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1981-08-13 Budget Workshop 2905 81-92 BUDGET WORKSHOP THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1981 The Council of the City of Okeechobee met in its second budget workshop session for 1981-82 on Thursday, August 13, 1981 at 7:00 P.M. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 55 S.E. 3rd Avenue. Chairman Douglas called the workshop to order with the following Council members present: Donald Burk, Oakland Chapman, Jim Knight, and Dowling Watford. Other present were: Bonnie Thomas City Clerk and Richard C. Fellows Administrative Assistant. MILLAGE CERTIFICATION Upon request of Chairman Douglas Administrative Assistant Fellows informed the Council the City had r~eived, the Certification of Taxable Value Including Statement of Additions and Deletions. from the Property Appraiser for both the General Fund and the I & S Refunding Bond Funds this week. He further explained to the Council that according to calculations based on the Certification reports, in order t~ receive the needed $365,758 for the tentative 1981-82 ~neral Fund Budget, a millage rate of 5.62 would be required. This will be an increase of 2.9% over the roll back millage of 5.46. For the I & S Refunding Bonds an amount of $10,293 is needed for the 1981-82 budget year at a millage rate of .132. This is a decrease of 72%. Recommendation to the Council was made for a total tentative millage of 5.75 which is a decrease of 3% over the rollback Millage. Hearings for the millage levy and proposed budget should be tentatively set for Septemeber 8,1981.~ BUDGET ACCOUNT #541.00 ROAD AND STREET FACILITIES ITEM 541.12 which includes a new employee in this department, was discussed at some length in an effort to determine the need for!this position. The Council agreed that if this position were created, that employee could be worked at such times during the evenings or early mornings and could eliminate (2/3) two thirds of the overtime line item in the Street Department budget of $4,499.00. Council agreed not to drop the position at this time but would study it further. ITEM 541.65 Equipment-Council agreed to drop one of two new dump trucks requested at this time It was discussed that it would be bes~ to buy one truck during fiscal year 1981-82 and possibly a second one during fiscal year 1982-83. 590.00~INTERGOVERNMENTAL SERVICES 590.12 REGULAR SALARIES AND WAGES (Mechanic)-Council discussed the complexity of the varied duties presently being placed on the City's Mechanic as currently set up. It was agreed by Council to study this workload before the next workshop. HUMANE DEPARTMENT ITEM #562.46-1 Repair and Maintenance of Vehicles. Council discussed this item of $933.04 and agreed to leave it as is for now. WATER & SEWER BUDGET 1981-82 401-340 REVENUE. A change in water/sewer revenue as recommended for the 1981-82 fiscal year constitutes a 30% water rate increase and a ~0% sewer rate increase to the consumer according to Director of Public Works L.C. Fortner. Council asked Director Fortner on what date he expected the rage study report to be completed and Director Fortner stated that he expected the study to be finalized by Tuesday, August 18. 401-536.00 EXPENDITURES The Council discussed all Expenditure items throughout the Water/Sewer budget making special note of line items as listed: 536.31 Legal Expenses: It was exFlained by Director of Public Works Fortner that City Attorneys fees were divided between the General and Water&Sewer Funds. Administrator Fellows suggested Council consider what percentage should be charged to General and what percentage should be charged to Water & Sewer of the total 17,000.00 City Attorneys fees. 536.31-4 ENGINEERING/SURVEYING. It was suggested the Auditor be contacted in regards to whether this $254,700.00 should be in operation and maintenance or Capital Outlay. 2906 536.41 COMMUNICATION EXPENSE Councilman Burk asked what constitutes the difference in the 1980-81 budget figure of $1800.00 to the requested 1981-82 figure of 4290.00 It was explained that due to the new budget structure of accounting certain items were being reported on this line item where as in previous years they were reported in other areas of the budget. The new 1981-82 budget gives a truer picture of actual cost within a department. 536.63.2 IMPROVEMENT-SEWER SYSTEM-Requested $55,000.00 Councilman Watford asked what the improvements consisted of. Director Fortner explained this line item was for the cost of relocating Water/Sewer lines and mains. 536.64 EQUIPMENT-31,960 Councilman Watford asked if the two trucks requested could be repaired. Also, what about buying one in budget year 81-82 and another in 82-83 instead of both at once. Director Fortner stated the trucks were old and the longer the city keeps them the more money it spends on repairs for the trucks. ~Councilman Watford asked for more time to studY this line item. Thus, completing its first look at the Water/Sewer budget, the council turned its attention back to the General Budget. Chairman Douglas began the discussion by naming the accoun~ numbers.