2020.07.09_FAB_Minutes_RegularTOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
TOWN VIRTUAL FINANCIAL ADVISORY
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BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
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Town Hall / Commission Chambers Date: July 09, 2020
3614 South Ocean Boulevard Time: 2:00 PM
Highland Beach, Florida 33487
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Stern called the meeting to order at 2:01 P.M.
2. PRESENT UPON ROLL CALL
Member Ronald Reame
Member Richard Greenwald
Member Natasha Moore
Neil Eisenband entered the meeting at 2:08 P.M.
Member Edward B. Kornfeld
Chairperson David Stern
Town Clerk Lanelda Gaskins
Administrative Support Specialist Ganelle Thompson
ABSENT
Member John Stump
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Board Members led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. October 24, 2019
B. January 16, 2020
Chairperson Stern asked the Board if there were any corrections to the minutes of
October 24, 2019 or January 16, 2020. Hearing none, he asked for a motion to approve
the minutes as presented.
Virtual Financial Advisory Board Regular Meeting Minutes
Date: July 09, 2020 Page 2 of 6
MOTION: Member Greenwald moved to approve the October 24, 2019 and January
16, 2020 Regular Minutes as presented. Member Reame seconded the
motion, which passed (5-0) unanimously.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
C. None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
D. Welcome New Member Ron Reame
Chairperson Stern welcomed Member Reame to the Financial Advisory Board.
E. Nomination of Chairperson
Chairperson Stern introduced this item.
MOTION: Member Kornfeld moved to nominate Chairperson Stern as the
Chairperson for one year ending July 9, 2021. Member Greenwald
seconded the motion, which passed (5-0) unanimously
F. Nomination of Vice Chairperson
Chairperson Stern introduced this item.
MOTION: Chairperson Stern moved to nominate Member Moore as the Vice
Chairperson for one year ending July 9, 2021. Member Reame seconded
the motion, which passed (5-0) unanimously.
G. Budget Presentation for upcoming Fiscal Year 2020-2021
Chairperson Stern introduced this item.
Finance Director Lalla referred the item to Town Manager Labadie.
Town Manager Labadie introduced this item and presented a PowerPoint presentation of
the Proposed FY 2021 Operating Budget. He gave an overview of the proposed budget
highlighting the following:
FY 2021 Budget Overview
FY 2021 Millage Rate
Town's Taxable Assessed Value
Town's Tax Rate
How Highland Beach Taxes are Divided
General Fund Revenues
General Fund Expenditures
Fund Balance in the General Fund
Unassigned Fund Balance in the General Fund
Virtual Financial Advisory Board Regular Meeting Minutes
Date: July 09, 2020 Page 3 of 6
Building Special Service Revenue Fund
Discretionary Sales Surtax Special Revenue Fund
Water Enterprise Fund
Town Manager Labadie proceeded to elaborate on the slight decrease in the millage rate
proposed; slight reduction in debt service millage; additional taxes of 173,000 from growth
in tax roll; the budget gap filled with fund balance in general fund; proposed uses of
reserves in the amount of $208,325; increase in fire -rescue budget of approximately
$313,000 (7% increase); CBA cost will not be known prior to determining Not -To — Exceed
Millage Rate for FY 2021; the assumed healthcare insurance increase of 10%; and
funding of capital projects such as continuation of crosswalks project and Town hall roof
replacement.
Chairperson Stern requested an explanation as to why there is a projected increase of
seven percent as the increase has been around four percent in the past. Town Manager
Labadie explained that the seven percent on this year's operating budget proposal was
an estimated place holder based on the current rate cost escalators.
Member Kornfeld commented on the status of the state of the Town's financial shape. He
stated that although the Town is currently in good financial shape, there may be a change
depending on the affect the pandemic has on the Towns finances. He also provided his
opinion of each topic on the budget overview. He mentioned the increase of the
healthcare increasing by ten percent stating that it is ok due to the fact that last year there
was no increase. He also provided comments as it related to the fire- contract stating that
the number could be higher depending on The City of Delray. With regard to the Town
Hall roof he asked about a possible warranty on the roof. Town Manager Labadie
explained that the roof currently on the building has been there for about 20 to 25 years.
Member Greenwald provided remarks about capital projects. He stated that some of the
capital projects are not listed on the budget overview and would like clarification that they
would be discussed later on during the presentation.
Town Manager Labadie explained that they would be discussed later on in the
presentation. Mr. continued with the PowerPoint presentation and discussion the millage
rate as well as the Town's current assessed value. He also discussed the general fund
revenues as well as the general fund expenditures.
Member Kornfeld provided additional information as it related to the general fund revenue
and the use of the appropriate funds from the reserve.
