1999-01-12+�
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I. CALL TO ORDER: - Mayor:
January 12, 1999, City Council Regular Workshop, 6:00 p.m.
III. MAYOR, COUNCIL AND STAFF ATTENDANCE - City Clerk.
Mayor James E, Kirk
Council Member Noel A. Chandler
Council Member Lowry Markham
Council Member Robert Oliver
Council Member Dowling R. Watford, Jr.
City Attorney John R, Cook
City Administrator Robert J. Bradshaw
City Clerk Bonnie S. Thomas
Deputy Clerk S. Lane Gamiotea
IV. NEW BUSINESS.
A. Discuss City Fire Service - Mayor.
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
SUMMARY OF COUNCIL DISCUSSION
PAGE 1 OF 4
Mayor Kirk called the January 12, 1999 City Council Workshop to order at 6:04 p.m.
Deputy Clerk Gamiotea called the roll:
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Absent
Present
Absent
Present
Mayor Kirk began the discussion by explaining this will be an open floor discussion regarding City fire Service. He
continued that he had read half of the Fire Study they had received and will finish it. He wanted to state his major concern
is that the City move forward with an open mind and that everyone understand from the beginning any additional services
rendered will be at no additional cost to the City tax payers. Tay payers are currently paying 4 mills and he would not
support increasing it The City has a good fire department that currently provides a good service to ifs citizens. He stated
that he had no idea what would be discussed at the City/County Joint Workshop scheduled for Thursday, he assumed
it would be an open floor discussion for both sides.
Council Member Watford began by asking specific questions regarding the Fire Study. Page five states the County will
initiate an interlocal agreement with the City. He asked if there was a map or was that forth coming and would there be
any recommendations as to what would be the service area for the City.
G0/5
640 .IANUARY 12,1999 - WORKSHOP - PAGE 2 OF 4
IV. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED.
A. Discuss City Fire Service continued. Council Member Chandler interjected, service areas have been discussed to be two miles out. However, he did not think
it should be brought up tonight but, discuss what we can do to help the County and better utilize our services. We did
not know the fire study would be ready for tonight's meeting and that is not something we are ready to go through.
Council Member Watford stated he agreed and that is what he thought we all had in mind. He then asked Fire Chief
Tomey if he thought the City could provide this service? Chief Tomey responded yes. Council Member Watford then
asked, will we need to increase manpower? Chief Tomey responded not at the beginning.
Council Member Watford continued, do we have any idea on additional revenues? Council Member Markham
interjected we are going to have to have something. Perhaps the fire tax money for that area. Mayor Kirk commented
that those types of items are whatwould be ironed out in the interlocal that Council Member Watford was asking about
earlier. Council Member Watford touched on the fact that it did not have to be monetary but another consideration would
be additional equipment and manpower that would be available to the City residents.
Council Member Watford further asked about the ambulance service, he did not see it in the study. Chief Tomey
responded that to start out it would stay with the County, one recommendation is to house one crew and ambulance
at the City's station. Council Member Watford asked, are our men qualified? Chief Tomey responded they are EMT's,
qualified for basic life support. Ambulance crews (County's) are advanced life support.
He then asked if there was any merit to having only one chief and somehow have only one department. Mayor Kirk and
Council Member Markham commented they were in favor of continuing with two chiefs and two departments.
Council Member Oliver stated his main concern was that we should expand only what we can handle. Two miles out
takes in a lot of the County's population. It includes Oak Park and Taylor Creek. Mayor Kirk commented that there was
nothing magical about two miles, it can be whatever we can handle and be comfortable with.
Council Member Oliver asked if a recommended service area was coming. Chief Tomey responded yes. Council
Member Watford asked how was the recommendation based, on response time? If so, is there some standard? Chief
Tomey answered that it is based on response time, the standard is five to seven minutes, the City's average response
time is three minutes. Mayor Kirk interjected, we stated at the beginning of the meeting we did not want to get into this
(the study).
JANUARY 12,1999 - WORKSHOP- PAGE 3 OF 4
OW
V. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED.
A. Discuss City Fire Service continued.
Council Member Watford agreed but wanted to note that having the study available so early has helped give them some
good background information, and the summary of the facilities and equipment somewhat surprised him at how high
the City's station was rated. He then continued that from what he see's the ambulance really complicates things. If they
are not housed at the City station, where are they going to put it? North of town? That adds two to three minutes to their
response time. Council Member Chandler commented that one suggestion that has been discussed was to send the
City out first, then roll the ambulance. The City EMT's can get there and stabilize the situation until the ambulance
arrived to transport.
