1981-08-27 Budget Workshop 2919
B. DOWLING WATFORD
81-6 1) CENTRALFLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL
Councilman Watford stated that the Central Florida Regional Planning Council is meeting on
81-107 August 26th in Bartow and he will try to attend.
2) ZONING CHANGES TO COMMERCIAL STATUS
Councilman Watford stated that since he had been on the Council, there had been three
different zoning changes that he personally has had problems with because they were changes to
commercial. These requests were for professional type buildings and because they were changed
to commercial, any type of business could be put on the property. Councilman Watford requested
that the Council request the Planning Board to investigate the different categories we have in
zoning property and perhaps make recommendations to the Council about adding additional categories
Councilman Watford moved to ask the Planning Board to investigate the different categories
for zoning of property, especially commercial categories, and make recommendations to the
Council for changes. Seconded by Councilman Burk. Motion carried.
81-62 3) FLOURIDATION OF WATER
Councilman Watford questioned the issue of flouridation stating that the grant that can be
obtained from the State will expire in September.
Chairman Douglas informed Councilman Watford that the issue of flouridation will be
discussed at the first meeting in September, that being September 8th.
C. EDWARD DOUGLAS
81-93 1) BARROW PITS
Chairman Douglas discussed with the Council the Ordinances Attorney Conlon had received from
different cities in regard to the barrow pits.
Councilman Chapman recommended that an ordinance be drawn up covering both barrow pits and
swimming pbols to be discussed at a later meeting.
D. LANDONC. FORTNER
81-25 1) PIPE AND FITTINGS BIDS
Director Fortner presented the following bid tabulation for pipe and fittings:
Southeastern Municipal Supply $8,028.44
Less 2% if paid in 10 days
Riverview Utility Supply $8,464.31
Florida Utility Supply $8,709.56
Davis Meter & Supply $8,944.81
On the recommendation of Director Fortner, Councilman Knight moved to accept the low bid
from Southeastern Municipal Supply in the amount of $8,028.44, seconded by Councilman Burk.
Motion carried.
81-108 2) HOSPITAL REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL SEWER CAPACITY
Director Fortner informed the Council he had received a request from the H. H. Raulerson
Memorial Hospital for an additional 6,500 gallons of sewer capacity .
2 20
After a brief discussion, Councilman Watford moved to grant H. H. Raulerson Memorial Hospital
the additional 6,500 gallons sewer capacity as requested, seconded by Councilman Chapman.
Councilman Burk questioned if the existing lift station is adequate to handle the
additional capacity. Director Fortner informed the Council that the Hospital had hired an
engineer to inspect the site and based on his calculations, the lift station will handle an
additional 150 beds.
By unanimous vote, the Council approved the additional sewer capacity for the H. H. Raulerson
Memorial Hospital as requested.
81-109 3) MEDIAN STRIPS
Director Fortner informed the Council he had received several requests for making median
strips that are in the larger right of ways (grassy strip between two streets) no parking areas
and enforce the no parking.
Attorney Conlon stated that in order to enforce the no parking, there must be an ordinance.
After further discussion of the matter, Councilman Knight moved to :.erect no parking signs
in the affected areas, seconded by Councilman Chapman. Motion carried.
RICHARD FELLOWS
Assistant Fellows expressed his appreciation for the individual support he has reveived
from Council members during this meeting.
RECESSED MEETING
Councilman Knight moved to recess the meeting until Thursday, August 27th at 7:00 P.M.
Seconded by Councilman Chapman. Meeting recessed at 10:35 P.M.
Chairman/Mayor
City of Okeechobee
ATTEST:
~ofinie S. Th'O~mas
City Clerk
City of Okeechobee
81-92 BUDGET WORKSHOP THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1981
The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, convened in a .recessed meeting at 7:00
P.M. on Thurdsay, August 27, 1981, in Council Chambers, Okeechobee, Florida, for the purpose of
conducting a Budget Workshop.
Chairman/Mayor Edward ~f. 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, Director of Public Works L. C. Fortner, Jr., Fire Chief Keith Tomey and Police Chief
Larry Mobley.
Chairman Douglas called the meeting to order.
ANDREW RUBIN
Chairman Douglas stated that Mr. Andrew Rubin has requested to speak on the budget at this
time.
Mr. Andrew Rubin appeared before the Council asking that he have no interruptions as he has
been granted the ten minutes to speak and went on to suggest to the Council several items within
the General and the Water and Sewer Budgets that he felt could be deleted or cut.
Chairman Douglas thanked Mr. Rubin for bringing to the attention of the Council some of the
items discussed.
