2008.09.09_TC_Minutes_Special•
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING
BUDGET MEETING
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 5.01 P M
Mayor Jim Newill, CPA called the Budget Meeting to order in Commission Chambers at
5:01 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER:
Roll Call: Members present: Mayor Jim Newill, CPA; Vice Mayor Miriam S. Zwick;
Commissioner Doris M. Trinley; Commissioner John J. Sorrelli; and Commissioner John J.
Pagliaro. Also present: Town Attorney Tom Sliney; Town Manager Dale S. Sugerman;
Town Clerk Beverly M. Brown; Finance Director Stanley Novak; Senior Accounting Clerk
• Cale Curtis; Chief of Police Carlo Angelillo; members of the public.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was given, followed by a minute of
silence in honor of members of the military, both living and deceased.
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 CONIlVIENTS AND REQUESTS:
• No comments received.
3. PRESENTATION OF BUDGET RESOLUTIONS
A) Town Clerk Brown read proposed Resolution No. 08-008 R -Adoption of
Proposed Final Millage Rate into the record.
• A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN CONIlVII55ION OF THE TOWN OF
HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A FINAL MILEAGE RATE OF
Town Commission Special Meeting Minutes
September 9, 2008 Page 2 of 4
• 3.4042 MILS FOR THE TOWN'S GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2008 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
2009; PROVIDING THAT THE FINAL MILEAGE RATE OF 3.4042 MILS IS 7.87
PERCENT LESS THAN THE COMPUTED ROLLED-BACK RATE OF 3.6951
MILS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS AND AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
Town Manager Su erman -This proposed resolution sets the proposed final mileage rate
at 3.85 mils for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Please remember that 3.85 mils does not have
to be the final millage rate. The Commission adopted a tentative maximum millage rate
of 3.95 mils. If the Commission wants, the final millage rate could go as high as 3.95
mils. This would add approximately $200,000 to the anticipated revenues if this higher
millage rate is adopted at the second meeting on September 25`t'. The second resolution
has the final proposed budget document attached to it, including the Town's
organizational chart and the 2008-2009 pay plan. Both resolutions are being introduced
at this meeting, and there will be opportunities for both individual members of the
Commission to speak to both items, and for the public to speak to both items. Neither
resolution is to be voted upon at this meeting. The second reading of these resolutions,
along with a final vote will not be conducted until the meeting of September 25, 2008 at
5:01 P.M.
Mayor Newill - We are able to change the millage rate until the 25~'? Manager
Su eg rman -Yes, but you cannot go higher than the 3.95 mils.
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Mayor Newill -Opened the public hearing. Receiving no comments, the public hearing
was closed.
Commissioner Pa lg iaro -What is the reserve? Mana eg r Superman - $579,084. Are you
comfortable with that? Mana eg r Su erman - No. The reserve amount is the amount
appropriated but not allocated. It is available for unforeseen expenditures. The budget is
established in May. Between then and September 30, 2009 we may not be able to foresee
any unexpected or emergency problems.
Mayor Newill -This current fiscal year had $861,993 in contingency. The balance is
only $2,400.00.
B) Town Clerk Brown read proposed Resolution No. 08-009 R -Adoption of
Proposed 2008/2009 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, 2008 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
2009; 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.
Town Commission Special Meeting Minutes
September 9, 2008 Page 3 of 4
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Mayor Newill -Opened the public hearing. Receiving no comments, the public hearing
was closed.
Commissioner Trinlev -Resolution No. 08-008 R represents a millage rate of 3.85. How
much would the budget increase if it was changed to 3.95 mils? Reply -Approximately
$205,000.00.
MOTION: Vice Mavor Zwick moved to instruct the Town Manager to prepare and
calculate a Resolution with a 3.95 millage rate for review; seconded by Commissioner
Trinlev.
Discussion: Mana eg r Su erman - If the motion is approved, the Finance Director and I
will prepare a proposed resolution using the 3.95 millage rate. Vice Mavor Zwick -The
additional monies are to be included in the reserves. I will be abroad and will not be able
to vote on the final resolution. Comm. Trinlev -This will increase the reserves by
approximately $205,000.00? Reply -Yes. Mayor Newill - It appears the Commission
wants the Vice Mayor to be involved in the final millage rate. We should vote either way
at this meeting. Comm. Trinlev - Do we know how much the 3.95 rate would increase
each individual tax payer's total? Mayor Newill -The trim notice that went to each
individual tax payer was based on the 3.95 millage rate. Comm. Trinlev -Are we going
to increase the garbage and solid waste rates? Mana eg r Sugerman -The proposed
ordinance will be on the next workshop. The increase figures are not in the proposed
budget. The wholesale cost to the town is in the budget. The Commission has to
determine if they want to subsidize the rates. Vice Mayor Zwick - If we are only adding
$200,000 to the budget, and we have a disaster, it will not cover beans. We would then
have to operate in a deficit. Should we give it a try? Mavor Newill -The 3.95 is a
reduction from the 4.0 millage of last year. If we have an unforeseen catastrophe, most
of the cost will be covered by insurance. What we have not covered, are the
unanticipated items the Commission decides to fund during the year. Unfortunately, they
are easy to fund. Comm. Pa liaro -Disagree. The Town Commission has the
responsibility to fund the services that our residents expect. If we go to 3.95 it is not an
increase. They have already been notified that this will be the millage rate. Not
comfortable with less reserves. Mana er Su eg rman - Do not want to mislead you. My
response of no is to let you know that $575,000 or $875,000 may not be enough for the
unexpected. Did not want to go on record stating that you had nothing to worry about, as
no one knows what the future brings. I did not use the word catastrophe as those will be
paid by insurance. I used the word reserves due to unexpected expenditures. Strongly
urge the Commission to adopt the. rate of 3.85 mils which is 7.87 percent less on top of us
going down last year, as the taxpayers have told us to reduce taxes, cut back, and tighten
the belt wherever you can.
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Town Commission Special Meeting Minutes
September 9, 2008 Page 4 of 4
ROLL CALL:
Vice Mayor Zwick - Aye
Commissioner Trinley - Aye
Commissioner Pagliaro - Aye
Commissioner Sorrelli - No
Mayor Newill - No
Motion passes with a 3-2 Vote.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING 2008/2009 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET
No further comments
5. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND DISCUSSIONS:
No further comments
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS:
None
7. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, a
MOTION was made by Commissioner Sorrelli and seconded by Commissioner
Pagliaro to adjourn at 5:45 P.M.
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APPROVE: ~~, /
I ~'~LL~
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