Council Member Watford asked what questions should we have for Thursday's workshop? Mayor Kirk suggested both
sides come and start talking, see which way the discussion goes, and everyone understands it will take more than one
meeting.
Council Member Oliver asked, in the memorandum from Chief Tomey they were provided with the cost for one City
Firefighter, does any one have the cost for one County Firefighter? He continued his reason for asking this was that
if the County does house some of their personnel at the City's station and these firefighters are working side by side,
if there were substantial differences in salaries or benefits it could cause some issues. Chief Tomey will have the figures
to the Council Members prior to Thursday's workshop.
Council Member Watford asked about any problems with dispatching. Chief Tomey commented that he did not know,
Police Chief Farrenkopf is at a conference this week, to be safe he went ahead and added the cost of one dispatcher.
Council Member Chandler reminded everyone that discussions are also taking place to go to the enhanced 911 which
would eliminate any dispatching problems.
Council member Watford then stated he had not heard a lot of negative comments regarding this and he assumed
everyone was interested in pursuing this. Mayor Kirk stated he was defiantly interested in looking at it, he always felt
the City Fire Department was under utilized and that they could serve a larger population, but keep the same
responsibility to the City citizens. There is nottoo much direction -wise that we can go until we meeting with the County.
If there is a lot of negatives, we need to know now, we all have better things to do.
Council Member Watford asked Chief Tomey, knowing the history of the two departments, do you think this is going
to work, how do your men feel and has the County indicated how they feel? He responded that he did not foresee any
problems that could not be worked out. He felt the City and County were headed in the right direction. His men were
excited about the meetings, and he thought that some of the County men were also excited.
Or JANUARY 12,1999 - WORKSHOP - PAGE 4 OF 4
V. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED.
A. Discuss City Fire Service continued. Council Member Markham asked, for clarification, right now there are basically two options: Option one would be that
the City take on additional service area and both departments continue with the mutual aid agreement. Option two is
to have only one department Council Member Watford interjected, right, just like we did the Utility Authority only it would
be a Fire Authority or something.
Council Member Oliver again brought up that the EMS really confuses this and he would be concerned if they moved
the advanced life support North of town, because it seems the majority of the population is South of town. Chief Tomey
stated one suggestion could be to have one North of town and one South of town or at the City Station.
Council Member Watford finished by commenting that we wants to be comfortable knowing this is going to work, he did
not want someone to die or have their house burn down due to a bad situation on their part. Directing his comment to
Chief Tomey he stated, know your departments limitations and be honest (specifically accurate) with us.
Mayor Kirk asked if anyone from the public would like to address the Council. City Volunteer Firefighter Clayton Williams
advised the Council that one thing they and the County will want to address is urging the Okeechobee Utility Authority
to change their policy for fire hydrants. You cannot fight fires without any water. The City has done a fine job making
sure there are plenty of fire plugs but there are not plenty in the County. He has first hand experience in fighting a fire
in the County and running out of water.
The joint workshop will be held at the County Annex Complex located on Highway 98 North on January 14, 1999. Mayor
Kirk advised the Council they can feel free to direct any questions to Administrator Bradshaw or Chief Tomey.
X. ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING - Mayor. III Mayor Kirk adjourned the workshop at 6:55 p.m.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED that if a person decides to appeal any decision made
by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, he/she may need to
insure that a verbatim record of the proceeding is ma , is record includes the testimo y and
evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
icy A
MES E. KIRK, MAYOR
ATTEST:
BONNIE S. THOMAS, CMC, CITY CLERK
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CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor and Council Members
From: Robert J. Bradshaw
Date: January 12, 1999
Re: Fire Service cost estimates
For your information, the following are approximate figures regarding fire
service. In addition to the City Fire Department budget, enclosed is a
copy of the revenues to the County Fire budget.
Cost of one City Fire Fighter:
Salary
$24000.00
Health Ins.
2102.60
Life Ins.
369.00
Disability Ins.
132.48
Social Security 1836.00
Retirement
60.00
Dependent
Health Ins.
840.00
$29,341.08
Cost of one City Dispatcher:
Salary
$20000.00
Health Ins.
2103.60
Life Ins.
98.40
Disability Ins.
104.88
Social Security
1503.00
Retirement
580.00
Dependent
Health Ins.
840.00
$25,256.58
Cost of City FF Lieutenant:
Salary
$27000.00
Health Ins.
