budget this year is
$2,000.00, it has jumped to $8,600.00 for next year. Mr.
Perretti informed Council that there was no City Attorney
for half of this year and there is an additional employee in that
department this year and it will be $8,600.00.
Mr. Applegate said another reason for the increase in
professional services would be the code enforcement prosecutions,
any special projects such as annexation and any revisions in the
code or charter he might be able to do.
To sum up, Mr. Applegate said he would hope for a little more
money under Professional Services than what was recommended. He
said for Meetings, Seminars and Travel, it is vitally important
he attend the basic seminars such as the Florida Municipal
Attorney's Seminar, the National Institute For Legal Officers
Seminar, the Florida Bar Convention, the Local Government Law
Seminar and perhaps the American Bar Association which is
currently addressing some local government issues. This is the
reason he proposed an increase for these items.
He further said the National Institute for Municipal Legal
Officers Seminar, which is the finest offered, will be held in
October in San Diego. He felt the travel for that would be more
than in previous years. Vice Mayor Stelzer asked Mr. Applegate
if the $2,000.00 he shows for Meetings, Travel and Seminars would
cover his needs for the year. Mr. Kelly stated the City Attorney
has requested $2,000.00 for travel and $1,500.00 for Seminars
and Meetings, but he is recommending $2,000.00 for both items.
Mr. Applegate felt the trip to San Diego would use a considerable
amount of the $2,000.00.
Mr. Applegate reminded the Council that during his interview he
commented that if the City of Tamarac wanted a good City Attorney
he would need a budget to work with. He said it is vital to have
the resources necessary to do the work.
Mayor Hart said in his opinion the City Attorney is going to be
one of the most important departmentsin the City for the coming
year and the figure proposed by the Attorney has been
substantially reduced by the City Manager. He asked Mr.
Applegate if he felt he could live with the proposed budget. Mr.
Applegate replied if he has to he will, but it will be impossible
for one man to do all the work and part of it will have to
go out to be done.
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Vice Mayor Stelzer stated that last year there was a six month
review of the budget and suggested the same thing could be done
this year to look at possible increases in various items. Mr.
Kelly replied he did not want anyone to look at this as
a six month budget.
Mr. Applegate pointed out the only real difference between
himself and the City Manager was on the library and he felt West
Law was a vital element to have for legal research. Mr. Kelly
said the subject of West Law was not discussed until the
$5,000.00 for library had been recommended. The City Manager felt
this item was going to have to be given serious consideration and
of all the items discussed, this was of utmost importance.
Vice Mayor Stelzer asked Mr. Kelly if the subject of West Law had
been discussed prior to setting the figure of $5,000.00, how much
of the $14,500.00 requested he would have given him. Mr. Kelly
replied he would need all of it. Vice Mayor Stelzer asked if the
City Manager was recommending the City Attorney be given the full
$14,500.00. Mr. Kelly replied the $10,000.00 should be added
tentatively to the budget and see if they could make a trade off
elsewhere in the budget.
Mayor Hart asked Mr. Applegate if he could take $5,000.00 off
Professional Services reducing it to $60,000.00 and adding the
$5,000.00 to the Library. Mr. Applegate agreed to try working
with this.
Vice Mayor Stelzer commented there was still $4,500.00 to be
taken from another part of the budget.
POLICE (Pages 35 -- 38): Vice Mayor Stelzer voiced his concern
for the efficiency of the Police Department and their capability
of providing adequate police protection. He said according
to the budget it includes nine months for seven people and
he does not feel the City has enough polide officers on the
force. He questioned why adding the people to the budget is
being delayed. He also felt additional personnel should be
recruited now and not wait until January_or February.
Police Chief McIntosh replied obtaining new officers is a very
time consuming procedure and if he were to start looking now, it
is questionable that he could have them on board by January lst.
He stated that if an officer is certified and in this area, they
are usually cast offs from another department and he doesn't
want them. He felt the best way to go is looking out of state
for people desiring to relocate to Florida. He said recruits
have to pass all the required tests and then be placed in the
Police Academy which takes three and one-half months. He further
commented it takes anywhere from six months to a year before they
are really worth anything to the department as certified police
officers.
Vice Mayor Stelzer asked if the money were available in the
budget for October 1st, could he start looking now for officers
for October employment. In reply, the Police Chief said he could
start looking now, but could not promise to have them on the
force by October 1.
Mr. Kelly inquired if the contingency money for the nine months
would be needed if the City approved the Referendum for BSO. Mr.
