Town Commission

Budget Workshop

August 14, 2006

The Town Commission of the Town of Melbourne Beach, Florida held a budget workshop on Monday, August 14, 2006 in the Masny Room, 507 Ocean Avenue, beginning at 8:05 a.m.

***

In attendance were Mayor William Stacey, Vice-Mayor Sandy Wilson, and Commissioners Donnie Price, Paul Guglietta and Steve Walters. Also present were Town Manager Jim Bursick, Municipal Accountant Jane Antonsen and Interim Town Clerk Karan Rounsavall.

***

Mayor Stacey called the meeting to order and announced its purpose was to continue review of the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2006/2007. Town Manager Bursick distributed a salary survey of each key position along with recommended salary ranges and placement of individual employees within those ranges. The proposed budget was developed by placing employees at the minimum of the market range as developed by the survey. In cases involving seniority, employees were placed at the appropriate level of the range to recognize their years of service. Should the Commission adopt the proposed pay rates, it was with the understanding that cost of living and merit increases would not be provided to employees during Fiscal Year 2006/2007. Any employee outside the salary range (e.g. police lieutenant) would receive a lump sum payment at the beginning of the fiscal year equal to a 5.5 percent increase.

The Town Commission began its review with the Law Enforcement budget. Acting Police Chief Dan Duncan advised that funding for the tenth officer position was provided by the Brevard County First Responder Program. It was also noted that pension costs were $30,000 less than the current year. Commissioner Walters noted that typically a lieutenant stood ready to assume the responsibilities of acting police chief when the occasion arose, however, in Melbourne Beach’s case, a sergeant became the acting chief. This concerned him because the lieutenant was being paid approximately $18,000 more than the sergeant yet the lieutenant was not currently serving in the absence of a police chief. The Commissioner stressed that he was not recommending that the lieutenant’s position be eliminated. Town Manager Bursick responded that the individual currently in the lieutenant’s position planned to retire within the next 12 months. At that time, he would examine the position to determine future staffing requirements.

***

The meeting recessed at 8:29 and reconvened at 8:45 a.m.

***

Upon reconvening Vice-Mayor Wilson voiced his agreement with Commissioner Walters’ observation that the lieutenant was being paid a higher salary to stand ready to step in for the police chief. Since this was not occurring, it was an inequity that should be corrected. It was noted that, as of October 1, 2006, the starting salary for a police officer would be $31,900.

Fine revenues were projected at $55,000. Commissioner Walters noted that this revenue source had steadily decreased over the past few years. He knew that officers were patrolling but assumed that they must not be writing citations. Acting Police Chief Duncan addressed the fact that several agencies now took a percentage of fine revenues and these proceeds were not coming back to the municipalities as they had in the past. Additionally, two of the younger officers were not yet certified on radar thus could not write speeding citations. The Acting Chief advised that he was also actively pursuing forfeitures, although this was not a budgeted line item.

The Town Commission discussed the Police Department’s Five-Year Vehicle Replacement Plan which proposed the lease purchase of two new vehicles in Fiscal Year 2006/2007. The vehicles proposed for replacement each had in excess of 100,000 miles. Projected maintenance costs would need to increase only one was replaced. Several commissioners stated their feelings that the new vehicles should go to the patrol officers.

***

The meeting recessed at 9:43 and reconvened at 9:53 a.m.

***

Moving on to the Parks budget, it was noted that the contract with Brevard County for lifeguard services at the beach increased from $13,860 to $19,800. The Parks Board had no control over this expenditure. It was suggested that this line item be moved to contractual services under General Services or Public Safety to give a truer picture of park expenditures. There was a consensus of the Town Commission to do so. It was also pointed out that activities associated with Founders Day were minimized due to the bad experience the previous year, thus a budget reduction of $3,500. Staff advised that leftover t-shirts from the event were being sold by area stores. It was suggested that the town sell the shirts at cost; Accountant Antonsen stated that to do so might undermine sales in the future.

Robert Belfanto, representing the Parks Board, commented on budgetary issues. There was a need to decide in advance what events the Town wished to sponsor in the parks as this would assist in budgeting. The Town Commission indicated that it was in agreement with the events set forth in the proposed budget, however, it still wanted to review and approve a special events permit for same. Mr. Belfanto pointed out that the public address system in Ryckman Park needed repair/replacement. The estimated cost was $3,000. There was consensus to incorporate this into the budget. The playground equipment was still under warranty.

***

Public Works Town Manager Bursick highlighted this budget. The landscaping line item was increased in order to provide enhanced landscaping at the Town’s welcome signs. The sum of $21,000 was budgeted for contractual mowing services. One half the cost of constructing a handicap access ramp to the beach, as required by the National Park Service, was budgeted. The remaining half would be budgeted in the following year during which time construction would take place. The capital outlay line item of $45,814 included resurfacing of the tennis court as well as the set aside for the handicap ramp.

Commissioners discussed pier and grounds maintenance. There was a problem with people using the picnic tables to cut bait. Public Works Director Larry Hosmer reported on his plans to minimize this situation and regularly pressure clean the tables.

Commissioner Walters spoke in favor of a facilities manager that could serve as the building official as well as a code enforcement officer. He simply did not feel that there was enough work for a full-time building official. Town Manager Bursick pointed out that there was a current backlog in code enforcement. The Town Manager was directed to look into whether or not a police officer, currently out on a workers compensation injury, could assume the responsibilities of code enforcement officer. He was also directed to check into whether or not the building official was expected to get onto a roof to do roofing inspections.

***

The Town Commission then explored how the proposed millage rate of 2.6331 would affect the individual home owner. If there was no change in ownership or property improvement, the actual taxes paid by a homeowner would decrease with the proposed millage rate. (Note: A three percent increase in assessed value was taken into consideration.)

Mayor Stacey wanted to look into an increase for Town Commission salaries in an amount equal to one percent. The increase in fuel costs was the reason for his request.

***

The meeting adjourned at 12:01 p.m.

______________________________

William G. Stacey, Mayor

ATTEST:

_____________________________

Karan J. Rounsavall, CMC

Interim Town Clerk