(line items) where some question had been raised previously as follows: 511.00 LEGISLATIVE (COUNCIL) 511.11 EXECUTIVE Council agreed not to provide an increase in this line item. 511.31 LEGAL The Retainer fee for City Attorney was discussed. Councilman Watford asked if asa~ar¥ schedule with names and total salaries of the employee~ was available. Assistant Fellows assured the Council such a schedule -'~ was available and would be distributed ~o them. 511.312 OTHER LEGAL FEES Council agreed to delete this lin~ item of $2500.00. 515.13 OTHER SALARIES AND WAGES (Plannin~ Board) Council agreed to leave this at 25.00 per member reducing the item from 3,000.00 to 1,500.00. 519.00 OTHER GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES 521.00 LAW ENFORCEMENT (Police) 521.12 REGULAR SALARIES AND WAGES Records Clerk @10,461.00 Councilman Watford asked Chief Mobley to explain to the council his request for a records clerk. Chief Mobley explained through questioning the complaints answered by the Department have grown from 3,000 per year in 1976 to 9,000 per year in 1981. He has the same number of employees handling the calls and the paper work is presenting a real burden. Numerous copies of each case are required to be filed and must be processed accurately. New forms and added forms are being handed down by the state continually. The possibility of promoting a present dispatcher employee into the position of records clerk was explained by Mobley. In that case he would have an employee who could work in both areas. If so, a new dispatcher would be hired. Councilman Watford stated he was not in favor presently, of adding personnel,~ however, he felt it should be given a closer look by the Council before a final decision was made. Other items discussed but not changed: 521.40-3 REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE (Vehicles) 521.44 RENTALS & LEASES (Identi-Kit) 521.52-1 UNIFORMS - Rental vs. ~Purchasin$ Chief Mobley expalined rental uniforms were industrial type only, not Police Department uniforms. 29O7 521.64-EQUIPMENT Typewriters, Radar Units, dictaphone. Citizen Andrew Rubin was given an opportunity by the Chairman to express his views to the Council concerning the importance of the Police and Fire Departments to this Community. Stating they were in fact the "backbone" of the Community. Detective O'Neil of the Police Department expressed his views in regards to the need for a records clerk in the department stating that a dispatcher with a headset on couldn't be both a records clerk, type reports and dispatch at the same time effectively. Councilman Chapman discussed the Crossing Guard situation concluding that it seems the responsibility will not be shared by the School Board nor County, but would fall completly upon the shoulders of the City. Assistant Fellows reminded the Council to authorize the Clerk to notify the Property Appraiser of its proposed millage for the 1981-82 Budget. Therefore, the Council instructed the Clerk to notify the Property Appraiser of the proposed millage. Assistant Fellows also presented a proposed Sanitation Division Budget to the Council for its consideration. There being no further business the workshop was adjourned at 9:55 P.M. Edward W. Douglas Chariman/Mayor City of Okeechobee ATTEST: City Clerk City of Okeechobee TUESDAY, AUGUST 25th, 1981 REGULAR MEETING The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, convened in a regular session in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, Okeechobee on Tuesday, August 25, 1981 at 7:00 P.M. Chairman/Mayor Edward W. Douglas presided with the following Councilmen present: Dowling Watford, Jr., Jim Knight, Donald Burk and Oakland Chapman. Others present were: City Clerk Bonnie S. Thomas, Administrative Assistant Richard C. Fellows, City Attorney David Conlon, Director of Public Works, L.C. Fortner, Jr., Fire Chief Keith Tomey, Police Chief Larry Mobley. Chairman Douglas called the meeting to order. Councilman Knight offered the invocation. 81-2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilman Watford moved to approve the minutes of the July 28th and August llth ~ regular meetings and the August 13th Budget Workshop as written. Seconded by Councilman '~ Knight. Motion carried. A.L. WHALEN 81-101 VFW POST 10539 Mr. A.L. Whalen, Commander appeared before the Council representing VF~ Post 10539 requesting the City's participation in the cost of electricity for providing a twenty four illuminated American Flag in Flagler Park over the memorials. There will be an electronic eye on the light which will burn from dark until daylight.