On the agenda

1. 1Call to Order – Roll Call▶ 0:00
2. 2

   Pledge of Allegiance

   Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence in honor of servicemen and women.

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   [00:00:22] I'd like to ask you to all please stand, join me in the Pledge of Allegiance, and remain [00:00:23] standing for a moment of silence in honor of our servicemen and women at home and abroad. [00:00:27] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for [00:00:33] which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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3. 3

   Moment of Silence

   A moment of silence was observed.

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   [00:00:45] Thank you. [00:00:46] You may be seated.

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4. 4.a

   ↳You arrived here from a search for “Penny for Pasco” — transcript expanded below

   First Public Hearing - FY19-20 Operating Budget & Capital Improvement Program

   discussed

   First public hearing on the FY19-20 Operating Budget ($60,931,710) and Capital Improvement Program ($17,234,000), with a proposed millage rate of 8.75 mills (fourth consecutive reduction). Staff presented the budget; two members of the public commented (Bill Phillips raising concerns about staffing increases, water/sewer expansion, gas tax projects, and Main Street Landing payout; and a Main Street representative). Council discussed paving project schedules (Massachusetts Avenue, Gulf Drive), reserve roll-forwards, and the renegotiated Main Street Landing agreement.

   • direction:Council heard the first public hearing on the FY19-20 Operating Budget and CIP; two resolutions to be considered for adoption following the presentation. (none)

   📍Gray Preserve📍Gulf Drive📍Massachusetts Avenue📍Sims Park🏢Boyce Warner🏢Newport Richey Main Street🏢Tyler👤Bill Phillips👤Crystal Feist👤Debbie Manz👤Mr. Benz👤Mr. Miranda#261 FTE employees#CRA / TIF obligations#Capital Improvement Fund $7,173,840#Capital Improvement Program (CIP)#Central Garage $776,280#Cost-of-living increase 2.5%#FY19-20 Operating Budget#General Debt Service $887,640#General Fund $22,931,490#Local Option Gas Tax#Main Street Landing payout ($1.475 million)#Millage rate 8.75 mills#Penny for Pasco#Stormwater Utility $1,390,000#Street Improvement Fund $3,646,140#Street Lighting $453,170#Total Budget $60,931,710#Tyler software implementation#Water and Sewer Fund $23,467,760

