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Home My Public Portal About09/21/2005 * Public HearingMAYOR: VICE MAYOR: COMMISSIONER: 0 William F. Koch, Jr. Joan K. Orthwein Fred B. Devitt III Robert W. Hopkins II William A. Lynch 0 September 16, 2005 PUBLIC HEARING BEING HELD BY THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2005 AT 5:01 P.M., IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS OF THE TOWN HALL, 100 SEA ROAD, GULF STREAM, FLORIDA. AGENDA I. Call to Order. II. Roll Call. III. Consideration of Adopted Tentative Millage Rates and Adopted Tentative Budgets for Fiscal Year 2005 -2006. A. Explanation and discussion Of Tentative Millage Rate as compared to the rolled back rate. B. Comment from the Commission and the Public. IV. Adoption of the General Fund FINAL Millage Rate for Fiscal Year 2005 -2006. V. Adoption of the FINAL Budgets for Fiscal Year 2005 -2006. A. General Fund B. Enterprise Fund (water) VI. Ordinances for Second Reading and Adoption. THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF A. No. Q5/3; AN ORDINANCE OF STREAM, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE GENERAL GULF FUND FINAL MILLAGE RATE FOR THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM FOR FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING ON OCTOBER 1, 2005 AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2006. No. 05/4; AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF B. GULF STREAM, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1 ' COMMENCING ON OCTOBER 1, 2005 AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2006. No. 05/5; AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF C. GULF STREAM, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE WATER FUND BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 30, COMMENCING ON OCTOBER 1, 2005 AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 2006. VII. Adjournment. SHOULD ANY INTERESTED PARTY SEEK TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THE TOWN COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT THIS MEETING, SAID PARTY WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS, AND FOR SUCH PURPOSE, MAY NEED TO INSURE THAT RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY RECORD ONYANDEV H PROCEEDINGS I � EVIDENCE UPON WHICCHTHEAPPEALISHTOH BE BASED. F.S.S. 286.0105 MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING HELD BY THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2005 AT 5:01 P.M., IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS OF THE TOWN HALL, 100 SEA ROAD, GULF STREAM, FLORIDA. I. Call to Order. Mayor Koch called the meeting to order at 5:01 P.M. II. Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Mayor. III. Roll Call. Present and William F. Koch, Jr. Mayor Participating: Joan K. Orthwein Vice Mayor Fred B. Devitt III Commissioner Robert W. Hopkins II Commissioner Via Telephone William A. Lynch Commissioner Also Present and William Thrasher Town Manager Participating: Garrett Ward Police Chief Rita Taylor Town Clerk IV. Consideration of Adopted Tentative Millaae Rates and Adopted Tentative Budgets for Fiscal Year 2005 -2006. A. Explanation and discussion of Tentative Millage Rate as compared to the rolled back rate. Town Manager Thrasher announced that the tentative millage rate is 3.2500, which is 7.12 percent greater than the calculated rolled back rate of 3.034 mills. He added that the millage rate is lower than in previous years. B. Comment from the Commission and the public. Mayor Koch asked if there were any questions from the Commission or the public. Commissioner Hopkins referred to an article in the Sun Sentinel Newspaper dated September 17,2005, entitled "Rising Tide of Tax Dollars ". The article explained that local governments brag about holding the line on taxes by lowering tax rates when in reality they are receiving large increases in tax dollars due to the double digit increase in property values. He requested that the article be made a part of the official record and asked if the there were any comments. Town Manager Thrasher noted that the Gulf Stream values have not Jexperienced the double digit