520.00 PUBLIC SAFETY
522.00 FIRE DEPARTMENT
ITEM 522.12 REGULAR SALARIES AND WAGES
The consensus of the Council was to change the holiday pay for the Fire Department from 10
days to 8 days to be consistant with the other departments.
ITEM 522.46 REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE (EQUIPMENT AND BUILDINGS, ETC.)
Chairman Douglas stated there had been a question on this item in regard to the moving of
the Training Tower and remodeling the kitchen area in the Fire Department.
Assistant Fellows stated the questions had been discussed with Chief Tomey and the
requested amount of $3,000.00 is being lowered to $500.00.
ITEM 522.64 CAPITAL OUTLAY
After discussion of the purchase of a new fire truck for the Fire Department, the Council
agreed to change the $1t,500.00 to $2,200.00
CHANGES IN TOTAL FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET
Assistant Fellows informed the Council of the following changes to be made in the Fire
Department Budget:
ITEM 522.64 CAPITAL OUTLAY $63,000.00 ($55,000.00 for the engine
and $8,000.00 equipment previously discussed
and approved)
ADD: ITEM 522.91 DEBT SERVICE Six months interest $2,200.00
81-110 POSITION OF FIRE DEPARTMENT SECRETARY AND POLICE DEPARTMENT
RECORDS CLERK
Chairman Douglas stated there had been some question about the secretarial position in the
Fire Department and the creation of a Records Clerk position for the Police Department.
Councilman Chapman stated that he had researched the situation and feels there is a need
for a secretary in the Fire Department and a records clerk in the Police Department.
Councilman Watford stated that he feels there is a need for a records clerk in the Police
Department; however, he feels the position of secretary in the Fire Department could be deleted
and utilize other office personnel within the City.
2, 22
Councilman Burk stated that he agreed with Councilman Watford's statement regarding the
secretarial position in the Fire Department but he was not convinced at this time of the need for
the records clerk position in the Police Department.
Councilman Knight moved that the Fire Department secretary be hired as the dispatcher in the
Police Department and Police Department dispatcher be transferred to the position of Records
Clerk, seconded by Councilman Watford.
Councilman Burk questioned the possibility of having to advertise the vacant position of
dispatcher.
Council agreed that the motion would be contingent upon the approval of the attorney in
regard to transferring a person without advertisement. Motion carried.
81-111 SALARIES OF CITY EMPLOYEES
Chairman Douglas stated that it had been recommended in the porposed budget that each
employee receive an $800.00 across the board cost of living raise plus a 4% incentive and
opened the floor for discussion of salaries.
Councilman Watford stated that after discussing the matter with department heads, he feels
the incentive raise should be included; however, the across the board raise of $800.00 should be
lowered to $600.00.
On the request of Chairman Douglas, Assistant Fellows explained that the proposed increases
that are in the budget are totally funded as of now, this results in about 9% change of total
salaries or a total amount of approximately $70,000.00 ($48,000.00 budgeted for the $800.00
across the board and $24,000.00 for the 4% incentive).
Chairman Douglas reminded the Council that at a previous workshop, the Council discussed and
agreed that the $6,000.00 budgeted for reimbursement of expenses for Councilmen would go toward
employee salary increases.
After further discussion of the salary adjustments by Council members and Department Heads,
Councilman Burk moved that the salary increases for the employees be $800.00 that was set aside
and in addition to that, $45,000.00 for incentives be divided by the amount of employees,
distributed to the departments by the number of employees that each department has and the
employees be evaluated and given an incentive from 0-5%, seconded by Councilman Knight.
Councilman Watford questioned the $45,000.00 for incentive raises stating that he was
under the impression the figure set aside for incentives was $24,000.00.
Chairman Douglas called for a vote on the motion. Councilmen Knight, Chapman and Burk voted
"Yes", Councilman Watford voted "no". Motion carried.
Chairman.Douglas called for a clarification on the $45,000.00 incentive raises in regard to
this amount including Department Heads. The consensus of the Council was to include the Depart-
ment Head incentive in the $45,000.00.
2923
81 - 112 SALARY OF ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Councilmen discussed the increase in salary for Administrative Assistant, Richard C.
Fellows.
Councilman Chapman reported to the Council figures of City Administrators or City Managers
in surrounding cities.
Assistant Fellows stated that he is not asking the Council for a raise, he is asking that
the Council consider the position, the responsibility and the type of salaries that are paid
for this type of occupation. Fellows further stated that he came to Okeechobee at a lower
figure because he felt he could prove himself and he .had proved himself and is now asking that
the Council recognize what the job market pays in this area for this type of position. This
is not a request for a salary increase, it is a salary adjustment to make the position as
Administrative Assistant competitive in the field that he has chosen as his vocation.
