2016.09.27_TC_Minutes_Special TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING
FY 2016-2017 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING
Tuesday. September 27, 2016 5:01 PM
Mayor Bernard Featherman called the Budget Public Hearing to order in the Town Commission
Chambers at 5:05 PM.
CALL TO ORDER:
Roll Call: Members present: Mayor Bernard Featherman; Vice Mayor William Weitz, Ph.D;
Commissioner Carl Feldman; Commissioner Stem and Commissioner Rhoda Zelniker. Also
present: Town Attorney Brian Shutt; Interim Town Manager Valerie Oakes; Deputy Town
Clerk Lanelda Gaskins; Finance Director Cale Curtis; Public Works Director Ed Soper, Police
Chief Craig Hartmann; Library Director Lois Albertson and members of the public.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was given,followed by a minute of silence.
Civility Pledge: The Civility Pledge was recited by the Deputy Town Clerk.
1. ADDITIONS,DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
Mayor Featherman called for any additions or deletions to the agenda.
Receiving no additions or deletions,the agenda was accepted as presented.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS:
None were received.
3. PRESENTATIONS:
None.
4. PRESENTATIONS OF BUDGET RESOLUTIONS
A) RESOLUTION NO. 16-007 R
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF
HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A FINAL MILLAGE RATE OF
3.25 MILS FOR THE TOWN'S GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2016 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER
Town Commission Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes
Tuesday,September 27,2016 Pane 2 of 6
30, 2017; PROVIDING THAT THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE OF 3.25 MILS IS
0.963 PERCENT LESS THAN THE COMPUTED ROLLED BACK RATE OF
3.2816 MILS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS AND AN
EFFFECTIVE DATE.
Duty Town Clerk Gaskins read Resolution No. 16-007 R into the record.
Interim Town Manager Oakes — Based upon feedback from the Town Commission,
Staff has reduced the millage rate to 3.25 mills. This rate is 0.963% less than the
calculated rolled-back rate of 3.2816. The 3.25 tax rate, along with all the other
estimated revenues, are projected to cover all of the estimated expenditures.
In addition to the operating tax rate above, the Town's voter-approved tax rate (debt
service) will be set at 0.6060. Therefore, if the Commission approves the 3.25 tax rate,
the Town's total tax rate for the 2016-2017 fiscal year will be set at 3.8560.
This is just to present the resolution. We will take comments and a vote later in the
hearing.
B) RESOLUTION NO. 16-008 R
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF
HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A FINAL BUDGET FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2016 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER
30, 2017; 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.
Deputy Town Clerk Gaskins read Resolution No. 16-008 R into the record.
Interim Town Manager Oakes — Over the last 3 months, the Town Commission and
Staff have met to go over details of the 2016-2017 Proposed Budget. The Proposed
Budget is now in its final form and presented before you for consideration and formal
adoption.
The total Town Budget (less an inter-fund transfer) totals $20,035,510 and includes the
following:
• General Fund - $10,916,910
• Water Fund - $ 7,982,090
• Sewer Fund - $1,136,510
5. PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING 2016-2017 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET:
Mayor Featherman opened the Public Hearing.
Town Commission Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes
Tuesday,September 27,2016 Pate 3 of 6
Carl Gehman, 1123 Highland Beach Dr. — Is the rate going from 3.85 to 3.25? Finance
Director Curtis—There are two parts to the Highland Beach tax rate. One is the operating
rate, which is what the Commission has the authority to set. The other part is the debt
service tax rate, which is what is approved by voters as we issue debt. The Commission
sets the operating rate of 3.25. The debt service rate is a rate that is automatically
calculated at 0.6060 and goes on the tax bill. These numbers added together brings the total
tax to 3.8560. What the Commission is adopting for operating purposes is 3.25.
Mayor Featherman closed the Public Hearing.
6. COMMISSION QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION:
Commissioner Feldman—The budget we have now is a fine budget and going forward with
exactly what we have.
Commissioner Stern — For the last few years, this Commission has found ways to reduce,
restructure and lower our taxes for the residents of Highland Beach.
