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Home My Public Portal About10-October 5, 2022 SBHCITY OF OPA-LOCKA "The Great City" CLERK'S ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES SECOND BUDGET HEARING October 5, 2022 6:30 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 6:41 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at Sherbondy Village, 215 Perviz Avenue, Opa-locka, Florida. 2. ROLL CALL: The following members of the City Commission were present: Commissioner Sherelean Bass, Commissioner Chris Davis, Commissioner Audrey Dominguez and Mayor Veronica J. Williams. Vice Mayor John H. Taylor Jr. arrived at 6:44. Also in attendance were: Assistant City Manager Sha'mecca Lawson, City Attorney Burnadette Norris -Weeks and City Clerk Joanna Flores. 3. INVOCATION: The Commission observed a moment of silence. 4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison. 5. SECOND READING ORDINANCES/PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA- LOCKA, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A FINAL MILLAGE RATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 200.065, FLORIDA STATUTES, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022- 2023, COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2022 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2023; SETTING FORTH PUBLIC HEARING DATES; PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ALL PRIOR ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (first reading / public hearing held on September 14, 2022). Sponsored by City Manager Second Budget Hearing Minutes — October 5, 2022 1 The above ordinance was read by City Attorney Norris -Weeks. Mayor Williams asked Assistant City Manager Lawson to introduce Agenda Item 5-1. Assistant City Manager Lawson informed the Commission that the ordinance proposed by Agenda Item 5-1 would adopt the City's final millage rate for fiscal year 2022 - 2023. It was moved by Commissioner Bass, seconded by Commissioner Dominguez to discuss Agenda Item 5-1. Mayor Williams opened the Public Hearing for Agenda Item 5-1. City Clerk Flores informed the Commission that Ms. Dorothy Johnson had registered to address the Commission virtually. Ms. Dorothy Johnson of 13724 NW 22nd Place stated that as a member of the Audit Committee, she is concerned that the City paid so much money to the previous consulting firm since 2016 and doesn't have the records. Ms. Johnson asked how the City got here without the Commission monitoring and putting its foot down, reiterating as she has said before, that the audit is the responsibility of the Commission and not City Staff. She then stated that she wouldn't do it now in public but said that she really needs some answers. Ms. Johnson went on to ask where the litigation settlement funds and the reserve funding are in the budget booklet, adding that in order to get out of financial oversight, the City needs to have money in reserves. She asked about the Police Benevolent Association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, because Ms. Johnson said that she wanted to know if the City Employees had been paid. Addressing capital improvement and the comprehensive plan, she said that in order for the City to do its branding, the infrastructure has to be looked at. Ms. Johnson acknowledged that the Federal Bureau of Investigations came into the City and took files, but she asserted that the City has to have accountability. Sharing her appreciation for Interim City Manager trying to get the City on the right track, she said that she guesses he's avoiding her because she hasn't talked to him in a minute. Ms. Johnson added that in order for the City to avoid going back into financial oversight, transparency and accountability is needed and the people are holding the Commission responsible. There being no additional members of the public to address the Commission, Mayor Williams closed the Public Hearing for Agenda Item 5-1. Second Budget Hearing Minutes — October 5, 2022 2 Mayor Williams invited Budget Administrator Anathan to deliver his presentation to the Commission. Budget Administrator Anathan stated that the taxing authority is the City of Opa- locka, the rollback rate is 8.5939 mills, and the recommended millage rate is 9.3500 mills, which is an 8.8 percent increase over the rollback rate. Mr. Anathan stated that the additional funding will be used to fund the renegotiated Union contracts and update the City's fleet of vehicles. Mr. Anathan proceeded to deliver a presentation to the Commission on the proposed millage rate. Commissioner Davis thanked City Staff and everyone who has been working diligently to bring down the City's millage rate. The Commissioner recalled that when he was first elected in 2018, Opa-locka had the highest millage rate in