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   [00:00:53] Thank you, Mr. Mayor. [00:00:56] The first public hearing is the Fiscal 1920 Operating and Capital Improvements Program. [00:00:59] Mrs. Manz. [00:01:00] Thank you, Mr. Mayor. [00:01:02] I'll provide some brief introductory comments, and then I will turn it over to Mrs. Feist, [00:01:10] who has prepared a PowerPoint presentation. [00:01:13] At the conclusion of that, we have two resolutions which we would like you to consider for adoption. [00:01:21] To begin, I'm pleased to be able to present to you the Fiscal Year 1920 Budget. [00:01:29] It is based on the standards set forth in the City Charter, as well as your own strategic [00:01:38] vision and plans for the City and the City's financial management policies and our budget [00:01:47] calendar. [00:01:48] With that being said, I'm particularly pleased to present you with a balanced budget in the [00:01:53] amount of $60,931,710. [00:01:59] The budget is balanced without use of prior year's reserves, and the proposed budget reflects [00:02:10] an increase in spending of 7.9 percent, 7.09 percent. [00:02:16] Thank you. [00:02:18] In respect to the tax rate and the tax roll, the average taxable value of all properties [00:02:25] increased by 8.04 percent this year. [00:02:29] The proposed budget is based on a property tax rate of 8.75 mills, which is a reduction [00:02:40] in the City's millage rate for the fourth year in a row. [00:02:46] The budget priorities as advanced by you in the strategic plan are as follows. [00:02:58] Ensure the continued fiscal health of the City. [00:03:01] Continue to provide appropriate service levels and quality of life amenities. [00:03:06] Maintain the City's investment in its infrastructure and properties. [00:03:11] Support the business community and encourage new private development. [00:03:17] And provide a safe environment and maintain a high level of preparedness in order to respond [00:03:25] and recover from any emergencies that we may encounter. [00:03:31] The budget priorities are in alignment with the City Council's vision for the City. [00:03:38] The City Council's vision is relied upon to prioritize resources to support projects, [00:03:45] programs, and activities that have the greatest potential for achieving their goals and are [00:03:51] intended to address the City's most pressing issues. [00:03:57] In order to fully execute your vision, it is essential that appropriate staffing levels [00:04:05] are maintained. [00:04:06] In that regard, the operating budget for 2019-2020 reflects the funding for 261 full-time equivalent [00:04:17] employees, which is an increase of 10.75 over last year's authorization level. [00:04:27] The budget also includes a cost-of-living increase for general and non-union employees [00:04:37] in the amount of 2.5%. [00:04:39] With that being said, I'd like to turn it over to Crystal for her presentation. [00:04:46] Good evening. [00:04:50] Over the last few months, City Council and staff have had a total of five work sessions [00:04:56] to discuss different aspects of the proposed budget and capital improvement plan being [00:05:02] heard this evening. [00:05:04] Before we take public comment, I will take this time to reiterate some of the items that [00:05:08] the City Manager has already touched on and to highlight a few other key items. [00:05:14] In total, the budget being proposed to you totals $60,931,710. [00:05:25] The general fund totals $22,931,490. [00:05:32] Stormwater utility totals $1,390,000. [00:05:40] Street lighting totals $453,170. [00:05:44] General debt service, which is strictly our payments for our revenue notes, totals $887,640. [00:05:56] Our capital improvement fund, which funds our construction projects, totals $7,173,840. [00:06:06] Water and sewer totals $23,467,760. [00:06:14] And that is increased from previous years and higher than the general fund, higher than [00:06:20] normal because we do have bond proceeds that are budgeted for next year. [00:06:25] We've already received them, but they're budgeted for use next year on construction projects. [00:06:30] So that did increase that budget compared to last year. [00:06:34] Our central garage budget totals $776,280. [00:06:42] Street improvement totals $3,646,140. [00:06:48] Again, proposing tonight a total budget of $60,931,710. [00:06:59] A percentage breakup of those budgeted funds is included on the slide. [00:07:05] You'll see that the majority of the budget is made up of water and sewer funds at 39%, [00:07:11] followed closely by the general fund at 38%. [00:07:15] And the rest of the funds make up small portions of the budget, 12% all the way down to 1%. [00:07:29] The millage rate being proposed and that has already been tentatively established is 8.75 mills. [00:07:40] This graph presented to you provides you with a 10-year history of where our millage has been. [00:07:48] You'll see that it's been as high as 9.5799. [00:07:52] But since then, the city council has worked to lower that millage rate. [00:07:58] And tonight we're proposing the 8.75 mills. [00:08:04] The capital improvement program that's also being heard this evening totals $17,234,000. [00:08:14] The breakup by category is presented here. [00:08:20] You'll see we have some general construction projects totaling $50,000. [00:08:25] Our stormwater projects total $684,000. [00:08:30] Parks and recreation projects total $580,000. [00:08:34] Public safety and public facility projects total $4,470,000. [00:08:42] Transportation projects total $1,235,000. [00:08:48] Water and sewer totals $5,665,000. [00:08:55] Redevelopment projects total $1,350,000. [00:09:00] And our street improvement projects total $3,200,000. [00:09:04] And these items can all be found in our capital improvement program that's presented separately. [00:09:10] It's included in the operating budget, but it's also presented separately as a capital improvement program document. [00:09:17] Just to touch on the general fund, the expected revenues, again, total $22,931,490. [00:09:28] Our projected use of that revenue, department budgets, budget expenditures total $20,686,420. [00:09:38] And I'll have a breakout of that number on the next slide. [00:09:42] We have reserves of $210,000, and that basically includes any proposed COLA increase of 2.5%. [00:09:52] If that is adopted and passed, that