HomeMy Public PortalAbout2005-09-29 Budget Hearing500
COUNCIL MINUTES
SECOND BUDGET HEARING - SEPTEMBER 29, 2005
The Second Budget Hearing of Bal Harbour Village was held on Thursday, September 29,
2005, in the Council Chambers at Bal Harbour Village Hall. The meeting was called to
order at 5:30 p.m. by Mayor Roth. The roll was called and those present were:
Also present:
Mayor Seymour "Sy" Roth
Assistant Mayor Howard J. Berlini
Councilman Joel S. Jacobi
Councilman Jean Rosenfield
Alfred J. Treppeda, Village Manager
Ellisa L. Horvath, Village Clerk
David Wolpin, Village Attorney
Absent: Councilman Jaime M. Sanz
As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced. The Pledge of
Allegiance was led by Village resident Brian Mulheren.
2. ANNOUNCEMENT: Mrs. Horvath announced that the Bal Harbour Village
rolled -back millage rate is 2.536 mills. The proposed millage rate is 2.902 mills, which is
14.43% greater than the rolled -back rate.
3. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED TAX MILLAGE RATE AND
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED BUDGET: Mr. Treppeda conducted a Powerpoint
presentation reviewing the Proposed Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2005/2006,
highlighting the following items:
• Taxable Property Values Increased by 23.2% ($350,195,168)
• Proposed Millage Rate 2.902—14.43% greater than rolled -back rate of 2.536
(Shows as an Increase due to Property Value Increase)
• Bal Harbour's Millage is the 5h Lowest in Miami -Dade County
• Chart Showing Bal Harbour's Millage Rate Since 1978
• Comparison of Year -to -Year Taxes Paid to Bal Harbour
• Expenditure % by Department
Law Enforcement — 39%
General Government —18%
Building & Zoning —12%
Roads/Streets & Open Space — 9%
Solid Waste — 7%
Executive — 5%
Park & Recreation — 4%
Legislative — 4%
Finance — 2%
• Expenditure Increase/Decrease by Department
1 Assistant Mayor Berlin participated via telephone for the Budget Ordinance portion only.
Council Meeting — Second Budget Hearing 09/29/2005 1
Total Increase $2,541,661 (Not a True Increase)
• Budget Increase Adjusted for Restricted Revenues
$963,000 is for Bond Money
$991,587 is Building Department Operations
True Increase is $587,074
• Largest Expenditure Increases/Decreases
General Government — Bond Money ($963,000)
Building Department — Excess Revenue $873,670
Police — Increase of $391,006 for PBA Contract
Parks and Recreation — Increase of $158,009
New Employees, Recreation Center, Special Events
• Bal Harbour Total Tax Bill Comparison
Total Rate Decrease of 1.53%
• Largest Revenue Sources
Property Taxes — 49.5%
Licenses and Permits —15% (Can Only be Spent in Bldg. Dept.)
Franchise and Utility Taxes — 12.8%
County Bond Money — 9.3%
(Can Only be Spent on the Village Hall/Police Station Project)
Contribution from Fund Balance — 4.8%
Intergovernmental Revenue — 4.3%
Miscellaneous Revenue — 3.1%
Fines and Forfeitures — 0.9%
Charges for Services — 0.3%
• Water Fund
Increase 29.2% (increase from $1.85 to $2.30 per thousand gallons)
• Sewer Fund
Increase 21.5% (increase from $2.84 to $3.45 per thousand gallons)
Mr. Treppeda explained that residents can discuss the water/sewer rate increases at the
regular Council meeting on October 18, 2005. He advised that notice of the increases and
the hearing will be shown on the next water bill. Mayor Roth advised that if the County uses
the highest budget it will go up 1.7%. He doesn't think any of the residents taxes will go up
more than that, as long as they have Homestead Exemption.
Mayor Roth opened the meeting for public discussion.
Babak Raheb, resident — 128 Balfour Drive, discussed his concerns regarding
expenditures in the Tourism Fund. He is concemed about spending advertising dollars,
when the Sheraton will be closing and the One Bal Harbour will not be open. Mr. Raheb
thinks that the reserves should be kept higher, instead of expenditures. He reviewed the
Water Fund and expressed his concem about the reserves. He suggested borrowing
money and keeping the reserve higher. Mr. Raheb reviewed the General Fund and thinks
that the Council should promote fiscal responsibility. He discussed the Law Enforcement
Fund (40% of the budget), which he thinks is too much for Bal Harbour. He thinks there are
a lot of overexpenditures in the medians, flowers, etc. He is concerned about fiscal
responsibility, because the Sheraton is closing and the Village doesn't know what the
budget will be, or the affects of Katrina in the future and what expenses the Village will be
facing. He requested not to raise taxes just to cover spending money. Mr. Raheb discussed
the $1 million shortfall and covering'/2 million with reserves and'/2 million with taxes.