increases, and that in 2 of the past 4 years, Gulf Stream did not exceed the rolled back rate and in one of those, even went below the rolled back rate. Mr. Thrasher believed Gulf Stream has done very well under the circumstances but commented that managers in other communities are well qualified and are doing what is best for their community. Commissioner Hopkins agreed with Mr. Thrasher that Gulf Stream has managed very responsibly. He asked why the total expenses are up 11 percent and why $45,481 is allocated to contingency. He asked that if a Town Commission - Public Hearing, Final Budget September 21, 2005 Page 2 water project is undertaken in the future, should it be financed from reserve or a bond. Mr. Thrasher advised that these are funds budgeted that are not meant to be used, they are there as a contingent factor in the event they are needed. At the end of the year these funds would be added to the fund balance. The Town Manager stated that at the direction of the Commission, he had adjusted the expenditures but kept the millage rate the same as had been proposed. He added that as he has stated before, he believes the fund balance, as it exists, is not sufficient for the future. Commissioners Orthwein and Devitt were in agreement. Commissioner Devitt asked Commissioner Hopkins what he believes the fund balance should be. Commissioner Hopkins said he would prefer to see it at $500,000. Mr. Thrasher referred to a letter from the City of Delray Beach, indicating their intent to increase their water rates by 7 percent. The Town Manager had previously requested to increase the town's water rates by 5 percent but in view of the letter, he requested to increase the town's water rates by 7 percent. In reply to a question from Commissioner Hopkins, Mr. Thrasher stated that the costs for any future water projects should be funded by a bond issue and charged back to the users. Mayor Koch was not in favor of hiring an additional police officer and believed the budget should be lowered. He suggested that Attorney Randolph review the water contract with Delray to make certain the increase is within the provisions of the contract. The Town Manager explained that an officer has left and would have to be replaced. He added that he has reviewed the water contract and find it satisfactory but he would have Attroney Randolph review it. All of the Commissioners with exception of the Mayor were in favor of hiring an additional police officer. J Commissioner Hopkins moved and Commissioner Orthwein seconded to lower the budget by $45,481 for fiscal year 2005 -2006. Roll Call: Comm. Orthwein; AYE, Comm. Devitt; AYE, Comm. Lynch; NAY, Comm. Hopkins; AYE and Mayor Koch; AYE. Commissioner Hopkins moved and Commissioner Devitt seconded to increase the water rates by 7 percent. Roll Call: Comm. Orthwein; AYE, Comm. Devitt; AYE, Comm. Lynch; AYE, Comm. Hopkins; AYE and Mayor Koch; AYE. Town Commission - Public Hearing, Final Budget September 21, 2005 V. Adoption of the General Year 2005 -2006. Commissioner Hopkins moved and the general fund final millage 2005 -2006. Roll Call: Comm. O Lynch; AYE, Comm. Hopkins; AYE Page 3 Fund FINAL Millage Rate for Fiscal Commissioner Orthwein seconded to adopt rate of 3.1726 mills for fiscal year =thwein; AYE, Comm. Devitt; AYE, Comm. and Mayor Koch; NAY. VI. Adoption of the FINAL Budgets for Fiscal Year 2005 -2006. A. General Fund Commissioner Devitt moved and Commissioner Hopkins seconded to adopt the final budget in the general fund in the amount of $2,170,757 for fiscal year 2005 -2006. Roll Call: Comm. Orthwein; AYE, Comm. Devitt; AYE, Comm. Lynch; AYE, Comm. Hopkins; AYE and Mayor Koch; NAY. B. Enterprise Fund (water) Commissioner Orthwein moved and Commissioner Hopkins seconded to adopt the final budget in the enterprise fund in the amount of $705,450 for fiscal year 2005 -2006. Roll Call: Comm. Orthwein; AYE, Comm. Devitt; AYE, Comm. Lynch; AYE, Comm. Hopkins; AYE and Mayor Koch; AYE. VII. Ordinances for Second Reading and Adoption. A. No. 05/3; AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE GENERAL FUND FINAL MILLAGE RATE FOR THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM FOR FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING ON OCTOBER 1, 2005 AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2006. Town Clerk Taylor read Ordinance No. 05/3 in its entirety. There were no comments from the public. Commissioner Orthwein moved and Commissioner Hopkins seconded to adopt Ordinance No. 05/3. Roll Call: Comm. Orthwein; AYE, Comm. Devitt; AYE, Comm. Lynch; AYE, Comm. Hopkins; AYE and Mayor Koch; NAY. B. No. 05/4; AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING ON OCTOBER 1, 2005 AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2006. Town Clerk Taylor read Ordinance No. 05/4 in its entirety. There were no comments from the public. Commissioner Hopkins moved and Commissioner Orthwein seconded to adopt �a Ordinance No. 05/4 on first reading. Roll Call: Comm. Orthwein; AYE, Comm. Devitt; AYE, Comm. Lynch; AYE, Comm. Hopkins; AYE and Mayor Koch; NAY. C. No. 05 /5; AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE WATER FUND BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM FOR FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING ON OCTOBER 1, 2005 AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2006. Town Clerk Taylor read Ordinance No. 05 /5 in its entirety. There were no comments from the public. Town Commission - Public Hearing, Final Budget September 21, 2005 Page 4 Commissioner Orthwein moved and Commissioner Hopkins seconded to adopt Ordinance No. 05/5 on first reading. Roll Call: Comm. Orthwein; AYE, Comm. Devitt; AYE, Comm. Lynch; AYE, Comm. Hopkins; AYE and Mayor Koch; AYE. VIII. Adjournment, Mayor Koch adjourned the meeting at 6:05 P.M. Y nne E. Eckert, CMC De uty Town Clerk x a a 0 Q H w O w Q H f z ti ffft- n� O H C/) • • v W R Cyd.. r�ED Ecy Y UV VOI V L � N b rv3 o'rx 3 EO GO EO Y V W O V Rr -TY EOE �.3 O N. iEDR.o.Uf3:[ NT � o ==v. eEZ'y �uq c c o E E fi v� vim' C=v °m oy.` xti`o no° C= .��wc v mQ T EZ ai a ^.o .oYVC 2'c z� °�mtcmu aoE yz c y C U= v F U CA tE V t MX—. y�rEH�AY�v,'E ". �y Rr vpZr a a ms R. m qT0 n �CEC T R =y ,y.Na�v ° v ; O F URY 9 � u vm . � 9m5o °�.cacv vN'Ea cF' F c o p3 E P E E o v Q R3vE ^c o ELL o_3v L°a,�1 o= <QZQ � vmr;FyiU � mxy �.c.Emvv F O N N V �i O b -�i O O n O Qo a E m s c�fE w p E - �o 'v `� E°iy W f 9 d 6 a 7 E Most taxpayers are paying much more 0TAXES' For Instance; A Lake Worth resi- •Part-time residents are alsobecom• causevotersauthorizednewcon- dent with a$150,000 house who has a Ing more interested in the issue. stroction money in a referendum. And C,oriTINUEDFROMPnGetA homestead exemption saw the city's Like full -time Florida homeowners, .. the tentative budget for the fiscal year ' tax rate decrease from $8.52 per they recently received notices listing that begins Oct. l includes A$33 mil- out inNovember, at $312 million. This .$1,000 in taxable value in 2002 to the their property assessments and tents- lion increase for the sheriff's office. is revenue above what governments.. current rate of $8.40. But the Sure- ,live tax bills for later this year, and He also said construction costs are would have misedhad they levied the Sentinel's analysis shows that home -. -many aren't happy at the fourth year t,. Increasing faster than inflation so-called "rollback rate, "the tax need- owner still paid $928 more than if the inarowoflatgAtaxhites. ' ;. and both the federal and state govem- edto produce the same mvenueas the .: tax rate had been lowered to the city's. ' Seymour Brotman is a resident of ments require the county to spend previous year; not counting dew con= ''rolled- backrate.. ' - Clark& Summit, Pa., so he doesn't '. money on a range of programs, but suvction. 1. - "If it weren't forgave Our Homes, have Save Our Homes protection for don't cover the costs. ' For the full four years that double - .." said state Rep. Carl. Domino, R. his place at the King's Point condo. Boynton Beach is considering digit growth has dramatically esralat- Jupiter, "them would be a truerevolu- .