MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, HELD IN THE CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 NORTH U.S. #1, FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, AT 5:05 P.M. ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2019.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hudson called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
2.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Mayor Linda Hudson; Commissioner Rufus Alexander; Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson; Commissioner Thomas Perona; Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- Staff Present:
-
- City Clerk Linda Cox
- City Manager Nicholas Mimms
- City Attorney Peter Sweeney
4.
NEW BUSINESS
a.
Announce the percentage by which the tentative millage rate exceeds the roll-back rate. The millage rate exceeds the roll-back rate (6.4360) by 7.21%.
b.
Announce the tentative millage rate which is 6.9.
Mayor Hudson announced the City of Fort Pierce is proposing a millage rate of 6.90 and the rate exceeds the roll-back rate of 6.436 by 7.21%.
5.
PUBLIC HEARING
a.
Public Hearing on Tentative Millage Rate and Proposed 2019-20 General Fund Budget for the City of Fort Pierce
Ms. Johnna Morris, Finance Director, gave a brief overview of the FY2020 Budget. The proposed budget is balanced at $42,429,972; a $3,520,359 (9.05%) increase from the current year. The taxable value for property taxes is $2,548,947,723 which is a 6.8% increase. This is the fifth year of new change in the millage rate. Ms. Morris explained the impacts of the homestead exemption limits and how it applies to our citizens, both homesteaded and non-homesteaded and provided an informational slide with monetary examples. She also provided a breakdown of a typical tax bill and how those taxes would be distributed to the various taxing authorities.
In this budget, $1,500,000 is for infrastructure sales tax revenues and expenditures and $600,000 is restricted for FY2021 capital expenditures. Also, $462,950 is being used from unrestricted fund balance to balance the budget and all employees will receive a 3% cost of living increase. Three new employees will be added to the personnel count and the retirement contribution rate has decreased slightly. We have $2,445,000 budgeted for capital projects which includes the 1.5 million from the infrastructure sales tax. There will be no transfer needed to the FRPA from the general fund, and the FPRA will instead transfer to the general fund $400,000.00. Debt service has increased as a result of our ability to secure a capital lease for police cars this year.
In this budget, $1,500,000 is for infrastructure sales tax revenues and expenditures and $600,000 is restricted for FY2021 capital expenditures. Also, $462,950 is being used from unrestricted fund balance to balance the budget and all employees will receive a 3% cost of living increase. Three new employees will be added to the personnel count and the retirement contribution rate has decreased slightly. We have $2,445,000 budgeted for capital projects which includes the 1.5 million from the infrastructure sales tax. There will be no transfer needed to the FRPA from the general fund, and the FPRA will instead transfer to the general fund $400,000.00. Debt service has increased as a result of our ability to secure a capital lease for police cars this year.
b.
Consider any proposed amendments to the 2019-20 General Fund Budget
Mayor Hudson inquired as to whether there were any amendments to the proposed budget.
Commissioner Johnson suggested eliminating the salary increase for the commissioners. City Clerk Linda Cox confirmed the numbers are at the odd numbers because of past increases. Commissioner Johnson also brought up the prior discussion regarding breaking down the total commission travel budget by line item for each mayor-commission seat. He suggested that the Mayor be allocated $5,000 because of her Florida League of City duties and the remaining commissioners should be allocated $3,750 each.
Commissioner Sessions made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Alexander to accept the entire budget as presented by staff without the amendments.
Commissioner Perona indicated he was interested in the travel amendment, but indicated we should use this year to develop a better plan for next year. He also indicated that the 3% increase for Commissioners is not much money and we should think about how we attract candidates for the commission in the future if the compensation is so low. There was a big jump in salary in 2004 to attempt to bring them in line. The dollar amount for each commissioner is 772.71 annually.
It was clarified that the Commission must adopt a millage rate before adopting the budget so the motion on the floor was premature and withdrawn.
Commissioner Johnson suggested eliminating the salary increase for the commissioners. City Clerk Linda Cox confirmed the numbers are at the odd numbers because of past increases. Commissioner Johnson also brought up the prior discussion regarding breaking down the total commission travel budget by line item for each mayor-commission seat. He suggested that the Mayor be allocated $5,000 because of her Florida League of City duties and the remaining commissioners should be allocated $3,750 each.
Commissioner Sessions made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Alexander to accept the entire budget as presented by staff without the amendments.
Commissioner Perona indicated he was interested in the travel amendment, but indicated we should use this year to develop a better plan for next year. He also indicated that the 3% increase for Commissioners is not much money and we should think about how we attract candidates for the commission in the future if the compensation is so low. There was a big jump in salary in 2004 to attempt to bring them in line. The dollar amount for each commissioner is 772.71 annually.
It was clarified that the Commission must adopt a millage rate before adopting the budget so the motion on the floor was premature and withdrawn.
c.
