2023-11-06 Draft Minutes for 8/30/2023 Special MeetingCITY OF OKEECHOBEE POLICE OFFICERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM
OKEECHOBEE FIREFIGHTERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM
REGULAR QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES, August 30, 2023
CITY HALL, 55 SE THIRD AVENUE
OKEECHOBEE, FL 34974
1. CALL TO ORDER
Bettye Taylor called the meeting of the Board of Trustees for the City of Okeechobee Police Officers' and
Firefighters' Retirement System to order at 5:15 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. She called roll
for both Boards. Those persons present included:
TRUSTEES
POLICE
Bettye Taylor, Chair
Jason Chapman, Trustee
Ryan Holroyd, Trustee
Cody Daigneault, Trustee
TRUSTEES
Firefighters'
Chief Herb Smith, Chair
Glenn Hodges, Trustee
Adam Crum, Trustee
Joshua Sanders, Trustee
OTHERS
Scott Baur and Kyle Tintle, Resource Centers
Jennifer Gainfort, AnclCo
Robert Sugarman, Sugarman Susskind (remote)
Shelley Jones, GRS
2. Extraordinary Circumstances for Trustees Joining Electronically
No Trustees joined the meeting electronically.
3. Proposed Merger
Bettye Taylor wanted to know where the cost savings from the merger will be. She spent time and
spoke with the Finance Director and the City Manager to hear from them what the cost saving would be.
Mr. Baur provided the approximate savings of $10,000 versus the $40,000 savings Bettye Talor
discussed. The trustees wanted clarification of the benefits and negatives to each plan of the merger. It
was acknowledged the Firefighters' benefited from the merger by the retirees receiving the State 175
monies and an annual stipend if financially feasible. Mr. Sugarman said each Board would be losing a
Board member because of the merger. A lively discussion was held by the Police Board.
Glenn Hodges made a motion to approve the proposed merger and medical stipend... The motion
received a second from Joshua Sanders, approved by the Trustees 3-1.
Jason Chapman made a motion to table the discussion until the trustees can discuss the merger
further with the membership. The motion received a second from Bettye Tayler, approved by the
Trustees 3-0.
Ms. Jones reviewed the updated amounts of the cost of the medical subsidy if adopted.
The Police pension board departed the meeting 6:00 PM as the discussion of the merger was tabled
until they had the opportunity to discuss with their membership.
Meeting August 30, 2023 Page 2 of 3
4. Minutes
The Firefighter trustees reviewed the minutes for May 1, 2023.
Glenn Hodges made a motion to approve the minutes for May 1, 2023. The motion received a second
from Adam Crum, approved by the Trustees 4-0.
S. Investment Monitor (Jennifer Gainfort)
Ms. Gainfort reported on another good quarter. She reviewed the current economic conditions. The
Fed continued to raise interest rates an additional 0.25% in May followed by a pause in June. The Fed
may raise rates another time or 2 during the remainder of the year. Inflation was at 9% and now is
down to 4%. The predicted recession has not yet appeared which may turn into a soft -landing for the
economy. Ms. Gainfort reviewed the major market index performance noting domestic and foreign
markets delivered positive results. Growth outperformed value and bonds continued to be negative for
the quarter ending June 30, 2023. The top performers were tech names with the constant fascination
with artificial intelligence. She reviewed the asset allocation by market segment and manager. The
portfolio ended the quarter at $4,455,586 versus the previous quarter ending March 31, 2023, at
$4,361,891, up $93,695. The financial reconciliation shows the market value plus the contributions, less
distributions, and other expenses, adding the income and appreciation equals the current market value.
The asset allocations were all in line with the policy. The quarterly total fund composite returns were
3.91% (net) compared to 3.81 % for the policy. The fiscal year to day numbers were 16.66% versus
16.30% for the policy. Ms. Gainfort reviewed the individual fund performance, passive and active
management. The long-term numbers were 7.30% and 7.14% respectively for the 7- and 10-year
returns, beating the bench at 7.18% and 7.08% respectively.
Ms. Gainfort presented the red -lined and clean copy of the Investment Policy Statement for the
Okeechobee Firefighters'. She discussed the additions to the policy had to do with House Bill #3 and
adding language to comply with the law.
Adam Crum made a motion to approve the Investment Policy Statement as presented... The motion
received a second from Herb Smith approved by the Trustees 4-0.
6. Attorney (Robert Sugarman)
Nothing to report.
7. Administrator (Scott Baur & Kyle Tintle)
Mr. Baur reported the Firefighter's 2022 premium tax distribution is $50,243.19 which is much higher
than the previous distribution of $26,193.91. He described the two upcoming educational opportunities
for the trustees. The FPPTA Fall Trustees school will be held at the Sawgrass Marriott on October 1't
through 4t" and the 52d Annual Police Officers' and Firefighters' Pension Conference in Orlando. Ms.
Tintle informed the board the 2022 Annual Report had been approved and the Actuarial Valuations for
10-01-2019, 2020, and 2022 have been accepted.
8. Financials
Meeting August 30, 2023
Page 3 of 3
Mr. Baur presented the financial statement for June 2023. The Board received and filed the interim
financial statements. The Trustees reviewed the plan's expenses on the warrant dated August 7, 2023.
Adam Crum made a motion to approve the warrant dated August 7, 2023. The motion received a
second from Josh Saunders. The motion was approved, 4-0.
9. Appointment of Fifth Trustee
A call for nominations of a fifth trustee was made.
Glen Hodges nominated Josh Saunders as the 5t" Trustee. The motion received a second from Herb
Smith, approved by the Trustees 4-0.
10. New Business
There was no new business.
11. Other Business
There was no other business.
12. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no comments from the public.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM
The next regular quarterly meeting will be held, Monday, November 6, 2023, at 4:30 PM in the Council
Chambers.
Police Chair
Police Secretary
Firefighter Chair
Firefighter Secretary