Chairman Douglas at this point reminded Council members that Assistant Fellows attends the
City Council meetings, all workshops, the Pension Board meetings, Zoning and Planning Board
meetings, County Commissioners meetings and the Code Enforcement Board meetings as he must be
aware of what is going on with the various Boards.
Councilman Burk moved that Mr. Fellows' salary adjustment be set at $26,600.00 seconded by
Councilman Chapman.
Councilman Knight asked if this amount includes the $1,000.00 per month travel reimbursement.
Councilman Burk stated that the $26,600.00 does not include travel expenses.
Chairman Douglas called for a vote on the motion with Councilmen Chapman and Burk voting
"yes" and Councilman Watford and Knight voting "no". Chairman Douglas voted "yes" on the
motion. Motion carried.
81-113 VEHICLE ALLOWANCE--ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Chairman Douglas opened the floor for discussion on the vehicle allowance for the
Administrative Assistant.
Councilman Knight moved to keep the car expense at $33.00 per week.
Assistant Fellows stated that all Department Heads are furnished an automobile by the City
and it would be to the City's advantage to pay him $2,400.00 per year automobile expense.
Assistant Fellows agreed that if the Council goes along with the $2~,400.00 allowance, he will
no mileage for any trip that is less than 75 miles. Any trip over 75 miles, Mr. Fellows
explained, he would expect reimbursement.
Councilman Watford seconded motion of Councilman Knight to keep the car expense of the
Administrative Assistant at $33.00 per week. Motion carried.
CHANGES MADE IN BUDGET BECAUSE OF LOWER MILAGE
Assistant Fellows instructed the Council to make the following changes in the Budgets
because of lower milage:
311.000 TAXES $365,758.00 is reduced to $351,411.00
314.000 UTILITY SERVICE TAXES Water 314.300 WATER This item is no longer legal.
Remove $4,730.00 making the net total for Utility Service Taxes $128,000.00.
SUBTOTAL REVENUES the new figure is $1,268,748.00
384.000 DEBT PROCEEDS $55,000.00 Income (Money borrowed from the bank to purchase new
fire truok)
TOTAL NON-REVENUES $522,636.00
GRAND TOTAL $1,791,384.00
LEGISLATIVE 511.31 Legal (City Attorney) Change $13,000.00 to $9,000.00
New total for Legislative is $39,076.00
FIRE DEPARTMENT 522.64 Equipment Capital Outlay is now $63,000.00 Debt Service $2,200.00
Total for the Fire Department $240,213.00
Total of all expenditures on the General Fund -- Subtotal, all expenditures $1,554,847.00
Estimated Cash at the End of the Fiscal Year $236,537.00
Total $1,791,384.00 This amount balances with the revenue
WATER AND SEWER EXPENDITURES
536.21-1 UTILITY TAX Eliminate $4,720.00
536.31 LEGAL EXPENSE Increase that to $8,000.00
536.31-4 ENGINEERING AND SURVEYING Reduce that to $6,700.00
Total Operation and Maintenance $820,285.00
Capital Outlay 536.63-1 $400,500.00
Improvements -- Sewer System 536.63-2 $153,000.00
TOTAL OPERATION MAINTENANCE AND CAPITAL OUTLAY $1,405,745.00
Councilman Watford moved to increase the attorney fees by $1,000.00 instead of increasing
by $2,000.00,.seconded by Councilman Knight. Councilmen Watfcrd, Burk, and Knight voted "yes"
on the motion, Councilman Chapman voted "no" on the motion. Motion carried.
TRAVEL ALLOWANCE FOR CITY CLERK
Councilman Knight questioned the decision of the Council at the first meeting as he was
not present. Councilman Watford stated that the decision was to leave the travel allowance
as requested $1,500.00 which is an increase of $750.00 over last year.
8t-ll SALARY OF CITY CLERK
Councilman Burk stated he felt a need to compensate the City Clerk for additional duties
that she has been asked to do in addition to being the City Finance Officer. Councilman Burk
moved to adjust the amount being paid the City Clerk to compensate the Clerk for additional
duties and the amount being $3,000.00, seconded by Councilman Chapman.
Councilman Watford questioned the fact that the Charter was being changed and after
discussion with Attorney Conlon, respectfully requested that Councilman Burk amend hiS'motion.
Councilman Burk so amended his motion to state that the change in the City Clerk's salary
is being by ordinance to compensate for additional duties of that office. Coun¢.ilman 'Chapman
concured on his second. Vote carried.
81-11 ;.REGUEST FOR FUNDS BY THE COUNCIL ON AGING, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND LIBRARY
Councilman Chapman stated that he had a petition from the Library with approximately 46
names requesting money to purchase a microfilm reader/printer and so moved that the Council give --~
the Library $2,000.00, seconded by Councilman Knight. Motion carried.
