1986.04.07_FAB_Minutes_RegularTOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA
FINANCIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Monday, April 7, 1986 10 00 A.M.
A meeting of the Financial Advisory Board was held at 10:00 a.m.
on Monday, April 7, 1986 at Town Hall.
Members attending included: Richard Brunton, Benjamin Cohen, and
Reese James. Member Walter Peklenk was absent. Commissioner
William A. Grier and Town Manager Hugh D. Williams were also in
attendance throughout the meeting.
The Minutes of the March 24, 1986 meeting were approved as
written.
The Chair introduced the question of the need for members of the
Financial Advisory Board (F.A.B.) to file a Financial Disclosure
Statement as may be required by Florida Statutes. A recent
reporting in a local newspaper spoke to a member of an advisory
board who was given a fine by the Florida Commission on Ethics for
failure to file the required statement. Town Manager Williams
agreed to seek an official opinion from the Florida Commission on
Ethics on the applicability of the Statute to this Town's advisory
boards.
The F.A.B. then discussed the question of unfunded liability re
the litigation between Highland Beach and Delray Beach. Noting
that the "Court" has set an April 28th date for petition for
compliance with an existing written agreement between the two
municipalities, it was the sense of the F.A.B. to defer further
discussion pending the court decision and to reschedule the
subject for the F.A.B. May 5th meeting.
The Town Manager's proposed purchasing policy was then introduced
and during the discussion, it was agreed that Member Brunton would
meet with the Town Manager in preparation for this subject to be
presented at the F.A.B. April 21st meeting.
The subject of personnel changes in the Building Department had
been covered in the F.A.B. minutes of its October 28, 1985 -
meeting. In reviewing this matter to date, it was noted that
although the F.A.B. had recommended these staff changes be
implemented "no later than April 1, 198611, no action has been
taken. The discussion did point out that the implementing action
has to be initiated by the Town Manager and that sufficient
staffing would remain to properly handle the projected workload.
The F.A.B. reiterates its view that these changes can and should
be implemented and urges the Town Manager to initiate the
appropriate action and to advise the Town Commission of his
intent.
Financial Advisory Board
April 7, 1986
Page 2 of 2
The investment practice of the Town was then reintroduced from the
F.A.B. February 20, 1986 meeting. It was noted that the Town
Commission has not yet developed or established a "policy" on this
matter, reflecting their (the Commission's) fiduciary responsibility.
Member Brunton has agreed to continue his review of the applicable
State Statutes and will meet with the Town Finance Director and Town
Manager in preparation for further discussion at the F.A.B. April 21st
meeting.
The Town Manager's Memo of February 20, 1986 re Federal and State Funds
was discussed. Although we presently (Fiscal 1985/86) receive some
$140,000.00 annually, it was questioned whether given all the economic,
Political, and practical considerations, the total amount of
$140,000.00 would be lost in one fiscal period. It does appear that
some of these dollars will be lost for fiscal 1986/87 budget and that
the Town Manager, the F.A.B., and the Town Commission need to be
considering sources for meeting the probable funding shortfall.
The meeting then adjourned until it's next scheduled meeting on
April 21, 1986.
Re ctfully submitted,
Reese James, Chairman
RJ:elk
cc: FAB Members
Town Commissioners
Town Manager