HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 070501 WorkshopCITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 7/5/01 1
CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL
WORKSHOP MEETING
July 5, 2001
The July 5, 2001 Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida,
was called to order at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex located at
10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance
to the Flag.
ROLL CALL: The City Clerk called the roll and the following elected officials were in attendance:
Mayor Joseph R. Russo, Vice Mayor Eric Jablin, Councilmember Lauren Furtado, and Chair Pro
Tern Carl Sabatello. Councilmember David Clark was absent from the meeting.
BUDGET PRESENTATION
City Manager Ron Ferris provided an overview of the proposed budget. Mr. Ferris noted that four
engineering positions, services, and the dollars to do the PGA median projects had been added back
into the budget. The City Manager reviewed items that were included in the budget for the various
departments, and items that had been eliminated, reduced, or postponed. Proposed millage increase
was 22 %. Mr. Ferris reviewed the expenditure summary that showed the requested amount, revised
amount, and the difference of the current budget resulting in a change of approximately $4.5 million.
New money anticipated was $1.3 million from property values. The millage rate was reviewed and
projected through 2006. The rollback rate would need to be set at 5.922 at tonight's regular
meeting in Resolution 111, 2001. Councilmember Furtado questioned what EMS equipment was
being eliminated and the response was it was equipment for Station 5. Councilmember Furtado asked
how much of the increase was related to value engineering, which the response was $200,000 +.
Councilmember Sabatello indicated his major concerns were if there was sufficient staffing for MIS,
the amount allocated for canal improvement, elimination of the lobbyist position, and elimination
of the PAL program. Mayor Russo indicated he was not in favor of eliminating the PAL program,
fire education, the overtime for PBGYAA, and the lobbyist position. Mayor Russo commented
continuing to raise taxes at a 22% rate did not work. The Mayor requested stormwater expenses for
last year and projection for the coming year. Mayor Russo suggested showing residents services they
would receive as well as services that would be eliminated if the tax increase were lowered. Mayor
Russo commented he was not comfortable with a 22% increase and requested more information on
stormwater, since flooding had not been occurring. Councilmember Furtado commented there were
two pending grants that could provide funding for the children's programs and she did not want the
grant writer's or lobbyist positions eliminated. Mayor Russo requested justification for the number
of employees in the City. Closing Station 16 and building a new Fire station was discussed.
Councilmember Sabatello commented there should be a budget plan for the next seven years.
Discussion ensued. The City Manager verified that no operational costs for Parks and Recreation
had been included in the projections. The City's golf course was discussed, as well as re- issuing
bonds at today's lower rates. Direction was to try to accommodate the issues discussed without
increasing the roll back rate, or increasing it to accommodate the MIS Director, lobbyist grant writer,
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 7/5/01
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and the programs that were eliminated. Mayor Russo indicated he was looking for a lower rate than
presented but was willing to go with a higher number tonight since it could be lowered but was
difficult to increase. The City Manager indicated a new figure for the roll back rate would be ready
by the time the City Council. considered Resolution 111, 2001.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to discuss, upon motion by Vice Mayor Jablin, seconded by
Councilmember Sabatello, carried 4 -0, the ;nqeting,#'asjourned at 6:50 p.m.
APPROVAL:
JOSEPH R. RUSSO
JABLIN
PRO TEM CARL SABATELLO
COUNCILMAN DAVID CLARK
COUNCILWOMAN LAUREN FURTADO
ATTEST:
ON
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