] I '! IIll
2925
Councilman Knight moved to give the Council on Aging $2,000.00, seconded by Councilman
Burk.
Assistant Fellows suggested that the City require an annual financial report from the
Council on Aging.
Motion carried.
Councilman Chapman moved to give the Chamber of Commerce $1,500.00, seconded by
Councilman Knight. Motion carried.
81-11 REIMBURSEMENT OF POLICE OFFICERS
FOR COURT DUTY ON OFF DAY
Assistant Fellows stated there is a need to reimburse a police officer for going to Court
on his day off. There is money in the Police Department budget to handle this s~ituation and
Chief Mobley has recommended that any police officer that has to go to court on his day off,
the City will guarantee him two hours of overtime pay (time and a half). The total expenditure
for the entire year will not exceed $2,500.00.
APPRECIATION TO COUNCIL MEMBERS
Assistant Fellows and Clerk Thomas expressed their appreciation to the Council members for
the comments made and the actions taken in this meeting.
TIME FRAME FOR ADOPTION OF BUDGET
Assistant Fellows stated that the guidelines laid out by the statute provides that a certain
time frame be allowed from the time the Property Appraiser is notified of our millage (notified
on August 17th). We cannot hold a tentative budget hearing for a .minimum of 60 days, which
would take us until October 17th. The hearing has been set for October 19th. The final
budget hearing will be on October 26th. This means that we will be into the new budget year,
and we must adopt the current budget by resolution before October 1st to authorize the spending
at the current levels. Pay would have to be retroactive to October 1st.
CLARIFICATION OF STREET DEPARTMENT--541.12
Councilman Watford questioned a new employee in the Street Department and the overtime
amount. Assistant Fellows stated that the overtime amount had been reduced by two-thirds.
After discussion with Director Fortner, it was the consensus of the Council to leave this
item as is.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilman Burk moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded
by Councilman Knight. Motion carried, meeting adjourned at 9:45 P. M.
E~aYd-W. Dougia~ J .......
Chairman/Mayor J
City of Okeechobee
ATTEST:
Bonni~ S. Thbmgs-
City Clerk
City of Okeechobee
2926
REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, SE?TEMBER 8, 1981
The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, convened in regular session at 7:00
P.M. on Tuesday, September Sth, 1981, in Council Chambers, Okeechobee, Florida.
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, Director of Public Works L. C. Fortner, Jr., and Fire Chief Keith Tomey.
Chairman Douglas called the meeting to order. Councilman Burk offered the invocation.
81-117 ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION REQUESTING
FUNDING FOR 201 ?ROJECT
Chairman Douglas opened the floor for discussion on the adoption of a Resolution to the
Honorable L. A. "Skip" Bafalis requesting appropriate funding for the construction of the
Okeechobee City 201 area wide waste water treatment plant.
Assistant Fellows stated that Director Fortner received a letter from Washington making
inquiry as to the reserve capacity that is provided in the application. Fellows further stated
that it appears the Administration is going to provide monies to build waste treatment plants to
serve existing populations but do not intend to provide monies for the reserve capacity to
serve future populations.
After brief discussion among Council members, Councilman Watford moved to accept the
Resolution requesting appropriate funding for the construction of the 201 Project. Seconded by --~
Councilman Burk.
Chairman Douglas read the Resolution in its entirety:
WHEREAS, The City of Okeechobee and Okeechobee County joined together for the purpose
of developing a 201 area wide waste water treatment plant and
WHEREAS, the city and county have completed the step one and step two process and have
expended over $60,000 of local funds, for the development of same and
WHEREAS, the Environmental Protection Agency in its role of assisting in the financing
of step one and the step two process has expended approximately $200,000 of Federal funds and
WHEREAS, it is the understanding of the officials of the City of Okeechobee and Okeechobee
County, at the current time no funds have been budgeted for the 201 waste water treatment
plant and
WHEREAS, the City of Okeechobee as lead agent is prepared to file its step three application
for the construction funds necessary to complete its program and
WHEREAS, the lack of assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency would mean the
wasting of Federal, State, and Local Funds since the city and the county would be unable to
complete the program without State or Federal financial assistance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, as
follows:
1. That. the Honorable L. A. "Skip" Bafalis, Member of the Congress from the Tenth
District and representing the area of Okeechobee City and Okeechobee County be,
and he hereby is, respectfully requested to introduce the necessary legislation
to include funding in the new House Budget Resolution to be adopted on
September 15th, 1981 so as to provide the necessary 85% financing for the City
of Okeechobee to complete the construction of its area wide waste water treatment
plant for the coming fiscal year. ~