2011.09.06_TC_Minutes_SpecialTOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING
BUDGET PUBIC HEARING
Tuesday, September 06, 2011 5.01 PM
Mayor Bernard Featherman called the Budget Public Hearing to order in Commission
Chambers at 5:01 PM.
CALL TO ORDER:
Roll Call: Members present: Mayor Bernard Featherman; Vice Mayor Miriam S. Zwick;
Commissioner Doris M. Trinley; Commissioner John J. Pagliaro; and Commissioner
Dennis J. Sheridan. Also present: Town Attorney Tom Sliney; Town Manager Kathleen D.
Weiser; Town Clerk Beverly M. Brown; Chief of Police Craig Hartmann; Public Works
Director Jack C. Lee; Library Director Mari Suarez; Acting Finance Director Cale Curtis;
Building Office Manager Carol Holland; Assistant to the Town Manager Zoie Burgess; and
members of the public.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was given, followed by a minute of
silence in honor of those who lost their lives during the attack against our country on
September 11, 2001.
Civility Pledge: Town Clerk Brown recited the Civility Pledge for the Commission and
public.
1. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
• Agenda accepted as presented.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REOUESTS:
Ron Boucher — 3450 S. Ocean Blvd.
Is the public allowed to ask specific questions on the budget? (Questions will be answered
during presentation) 1) Under the budget of the Finance Department - Account 523-000
Health Insurance. In the prior year only $20,417 was budgeted, in the present budget it was
increased to $45,500 but to date only $29,000 has been spent, Why has it been increased
in the proposed budget? 2) Why is there no line account for ambulance receipts? 3)
Do you not include police cars in Capital Improvements? 4) As a capital expense, why
are we not funding cars yearly?
Town Commission Budget Hearing Minutes
September 6, 2011 Page 2 of 6
Ira Oaklander —1000 Russell Dr.
In order to balance the budget, is the Town taking money out of the reserves? Manager
Weiser — For the past four years, the Town has been using Reserves to balance the budget.
Personnel costs are 65 to 70 % of the budget. If we did not balance the budget from the
Reserves, we would have to eliminate some services. Mayor Featherman — Fifteen percent
of operating costs is recommended for Reserves in governmental accounting. Our
Reserves to date are over 60%. Mr. Oaklander — Instead of using Reserves, we should
balance the budget. Manager Weiser — Our options would be to close the library, the post
office, or half of the police department.
Ron Boucher — No educational budget? Manager Weiser — In Florida the school system
budget is separate from the municipal budget. Mr. Boucher — The Commission should
raise the taxes to balance the budget.
Rissa Walsdorf — Boca Cove Lane
I love the library and the police department. Have any other departments made any cuts?
Manager Weiser - Every department has cut their budgets 10/20%.
3. PRESENTATION OF CHANGES TO BUDGET:
Cale Curtis — Acting Finance Director
Acting Finance Director Curtis — In response to the questions asked: 1) Last year there was
only one full-time person in the Finance Office. The part-time position became a full-time
position this year and became eligible for health insurance. All monies in that account will
be used by the end of the year. 2) Ambulance receipts — We have a contract with Delray
Fire -Rescue to provide ambulance services in the Town. In the contract, we pay an
additional fee so that they will not bill any of our residents for ambulance services that their
insurance does not cover.
Budget Recap as of 9/06/2011:
Summary of all Budget Updates
As of 09/06/2011
General Fund: Revenues
Communication Services Tax: Decrease $ 13,000
Appropriation from Reserve: Increase $ 7,775
Total General Fund Revenue Changes: Decrease $ 5,225
General Fund Expenditures
Correction to Retirement Contributions: Increase $ 28,100
Correction to Personnel Services: Increase $ 3,000
Town Commission Budget Hearing Minutes
September 6, 2011 Page 3 of 6
Longevity Program:
Decrease
$ 19,200
Healthcare Premium:
Increase
$ 6,700
Solid Waste Authority:
Increase
$ 400
Space Planning/Architectural Plans:
Increase
$ 40,000
General Liability/Property Insurance:
Decrease
$ 65,000
Cell Phone Stipend:
Decrease
$ 1,000
Misc. Adjustments (taxes):
Increase
$ 1,775
Total General Fund Expenditure Changes:
Increase
$ 5,225
Water Fund: Revenues
Appropriation from Reserve:
Increase
$ 43,562
Water Fund: Expenditures:
Corrections to Retirement Contributions:
Increase
$ 5,000
Longevity Program:
Decrease
$ 13,000
Capital Improvement:
Increase
$ 120,000
General Liability/Property Insurance:
Decrease
$ 32,000
Reserve for Contingency:
Decrease
$ 39,238
Misc. Adjustments (taxes):
Increase
$ 2,800
Total Water Fund Expenditure Changes:
Increase
$ 43,562
Sewer Fund: Revenues
Appropriation from Reserve: Decrease $ 1,000
Sewer Fund: Expenditures
General Liability/Property Insurance Decrease $ 1,000
Director Curtis — Under the Water Fund Expenditure, the increase in Capital Improvements
of $120,000 will be eliminated. That expense was budgeted in this year's budget and we
did not believe a contract would be awarded during this fiscal year. Today, bid's were
opened for work to be performed on the acid system in the water plant. In the next few
weeks the Commission will be asked to award a contract, thus eliminating the need to carry
the money over into the next fiscal year.