money will come from this reserve account. [00:09:59] And then it also includes contingency, a small amount for contingencies, just in case there's money needed for that. [00:10:10] There's money needed for an emergency or something unexpected. [00:10:15] And then we have transfers out, which go to the Street Improvement Fund and the CRA to cover TIF obligations of $2,035,070. [00:10:28] And you'll see that we were able to balance the general fund using expected revenues. [00:10:35] Currently being proposed, there's no use of prior year reserves or carryover. [00:10:44] My final slide provides you with a breakout of the general fund expenditures by department. [00:10:53] You'll see that the largest departments include police, fire, and public works. [00:10:59] So most of the general fund budgeted dollars do go to those departments. [00:11:05] But then we have closely behind those recreation and aquatics at 7.2%, finance, library at 5%. [00:11:17] And then our smaller departments follow suit right after. [00:11:22] And that is all I have as far as key highlights of what we've gone over over the past few months. [00:11:28] If you have any questions, I'll take them. [00:11:31] Okay. This is a public hearing, and I'll open it up for public comment at this time, if anyone would wish to address counsel on this. [00:11:38] Mr. Phillips, if you could give us your name and address for the record, please. [00:11:52] If he gets longer to start the timer, otherwise let him talk. [00:11:55] Yeah, I was going to ask for extra time, Mayor. [00:11:59] Bill, it's always good to see you. [00:12:01] Good to see you. Thank you so much. [00:12:04] I appreciate the opportunity to be here. [00:12:06] I want to thank you and staff for, obviously, the hard work that goes into doing this budget every year. [00:12:14] Obviously, there's been some leaner times, some higher millage times. [00:12:20] And then, obviously, over the last few years, you've done an excellent job taking the millage down. [00:12:25] We've had excellent returns on investments in the city, both on the public, private side, as well as into the neighborhoods. [00:12:34] There are a few things, as always. [00:12:36] I wouldn't be here unless I had a few comments and had a few insights. [00:12:40] Because, obviously, having spent a few times in your chair and on the outside looking at budgets over many years, [00:12:48] both in a past life on the real estate side and then what you have here today. [00:12:57] There are some things in your budget that do give me some pause at the moment. [00:13:03] There are some things that I think you're on track about and that I appreciate that projects that were looked at years ago are continuing to move. [00:13:14] I think one of the things that we always said when I was on council was, [00:13:18] we just wanted to have one project that we could complete so that we could point to the public and say, [00:13:23] we finished that and you've done an excellent job with Sims Park. [00:13:28] The finish up on that is outstanding. [00:13:31] I think all of the amenities and the attributes and how it plays into the overall success of New Port Richey over the last five years [00:13:40] only speaks well to staff, citizens, and obviously people that sat up there and finally stepped away and let the project move forward and finally get done. [00:13:52] There are some things in the process of doing a budget that do take me back a little bit. [00:14:00] Obviously, doing the people's work in spirit is nice, [00:14:05] but doing the people's work when people are here is another attribute that I'd like to see next year be looked at. [00:14:16] A lot of your meetings start at five o'clock. [00:14:18] Some of us don't work locally. [00:14:20] As of tonight, I had to make myself back because I felt like in this setting and then in the next, [00:14:27] it's really important when you only have two people in the audience, myself and Mr. Benz, [00:14:32] to hear on a $60 million budget, it shows two things. [00:14:40] One, the citizens are happy with the work that's being done, [00:14:43] but I also think that it gives a little bit of can't be here to exercise or give their opinions on a lot of things that are in the budget. [00:14:53] I thought I was staying up to speed with a lot of things, but when I look at your capital side, [00:15:00] It really shows that if you're not in the trenches with this, there are a lot of things [00:15:04] that are out there. I won't bore you with all of them. I just wanted to show Ms. Manns [00:15:09] because she used to always become very anxious when I walked into her office. She would see [00:15:16] the tabs, and then when staff would see me walking around with it, they would obviously [00:15:23] say, man, we give him something, he reads it, and then he wants to ask me 400 questions [00:15:29] about it. Unfortunately, some of us who went to Gulf High, if we didn't read it to the [00:15:34] very back page where it said you didn't have to read the first 10 pages, we looked a little [00:15:39] foolish in class when the teacher said if you read the last page like you were supposed [00:15:43] to, you really would have been done with the story. Obviously, your increase in the number [00:15:52] of employees wasn't something that I thought was going to be coming out of this budget. [00:15:58] I know the need for them. I know the ongoing challenges that you have. Obviously, with [00:16:03] the advent of Tyler, and I'm hoping that that program will eventually come to some conclusion [00:16:10] and some reconciliation of what it started out at, where it is today, because every one [00:16:15] of your budgets has been impacted. What really concerns me is the more bodies you put in, [00:16:21] and as much as we don't like the R word or the I word or all those things, it will come [00:16:28] back around. In 2012, when we stepped up, we were facing all of those things with a [00:16:34] double barrel. The other thing of great concern is obviously your expansion of the water and [00:16:40] sewer department. I understand water is money. You sat through a meeting recently with Mr. [00:16:47] Miranda and a lady from St. Petersburg, and they really draw their line in the sand and [00:16:54] tell you they all say that that's their valuable resource. We know that that's what really [00:17:01] helped the city withstand this last downturn, was