HomeMy Public PortalAbout09/14/2007 * Proposed Budget & Millage MeetingSeptember 7, 2007
MAYOR: William F. Koch, Jr.
VICE MAYOR: Joan K. Orthwein
COMMISSIONER: Muriel J. Anderson
Fred B. Devitt III
Chris D. Wheeler
PUBLIC HEARING BEING HELD BY THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF GULF
STREAM ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2007 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. Presentation of the Proposed Budget and Proposed Millage Rate for
Fiscal Year 2007 -2008.
A. Explanation and discussion of Proposed Millage Rate as
compared to the rolled back rate.
B. Comment from the Commission and the public.
IV. Adoption of the General Fund Tentative Millage Rate for Fiscal
Year 2007 -2008.
V. Adoption of the Tentative Budget for Fiscal Year 2007 -2008
A. General Fund
B. Enterprise Fund
VI. Public Hearing Date for Final Adoption of Millage Rate & Budget
VII. Ordinances for first reading.
A. No. 07/2; 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, 2007 AND ENDING ON
O SEPTEMBER 30, 2008.
B. No. 07/3; 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, 2007 AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30,
2008.
C. No. 07/4; 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, 2007 AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30,
2008.
VIII. 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 PROEEDINGS, AND FOR SUCH PURPOSE, MAY
NEED TO INSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH
RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO
BE BASED. F.S.S. 286.0105
MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC
GULF STREAM ON FRIDAY,
COMMISSION CHAMBERS OF
FLORIDA.
I. Call to Order.
P.M.
C II. Roll Call.
Present and William F. Koch, Jr. Mayor
Participating: Joan K. Orthwein Vice Mayor
Fred B. Devitt III Commissioner
Muriel J. Anderson Commissioner
Chris D. Wheeler Commissioner
HEARING HELD BY THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF
SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AT 5:01 P.M., IN THE
THE TOWN HALL, 100 SEA ROAD, GULF STREAM,
Mayor Koch called the meeting to order at 5:01
Also Present and William Thrasher Town Manager
Participating: Garrett Ward Police Chief
Rita Taylor Town Clerk
III. Presentation of the Proposed Budget and Proposed Millage Rate for
Fiscal Year 2007 -2008.
A. Explanation and discussion of Proposed Millage Rate as
compared to the rolled back rate.
Mr. Thrasher presented the budget and explained that it is a balanced
budget with a rolled back rate of 2.9563 mills. He is requesting an
increase in labor cost by 4.8 %, an increase in the retirement plan from
14.6% to 16% and a CPI increase of 2.4 %. He added that Chief Ward would
be presenting a benefit proposal for consideration.
B. Comment from the Commission and the public.
Chief Ward distributed comparison of benefits and explained that the
proposal includes enrollment in the Florida Retirement System (FRS),
with a current contribution rate of 20.92 %, longevity pay, increase in
life insurance, permanent disability insurance, as well as family dental
and vision, an overall increase of $72,000 to the labor costs. He
provided a 30 year history of the FRS contribution rate with an average
contribution rate of 14.8 %. The Chief explained that the FRS
contribution rate has increased to 20.92% due to the increase in
disability coverage for various aliments that effect high -risk
personnel. The Chief stated that the department is short two officers
and this benefit package would be more beneficial when recruiting
officers.
OCommissioner Wheeler asked how the Chief arrived at the figure for life
insurance and which benefit is more important to him.
The Chief stated that the FRS pension and longevity pay is most
important to him. He added that he tried to get a representative from
the FRS to make a presentation but they would only meet with the
commissioners individually.
Mr. Thrasher explained that $50,000 is the maximum amount allowed for
life insurance without requiring a physical.
Town Commission - Public Hearing
September 14, 2007
Page 2
Commissioner Devitt stated that he did not have enough information on
the pros and cons of both retirement plans and he requested more
information at the next meeting.
Commissioner Anderson asked if the amount of money spent on overtime
equates to a salary.
OThe Chief stated that it depends on the amount of activity in town.
Mayor Koch commented that he does not believe that the police department
needs more officers. He thinks it is not in the best interest of the
town to go with the FRS plan in that once the town goes into the plan,
the town is trapped in it, and can't withdraw from the plan.
Commissioner Wheeler asked the town manager what the revenue funding
options are to cover this package.
Town Manager Thrasher suggested that a revenue option is a utility
service tax. However, he does not recommend that option. Another
source of revenue would be creating a storm water utility, where fees
are assessed to each resident and billed directly by the town. The town
manager reported that he has received a quote from Blue Cross Blue
Shield for health insurance with similar benefits as in the current
plan, but would reduce the cost of the current insurance by $41,000.