- minium community west of Delray,. slight drop in the proper ttyy tax rate for ad property values, the newspaper's than." I Beach. When the retiree bought at this year, from $7.1 r$1,000ofas- analysis found the extra money to- taled a staggering $5 73.6 million for Renters, by contrast, generally are more transient, younger and have King's Point five years ago he said tax- es were around $400 a year. This year sessed property value to$ 7.63, but it will still take in more tax money than the county and its 37 cities, towns and,. lower Incomes and vote less than alone, histaxesareestimated toln- in its current budget. Alleges. homeowners, Besides, the tares they crease 37 percent, to $1,355. Curbing the increase any more It all happens because of the way pay aren't broken down; they're sim- "It's become quite a burden," he would hurt efforts to pay forservices property taxes are calculated. for a growing population, Mayor Jerry Individual tax bills and the result. Ing total take from taxes are CC��/ 7p We hit with. t with a taX a at d. Increased city revenue helps pay for hiring 10 police officers property calculated by multiplying the tax rate pt and 12 firefighters. by the taxable value of property. allows to keep theta, that ou � ' more } y� our is more you have to cut back on police andfire it might take longer tore- governments rate the same, or even lower it, and than spend fin emergencies]," he said. "If still take in more money because the have 1_ SOCial Security." J) you are having a heart attack that can mean life or death." property values gone up so Carmine Prtore, a member of the much. Almost everywhere in Palm Beach ,. Wellington Village Council, said the County, from tiny lake Clarke Shores, FLORENCR 1)U1APY - -IUPI IFR money helps pay for the costs of growing community. to giant county government itself, po- litical leaders have chosen to spend al- ply hidden In rent charges, so it ap•r said. "We pay the taxes. We contrib- 'People move toa bedroom com- "Prtore most all the new money rather than pears as if the landlord's desire for ute to the economy. We purchase. We munity because of amenities, slowing the growth in taxes. A few' governments are giving becksonte of : more money, not the taxes the land,,, ;lord mustpay, is rasponsiblaforhighg shop." He said hightaxationrnight said: "Parks, playgrounds, open space Nrbsnowhlyds' enthusiasm for Flori Ipedple love thet.:,It, costs .A lot of the ex tra money. Actually cuttingtax -; esisunheardof. errents. " 14C1tF,daand " And business owners have been me ' end up h*ftngproperty values and the econoin§%b' ° � - ' money -, I � Weal Palm Beach City Commis- The effects are radically different• 7uctantto make waves. 5 OFFICIALS DEFEND WORK " ''.i stoner' Kimberly Mitchell wants a for different groups of people. Homeowners who live in the prop., John R. Smith, chairman of the Politicrd Actfdn Cam- - Susan Haynie, president of the county League of Cities and in ber slightly tower tax rate than Mayor -Lois Frankel, but neitherfavors roll- arty and have homestead protection ', inittee, a group of chief executive offi- sixth year on the Boca Raton City Ing back taxes this year to a no -, don't pay taxes on most of the in -" crease in the prices of theirbouses or cars interested In politics;edncedes�.. '. some segments of the business com -?, Council, said city, towgand village Of, 'ficiais throughout the county are fis -.. - growth level Frankel plans to use increased tax condominiums. The Save Our Homesamendment munity won't take an commissioners and council members because they callyconservative. - : "Although we have benefited from revenue from rising propertyvalues to .improve roads, build sidewalks and to the state Constitution, Approved by - don't want to antagonize political in -.r a windfall In property taxes there are make other neighborhood Improve- voters in1992 , limits increases in the taxablevalue ofhomesteaded proper- to tea Is from whom they might need - 'favors lateron. Developers, forexam -., several costs that have Increased in our cities Pension costs, fuel costs, in. ments. "This isa very demanding constilu- "Every- ty3 percent a year or the inflation rate,whieheverisless:Thehome- pie, need approval forzoningand land use changes, so It wouldn't pay for surance. These are things that we in municipal government have little can- encywe