1992.09.04_TC_Minutes_Special~ i ',,
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
Minutes of Town Commission Meeting
PUBLIC HEARING
Friday, September 4, 1992 5:01 P.M.
Mayor Joseph A. Boulay called this Public Hearing to order in Commis-
sion Chambers at 5:01 P.M.
Deputy Town Clerk Doris Trinley called the roll. Present were the
Mayor and Commissioners Arthur Eypel, John F. Rand and Arlin Voress.
Vice Mayor Bill Paul was absent.
Also present were Town Attorney Mary Ann Mariano, Finance Director
Michael Seaman, Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney and resident Russell
Richardson.
Mayor Boulay announced the purpose of this meeting was to give the
public an opportunity to discuss the proposed 1992/1993 Fiscal Year
Budget.
Being the only member of the general public present, Mr. Richardson
noted the increase in his municipal tax bill was substantial. Having
been previously advised that this was due mainly to increase in
fire/rescue service fees, he asked for an explanation and also what the
Commission intended to do about it.
Mayor Boulay answered by saying that since 1989 the cost of the county
fire/rescue services to the Town has doubled and while the figures
cannot be changed for this fiscal year, much work has been done and is
still going on with the County Commission to get them to change their
method of determining fees from valuation assessment to population-
based. If the County Commission opts to change to a population-based
methodology, the Town would see a significant savings next fiscal
year.
Commissioner Rand added that while the fire/rescue fee is the Town's
largest single expenditure, refuse collection fees had also been in-
creased and employee merit increases, deleted from last year's budget,
had been reinstated. The Commissioner assured Mr. Richardson that the
Town had been working diligently for two or more years to have the
County institute a more equitable method of assessing fire/rescue costs
and noted Town Resolution No. 606, which had to do with this issue, and
the large number of residents who had helped get the County Commission
to listen by signing it.
Mrs. Mariano pointed out that we continue to try to hold the line, but
the increase in fire/rescue fees this year were unavoidable as pre-
viously explained. However, she said that while having to raise taxes
is always unfortunate, the Town can still consider itself fortunate in
that out of 38 taxing entities (county and municipalities as a whole),
we are down in the bottom 5, while there are other small town like ours
that are now up to 5, 6, 7, even 8 mils.
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Town Commission
Public Hearing
September 4, 1992 Page 2 of 2
Mayor Boulay announced the next budget meeting will be a Public
Hearing/Special Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 15 at 5:01 PM
to hear additional comments and to adopt the 1992/1993 Fiscal Year
Budget.
There being no further business to come before the Town Commission at
this time, the Public Hearing was adjourned at 5:15 P.M. upon MOTION by
COMMISSIONER VORESS/COMMISSIONER RAND.
dmt
APPROVE: ~
Josep A. oulay, Mayor
11 Paul, Vide Mayor
ur Eypel, C~cnmi~sioner
. Rand, Commissioner
Arl~ress, Commissioner
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