Manaszer Weiser — We took out the funding for the renovations of this building, but
included $40,000 for Space Planning/Architectural Plans. By using a Space
Planner/Architect, we will be provided with design developmental plans, architectural
plans and construction documents. When the money is available for the renovations, all the
documents will be in place to start the process.
4. READING OF BUDGET RESOLUTIONS:
A) Town Clerk Brown read Resolution No. 11-008 R - Adoption of Proposed
Final Millage Rate into the record.
Town Commission Budget Hearing Minutes
September 6, 2011 Page 4 of 6
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF
HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A FINAL MILLAGE RATE OF
3.4070 MILS FOR THE TOWN'S GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2011 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
2012; PROVIDING THAT THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE OF 3.4070 MILS IS 0.00
PERCENT LESS THAN THE COMPUTED ROLLED -BACK RATE OF 3.4070
MILS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS AND AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
B) Town Clerk Brown read Resolution No.11-009 R — Adoption of
Proposed 2009/2010 Budget into the record.
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF
HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A FINAL BUDGET FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2011 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
2012; DETERMINING AND FIXING THE AMOUNTS NECESSARY TO CARRY
ON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TOWN FOR THE ENSUING YEAR;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
5. PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING 2011/2012 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET:
Ira Oaklander — 1000 Russell Drive
Question the reasoning of taking money from the Reserves to provide architectural services
for a project that is not funded. Manager Weiser — Renovations to the police department
and Commission Chambers have been proposed for the last few years. Even though we do
not have the monies available to complete the work, we will have the construction plans
ready. Mr. Oaklander — Understand answer, but do not understand taking the money from
the Reserves. Manager Weiser — We took the expense of the renovations out of the budget,
but left the architectural design in, so that when the time is right to fund the renovations, we
will already have the construction plans and be ready to go out for bid.
Comm. Sheridan — All we have heard about for the last three or four years, is the two state
of the art buildings that we had built. The Library and the Water Plant. This building is
antiquated. It should be a showcase. The Police Department cannot be certified until
renovations are made.
Comm. Pa liaro- We know eventually that these improvements will be made. If we have
the plans in place, then we can anticipate the cost and the budgeting of the funds.
Comm. Sheridan — Is it possible for the Commission to review all the contracts and
agreements that are now in place, to determine if it would be feasible to go out for quotes
again? Request that this item be placed on the next Workshop Agenda for further
discussion and review. Manager Weiser — Will present all service contracts and
agreements at the next Workshop.
Town Commission Budget Hearing Minutes
September 6, 2011 Page 5 of 6
Ron Bouchard — 3450 S. Ocean Blvd.
You are trying to keep a level budget. Personally, I feel it is irresponsible. Everything is
going up. Your budget should increase every year to keep up with the costs. Manor
Featherman — We are trying to keep our taxes down. Mr. Bouchard — If you have salary
increases, you cannot keep the budget level. If you do not increase taxes, you are going to
fall behind the ball.
Comm. Pa lg iaro — Prior to this year's proposed budget, we have decreased the taxes. It
was not possible this year. Municipalities have different financial guidelines.
Manager Weiser — Government has different guidelines. If you have an interest in the
budget process, we have a Financial Advisory board that has vacancies.
Mayor Featherman — Are there any other comments? Receiving no further comments, the
Public Hearing is closed.
6. COMMISSION QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION•
Comm.Sheridan — We will not need that $120,000 appropriation in the Water Plant?
Director Curtis — We had a BID opening today for the project and the contract will be
awarded in this budget year, eliminating the need to carry the funding over into next year's
budget.
Comm. Pa lg iaro — No questions.
Vice Mayor Zwick — By removing the $120,000 from the Water Plant budget, there is no
need of an increase? Reply — That is correct.
Comm. Trinley — No questions.
Mayor Featherman — Have any expenses gone up? Director Curtis — Fuel has gone up;
health insurance has not increased; general liability has not gone up; chemicals have
remained flat; and operating expenditures have gone down.
Comm. Pa lg iaro — What is the bottom line versus increases and decreases Director Curtis
- The total General Fund Expenditures will have an increase of $5,225; the Water Fund
Expenditures will have a decrease of $76,438. The decrease will be transferred to the
Reserve for Contingency. If the monies are to be transferred from the Reserves, it cannot
be done without Commission approval.
7. REPORTS - TOWN COMMISSION
A) Commissioner Dennis J. Sheridan - No Report.
Town Commission Budget Hearing Minutes
September 6, 2011 Page 6 of 6
B) Commissioner John J. Pagliaro — No Report.
C) Commissioner Doris M. Trinley — No Report.
D) Vice Mayor Miriam S. Zwick - No Report.
E) Mayor Bernard Featherman - No Report.
8. REPORTS — TOWN ATTORNEY:
No Report.
9. REPORTS — TOWN MANAGER:
No Report.
10. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REOUESTS•
No Public Comments.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Mayor Featherman
adjourned the Special Budget Public Hearing at 5:42 PM upon a MOTION by
Commissioner Pagliaro; seconded by Vice Mayor Zwick.
APPROVED: 4" S
Bernard Featherman, Mayor
Miriam . Zwi�c-7ke Mayor
ADUris M. Trinlev. Commissinner
ATTEST: AM J.
Beverly M. Brown, MMC Dennis J. She dan, Commissioner
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