MINUTES OF A BUDGET HEARING 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 5:30 P.M. ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015
1.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Hudson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Mayor Linda Hudson; Commissioner Rufus Alexander; Commissioner Edward Becht; Commissioner Thomas Perona; Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- Staff Present:
-
- City Clerk Linda Cox
- City Manager Robert Bradshaw
- City Attorney Robert Schwerer
4.
PUBLIC HEARING on the proposed 2015-16 General Fund Budget and Millage Rate for the City of Fort Pierce. All items to be discussed concurrently.
Mayor Hudson opened the Public Hearing.
Seeing no one, Mayor Hudson closed the Public Hearing.
City Manager Robert Bradshaw stated there will be a brief presentation of the General Fund balanced budget of $35.8 million based on a proposed millage increase of 3.8%, going from 6.57 to 6.90. Also included for discussion is a $1.4 million Capital Fund.
Chief Accountant Johnna Morris gave a brief review of a few changes to the budget.
There was a discussion concerning contributing to Restoring the Village, this request and discussion took place after the budget process was complete and there is no funding addressed within the 2015-2016 budget. It was noted that instead of a monetary donation, an in-kind contribution was offered in the form of office space. It was the consensus of the Commission to revisit for consideration on next year’s budget.
The Commission made a recommendation that the position of Grant Writer at the Police Department be filled as soon as possible. Chief Hobley-Burney stated they are currently in negotiations to put someone on contract from an outside source because the applicants have not been qualified for the position.
Mayor Hudson stated she supports the pay increase for staff and the economic development, but she does not support adding additional staff that is not fighting crime.
Mayor Hudson opened the Public Hearing.
Seeing no one, Mayor Hudson closed the Public Hearing.
City Manager Robert Bradshaw stated there will be a brief presentation of the General Fund balanced budget of $35.8 million based on a proposed millage increase of 3.8%, going from 6.57 to 6.90. Also included for discussion is a $1.4 million Capital Fund.
Chief Accountant Johnna Morris gave a brief review of a few changes to the budget.
- The revenue has increased $46,339 as the result of a Code Enforcement Officer being added into the expenses, this then decreased the unrestricted budget by that same amount. Thus changing the General Fund resources to $35,863,263.
- There will be no more listed personnel costs for the City Attorney. Since they are not employees of the City, those retainer costs will now be shown as expenses.
- $125,000 was moved from contingency back to Capital as requested by the Commission as specific for port development.
There was a discussion concerning contributing to Restoring the Village, this request and discussion took place after the budget process was complete and there is no funding addressed within the 2015-2016 budget. It was noted that instead of a monetary donation, an in-kind contribution was offered in the form of office space. It was the consensus of the Commission to revisit for consideration on next year’s budget.
The Commission made a recommendation that the position of Grant Writer at the Police Department be filled as soon as possible. Chief Hobley-Burney stated they are currently in negotiations to put someone on contract from an outside source because the applicants have not been qualified for the position.
Mayor Hudson stated she supports the pay increase for staff and the economic development, but she does not support adding additional staff that is not fighting crime.
a.
Consider any proposed amendments to the 2015-16 Budget.
There were no proposed changes.
There were no proposed changes.
b.
Adopt the (amended) Tentative 2015-16 General Fund Budget.
Motion was made by Commissioner Rufus Alexander, seconded by Commissioner Edward Becht to adopt the tentative 2015-2016 General Fund Budget.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
c.
Recompute (if necessary) and adopt the proposed Millage Rate.
No recomputing is necessary. There is a Millage Rate of 6.90 proposed for 2015-2016.
No recomputing is necessary. There is a Millage Rate of 6.90 proposed for 2015-2016.
d.
Announce the percentage, if any, by which the Millage Rate exceeds the Roll-Back Rate.
The proposed millage rate exceeds the roll back rate by 3.8%.
The proposed millage rate exceeds the roll back rate by 3.8%.
5.
The Second Public Hearing will be held at a Special City Commission Meeting on Monday, September 14, 2015 which begins at 5:30 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers, City Hall, 100 North US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL.
The first reading of the Budget Ordinances will be held at the regular meeting of the City Commission on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. and the final reading of the ordinances will be held at a special meeting of the City Commission on Monday, September 14, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. Both meetings will be held in the City Commission Chambers, City Hall, 100 North US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL.
The first reading of the Budget Ordinances will be held at the regular meeting of the City Commission on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. and the final reading of the ordinances will be held at a special meeting of the City Commission on Monday, September 14, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. Both meetings will be held in the City Commission Chambers, City Hall, 100 North US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL.
6.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Hudson declared the meeting adjourned at 6:18 p.m.
There being no further business, Mayor Hudson declared the meeting adjourned at 6:18 p.m.
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK
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MAYOR COMMISSIONER
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