Town Commission
Budget Workshop
The Town Commission of the Town
of Melbourne Beach, Florida held a budget workshop on
***
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 led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The purpose of the meeting was to continue review of the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2006/2007.
Town Manager Bursick readdressed proposed revenue sources for the ensuing fiscal year. The proposed budget contained an ad valorem property tax rate of 2.6331 mills which was approximately ten percent over the rolled back rate. In addition, the budget proposed a change in the utility rate from six to eight percent as well as the application of an eight percent rate to water service. Implementation of the new utility taxes for a six-month period would generate roughly $43,000.
The Town Manager also recommended
increases in site plan review fees to offset the planning consultant’s charges.
He anticipated presenting these increases to the Town Commission for its
consideration in October 2006. Commissioner Walters wondered whether or not
building permit fees could be increased. Vice-Mayor Wilson asked if a building
permit applicant could be required to provide a copy of the signed construction
contract at the time the permit was requested. In this way, the Town would have
a better idea of the cost of the building/improvement. Town Manager Bursick
advised that funds in the amount of $37,600 from
Mayor Stacey confirmed that there was still no majority support for an increase in salaries for the Town Commission.
Moving on to the Legislative budget, Commissioner Guglietta suggested a $1,000 reduction in the commission’s travel and meetings line item. There was no support for this suggestion. The line item remained at $8,000. It was clarified that the budgeted amount for the town newsletter was based on quarterly publication (as opposed to bi-monthly).
At its first budget workshop, Commissioner Price inquired as to the cost to provide $15,000 of life insurance for town commissioners (an amount equal to general employees). Accountant Antonsen advised this cost was $72 per month, however, because the insurance plan was written for employees, adding the present group of town commissioners could impact the employee group rates. Commissioner Walters preferred to see $50,000 coverage for police officers. There was a consensus for staff to look into how much it would cost to provide $50,000 life insurance for police officers and $15,000 for members of the Town Commission and report back.
Staffing levels in the Legislative, Executive, and Finance budgets were reviewed. Town Manager Bursick advised that the deputy town clerk was filled by temporary workers for the past year, accordingly no benefits (i.e. health insurance) were paid. The interim town clerk’s salary was covered by the amount currently budgeted for the regular full-time clerk’s position (which was vacant). The part-time clerk in Finance was a highly valued employee and highly versatile employee who assisted other departments as needed and trained new employees at the front desk. The town manager was comfortable with staffing levels and did not feel that there was an excess of employees given the work load.
Vice-Mayor Wilson commented on the $50,000 budgeted for legal fees in Fiscal Year 2006/2007 and wondered if this was excessive given that work on the height ordinance, personnel matters, etc. was hopefully in the past. There was a consensus to reduce budgeted legal fees by $15,000, leaving a total for this line item of $35,000. It was also noted that the Town was still operating with an “interim” town attorney. There was an expressed desire to advertise for and hire a permanent town attorney.
In the Comprehensive Planning
budget, Town Manager Bursick advised that the professional services line item
($24,000) was for the town’s planning consultant and the planning services line
item ($20,000) was for preparation of the Evaluation and Appraisal Report and
the visioning process. He indicated that some of this work might be absorbed by
the building official. There was consensus to reduce the Comprehensive
Planning budget by $5,000.
Town Manager Bursick reviewed the major cost components in the Public Works budget. The line item for Capital Outlay was budgeted at $45,814 which included half the cost of contracting for construction of a handicap ramp to the beach. If a portion of this work could be done with in-house personnel, it was felt that the overall cost could be reduced somewhat. The Town Commission agreed to reduce the Capital Outlay line item by $5,000 leaving a $40,814 balance. Public Works Director Larry Hosmer was comfortable with performing some of the construction work with existing staff but pointed out that it would take his crews longer because they could not work on it full time.
Reduction to funding for maintenance of the Town’s Web site was discussed but there was no direction to reduce this $5,000 line item. There was considerable discussion on the vehicle replacement plan for Law Enforcement, however, no action to modify the plan as presented. Acting Police Chief Dan Duncan stated that while he could get by with only one replacement vehicle (as opposed to two vehicles as proposed), it would be necessary to increase maintenance costs to keep the older vehicle in the fleet.
It was noted that $25,000 was
budgeted for overtime in Law Enforcement, yet the actual figures were
substantially less. The Town Commission concurred in the reduction of this
line item by $5,000 to $20,000.
***
The meeting recessed at
***
Continuing with the Fire Control budget, the Town Commission discussed reducing the part-time employee from 30 hours per week to 20 hours. The rationale was the newer vehicles did not require as much maintenance. Fire Chief Seth Stark felt strongly about the maintenance position and suggested that the Commission look at reducing the $9,700 capital outlay line item instead. This particular line item was for two ventilation fans and fire nozzles. He would look to the Volunteer Corporation for additional funding to meet this need. There was consensus to eliminate the $9,700 in the Fire Control budget for capital outlay and not address any reduction in hours for the maintenance worker. Vice-Mayor Wilson noted that personnel costs were ongoing from year to year while capital purchases were not.
In the Protective Services budget, the Town Manager proposed a new position with responsibility as building official and code enforcement officer. He projected a salary of $45,000.
Finally, the Town Commission
agreed to reduce budgeted contingency by $4,000.
Commissioner Walters stated that while he would personally vote in favor of the proposed ad valorem tax rate which represented a ten percent tax increase, he would not vote to increase utility taxes. Commissioner Guglietta felt likewise. Budget reductions agreed to this evening amounted to $43,700.
The first public hearing on the
proposed budget was scheduled for
***
The Town Commission very briefly
discussed upcoming interviews with applicants for the position of town clerk.
The Commission did not wish to interview Dana Williams a second time. Three
interviews were scheduled for Saturday morning,
***
The meeting adjourned at
______________________________
William G. Stacey, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Karan J. Rounsavall, CMC
Interim Town Clerk