Etheredge replied it would be $91,000.00 if BSO was approved and
$140,000.00 if it stayed with the City.
Vice Mayor Stelzer said the people of Tamarac want protection and
he feels the money should be available for October 1 instead of
January 1. Chief McIntosh stated with the 51% increase in crime
for the first quarter of this year, the City could be in serious
trouble and have to move for additional manpower.
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Vice Mayor Stelzer recommended increasing the Police budget by
$45,000.00. Mr. Kelly said this would increase the tax by six
cents. Mayor Hart stated he would also like to see the extra
money added for October.
Tape
2 Vice Mayor Stelzer asked how much the salary is for crossing
guards as this figure will have to be added in to the figures for
BSO since they will not be including that. Mr. Perretti said it
is roughly $20,000.00. Mayor Hart said the Police budget will
have to be revised.
PUBLIC WORKS (Pages 12-20 & 52--54): Mike Couzzo said he has
discussed the budget with the Mayor and the Vice Mayor and
reviewed it with the City Manager. He said the basic shortcoming
of the budget is with Capital Machinery and Equipment.
Vice Mayor Stelzer noted Mr. Couzzo has requested vehicles and
asked what type of vehicles this involves. Mr. Couzzo replied he
is in need of two vehicles to replace outdated one-half to
three-quarter ton pickup trucks. It is his recommendation the
City go to small mini vans to allow for the storage of equipment
on them. Mr. Couzzo further said that due to the age of the
pickup trucks and number of miles on them they are very expensive
to maintain.
Mayor Hart asked about the request for Capital Machinery and
Equipment. Mr. Couzzo said he is in need of a tractor for road
clearing and grass cutting equipment. Vice Mayor Stelzer asked
if he could get along without this equipment. Mr. Etheredge said
with the increased work Public Works is now taking over, they
could probably do without it, but thinks the City is overlooking
the amount of time it is taking to do the work with existing
equipment versus how quickly it could be done with new equipment.
Mr. Etheredge went on further to say the equipment is constantly
down for repairs.
Mayor Hart commented he has no doubt the equipment is needed, but
the question is can the City afford it this year. Mr. Couzzo
said revenue would be generated in the area of $30,000.00 with
the lot clearing. Mr. Kelly suggested they look at the revenue
generated in April and make the assessment for the new equipment
at that time.
Mr. Couzzo reminded the Council that if his present equipment
does go down he does not have backup equipment to do the lot
clearing.
Council recommended no changes to the Public Works budget.
CITY CLERK (Pages 7-9): Vice Mayor Stelzer asked the City Clerk
the reason for the large increase in Contractural Services. Ms.
Bertholf replied it was for recodification. She stated the code
is approximately 12 to 13 years old and has never been
recodified.
Mayor Hart questioned the increase in Regular Salaries. Ms.
Bertholf replied that all union employees get a 10% raise this
year.
Vice Mayor Stelzer asked about the $8,000.00 for Capital
Equipment. Ms. Bertholf said that was for the new car for the
License Inspector as the car was totalled when it caught fire.
Mr. Kelly requested that in the future all requests for vehicles
be processed through the Public Works Department.
Mayor Hart asked if there was going to be a cost for the November
election coming up. Ms. Bertholf replied yes there would be.
Mayor Hart asked if there was enough in the budget to defray the
cost. Ms. Bertholf said she thought so unless there were more
items added to the ballot.
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The City Clerk informed the Council the charge by Jane Carroll
should not exceed $17,000.00 for the March election which would
leave $7,000.00 for the November election. She further said the
City Clerk pays all publication costs, printing costs, one-
half the payroll for poll workers which is about $9,000.00 per
election, one-half of the polling place costs which is usually
$2,000.00 to $3,000.00 and the costs billed by Jane Carrol.
Ms. Bertholf told Council one item may need to be adjusted in the
mid -year amendment and that is Professional Services. She stated
that is for temporary people and if she has the same problem
keeping secretaries as in the past year, the $2,500.00 allocated
may not be enough. Council recommended no changes to the City
Clerk's budget.
FIRE (Pages 39-42): The Assistant Fire Chief, Ray Briant,
informed Council he has not had the opportunity as yet to sit
down and discuss the budget with the City Manager and would like
the opportunity to do so.
Mr. Briant said his main concern is with manpower. He has
requested 14 additional people as the equipment is not being
properly manned.
