MINUTES OF THE BUDGET WORKSHOP 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 6:30 P.M. ON MONDAY, JULY 30, 2014.
1.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Hudson called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.
2.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Mayor Linda Hudson; Commissioner Edward Becht; Commissioner Thomas Perona
- Absent:
- Commissioner (arrived at 9:12 a.m.) Rufus Alexander; Commissioner (arrived at 9:14 a.m.) Reginald Sessions
- Staff Present:
-
- City Clerk Linda Cox
- City Manager Robert Bradshaw
- City Attorney Robert Schwerer
4.
FOLLOW-UP TO JUNE 30, 2014 BUDGET WORKSHOP
5.
DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED FY 2014-2015 BUDGET
A.
Proposed FY 2014 - 2015 Budget, Draft No. 2
Gloria Johnson, Finance Director, appeared with a presentation. She stated the total budget for fiscal year 2014-2015 is $34,139,600 with an overall decrease in tax revenue of $336,000. We have finished the trim and our roll back rate is going to be 6.5786 with a difference of .0264 from our current rate of 6.6050.
Ms. Johnson stated if the Commission wishes to either create or add to any line item currently on the budget, this is the time to make the change.
Mr. Mimms responded to Commissioner Alexander’s concern of funding for the children to participate and attend crime prevention programs. He stated the City currently has a process in place for community based organizations to present and apply for funding through the City’s CDBG Program. This process involves community input and it involves the Communitywide Council, the proposals are ranked and presented to the Commission for final award. There is a certain percentage of the HUD Entitlement Fund that is used for public service agencies and crime prevention is one of the elements of the agency fund distribution. CDBG funds have a ceiling distribution amount of 15%, if the City Commission wishes to augment the CDBG money with general funds to increase the public service agency distribution that could be done. He explained proposals come in and are evaluated by the Communitywide Council through ranking. Since it has been determined crime prevention is a high priority of the City Commission, the Communitywide Council will be informed to reevaluate the ranking process.
The Commission agreed to $5,000 being allocated out of the general budget, solely, for the children to attend the educational crime prevention program with the groups to be determined by the Communitywide Council. An additional $10,000, from the restricted reserve, is to be allocated to the CDBG Communitywide Council to augment the CDBG funds specifically for youth and crime prevention.
Mr. Bradshaw stated with direction from the Commission, staff would look into the costs of a consultant to evaluate the City’s legal efficiencies and make recommendations back to the Commission as suggested by Mayor Hudson. It was suggested by Commissioner Becht that staff work up a scope of work and specific questions to ask the consultant to insure the best return and recommendations.
Ms. Johnson confirmed for Commissioner Perona the budget line item for United for Animals does include $10,000 for the spay and neuter program.
Mr. Schwerer stated the City is closing on the FPRA property tomorrow on July 31, 2014. Secondly, Mr. Schwerer is working with the FPUA Council on a final draft of the Utilities Authority Advance Agreement for the $1,250,000 that will be coming to the Commission shortly.
Gloria Johnson, Finance Director, appeared with a presentation. She stated the total budget for fiscal year 2014-2015 is $34,139,600 with an overall decrease in tax revenue of $336,000. We have finished the trim and our roll back rate is going to be 6.5786 with a difference of .0264 from our current rate of 6.6050.
Ms. Johnson stated if the Commission wishes to either create or add to any line item currently on the budget, this is the time to make the change.
Mr. Mimms responded to Commissioner Alexander’s concern of funding for the children to participate and attend crime prevention programs. He stated the City currently has a process in place for community based organizations to present and apply for funding through the City’s CDBG Program. This process involves community input and it involves the Communitywide Council, the proposals are ranked and presented to the Commission for final award. There is a certain percentage of the HUD Entitlement Fund that is used for public service agencies and crime prevention is one of the elements of the agency fund distribution. CDBG funds have a ceiling distribution amount of 15%, if the City Commission wishes to augment the CDBG money with general funds to increase the public service agency distribution that could be done. He explained proposals come in and are evaluated by the Communitywide Council through ranking. Since it has been determined crime prevention is a high priority of the City Commission, the Communitywide Council will be informed to reevaluate the ranking process.
The Commission agreed to $5,000 being allocated out of the general budget, solely, for the children to attend the educational crime prevention program with the groups to be determined by the Communitywide Council. An additional $10,000, from the restricted reserve, is to be allocated to the CDBG Communitywide Council to augment the CDBG funds specifically for youth and crime prevention.
Mr. Bradshaw stated with direction from the Commission, staff would look into the costs of a consultant to evaluate the City’s legal efficiencies and make recommendations back to the Commission as suggested by Mayor Hudson. It was suggested by Commissioner Becht that staff work up a scope of work and specific questions to ask the consultant to insure the best return and recommendations.
Ms. Johnson confirmed for Commissioner Perona the budget line item for United for Animals does include $10,000 for the spay and neuter program.
Mr. Schwerer stated the City is closing on the FPRA property tomorrow on July 31, 2014. Secondly, Mr. Schwerer is working with the FPUA Council on a final draft of the Utilities Authority Advance Agreement for the $1,250,000 that will be coming to the Commission shortly.
6.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Hudson declared the meeting adjourned at 11:02 a.m.
There being no further business, Mayor Hudson declared the meeting adjourned at 11:02 a.m.
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK
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MAYOR COMMISSIONER
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