Loading...
2020-08-12 News Article1st 19, 2020 Lake Okeechobee News - merger of Okeechobee News, Clewiston News, Glades County Democrat, and The Sun Okeechobee By Cathy Womble Lake Okeechobee News OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee City Council had its first budget workshop of the year on, Aug. 12. City Administrator Mar- cos Montes de Oca presented the proposed budget, which he said included a few increases. Overall, the increase would be 0.9% over last year's budget, tie said. The proposed budget was based on the millage rate in place now. (Millage rales are the tax rates used to calculate local property taxes. On mill equals $1 in taxes for every $1,000 of taxable property value.) Finance Director India Riedel went over the finances for 2019-2020, and said basically, the first half of the year was very strong. The state's fiscal year runs from July to June, and in July, the state received more revenue than what was estimated. They were at 103% of what they estimated. Going forward, it stayed high, from 102% to 103%, which is a good thing, she said. "The economy was getting better." Later in the year, the economy began to suffer because of COVID-19. In April, we began to see a change in the revenue. It was over $800 million less than estimated, and in May and June, the trend confined. The state's estimates for the next few months are 19-20% less for sales tax revenue than last year. Overall, the state received 94.3% of its estimated sales tax revenue for the year. An estimate from the state shows a decrease in tax revenue to Okeechobee city of about $160,000 in the 2020-21 fiscal year. In addition, they estimate a decrease in gas tax revenue of about $100,000. This is going to be a really rough year as QSO inves,ti afio s The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office • 5700 block U.S. 441 Southeast investigated reports of the following crimes last week: FRAUD City far as revenue is concerned," said Riedel. She also explained that revenue from utility taxes and franchise fees were down, because some utilities lowered their rates, and because many businesses used the utilities less while their businesses were shut down or partially shut down. "I know I'm the doom and gloom lady tonight. I wish 1 could paint a prettier picture, but I think you probably knew," she said. After going over each item of the proposed budget, the council decided they wanted cuts in every department. Councilman Bob Jarriel said, "The council represents the taxpayers of Okeechobee, whether it be a resident or a business. We didn't have a good year. They didn't have a good year. When I look at businesses that have been closed — like the bars, and 1 don't drink, so that doesn't have an effect on me — but that's their livelihood and their businesses. 1 don't know how many will be back. The movie theater and gyms, restaurants, you can just go on and on with people who had terrible years. I just want to make sure that we recognize it. We represent the taxpayers of the city of Okeechobee. I think we've got to do something for our people. We have to take a stance. We have a reserve. The county has a reserve. I don't know that the mom and pops out there have a reserve. The restaurants at 50% can't make a profit. The mom and pop stores that haven't reopened, they can't make a profit. We are far from being back to where we were at. I just ask the council to look at that as we make our motions tonight..." rAn il. ,...;..,, ....:.'tie ...,...... s.. Council worms to cut /ASSAULT • Jail • 7200 block U.S. 441 North BURGLARY • 3600 block Southeast 25th Street • 2600 block Northwest Fourth Street • 0-100 block Northwest 30th Terrace • 3100 block U.S. 441 Southeast CRIMINAL MISCHIEF • 800 block Northeast 30th Avenue • 3500 block Northwest 21st Avenue • 100 block Southeast 68th Avenue • 300 block Southeast 22nd Lane • 6400 block U.S. 441 Southeast • Jail HIT & RUN • 1500 block State Road 70 East • 2600 block Northwest Third Street NARCOTICS USE • State Road 70 East • Southeast 40th Avenue • Jail THEFT • 1400 block U.S. 441 Southeast • Jail x2 • 7000 block Northeast 48th Street ures for the police department, Council member Monica Clark said, "I know this is going to be not a very popular item, but I'm gonna ask, and 1 know I'm up for election, and 1 don't really care. If we do not do steps this year, what does that total dollar amount to in this budget? Just a rough idea." She was told it would amount to ap- proximately $54,000. According to Maj. Donald Hagan of the Okeechobee City Police Department, the step program is the method used to