have, "Frankel said. body wants more services. They want stead exemption is a tax break for themlocritfcizetbewaylmalgovem- trot over but must deal with on a daily more infrastructure improvements." qualified permanent state residents, eliminating taxes from$25,0011uf a ments operate. Smith is mobilizing BIZPAC to basis, "Haynie said. Government needs some money THEFUTURE Jamie Titcomb, League of Cities ex- home'svalue. push the County Commission to re- because inflation drives up costs of ecutivedireclor, said usingthe money All other property owners feel-the duce thx rates and give property own. ° pranlcally everything, and more peo- responsibly is key. He said govern -. full burden of the increases in proper- ty values. That includes owners of ens a break. , CITIZEN REACTION pie also means higher costs., Smith said governments simply ment should spend the money on one- time expenditures such as infrastruc- commercial and industrial property, renters whose landlords pass on high- Soaring property values, and the taxes they bring, helped mm Florence aren't capable ofshowing restraint. He said County Administrator Bob ture Improvements and neglected maintenance and cautioned against er taxes in the form of rent increases, Dudley's dream home into a tax night- Weis man had a tentative budget pre• adding to new programs that will end and snowbirdswha own property in Florida but aren't full -time residents. mare. The retired kindergarten teacher pa red and ready to go this summer, then found out days before commis. upasrecrrdngexpenses. There is a potentially huge bubble POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS - Brummer and Nikolits said Ahe said she and her husband, James, sold their paid -for homestead of 30 years signers were due to make preliminary decisions that there would be more • that could get bu rst," Titcomb said,. "My advice to them would be to make varying Impact on different groups of -' in Lake Worth and tapped their Itfe house money available because property . values increased even than sureyou haves realsound financial you that advice rather lows politicians to constantly increese--- .savings to build the where they to live the their days. even more ex•' planner giving than looking at a budget and saying thefrtextake. The most reliable voters tend to be expected rest of They bought one acre west ofJupi- petted. So he provided commissioners with woo•hoo, spend it" people who own their own homes. So ter and worked for three years, laying spending options, and they decided to the very people politicians pay atten. tion to the most, residents of owner- the flooral .building cabinets and - planting areas themselves before mov- allocate the entire extra amount. Welsman said that's true, to a point. Staff ResearcherJohn Moines and occupied homes, aren't feeling the Ing into the 1 ,900 - square- foot house. He said the original budget didn't Staff Writers Brittany Waltman and this heat. But moving into a new house meant meet all the county's needs, and com• Scott Wyman contributed to They are kept happy because their' the Dudleys had to pay taxes on Its' missioners added things they believe report. taxes aren't going up any faster than the rate of inflation, Brummer and N4 current value. And that meant a $7,400 tax bill— three times higher thepublicwants. "The question is what have we done Andy Reldcanbereachedat kolits said. But the Sun - Sentinel anal -,; ysis reveals that those homeowners than what they were paying. - , "We got hitwith a tax that Is more with the revenue?" he said. Landing The$cdpps Research. In- abreld @sun- sentinel.com or 561.832 -6598. Anthony Man can be typically would have seen tax reduc. than our Social Security," Dudley stitute has added about $20 million a • reached at aman @sun- sentinel.com lions if local governments hadn't tak- said. After ayear in the house, Dudley year to the county's budget, he said. or 561- 832.2905. en advantage of fouryears'worth of fears their only option in ay be to sell The county has devoted money to rising property value. it. staff the new parks that were built be- ,0 1 7- _ i o n _ fi f) i) - Total extra money for this year alone