Finance Director Lalla discussed the appropriate funds from reserves from fiscal year
2019, 2020 and from 2021. He explained there would be no line item for addition to
reserves as it is not a budget item but an audit item. Member Moore suggested the
possibility of adding a line item for that item.
Chairperson Stern asked how close the Town was to fully funding the disaster relief fund.
He was advised that the Town is at that level and are at the cap underneath the Towns
adopted fund balance Policy.
Virtual Financial Advisory Board Regular Meeting Minutes
Date: July 09, 2020 Page 4 of 6
Member Moore asked if the $212,000 -figure represented on the chart been adequate
over time. She was advised that it is a standard amount.
Member Reame asked about the Towns ranking compared to other municipalities in
terms of financial strength, and was advised that Highland beach is one of the top five
municipalities.
Town Manager Labadie discussed the building special revenue fund and the projected
numbers and also the ability for the building to retain self-sufficiency. He also discussed
putting money into the building reserve fund.
Member Kornfeld asked if the figures are down due to the impact of COVID. He asked
about the year-end projection as well. He was advised by Finance Director Lalla that the
town is expecting at least a 20 % drop off in sales tax revenue under fiscal year 20 budget.
Town Manage Labadie provided comments as it related to the water enterprise as well
as the televised sanitary sewer system.
Discussion ensued regarding the change -rate over time on the loans the town currently
has in debt service. Additional questions were asked about the debt. Finance Director
Lalla advised that all of the debt is related to the water plant.
Town Manager Labadie discussed many of the capital projects the town has scheduled
for fiscal year 2021. He also went on to discuss the many initiatives for 2021. This included
the crosswalk project, sanitary sewer system and implementation of ERP System.
Member Kornfeld asked about the cost of BS&A and was advised by Finance Director
Lalla that the cost is $125,000 with an annual cost of $9,000.
Member Greenwald asked for clarification on the meeting schedule as the Financial
advisory board did not have a meeting scheduled prior to the final adoption of the budget.
Chairperson Stern stated that he would like a meeting scheduled prior to adoption. Town
Manager Labadie suggested the Financial Advisory Board schedule their next meeting
during the optional budget workshop meeting of August 20, 2020.
H. Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year ending September 30,
2019
Chairperson Stern introduced this item.
Finance Director Lalla discussed the 2019 CAFR and stated that the Town is in great
financial position and that the audit from Ground Associates was clean. There was an
increase in assets eating liabilities, unassigned fund balance within the Towns general
fund that also increased. He also discussed the 1.97 million for budget stabilization and
the just under a million in disaster recovery funds.
Member Kornfeld asked about specific audit adjustments brought to the attention of the
Town. He was advised by Finance Director Lalla that there were no nonstandard audit
Virtual Financial Advisory Board Regular Meeting Minutes
Date: July 09, 2020 Page 5 of 6
adjustments. He also asked about the ability to receive the year end audit signoff within
a three-month period as opposed to the 6 -month period the town currently receives it. He
was advised that the upcoming year should yield a faster turnaround time for the report.
I. Finance Department Updates
Chairperson Stern asked for an update on the debt service percentage that the town is
currently paying. Finance Director Lalla advised that he will be sending an email that
summarized the debt to all of the financial advisory board (FAB) members. He provided
information on the interest rates of the loans that the Town currently holds.
8. BOARD MEMBERS REPORT
Member Kornfeld announced the conclusion of his 6 -year term as a Board Member on
the Financial Advisory Board.
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chairperson Stern read the announcements.
A. Virtual Town Commission Meeting July 7, 2020 - 1:30 P.M.
B. Code Enforcement Board Meeting July 14, 2020 - 2:00 P.M.
C. Virtual Town Commission Meeting July 21, 2020 - 1:30 P.M.
D. Virtual Financial Advisory Board Organizational Meeting July 23, 2020 - 3:00 P.M.
(Tentative). This meeting has been removed and a prospected meeting of August
20, 2020 -3:00 P.M. has been added pending a quorum.
Member Reame asked about the involvement the Financial Advisory Board will have
towards the fire contract. He was advised by Town Manager Labadie that there will be
other subsequent meeting of the FAB to discuss other contracts for review and opinion.
He stated that when the information becomes available the Town will get the board
members copies of the information.
Virtual Financial Advisory Board Regular Meeting Minutes
Date: July 09, 2020 Page 6 of 6
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chairperson Stern adjourned the meeting at 3:52 P.M.
Approved at the August 20, 2020 Virtual Financial Ad ory Regular Board
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David Stern, Chairperson
ATTEST: Transcribed by Ganelle Thompson,
Administrative Support Specialist
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Ga e e Thom on f Date
istrativL4'Support Specialist
Disclaimer: Effective May 19, 2020, per Resolution No. 20-008, all meeting minutes are
transcribed as a brief summary reflecting the event of this meeting.