HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 061406 Work ShopCITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL.
BUDGET WORKSHOP
June 14, 2006
The June 14, 2006 Budget Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach
Gardens, Florida, was called to order at 6:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal
Complex, located at 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, by Mayor
Russo, and opened with the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL: The City Clerk called the roll and the following elected officials were found to
be in attendance: Mayor Russo, Vice Mayor Barnett, Councilmember Jablin, Councilmember
Levy, and Councilmember Valeche.
BUDGET DISCUSSION:
Councilmember Valeche asked specifically what this meeting was to achieve, to which Mayor
Russo responded anything anyone wanted to discuss. Councilmember Valeche indicated he did
not think presentations from each department head regarding what they had done during the
past year and their plans for next year were necessary, but only explanations of significant
changes from last year to this year. The City Manager advised that information on employees
would be provided to the Council next week. Finance Administrator Allan Owens provided an
overview of the budget document. Councilmember Valeche expressed his opinion that the
proposed changes to the pension plans which would cost an estimated $900,000 should be
adopted in this budget.
Each departments budgets were reviewed. During review of City Council's budget, Mayor
Russo recommended that the City Council approve its own travel expenses and set criteria for
why to travel, the benefit, whether it should be done, and when one should go as opposed to
five. It was explained that the lobbyist's contract had remained the same but an extra $5,000
had been budgeted in the event that more was needed for travel. In the Administration budget
there were funds budgeted for positions not currently filled. Travel was budgeted for
Administration staff to attend Bio 2007, and Councilmember Valeche asked for additional
information on this item. During discussion of the Public Relations Department budget, Mayor
Russo commented that a resident wanted the City to do national marketing. There were no
comments regarding the Information Technology budget. Allowances for City vehicles were
explained. Councilmember Valeche noted personnel costs made up approximately 70% of the
budget and those costs would increase in the future. The major increase in the City Clerk's
budget was due to the election. Mayor Russo noted the increase in the Legal Department was
due to the new contract that was recently approved. The Human Resources budget included the
same number of people, but the positions had been changed to better facilitate what was
needed in the department. There were no comments regarding the Finance Department budget.
The General Service's budget had increased due to the garbage contract. The Honda Classic
budget included cost allocations from the seven departments that contributed personnel, and
those costs were not duplicated in the departments. Councilmember Valeche noted after
removing capital, there was a 12% increase in personnel in the Police Administration budget,
which was explained as increases in insurance coverage. Mayor Russo stated he wanted to
make sure there were enough police officers to keep the City safe. Staff advised they had asked
for ten new officers, but a minimum of seven additional officers were needed. Discussion
ensued regarding police personnel. Consensus of Council was to go back and look at the police
personnel budget later. There were no comments on the Special Operations budget. Fire
Administration budget overtime was noted to be down significantly. It was reported that the
CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS SPECIAL MEETING, 6/14/06
personnel that was phased in this year would all be full -time next year, which increased
personnel costs in many departments. Growth Management Administration budget was
reduced due to breaking out the GIS Department into the Building Department budget. The
Mayor indicated he wanted assurance, that in the Planning and Zoning budget, the permit fees
were sufficient. Mayor Russo requested the Economic Development budget be discussed later.
Community Services budget included personnel moved from Growth Management.
Councilmember Valeche requested sufficient Code Enforcement personnel. Staff explained
that 120 hours of new Code Enforcement personnel with a higher level of training had been
added. No concerns were expressed regarding the GIS Department budget. During discussion
of the Recreation Department budget, Mayor Russo noted the electricity was a major item. The
Tennis Center loan had been paid and the Tennis Center was beginning to support its own
costs. Personnel had been moved into Public Works Administration. The Facilities
Maintenance budget included a Janitorial Services Contract. The Building and Construction
Services budget was discussed, and personnel needs for inspectors were reviewed.
Councilmember Jablin reported the School Board seemed to be stonewalling the high school
and asked if some dollars needed to be allocated to that project. Mayor Russo indicated that
was a policy decision that should be discussed at the City Council meeting the next night.
Mayor Russo asked to discuss economic development and asked the Council to decide whether
incentives should be provided or if the department should be expanded, and how to pay for
such items. Councilmember Jablin agreed to be aggressive with economic development with
Scripps coming to the area. Mayor Russo suggested taking some money from reserves, which
were high now, and to come up with a long -term funding source during the next 12 months.
Councilmember Valeche indicated he was not in favor of a communications tax to fund
economic development. Mayor Russo indicated a kick -start might be needed, and there were
developers who would participate. Councilmember Jablin expressed his opinion that a fund
should be established for economic development. Councilmember Valeche expressed concern
that growth would lessen and revenues would not be so readily available in future years.
Councilmember Valeche indicated he felt there were items in the budget that could be reduced;
he felt an 8% overall increase was sufficient and this budget was 50% above that. Mayor
Russo expressed concern that this budget was too lean since so much capital had been cut out.
Councilmember Levy commented that revenues now coming in should be invested so that
there would be incoming revenue in the future, which to him was economic development, and
he felt $1.5 million was a good figure. Vice Mayor Barnett asked to define goals for economic
development. Councilmember Jablin asked to allocate funds for economic development so
they would be available for use if needed. Vice Mayor Barnett asked to set aside money for the
high school. Consensus was to discuss the high school issue at the next City Council meeting.
The City Manager commented that staff heard the concerns about recurring costs and
personnel issues that would lead to future funding issues, burdens on the taxpayers, etc. The
departments came in with realistic budgets and good financial ideas, and staff was always
trying to reduce costs. In looking at economic development, staff considered what was good
for the community and long -term funding. The City Manager indicated that the budget, as
presented, was the result of compromise to reach what staff believed the City Council wanted,
expressed appreciation for Council's input tonight, and advised that further work would be
done on the items requested. Mayor Russo thanked everyone for their work on the budget.
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CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS SPECIAL MEETING, 6/14/06
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, t e meeting s adj ed at 7:55 p.m.
APPROVAL: -
RUSSO
COUN EMBER LEVY
CILMEMBER VALECHE
ATTEST:
PATRICIA SNIDER, CMC
CITY CLERK
Note: These summary minutes are prepared in compliance with 286.011 F.S. and are not verbatim
transcripts of the meeting. A verbatim audio record is available from the Office of the City Clerk.