Vice Mayor Weitz — It is important for the taxpayers to understand the way in which this
Commission is working and why certain things are coming up in a variety of areas. It is
because this Commission has gone through a line item review budget. I appreciate all the
work done by this Commission,the Finance Director and staff.
Mayor Featherman— We are hoping that with lowering the rate to 3.25, our taxpayers will
be paying less money even though the county has raised their rate by 6.5% on their taxes.
Commissioner Zelniker— I also am very proud of this Commission, our Finance Director
and all the staff for the wonderful job they did. With all the construction going on in
Highland Beach, we have also brought in more taxes.
7. ADOPTION OF MILLAGE RATE ON SECOND READING:
A) RESOLUTION NO. 16-007 R
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF
HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A FINAL MILLAGE RATE OF
3.25 MILS FOR THE TOWN'S GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2016 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER
30, 2017; PROVIDING THAT THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE OF 3.25 MILS IS
0.%3 PERCENT LESS THAN THE COMPUTED ROLLED-BACK RATE OF
3.2816 MILS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS AND AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Town Commission Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes
Tuesdav,September 27,2016 Page 4 of 6
Deputy Town Clerk Gaskins read Resolution No. 16-007 R into the record on Second
Reading.
MOTION: Commissioner Feldman moved to adopt Resolution No. 16-007 R on 2nd
Reading. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Stern.
ROLL CALL:
Commissioner Feldman - Yes
Commissioner Stem - Yes
Commissioner Zelniker - Yes
Vice Mayor Weitz - Yes
Mayor Featherman - Yes
Motion carried 5 to 0.
8. ADOPTION OF 2016-2017 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET ON SECOND READING:
A) RESOLUTION NO. 16-008 R
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF
HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A FINAL BUDGET FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2016 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER
30, 2017 DETERMINING AND F UNG THE AMOUNTS NECESSARY TO
CARRY ON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TOWN FOR THE ENSUING
YEAR; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS AND AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Deputy Town Clerk Gaskins read Resolution No. 16-008 R into the record on Second
Reading.
MOTION: Commissioner Feldman moved to adopt Resolution No. 16-008 R on 2nd
Reading. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Zelniker.
ROLL CALL:
Commissioner Feldman - Yes
Commissioner Zelniker - Yes
Commissioner Stem - Yes
Vice Mayor Weitz - Yes
Mayor Featherman - No
Motion carried 5 to 0.
Town Commission Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes
Tuesday,September 27,2016 Paste 5 of 6
9. REPORTS—TOWN COMMISSION:
A) Commissioner Carl Feldman — The millage rate that we set is one of the lowest in
Palm Beach County. We were able to do that with the help of our Town employees and
management. Going forward we are going to see some great things in this Town.
B) Commissioner Louis P. Stern—No report.
C) Commissioner Zelniker—Highland Beach is the best town ever.
D) Vice Mayor Weitz — The Commission did review the budget carefully and did some
work in terms of trying to be cost effective. A lot of the credit goes to our Town staff,
our supervisors and our Town employees. They are looking out for the Town of
Highland Beach as much as we are. We never jeopardized services or functions to our
Town. It is a credit to our supervisory staff. I am looking forward to tremendous
morale and interaction among staff and this Commission.
E) Mayor Bernard Featherman — We have a tremendous group of employees, and our
staff is very commendable as well as our Commissioners. We have a very fine Town.
10. REPORTS—TOWN ATTORNEY GLEN TORCIVIA:
No report.
11. REPORTS—INTERIM TOWN MANAGER VALERIE OAKES:
No report.
12. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS RELATED TO AGENDA ITEMS
DISCUSSED AT MEETING ONLY:
None were received.
13.ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Mayor Featherman called
for a motion to adjourn the Budget Public Hearing Meeting at 5:19 PM.
MOTION: Commissioner Zelniker moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:19 PM. Motion
was seconded by Commissioner Stern, which passed unanimously.
Town Commission Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes
Tuesday,September 27,2016 Page 6 of 6
APPROVED:
Bernard Featherman, Mayor
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Car�eldman,Commissioner
Coils-P--, Sterk0dinmissioner
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Zelniker, CO 1MILMssioner
ATTEST:
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Valerie Oakes,CMC, Town Clerk Date
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