South Florida at 9.8 mills. Acknowledging that the Commission would like for it to be lower, he said that having it come down to 9.35 mills is excellent because they were able to ease the tax burden on Residents. He applauded City Staff for the hard work they have all been doing over the years and thanked them once again. Mayor Williams agreed with Commissioner Davis, stating that anytime any type of tax can be lowered, it's greatly appreciated. The Mayor concluded by sharing her appreciation for all the hard work that City Staff has put into lowering the millage rate to 9.3500 mills. There being no additional discussion, the ordinance passed by a 5-0 vote. Commissioner Davis Yes Commissioner Dominguez Yes Vice Mayor Taylor Yes Commissioner Bass Yes Mayor Williams Yes 2. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA- LOCKA, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CITY'S GENERAL, PROPRIETARY AND SPECIAL FUNDS BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023, COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2022 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2023; PROVIDING FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS ESTABLISHED BY THE BUDGET; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS; PROVIDING FOR APPROPRIATION OF ALL BUDGET EXPENDITURES; PROVIDING FOR FEES CONSISTENT WITH ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT AND REPEALER; PROVIDING FOR Second Budget Hearing Minutes — October 5, 2022 3 SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (first reading / public hearing held on September 14, 2022). Sponsored by City Manager The above ordinance was read by City Attorney Norris -Weeks. Mayor Williams asked Interim City Manager Williams to introduce Agenda Item 5-2. Interim City Manager Williams informed the Commission that Agenda Item 5-2 proposed the second of the ordinance to adopt the City's general proprietary and special revenues bond budget for fiscal year 2022 - 2023. The Manager asked that Budget Administrator Anathan be available to answer any questions from the Commission. Mayor Williams opened the Public Hearing for Agenda Item 5-2. There being no members of the public to address the Commission, Mayor Williams closed the Public Hearing for Agenda Item 5-2. Mayor Williams asked Budget Administrator Anathan to deliver his presentation to the Commission. Budget Administrator Anathan delivered his presentation on the FY 23 tentative budget to the Commission, reminding them that the budget was discussed in great detail in the budget workshop on July 21st and reviewed again on July 28th. Mr. Anathan reported that the State of Florida approved the budget on August 26th as submitted and returned it for the Commission's review. He also offered to address Ms. Dorothy Johnson's concerns if it was the will of the Commission. Mayor Williams said that Budget Administrator Anathan could go ahead and address Ms. Dorothy Johnson's concerns. Budget Administrator Anathan addressed Ms. Dorothy Johnson's concerns and stated that the litigation settlement funds are included in the budget under the Water & Sewer Fund, adding that an evaluation is being completed on whether it's going to be necessary to borrow a million dollars from the general fund or fund it directly from the Water & Sewer Fund. The Budget Administrator then went on to address Ms. Johnson's concern about reserve funding, stating that within the budget's general fund, there is $1.25 million for contingency. He also pointed out that going into the FY 23 budget, the general fund has an available fund balance of at least $10 million with the target requirement being $3.5 million, and he offered assurances that there are ample reserves. Addressing Ms. Johnson's final question about the Union settlements, Mr. Anathan explained that they are incorporated into the budget and will be about $1.5 million in aggregate between the 2 Union settlements. He offered to reach out to Ms. Johnson to share with her exactly where all of the items she expressed concerns about, are located in the budget. Second Budget Hearing Minutes — October 5, 2022 4 Mayor Williams thanked Budget Administrator Anathan for his succinct and precise budget presentation. It was moved by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Vice Mayor Taylor to discuss Agenda Item 5-2. There being no discussion, the ordinance passed by a 5-0 vote. Commissioner Dominguez Yes Vice Mayor Taylor Yes Commissioner Bass Yes Commissioner Davis Yes Mayor Williams Yes 6. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the City Commission, it was moved by Commissioner Bass, seconded by Vice Mayor Taylor to adjourn the meeting at 7:02 p.m. Veronica J. Williams Mayor Attest: J anna Flores, CMC City Clerk Second Budget Hearing Minutes — October 5, 2022 5