2103.60
Life Ins.
369.00
Disability Ins.
149.04
Social Security
2065.50
Retirement
60.00
Dependent
Health Ins.
840.00
$32,587.14
• Overtime per fire fighter per year with 207K
• Overtime per fire fighter Lt. per year with 207K
0 Volunteer staff: Approximately 12
$1,928.16
2,169.96
Projected Maintenance costs:
Current
Projected Increase
Total
Gas & Oil
$ 4000.00
$ 6000.00
$10000.00
Tires
2000.00
3000.00
5000.00
Uniforms
4000.00
4000.00
8000.00
(9 people)
Vehicle R & M
8000.00
12000.00
20000.00
Bunker Gear
1000.00
1000.00
(one FF)
$19,000.00
$25,000.00
$44,000.00
FIRE DEPARTMENT
PROGRAM: 522 FIRE PROTECTION
L ITEM DETAIL
1996-97 1997-98 1997-98 1998-99
ACTUAL BUDGET ESTIMATE PROPOSED
PF�,RSONNEL COSTS
1100
Ex.-cutive Salaries
34,000
35,000
35,000
35,000
1200
Regular Salaries
217,009
224,000
225,586
306,000
1201
Holiday Pay
5,324
7,000
7,000
10,100
1300
Other Salaries
5,200
5,356
5,356
5,356
1400
Overtime Pay
26,011
3,000
3,471
9,000
1401
Overtime Vacation
-0-
19,112
17,241
19,112
1402
Overtime 207K
-0-
12,300
10,339
12,300
1501
Volunteer Pay
5,160
7,690
4,841
7,690
1510
Longevity/Serv. Incentives
5,700
6,000
6,000
7,750
1541
Career Education
600
600
600
600
2100
F I.C.A.
22,383
24,500
24,170
30,860
2200
Retirement
37,290
35,000
70,403
40,000
2300
Life & Health Insurance
33,213
29,000
28,653
40,770
2400
Workman's Compensation
16.938
25.430
22.000
28.420
Total
Personnel Costs
408,828
433,988
460,660
552,958
SUPPLIES AND OTHER SERVICES:
3100
Professional Services
1,156
500
105
3,500
4000
Travel and Per Diem
1,784
2,600
1,000
2,600
4100
Comm. and Freight Serv.
2,210
2,500
1,960
2,500
4300
Utilities
4,790
6,500
4,170
6,500
4100
Rentals & Leases
3,000
3,000
3,216
5,500
4500
Insurance
12,946
14,000
11,000
14,000
4600
R & M Vehicles
8,532
8,000
3,500
8,000
4609
R & M Bldg. & Equipment
7,655
5,000
5,000
5,000
4700
Printing & Binding
-0-
200
275
200
4901
Education
3,353
3,000
2,069
5,000
4909
Miscellaneous
350
1,000
400
1,000
5100
Office Supplies
1,458
1,000
800
1,000
5200
Operating Supplies
6,234
5,000
4,289
5,000
5201
Oper. Supplies (Gas/Oil)
2,990
4,000
2,120
4,000
5202
Oper. Supplies (Tires)
-0-
2,000
200
2,000
520")
Oper. Supplies (Uniforms)
1,895
2,000
2,769
4,000
5400
Bks., Public., Subsc., Mem.
1,162
2,000
2,050
2,000
6400
Equipment
257,290
14,500
14,500
9,500
7100
Principle.Tire Truck
31,709
31,709
31,823
27,934
7200
Interest/Fire Truck
8.291
8.291
8.177
12,066
Total Supplies & Other Services
356,805
116,800
99,423
121,300
TOTAL COST
765,633
550,788
560,083
674,258
- 38
BUDGET REVENUE HISTORY
FUND - FIRE/RESCUE (701)
Taxes
Fire Assessment (701-31-319000-0)
Del. Fire Assess-ACA (701-31-319001-0).
Total Taxes
lntergome_rnmenlal
Federal Forestry Grant (701-33-332200-0)
EMS Matching Grant (701-33-334221-0)
County EMS (701-33-334223-0)
Firefighter's Supp. (701-33-335230-0)
IRCC Tuition (701-33-335231-0)
Total Intergovernmental
Charges _for__Ser_y_ices
Emergency Service Fees (701-34-342400-0)
Ambulance Fees (701-34-342600-0)
Total Charges for Servlces_��
Miscellaneous .Revenue
Miscellaneous Revenue (701-36-360000-0)
Interest, Including Profit Inv. (701-36-361100-0)
Fire Rescue Grants/Donations
Total Miscellaneous
Current Revenue Total
Less 5% Reduction (Section 129.01 (2)(b), F.
