HomeMy Public PortalAbout1987-09-08 Budget Hearing77
COUNCIL MINUTES/BUDGET HEARING
SEPTEMBER 8, 1987 - 5:15 P.M.
The first budget hearing of the Bal Harbour Village Council
was held on Tuesday, September 8, 1987 at the Village Hall. The
meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m. by Mayor Richard H.
Olsen and the roll was called. Those present were:
Mayor Richard H. Olsen
Asst. Mayor Estelle Stern
Councilman Matthew B. Blank
Councilman James E. Boggess
Absent: Councilman Sol M. Taplin
Also present:
Louise R. Miller, Village Manager
Richard J. Weiss, Village Attorney
Carole S. Morris, Village Clerk
Mayor Olsen explained that this meeting is being held in
accordance with the provisions of the TRIM bill. Mayor Olsen
then recognized Mrs. Miller to provide an explanation of the
proposed budget.
Mrs. Miller explained that the millage rate had been
certified to the County at 5.25 mills. However, further review
has permitted further reduction of this millage rate to 3.95
mills. Reductions from the original proposal include elimination
of a new police building and a reduction in the Village's
contribution to the employees retirement fund. Solid Waste fees,
which in FY 86/87 had been billed separately, would now be
incorporated back into the millage rate.
Mayor Olsen announced that the millage rate proposed, 3.95,
was 16.52% over the rolled -back millage rate of 3.39. He then
opened the public hearing on the budget.
Mary Venturi, 159 Bal Bay Drive, requested the Council
provide funds in the budget for a 4th of July fireworks show.
Mrs. Miller noted that no funds are provided in the proposed
document. Mayor Olsen indicated that this will be addressed.
Mary T. Wetterer, 60 Park Drive, expressed concern that the
Municipal Clerks Training Institute had been deleted from the
budget. She stated that she, former Village Clerk, was certified
and that she hated to see the standard lowered. Mrs. Miller
indicated that the trip was eliminated from the proposed budget
but would be caught up in the subsequent year. In reply to
further inquiry, Mrs. Miller stated that the funds shown in the
512 education account were available for both the Clerk's and
Manager's educational expenses. Mayor Olsen then closed the
public hearing. A motion was offered by Mrs. Stern and seconded
by Mr. Boggess to adopt the General Fund budget as submitted.
The motion carried unopposed (4-0).
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Mrs. Miller then presented the Water Fund budget for the
Council's consideration. This fund has no impact upon the
millage rate and is funded entirely through revenues from sales.
A 10% increase, which is a pass -through of an increased rate
charged to the Village, is proposed. Mayor Olsen opened the
public hearing on the Water Fund budget and, as no one desired to
speak, closed the public hearing. A motion was offered by Mrs.
Stern and seconded by Mr. Blank to adopt the Water Fund budget as
submitted. The motion carried unopposed (4-0).
Mrs. Miller presented the Sewer Fund budget for the
Council's approval. A rate increase for sewer charges is also
proposed. This increase is necessitated by an increase in
treatment charges to the Village and by the increased maintenance
requirements due to the age of the system. Mayor Olsen then
opened the public hearing on the Sewer Fund budget and, as no one
desired to speak, closed the public hearing. A motion was
offered by Mr. Boggess and seconded by Mrs. Stern to adopt the
Sewer Fund budget as submitted. The motion carried unanimously
(4-0).
Mrs. Miller then presented the Tourism Fund budget for the
Council's consideration. She noted that 1% of the 3% resort tax
is reserved for beach renourishment. This budget provides for
beach maintenance, a $25,000 contribution to the Greater Miami
Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), as well as public
relations/tourism operations. Mayor Olsen noted that, at their
meeting earlier in the day, the Resort Tax Committee had
recommended revisions of the proposed budget to allocate $160,000
for contribution to the GMCVB. Mayor Olsen opened the public
hearing on this budget. Mario Noto, 101 Bal Bay Drive, stated
that his attention had been drawn to this matter through various
articles in the local media. He opposed any action which would
precipitate the Village reaching into its reserve accounts for
operating funds. John Alden, General Manager of the Sheraton Bal
Harbour, explained that the recommendation of the Resort Tax
Committee would not deplete reserve funds but would instead
transfer funds from other operating accounts. This, which he
viewed as the best, utilization of resort tax dollars would
increase resort tax collections thus building reserve fund monies
more rapidly. Bernie Burke, Singapore Hotel, concurred with
Alden adding that this approach would be better for both Dade
County and Bal Harbour. After some further discussion, a motion
was offered by Mr. Boggess and seconded by Mr. Blank to adopt the
Resort Tax fund budget as submitted. The motion carried
unanimously (4-0). Mayor Olsen reiterated that the Village's
reduction in contribution to the GMCVB was not a lack of support
but instead an act of fiscal integrity.
Mayor Olsen announced that, pursuant to the General Fund
budget adopted earlier, the millage rate of 3.95 exceeds the
rolled -back millage rate by 16.5%. Additionally, the final
budget hearing will be held on Monday, September 14, 1987 at 5:15
p.m. in the Village Hall.
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Mr. Sidney Feldman, 9801 Collins Avenue, was recognized.
Mr. Feldman, a member of the Budget Committee, expressed concern
that the Budget Committee should be one of the most active
Committee's but has, to the contrary, met on only one occasion.
He added that he believes the Committee should include more
community leaders as well as the Mayor and further that the
meetings should be chaired by a member of the Council rather than
the Manager. He urged the Committee begin a detailed study of
the Village's personal related costs (retirement, salaries,
insurance, etc.). Herbert Goldberg, 9801 Collins Avenue,
suggested that a column be added to future budget documents to
indicate actual expenditures. Mayor Olsen concurred with this
suggestion. Mayor Olsen and the remaining Council members
extended their thanks and appreciation to Councilman Blank for
his efforts in reduction of the proposed budget.
Mr. Weiss advised the Council that, again this year, the
Village was encountering difficulties in complying with the
regulations of the State regarding the police pension funds. An
administrative hearing on the matter has been requested. Mr.
Weiss will keep the Council advised on this matter.
Their being no further business a motion was offered by Mrs.
Stern and seconded by Mr. Boggess to adjourn the meeting. The
meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
ATTEST:
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illage Clerk