Vice Mayor Stelzer said Chief Simon's salary is still included in
Regular Salaries in the budget and when that salary is cut out,
it will cut the budget approximately $50,000.00. Mr. Kelly
agreed there will be a savings in the budget.
Mayor Hart questioned what the request for Outside Services in
the amount of $20r500.00. Mr. Briant said that was to implement
a health and fitness program for the fire fighters. Mr. Kelly
said he does feel this is an important item to be considered at a
later time.
Mr. Briant said the Fire Department definitely needs another
Pumper Truck and the Council should look into potential bidding
for a new fire truck.
Council felt that Mr. Briant should have the opportunity to sit
down and discuss the budget with the City Manager and recommended
no changes at this time.
Tape
3 FINANCE DEPARTMENT (Pages 10 & 11): Vice Mayor Stelzer asked
Mr. Etheredge why he proposed an increase in Regular Salaries.
Mr. Etheredge replied he needed an Assistant Director because�iis
time was being taken up with Council, City Manager Projects,
Budgets and Audits that have to be done. He further commented
that his staff is busy making sure everything is entered and no
one has time to check and make sure everything is correct.
Mayor Hart asked Mr. Etheredge if Rentals and Leases was for
equipment. In reply Mr. Etheredge said it was on a copier that
is being leased.
Council recommended no changes to the Finance Department budget.
Mr. Kelly suggested to the Council they explore the possibility
of a Towing Franchise such as has been instituted in other
municipalities to help generate revenue for the City.
BUILDING/PLANNING (Pages 43-45): Vice Mayor Stelzer asked Mr.
Jahn about the additional amount proposed for Regular Salaries.
Mr. Jahn said they are in need of a secretary in the Planning
Department to work with Thelma Brown. Ms. Brown told the
Council the volume of work in Planning requires the assistance of
a secretary. Mayor Hart stated the additional request was for
$86,000.00 and that is more than the salary of a secretary. Mr.
Jahn replied the additional amount was to allow for the hiring of
two more code enforcement people. Mr. Kelly said he had
discussed this with the City Attorney and he did not feel they
would be well enough established for the Code Enforcement Board
to be fully operational next year. Mr. Kelly also told Council
that will not be the case the following year.
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Vice Mayor Stelzer noted Mr. Jahn had requested $40,000.00 for
vehicles and asked if the present vehicles were unsatisfactory.
Mr. Jahn replied that both the Monzas and Datsuns were becoming
expensive to keep in running condition. Mr. Kelly said the City
will review all requests for vehicles in six months.
Vice Mayor Stelzer asked Mr. Jahn if he could live with the
budget recommendations of the City Manager. Mr. Jahn replied he
was concerned that in Rentals and Leases he had requested
$14,100.00 and it was cut to $13,000.00 which is within $100.00
of his actual at this date. He was concerned this leaves
him no leeway.
Council recommended no changes to the Building/Planning Budget.
CITY MANAGER (Pages 5 & 6): Council recommended no changes to
the City Manager's budget.
UTILITIES/ENGINEERING: (Pages 97-144): Mr. Etheredge informed
Council the figure of $246,000 for Plant Repairs would have to be
reduced to $200,000.00 since the referendum only calls for the
$200,000.00. Mr. Etheredge requested the minutes reflect that on
Page 97, Plant Repairs, Item 659 was being cut from $246,000.00
to $200,000.00.
Mr. Greenwood said that because of the shortage of money for
these projects, they were facing a substantial increase in
utility rates for Tamarac East. He further stated it might be
possible to make the repairs in two phases and spend $100,000
for each of the next two years. Mr. Perretti said the Plant
Repair portion of the budget would then show Plant Repair Phase 1
and the figure would be cut to $100,000.00. Council was in
agreement with this recommendation.
Mr. Greenwood also stated the sewers in Utilities East are in a
deplorable condition. Mr. Perretti asked if the City of Ft.
Lauderdale had made any overtures with regard to taking over this
system. Mr. Greenwood said they are not interested at all.
Tape Council recommended no further changes to the budget for
4 Utilities East.
Mayor Hart asked why the City Manager recommended a higher budget
than was proposed by Mr. Greenwood. Mr. Kelly said that was for
insurance that was not included in the proposed budget.
Mr. Greenwood said he was going to sit down with the City Manager
and Finance Director because there were some areas of the budget
in which he felt there might be possible savings.
Council recommended no changes to the budget for Utilities West.
