2020.12.17_FAB_Minutes_Special TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
TOWN VIRTUAL FINANCIAL ADVISORY
BOARD SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Town Hall / Commission Chambers Date: December 17, 2020
3614 South Ocean Boulevard Time: 2:00 P.M.
Highland Beach, Florida 33487
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Stern called the meeting to order at 2.00 P.M.
2. PRESENT UPON ROLL CALL
Member Richard Greenwald
Member Neil Eisenband
Member Ronald Reame
Vice Chairperson Natasha Moore
Chairperson David Stern
Administrative Support Specialist Ganelle Thompson
ABSENT
Member John Stump
ADDITIONAL STAFF PRESENT
Town Manager Marshall Labadie
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Board members led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION: Member Greenwald moved to accept the agenda as presented. Member
Reame seconded the motion, which passed (5 to 0) unanimously.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
Virtual Financial Advisory Board Special Meeting Minutes
Date: December 17, 2020 Page 2 of 4
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. 09.24.2020 — FAB Regular Meeting Minutes
Chairperson Stern read the title into record.
MOTION: Member Reame moved to accept the September 24, 2020 minutes with the
appropriate corrections. Member Greenwald seconded the motion, which
passed (5 to 0) unanimously.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Discussion on 2020 Revenue Sufficiency Rate Study — Water and Wastewater
Systems
Chairperson Stern read the title into record.
Town Manager Labadie introduced this item and discussed several changes that were
made to the Water and Wastewater Systems proposed rate structure.
Executive Vice President Robert Ori and Consultant Mark Tuma of Raftelis Financial
Consultants, Inc. joined the meeting via Zoom and presented a PowerPoint presentation
updating the Board members on the 2020 Water/Wastewater Revenue Sufficiency Rate
Study related to the changes made to the user rate revenue adjustments, the rate design,
their findings and observations, and the rate recommendations. Following their
presentation there was a discussion about the changes and recommendations to the rate
study (for more information about this item, please visit the Town's Media Archives &
Minutes webpage to access and view the audio/video recording).
Vice Chairperson Moore recommended looking at one more shot of trying to come up
with one rate structure, one flat fee, and one set of tiers that would better accomplish the
goals.
Member Reame stated that the rate structure seemed reasonable and that the rate
structure would satisfy the Southeast Florida water situation. He did not see any reason
for the shortfall since the rates were put in with the shortfalls with the $90,000 included.
He further explained that if it were eliminated, it would pull apart a little bit of the
achievement of bringing the multi-family and residential rates closer together. It would be
smarter to take the $90,000 in as what is seen and to move forward.
Chairperson Stern explained that after one year, the Finance Department should analyze
the results, make adjustments and recommendations, if any, to the Town Commission.
He also stated that the Financial Advisory Board is ready to recommend putting the
proposal into action taking their specific comments into consideration.
Virtual Financial Advisory Board Special Meeting Minutes
Date: December 17, 2020 Page 3 of 4
MOTION: Chairperson Stern moved that the Financial Advisory Board recommends
that the Commission proceed to approve the Water and Wastewater
adjustments and consider the Financial Advisory Board's recommendations
with a review of actual results in one year.
Chairperson Stern discussed a possible amendment to the motion that would include both
the loss and breakeven proposals be reviewed. After conferring with the Board on which
option they would recommend there was further discussion on recommending the full
amount option and looking at the results in a year as well as looking at one more shot of
trying to come up with one rate structure, one flat fee, and one set of tiers that would
accomplish the goals better.
Chairperson Stern explained that the goal of the motion is for the Town to look at all of
the suggestions of the Financial Advisory Board before making a final vote.
Member Reame seconded the motion, which passed (5 to 0) unanimously.
Chairperson Stern clarified that the Financial Advisory Board was recommending the
Town Commission look at the issues and that the motion he was going to recommend
was to take the full amount.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion on Evaluating Commission Salaries.
Chairperson Stern introduced this item and suggested the board analyze and compare
the Commission salaries with other cities as well as ask the Town to do an evaluation for
the Board so that they may make recommendations on this matter.
MOTION: Chairperson Stern moved to request Town Manager do a comparison study
of the Town Commission salaries of neighboring and similar size Towns in
Florida. Member Reame seconded the motion, which passed (5 to 0)
unanimously.
8. BOARD MEMBERS REPORT
There were no reports from the Board members.
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. December 24,2020 - Town Hall Closed in Observance of Christmas Eve
December 25, 2020 - Town Hall Closed in Observance of Christmas Day
January 01, 2021 - Closed in Observance of New Year's Day
January 05, 2021 - 1:30 P.M. - Town Commission Meeting
Virtual Financial Advisory Board Special Meeting Minutes
Date: December 17, 2020 Page 4 of 4
January 14, 2021 -9:30 A.M. - Planning Board Regular Meeting
January 15, 2021 - 2:00 P.M. Code Enforcement Board Meeting
January 18, 2021 - Town Hall Closed in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 19, 2021 - 1:30 P.M. Town Commission Meeting
January 28, 2021 - 3:00 P.M. Financial Advisory Board Regular Meeting
10.ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Member Reame moved to adjourn the meeting at 3.23 P.M. Member
Eisenband seconded the motion, which passed (5 to 0) unanimously.
APPROVED at the March 29, 2021 Financial Advisory Board Regular Meeting.
ATTEST: David Stern, Chairperson
Transcribed by Ganelle Thompson
Administrative Support Specialist
3 Q AM
Ga I Thompso Date
A i istrative 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. Verbatim audio/video
recordings are permanent records and are available on the Town's Media Archives &
Minutes webpage: https.//highlandbeach-fi.municodemeetings.com/