Available Revenue Total
dOILBev_enues
Projected Fund Balance
Insurance Recovery
Interfund Transfer - Landfill (701-38-381000-0)
Interfund Transfer - Landfill [one time expenses]
Total Non Revenues
Grand Total
ADOPTED BUDGET
FY 1998/99
Revised
Adapted
Change From
Actua!
Actual
Actual
Budget
Budget
1997/98 To
1994/95
1995196
1996/97
1997/98
1998/99
1998/99
638,752
804,153
876,398
938.000
908,000
(30,000)
0
20,548
13,505
0
10,000
10,000
638;752.
824.701
899,003
938,000
918,000
(20,000)
0
2,514
0
0
4,837
4,837
9,375
1,200
3,960
43,200
0
(43,200)
8,250
8,494
8,790
8,500
8,500
0
3,478
4,270
3,240
3,000
3,000
0
6,640
9,740
1,280
8,000
8,000
0
27,743
26,218
17,270
62,700
24,337
(38,363)
21,390
46,280
42,024
57,500
42,000
(15,500)
257,202
285,037
325.774
305.000
305,000
0
278,592
331,317
�367,798
362,500
347,000
(15,500)
1,914
1,463
2,959
1,500
1,500
0
1,492
934
11,036
0
15,000
15,000
15
0
0
0
0
0
3,421
2,397
2,969
1,500
16,500
15,000
948,508
1,.184,633
1,277,930
1,364,700
1,305,837
(58,863)
0
0
0
f95,235)
(65,292)
29,943
948,508
1,1841633
1,277,930
1;269,465
11240,545
(20,920)
166,767
(131,131)
0
249,462
347,676
98,214
5,201
500
0
0
0
0
370,529
485,995
575,000
500,000
465,415
(34.585)
0
0
0
0
148,954
148,954
542,497
355,364
575,000
749,462
962,045
212,583
1,491,005
1,539,997
1.852.930
2,018,927
2.202,590
183,663
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
208
SEPTEMBER 17.1998
1
BUDGET REVENUE HISTORY
FY 1998199
FUND - FIREIRESCUE (701)
PAGE TWO
Revised
Adopted Change From
Actual
Actual
Actual
Budget
Budget
1997/98 To
1994/95
1995/96
1996197
1997/98
1998/99
1998/99
i
} Recapitulation Summary- Resources
Total Taxes
638,752
824,701
889,903
938,000
918,000
(20,000)
Total Intergovernmental
27,743
26,218
17,270
62,700
24,337
(38,363)
Total Charges for Services
278,592
331,317
367,798
362,500
347,000
(15,500)
_. Total Miscellaneous Revenue
3,421
2,397
2,959
1,500
16,500
15,000
Subtotal Revenues
948,508
1,184,633
1,277,930
1,364,700
1,305,837
(58,863)
Total Non Revenues
542,497
355.364
575,000
749,462
962,045
212,583
Less 5% Reduction (Section 129.01_(2)(b), F.S.
0
0
0
195,235)
(65,292)
29,943
Grand Total
1,491,005
1.539,997
1,852,930
2,018,927
2,202,590
183,663
r
,
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i
i
ADOPTFO RVQGFT
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY? FLORIDA
209
SEPTEMBER 17, 1998
L ..
MINUTES OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WORKSHOP SESSION
JANUARY 14, 1999
The Board of County Commissioners of Okeechobee County, Florida conducted a
workshop session with members of the Okeechobee City Council at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday,
January 14, 1998 at the Administrative Annex Building conference room located at 450 North
Highway 98, Okeechobee, Florida.
Chair Betts presided with the following members present: Commissioners Hazellief,
Woods, Abney and Harvey. Also present were: County Administrator George Long, Deputy
County Administrator Robbie Clarke, County Attorney John Cassels, County Fire Chief Russ
Disinger and Deputy Clerk Debra Lewis.
Members of the Okeechobee City Council were present as follows: Mayor James Kirk and
Councilmen. Noel Chandler, Lowery Markham, Robert Oliver and Dowling Watford. Also present
were Okeechobee City Administrator Robert Bradshaw, City Attorney John Cook and City Fire
Chief Keith Tomey.
Chair Betts called the meeting to order.
