HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 062807I CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
2 CITY COUNCIL
3 BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING
4 June 28, 2007
6 The June 28, 2007 Budget Workshop of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens,
7 Florida, was called to order at 6:33 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex,
8 located at 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, by Mayor Russo, and
9 opened with the pledge of allegiance.
1 o ROLL CALL: The City Clerk called the roll and the following elected officials were found
11 to be in attendance: Mayor Russo, Vice Mayor Levy, Councilmember Jablin,
12 Councilmember Valeche, and Councilmember Barnett.
13 ANNOUNCEMENTS / PRESENTATIONS:
14 Fiscal Year 2007/2008 Budget - Allan Owens, Finance Administrator presented a
15 preliminary working budget draft, focusing on recently passed tax legislation, which required
16 all Cities to roll back taxes to fiscal year 2006 -2007 level; from there depending on the
17 growth from ad valorem taxes on a per capita basis, Cities had to make an additional 3 %,
18 5 %, 7% or 9% cut, with Palm Beach Gardens falling into the 5% category. Any voted debt
19 millage would be excluded. Future increases would be limited to growth in the Florida
20 personal per capita income and new construction. A constitutional amendment would be on
21 the ballot in January which would offer the option of a new super exemption. Mr. Owens
22 reported the City's estimated capped operating millage would be 5.18 mils, and estimated
23 debt millage of .15. This required reducing approximately $2.5 million from next year's
24 budget; staff had identified $2.865 million in reductions. Mr. Owens reviewed the identified
25 reductions by department. Budget hearing dates were discussed.
26 COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
27 Pat Hughey, Reed Drive, asked several questions regarding the number of the employees,
28 their duties, whether overtime was being paid, etc., and submitted a copy of her questions for
29 the record. Tom Sosey, Bent Tree, asked if the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee
30 comments would be available tonight, then apologized when he realized the Budget
31 Oversight Committee had already endorsed the budget. Mr. Sosey suggested possible budget
32 reductions. It was announced that the Budget Oversight Committee meeting audio would be
33 on the website the next day available for download. Eileen Tucker, Shady Lakes, suggested
34 possible employee reductions, and asked for another budget meeting. Mayor Russo expressed
35 his opinion that the employees were the City's best asset. Terence Brady, Lacey Oak Drive,
36 asked the amount of the City Attorney's fees. Carolyn Chaplik, Hudson Bay Drive, suggested
37 possible items for reduction. Bob Boniewski, Larch Court, commented on the positions being
38 eliminated in the Fire Department and his position which was being eliminated. Discussion
39 ensued regarding keeping long -term employees employed. Vito DeFrancesco, Shady Lakes,
40 did not want safety compromised by budget cuts to Police and Fire; expressed concern
41 regarding a Firefighter who turned away someone who wanted help in strapping their child in
42 a car seat; questioned longevity, and commented on specific budget items. The Mayor
43 explained a Firefighter had to be certified to put in a car seat. Joan Elias, 1009 Diamond
44 Head Way, advised that City employees were also taxpayers and neighbors, and it was
45 embarrassing to have people saying they should not be paid so much or their salaries should
46 be cut. Paul Vota, Garden Woods, commented that some positions that were recommended to
CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS BUDGET WORKSHOP, 6/28/07
1 be eliminated were not currently open, which should be made clear, and confirmed that
2 Council money not spent on positions went into the budget. Mr. Vota described that City
3 benefits were not common in the business world.
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5 Mayor Russo commented most of the City's employees could not afford to live in the City,
6 which he felt was a crime, and budget cuts were difficult. Vice Mayor Levy cautioned
7 residents not to forget that the Council members were also residents. The City Manager
8 addressed longevity, and other employee salary and benefit items. Comments by Council
9 included support for domestic partner benefits at no cost to the City, discussion on salary
t o increase percentages indicated four members supported the reduced level proposed for merit
11 increases. Councilmember Barnett proposed not having longevity would mean no one had to
12 be fired this year. Discussion ensued. Mayor Russo advised if three members favored looking
13 at longevity going forward a study could be done; only one member favored taking it out of
14 this budget. It was clarified that the million dollars for economic development would be
15 carried forward. Consensus was not to cut the Honda Classic from the budget. Other
16 discussion was regarding businesses sponsoring the City's 50`x' birthday celebration, and IT
17 equipment. Consensus was not to set an additional meeting date before the regular Council
18 meeting on July 19.
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CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS BUDGET WORKSHOP, 6/28/07
1 ADJOURNMENT
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3 There being no further business to discuss, the e ' w jo at 8:31 p.m.
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6 APPROVAL:
7 RUSSO
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9 .�
10 G�
11 VICE R VY
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13 - •
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15 C ABLIN
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19 CO CILMEMBER VALECHE
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23 COUNCILME E ARNETT
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25 ATTEST:
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28 Dorun C aci",
29 F004AT CIA, SNIDER, CMC
30 CITY CLERK
31 Note: These summary minutes are prepared in compliance with 286.011 F.S. and are not
32 verbatim transcripts of the meeting. A verbatim audio record is available from the Office ofthe City
33 Clerk. All referenced attachments are on file in the City Clerk's office.
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