The town manager explained that eliminating one position in the police
department, added to the savings from the insurance, would enable the
town to provide dental insurance, a flex- benefit up to $3000 for medical
expenses and increase the contribution to the retirement benefit for all
employees, regardless of which plan the town chooses, without dipping
into reserves. The town manager cautioned that in the future the
governor and legislators may try to inhibit the town's ability to work
in the ad valorem range even further in which case it might be necessary
to use the utility service tax option to just balance the budget.
Commissioner Wheeler asked the Chief if he would rather fund the
increased benefits for the employees and eliminate one officer position
or fund the officer position with the increased benefits funding this
year.
Chief Ward, requesting clarification regarding the reduction of manpower
for 1 year, asked if this moratorium on hiring would be for only 1 year
regardless of the outcome of this situation. He added that his primary
responsibility is the safety and welfare of the residents of Gulf
Stream. In his estimation, it takes 12 men to do that.
Commissioner Wheeler replied that this is true unless a year from now
the Commission asks him to make the same choice again. He felt that the
Commission, a year from now, should be able to ask the Chief if he would
rather have a 30% raise for the employees, or hire another officer, and
receive an answer at that time.
Town Commission - Public Hearing
September 14, 2007
Page 3
Commissioner Orthwein believed the 12th officer should be placed in a
future budget if necessary.
Chief Ward stated that it might take a year to fill the two open
positions. In view of that, he felt he could remove one position from
this budget.
The Commission directed that more information on the pros and cons of
the FRS plan and the current ICMA plan be provided at the next meeting.
There were no comments from the public.
IV. Adoption of the General Fund Tentative Millaae Rate for Fiscal
Year 2007 -2008.
Commissioner Wheeler moved and Commissioner Anderson seconded to adopt
the general fund tentative millage rate of 2.9563 mills for fiscal year
2007 -2008. Roll Call: Comm. Orthwein; AYE, Comm. Devitt; AYE, Comm.
Anderson; AYE, Comm. Wheeler; AYE and Mayor Koch; AYE.
V. Adoption of the Tentative Budget for Fiscal Year 2007 -2008.
A. General Fund
Commissioner Wheeler moved and Commissioner Orthwein seconded to adopt
the tentative budget in the amount of $2,487,401 for fiscal year 2007-
2008. Roll Call: Comm. Orthwein; AYE, Comm. Devitt; AYE, Comm. Anderson;
AYE, Comm. Wheeler; AYE and Mayor Koch; AYE. The Commissioner requested
that information on the pros and cons of the FRS plan and the current
ICMA plan be provided at the next meeting.
B. Enterprise Fund
Commissioner Anderson moved and Commissioner Devitt seconded to adopt
the tentative budget in the enterprise fund of $895,500 for fiscal year
2007 -2008. Roll Call: Comm. Orthwein; AYE, Comm. Devitt; AYE, Comm.
Anderson; AYE, Comm. Wheeler; AYE and Mayor Koch; AYE.
VI. Public Hearing Date for Final Adoption of Millage Rate & Budget.
The public hearing date for final adoption of millage rate and budget
was set for September 25, 2007, at 5:01 P.M.
VII. Ordinances for first reading.
A. No. 07/2; AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF
O 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, 2007 AND ENDING ON
SEPTEMBER 30, 2008.
Town Clerk Taylor read Ordinance No. 07/2 in its entirety.
Commissioner Anderson moved and Commissioner Devitt seconded to adopt
Ordinance No. 07/2 on first reading. There were no comments from the
public. Roll Call: Comm. Orthwein; AYE, Comm. Devitt; AYE, Comm.
Anderson; AYE, Comm. Wheeler; AYE and Mayor Koch; AYE.
B. No. 07/3; AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF
GULF STREAM, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE GENERAL
Town Commission - Public Hearing
September 14, 2007
FUND BUDGET FOR THE TOWN
COMMENCING ON OCTOBER 1,
2008.
Town Clerk Taylor read Ordinance Nc
Page 4
OF GULF STREAM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
2007 AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30,
07/3 in its entirety.
Commissioner Anderson moved and Commissioner Devitt seconded to adopt
Ordinance No. 07/3 on first reading. There were no comments from the
public. Call: Comm. Orthwein; AYE, Comm. Devitt; AYE, Comm. Anderson;
AYE, Comm. Wheeler; AYE and Mayor Koch; AYE.
C. No. 07/4; 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, 2007 AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30,
2008.
Town Clerk Taylor read Ordinance No. 07/4 in its entirety.
Commissioner Anderson moved and Commissioner Devitt seconded to adopt
Ordinance No. 07/4 on first reading. There were no comments from the
public. Roll Call: Comm. Orthwein; AYE, Comm. Devitt; AYE, Comm.
Anderson; AYE, Comm. Wheeler; AYE and Mayor Koch; AYE.
VIII. Adjournment. Mayor Koch adjourned the meeting at 6:40 P.M.
Yve ne E. Eckert, CMC
DepLty Town Clerk