County Administrator Long announced the workshop session had been scheduled for the
purpose of allowing members of the Board of County Commissioners and City Council the
opportunity to discuss possible options and benefits to combining efforts to provide better fire
protection services to the Okeechobee community.
Mr. Long.asked members of the Board and Council to consider, and discuss, the benefits
of integrating City and County fire protection services. He noted the ultimate purpose of this
meeting would be to determine the City's intent with regard to participation in the proposed effort
to combine services.
Mayor Kirk provided an overview of the discussion at the January 12, 1999 City Council
meeting with regard to consideration for combining fire protection and emergency medical
services. He explained the Council, as a whole, would be in favor of a combination of services
which represented no additional costs to City taxpayers.
There was discussion between the Board and Council with regard to recommended
methods for assessing funds adequate to support county -wide fire protection services.
1
i
Councilman Watford advised that, although it would favor combined services, the City
preferred to maintain control of its fire department. During discussion with regard to this matter,
Commissioner Hazellief emphasized the importance of looking at all options of providing
citizens with the best available fire protection services at the lowest cost.
Chair Betts advised combined efforts of the City and County, such as that proposed,
should result in a decrease in the amount of taxes currently paid for fire protection.
Councilman Oliver stressed the importance of including emergency medical services in
the upcoming study. There was discussion regarding this matter.
Mayor Kirk announced the City Council would be willing to discuss options and consider
a joint endeavor with the County to combine fire protection and emergency medical services
which may prove potentially beneficial to City residents.
Councilman Watford advised he would not favor support of an assessment for these
services unless it could be proven to benefit City residents. Discussion followed with regard to
available funding sources and proposed methods for payment of services as proposed.
Mr. Watford voiced, on behalf of the City Council, the following concerns:
Success of EMS services under conditions different from that of current operations
Mile radius expected to become the City's responsibility
County Administrator Long prompted discussion with regard to configuration proposed
for county -wide fire service districting. In addition, Mr. Long provided the most commonly noted
reasons for citizen opposition to assessment for services such as that proposed.
It was the consensus of all Commissioners and Councilmen present that the basic
goal associated with this endeavor would be to provide an acceptable level of fire
protection and emergency medical service to all citizens, at an affordable rate.
Mayor Kirk noted the Council's interest in moving forward with endeavors that reflect
possibilities for providing a better service to the citizens.
There was discussion between City Attorney John Cook and County Administrator
Long regarding the proposed calculation of assessment and which entity would be responsible
for same
2
4 •
L.
There was discussion between members of the Council and Commission reference
workable options for determining fundamental issues on which to base assessment calculations.
City Fire Chief Tomey reiterated the importance of offering services which would serve
to benefit citizens at a cost not to exceed current rates.
County Fire Chief Disinger stated, from his point of view, both City and County residents
stood to benefit greatly from efforts to combine fire protection and EMS services.
There was discussion between members of the Board and Council with regard to current
Okeechobee Utility Authority (OUA) standards for installing fire hydrants. In conclusion, both
entities agreed to review that portion of their current interlocal agreement with OUA for
requirements associated with the installation of fire hydrants.
Councilman Oliver recommended all members present consider alternating locations for
joint sessions between County Commission and City Council Chambers. There was brief
discussion regarding this recommendation.
There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned.
Sharon Robertson, Clerk
Board of County Commissioners
Okeechobee County, Florida
3
Clif Betts, Jr. airman
Boar of County Com 11 is ioners
Okeechobee County, Florida
01/06/1999 17:14 941-763-9529 BOARD OF COUNTY COM. PAGE 01
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY
304 N.W. W Street, Room 106
OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA 34972
(941) 763-6441
FAX- 763-1667
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01/06/1999 17:14 941-763-9529 BOARD OF COUNTY COM. PAGE 02
r
PLSM NOTICE
There will be a joint workshop between members of the Board of County
Commissioners and Okeechobee City Council on January 14,1999 at 6:00 p.m. in the
Administrative Annex Building conference room at 450 North Highway 96,
Okeechobee to discuss issues relating to fire services.
Any person deciding to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any
matter considered at such meeting will need a record of the proceedings, and that,
for such purpose, he or she will need to ensure that a verbatim record of the
proceedings is made, which record must include the testimony and evidence upon which
the appeal is based.
Clif Betts, Jr., Chairman
Board of County Commissioners
Sharon Robertson, Clerk
Board of County Commissioners
Publish: Daily Okeechobee News
January 09,1999