Adopt the proposed Millage Rate and Recompute if necessary. The proposed millage rate is 6.90.
Motion was made by Commissioner Reginald Sessions, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to adopt the millage rate at 6.9.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
d.
Adoption of tentative 2019-20 General Fund Budget
Commissioner Alexander inquired as to the salary of the County Commissioners; an answer was not available. Commissioner Sessions indicated that we should be proud of all the accomplishments and feels that the citizens certainly would not be upset that they receive a slight increase which he feels is deserved. Commissioner Alexander did not want to bicker about the dollars. Commissioner Johnson indicated that he wanted to take the money that the Commission would receive and give to the Police Department.
Motion was made by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, to approve the budget with no city commission raise and line item budget the commission travel budget to individual seats as previously discussed. Mayor Hudson passed the gavel to Mayor Pro Tem Alexander and seconded the motion.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson
- NAY:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Failed
Motion was made by Commissioner Reginald Sessions, seconded by Commissioner Rufus Alexander to adopt the proposed budget as presented by staff.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- NAY:
- Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson
Passed
City Clerk Linda Cox reminded the Mayor and Commissioners that we have a hard stop at 5:45 when we must convene the FPRA meeting which will not allow sufficient time for the public hearings that remain on the agenda. It was suggested that the board could recess and then reconvene following the next meeting.
Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Reginald Sessions to recess at 5:40 p.m. until subsequent to the FPRA meeting.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
Mayor Hudson reconvened the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
e.
Presentation and Public Hearing - SHIP 2016-2017 Annual Report
As the meeting reconvenened, Mimms, City Manager, introduced the new Planning Director, Jennifer Hofmeister.
Ms. Caleta Scott, Grants Administration Manger, provided a brief close out report for the 2016-2017 SHIP program. They were able to rehabilitate 27 homes with an average project cost of $23,000.00. They also provided 1st time homebuyer assistance to ten families. They were able to meet the program goals aimed at income levels and special needs. The final report will be submitted at the conclusion of the public hearing.
Mayor Hudson opened the public hearing. Seeing no one, she closed the public hearing.
Ms. Caleta Scott, Grants Administration Manger, provided a brief close out report for the 2016-2017 SHIP program. They were able to rehabilitate 27 homes with an average project cost of $23,000.00. They also provided 1st time homebuyer assistance to ten families. They were able to meet the program goals aimed at income levels and special needs. The final report will be submitted at the conclusion of the public hearing.
Mayor Hudson opened the public hearing. Seeing no one, she closed the public hearing.
f.
Presentation and Public Hearing for the 2019-2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan
Ms. Caleta Scott, Grants Administration Manager, provided a presentation on the 2019 Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). This is the 4th year of a 5 year consolidated plan. The community learns about the program in various ways. The approved activities include economic development, public service, public facilities, owner-occupied housing rehab assistance and neighborhood revitalization. The funding for the upcoming year is $557,327 plus program income of $3,918 for a total of $561,245. Funding allocations and program activities were reviewed. There will be a second public hearing on the plan on September 16, 2019 during the City Commission meeting. The survey is also still available for anyone wishing to provide additional input.
Mayor Hudson opened the public hearing. Seeing no one, she closed the public hearing.
Mayor Hudson opened the public hearing. Seeing no one, she closed the public hearing.
6.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject may be heard at this time. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes or less, as directed by the Mayor, as this section of the Agenda is limited to fifteen minutes. The City Commission will not be able to take any official actions under Comments from the Public. Speakers will address the Mayor, Commissioners, and the Public with respect. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated.
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject may be heard at this time. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes or less, as directed by the Mayor, as this section of the Agenda is limited to fifteen minutes. The City Commission will not be able to take any official actions under Comments from the Public. Speakers will address the Mayor, Commissioners, and the Public with respect. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated.
David Teitelbaum, Fort Pierce Police Department
Diane Hobley-Burney, Chief, Fort Pierce Police Department
Diane Hobley-Burney, Chief, Fort Pierce Police Department
Discussion ensued regarding Police Department pay and how adjustments may be made to assist in the future.
7.
ADJOURNMENT
The second public hearing and first reading of the budget ordinances will be held at the regular City Commission Meeting on Monday, September 16, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers, City Hall, 100 N US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, Florida. Second reading and adoption of the budget ordinances will be held at the special City Commission Meeting on Monday, September 23, 2019 at 5:05 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers, City Hall, 100 N US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, Florida.
The second public hearing and first reading of the budget ordinances will be held at the regular City Commission Meeting on Monday, September 16, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers, City Hall, 100 N US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, Florida. Second reading and adoption of the budget ordinances will be held at the special City Commission Meeting on Monday, September 23, 2019 at 5:05 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers, City Hall, 100 N US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, Florida.
Mayor Hudson adjourned the meeting at 6:54 p.m.
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK
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MAYOR COMMISSIONER
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