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Mayor Roth discussed the Resort Tax Fund being short'/2 million and advised that he
brought that up and thought that they shouldn't spend more than what is taken in, since the
Sheraton will be closed for four months in that proposed fiscal year (June, July, August,
and September 2006) and the Village will not receive revenue. Mayor Roth thinks that the
budget of the Resort Tax Committee is fiscally irresponsible and agreed with Mr. Raheb.
He discussed the Law Enforcement Fund and thinks that the residents like the visibility and
safety of the police and are willing to pay for that.
Dan Holder, resident - 24 Bal Bay Drive, discussed the proposed Recreation Center
House, which is 15 feet from his building. He advised that their concerns are outdoor
activities, loud indoor activities with the windows open, and parties/special events. Mr.
Holder would like the staff to avoid being a noise nuisance and would like those policies to
be codified. Councilman Jacobi advised that this meeting is not the right forum for that and
suggested that Mr. Holder come to the October Council meeting. Councilman Rosenfield
requested that Mr. Holder attend the October Council meeting to discuss his concerns. Mr.
Holder advised that they are okay with the numbers.
Dina Cellini, resident— 211 Bal Cross Drive, discussed the Security District Budget and
her concern that the contract for the security gate is not subject to the same requirements
that other Village contracts are subject to (putting out to bid, etc.). She thinks that the
Village has a duty to go out to bid for the service, since the Village is now entering into the
contract for this service. She requested that the Council come up with a procedure
whereby the Village would seek bids from numerous security companies. Mr. Wolpin
explained that the Village now has a direct contract with Kent Security, which has an
annual renewal provision. He reported that the Council can request the Village Manager to
look into whether there are other service providers for a better price, in accordance with the
terms of the agreement, but explained that the security service doesn't require bidding
under the Village Code. Mrs. Cellini questioned the expiration date of the contract with
Kent. Mayor Roth requested Mr. Treppeda to research this and report back to the Council.
Mrs. Cellini explained that at the First Budget hearing Mr. Treppeda confirmed that the
maintenance of the open space outside the guard gate between the gate and Collins
Avenue is covered in this budget. She questioned if that has also been covered under the
Bal Harbour budget in past years. Mr. Treppeda responded that it has been. Mrs. Cellini
questioned if it has been covered under any other budget besides the Village of Bal
Harbour. Mr. Treppeda responded that it has not.
Brian Mulheren, resident — 10245 Collins Avenue, discussed the Tourism Fund and
doesn't think that there is any reason to spend money for advertising, when the Sheraton
will not be open and only the Sea View will be open. He discussed the Law Enforcement
Fund and thinks that is a public safety issue and the services provided should be kept as
proposed, or even increased.
4. RESOLUTION - ADOPTION OF THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE: A
resolution was read by title, by Mrs. Horvath, adopting the final millage rate for fiscal year
2005/2006.
Mayor Roth opened the meeting for public discussion. There being no comments, Mayor
Roth closed the meeting for public discussion.
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A motion was offered by Councilman Jacobi and seconded by Councilman Rosenfeld to approve
the Resolution adopting a final millage rate for fiscal year 2005/2006. The motion carried
unanimously (3-0), with Assistant Mayor Berlin and Councilman Sanz absent. Thus becoming:
RESOLUTION NO. 675
A RESOLUTION OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A FINAL
MILLAGE RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005/2006; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Assistant Mayor Berlin was contacted at this time, via telephone, to participate in the next
item.
5. ORDINANCE SECOND READING/PUBLIC HEARING: An
ordinance was read by title, by Mrs. Horvath, adopting a Budget for All Village Funds for
fiscal year 2005/2006.
The public hearing was opened by Mayor Roth.
Babak Raheb, resident —128 Balfour Drive, requested fiscal responsibility.
There being no additional comments, Mayor Roth closed the public hearing.
A motion was offered by Councilman Jacobi and seconded by Councilman Rosenfield to approve
the Ordinance adopting a Budget for All Village Funds, for fiscal year 2005/2006. The motion
carried with the vote as follows: Mayor Roth aye; Assistant Mayor Berlin aye; Councilman Jacobi
aye; Councilman Rosenfield aye; Councilman Sanz absent. Thus becoming:
ORDINANCE NO.501
AN ORDINANCE OF BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR
ALL VILLAGE FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2005,
AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2006; APPROPRIATING REVENUES AND
OTHER FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,132,128; AUTHORIZING
EXPENDITURES; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Assistant Mayor Berlin hung up the telephone at this time.
6. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, a
motion was offered by Councilman Jacobi and seconded by Councilman Rosenfield to adjourn.
The motion carried unanimously (3-0), with Assistant i� vor Berlin and Counclman Sanz
absent, and the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
a ; r Seymour Roth
Attest:
Ellisa Horvath, CMC
Village Clerk
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