CITY ENGINEER (Pages 21 & 22): Mr. Greenwood said this
department is self-sustaining and requested he be able to discuss
with the City Manager and Finance Director the items that were
cut. Council recommended no changes to the City Engineer's
budget.
PENSION FUND (Page 176): Mr. Etheredge informed
reason for the increase in expenses for the Pension
1% they were budgeted last year was not enough. He
it be doubled to 2% for next year due to the costs
counseling. Council recommended no changes to
Budget.
Council the
Fund was the
is proposing
for investment
Pension Fund
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PERSONNEL (Pages 31 & 32): Mr. Perretti said that since Judy
Deutsch was not able to be present he was going to present the
Personnel budget. He asked Mr. Etheredge why there was no figure
shown for Self --Insurance health. He further stated that
Ms. Deutsch had figured out that, including the employee's
contributions, the total cost would be $349,519.00. Mr. Kelly
replied nothing is budgeted for this and only actual figures are
ever shown. Mr. Perretti asked if the costs for printing such as
the employee's insurance cards was included. Mr. Etheredge
replied it probably came out of personnel.
Mr. Perretti stated that in the regular Council meeting of
January loth there was an item called Self -Insurance Fund and it
said Approved consideration of the recommendation of the
Insurance Advisory Committee to have a reserve fund at a rate of
$200,000.00 for the first year and $100,000.00 for the next three
years to realize a total of $500,000.00. Mr. Etheredge replied
that would cost the City quite a bit of money. Mr. Ferretti
asked if that meant no reserve fund had been allocated.
Mr. Etheredge replied no reserve fund had been allocated. Mr.
Perretti said the Personnel Director feels this should be
included in the budget.
Mr. Perretti said the other area he wanted to comment on was the
$5,000.00 allocated in the First Aid claims. He said Ms. Deutsch
felt that should be $12,000.00 because it would be a cost saving
factor to keep the claims away from workers' Compensation.
Council recommended no changes to the Personnel budget.
Mayor Hart adjourned the workshop to reconvene at 3:00 P.M.
---------------------------------------------------
Mayor Hart reconvened the Budget Workshop at 3:15 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Bernard Hart
Vice Mayor Jack Stelzer
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager,.
John P. Kelly
Assistant City Manager,
Larry Ferretti
Finance Director,
Frank Etheredge
COMMITTEES AND BOARDS:
Tape PLANNING COMMITTEE: Mr. Kelly said he feels the
5 $2,000.00 requested for reimbursement for lunches is excessive.
Vice Mayor Stelzer recommended it be cut to $900.00. Mayor Hart
agreed with this recommendation. On Page 24 of the Planning
Board budget, Item 402 Travel and Other is being cut from
$2,000.00 to $900.00. Council recommended no other changes to
the Planning Board budget.
CHARTER BOARD: Vice Mayor Stelzer stated Mr. Hoffman has
informed him the Charter Board is in need of a full time
secretary. Mr. Kelly said he had initially appropriated zero
monies for that position but Mr. Hoffman came to him and appealed
and they agreed that Roslyn Brauner will remain with a full time
salary, but she will be part time for the Charter Board and the
rest of the time will work for Mr. Kelly and the Planning Board
or for the City Planner.
Vice Mayor Stelzer recommended no changes for the Charter Board.
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PUBLIC INFORMATION COMMITTEE: Mr. Kelly questioned the increase
in Office Supplies to $800.00 and recommended it be cut back to
the $100.00 they previously were budgeted. Council agreed Office
Supplies, Item #510, be cut from $800.00 to $100.00.
No further changes were recommended for the Public Information
Board.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE: No changes were recommended to the
General Administrative budget.
CONSUMER AFFAIRS: No changes were recommended to the Consumer
Affairs budget.
SANITATION SERVICES: No changes were recommended to the
Sanitation Services budget.
SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD: This budget was reviewed and it was
agreed to leave the contribution to the Area Agency On Aging at
$5,000.00.
Vice Mayor Stelzer asked what the millage will be based on this
budget. Mr. Kelly replied it will be $3.48.
Tape Mr. Etheredge suggested the City look into the possibility of
6 raising the Occupational License Tax. It was agreed this
proposal would be explored.
Mayor Hart closed the Workshop Meeting at 4:30 P.M.
Maril,ofn Be tholf
City Clerk
This public document was promulgated at a cost of $ 167.35 or
$ 5.58 per copy, to inform the general public and public
officers and employees about recent opinions and considerations
by the City Council of the City of Tamarac.
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