issue raises to employees. When he was hired, they had a benefit called the Longevity Pro- gram. Under this program, each employee received a certain amount based on the number of years with the city. Employees who worked there from one to three years would receive $300 a year. Those working from four to six years would receive $600. Seven to nine years earned $900, etc. The purpose of the Longevity Program was to reward those who stayed with the city long-term. When City Administrator Bill Veach was with the city, he changed this from a benefit to a raise of 1.5% of the employees' salaries. For newcomers, this did not make a lot of difference, but for those who have been with the city for a long time, it made a huge difference, he explained. For example, take an employee who makes $40,000 per year and has been with the city for 30 years. Under the Lon- gevity Program, this employee would make $3,000. Under the Step Program, this same employee would make $600, he explained. Councilman Bobby Keefe said he agreed completely with Councilman Okeechobee Fire Report • Okeechobee City Fire Department re- sponded to 22 medicaVEMS, four fire- relat-ed, five motor vehicle and two false alarm calls last week • Okeechobee County Fire Rescue responded to 135 medicaVEMS, 10 motor vehicle, five dispatch and cancel, and six miscellaneous calls last week Out of 104 possible transports, two were refused. • On Aug. 11, OCFR and OFD respond- ed to a call at approximately 11:15 p.m. regarding a structure fire in the 900 block of Southeast Eighth Avenue. Upon arrival, they found a 30- by 25 -foot shed on fire in the backyard. Once the fire was knocked down and under control, they began salvage and overhaul operations and set up a rehab sta- tion. When OFD Chief Herb Smith arrived on the scene, he released OCFR units. Taxpayers should be on the lookout for these scams Special to the Lake Okeechobee News to steal personal information. The IRS trying to help in times of need. All tax scams put taxpayers at risk. This will never initiate contact with taxpayers Threatening impersonator phone is the first of two tips taking a closer look at through email about a tax bill, refund or calla: IRS impersonation scams come in the IRS Dirty Dozen tax scam list. This year, Economic Impact Payment. Don't click on many forms. A common one remains fake taxpayers should be especially watchful for links claiming to be from the IRS. threatening phone calls from a criminal aggressive schemes related to COVID-19 re- Fake charities: Criminals frequently claiming to be with the IRS. lief, including Economic Impact Payments. target natural disasters and other situations, Social media scams: Taxpayers need Phishing: Taxpayers should be alert to such as COVID-19, by setting up fake char- to protect themselves against social media potential fake entails or websites looking ities to steal from well-intentioned people scams, which frequently use events such as COVID-19 to try tricking people. budget Jarriel, "I firmly believe we are up here representing the city taxpayers, business owners as well as residents. A lot of small businesses in town are hurting. I'm glad council member Clark brought up the step and how much it would be. Shops in town have closed or are at 50%. Everyone in town is feeling a decrease, but we are will- ing to increase pay in salaries here at the expense of our taxpayers, who are hurting and not making money. I think we need to think long and hard about that." Clark said, "I can't believe out of all these departments, we can't cut some- thing. Our budget is going UP $400,000. We can't afford it." Mayor Dowling Watford Jr. said, "I have confidence in our administrator and our finance director and our department heads. I think they have provided us with what they feel like is the best budget they can give us." Despite his words, the council asked Montes de Oca to find a way to cut the budget. "We only have so much money in reserves," said Clark. "Last year it was $1.2 million we were taking out. This year, it is going to be $1.6 million to balance our budget, and 1 think it's gonna be a tough year next year. We don't have the money to operate, and if you don't have the money, you cut the budget." "At the current rate, if we keep going into our reserves, in seven years, we would oe our, saia �ouncuman was Honey. G rn extr,i dM Wr d /Ff Routes Available Now! Earn $350.450 per month Routes available in the following cities: Okeechobee BelleGlade Call Today: 863.824.5933 Valid Driver's License, dependable transportation and insurance required. 0,4') 0 C C M fOi✓luk Fi l