the ability of the water and sewer department [00:17:07] to really carry the day in some of those lean times. It didn't transfer a lot of money, [00:17:15] but it did carry a lot of things as far as the weight with that. I want you to be concerned [00:17:19] about that. There are two or three projects that are close to my heart that continue to [00:17:24] seem to meander out there. The Gray Preserve is one. Obviously, we've done a lot of things [00:17:32] there. I was a little disappointed in the Coast to Coast or the Space Coast or the Sports [00:17:37] Coast or whatever when they were here the other night, and I saw it on TV. I think I [00:17:41] was yelling at my TV set, Boyce Warner is a great place, but they didn't put anything [00:17:46] about using eco-friendly Gray Preserve, especially in expanded, better, bigger, better use there. [00:17:55] With that, I compliment you again on the overall budget. As I said, Ms. Manns would be disappointed [00:18:03] if I didn't say that there are a few things in here that do bring us back around. [00:18:10] Then, the final thing is with your road projects, and because this year's seemed to stretch [00:18:19] out a little bit longer, it looks like you're going to make up for that at the end of this [00:18:23] year and going into next. I'm just really concerned about the local gas option tax funding [00:18:31] element because we really worked hard back in 13 and 14 to protect that part of not letting [00:18:39] the county come in and take our percentages. What really concerns me is the way the projects [00:18:45] are, and I know you probably have enough to meet those funding elements so that we don't [00:18:50] get caught short, but you are forecasting dollars back that if they don't show up are [00:18:57] going to have to be made up somewhere else. Finally, if you could speak or talk a little [00:19:03] bit about your recent renegotiation of the Main Street landings payout, and if all of [00:19:08] that $1.475 million is going to be paid in this fiscal year. If not, then in essence, [00:19:17] you have a $700,000 credit back this year that won't show up until the following year, [00:19:24] and I don't know how that's been addressed in the budget and in your capital improvement [00:19:29] projects. Again, thank you for the time, and it's always nice to come and say hello to [00:19:35] everybody and to get to see everybody while I'm here. Thank you so much. [00:19:39] Thank you, Mr. Phillips. Anyone else? [00:19:52] I echo a lot of what Bill had to say. I certainly appreciate the council's work on the budget [00:19:57] and Debbie's recommendations, and I'm here tonight representing the growth of what we're [00:20:03] working on as far as the New Port Richey Main Street, and we appreciate the continued support [00:20:10] from a monetary and from an in-kind standpoint, and we hope to really continue that movement [00:20:17] and that energy and some of the things that we have put together. So I think we have some [00:20:22] really exciting things going forward for next year. For any of you who haven't heard [00:20:27] yet, the Main Street, the state organization, wants to do their state convention here in [00:20:37] the town of New Port Richey, so that will be next year. So we are already starting that [00:20:41] planning, and that's going to require some work with our local resources, hotels, work [00:20:49] with the community, and really shine and present New Port Richey in a great way, and so we're [00:20:55] very excited about that. And so we've already started planning that and really going to [00:21:01] move that forward, back out, and really try to represent that. So I appreciate the council's [00:21:07] support, appreciate the support from Debbie, and certainly looking forward to the next [00:21:14] year. So, thank you. [00:21:16] Thank you. Anyone else? [00:21:19] You didn't ask for any more money. [00:21:21] No. [00:21:21] I know. [00:21:22] That will be at the next meeting. [00:21:25] You've got to have the paper first. [00:21:30] Seeing no one else coming forward, I'm going to bring this back to council. I would like [00:21:35] to address three of the items that Mr. Phillips brought up, and please, Ms. Manns, correct [00:21:40] me if I'm mistaken. The tourism folks had a rather extended, much longer presentation [00:21:49] the night prior as part of the People, Places, Talk About Town, and I would recommend you [00:21:57] watch that because it talked in a lot more detail than what we got at the city council [00:22:01] meeting. It was an excellent presentation. I think all of us are more than a little bit [00:22:09] paranoid about the way the county deals with the gas tax allocations, with good reason, [00:22:15] as you accurately brought up. The last two months of torrential downpours have slowed [00:22:22] down some paving projects. Ms. Manns, am I correct, those will still hit in this fiscal [00:22:27] year? [00:22:28] That is correct. [00:22:29] Okay, so that keeps the... [00:22:32] I'm sorry, are you referring to the payments? [00:22:36] The allocation for the Massachusetts and... [00:22:41] Gulf. [00:22:42] Gulf, specifically. Those will hit in this fiscal year. [00:22:45] Which fiscal year are you speaking of, sir? [00:22:47] The current one. [00:22:48] And they'll be done in the next three weeks, is that what you're asking? [00:22:52] No, I'm just asking if... [00:22:54] It's over, it's over. [00:22:56] If the money that is in the current fiscal year is what's going to be spent so that we [00:23:02] can show them we actually did it. [00:23:05] Well, it won't be all spent before the end of the fiscal year, no. [00:23:11] Okay. [00:23:12] But it is a project included in this year's round of road improvements. [00:23:19] So the payment will come out of this year's budget then? [00:23:22] Yeah, this year is... [00:23:27] 18-19. [00:23:28] 18-19. [00:23:29] Okay. [00:23:31] Let's clarify that because I'm not sure I agree with that answer. [00:23:35] We do have some... [00:23:38] In the street improvement fund, we do have some prior year roll forward that will occur [00:23:43] on those uncompleted projects. [00:23:45] So what's not completed in fiscal year 19 will be rolled forward to fiscal year 20. [00:23:50] And that's accounted for in the revenue budget for street improvement [00:23:56] under prior year fund balance roll forward. [00:23:59] So it is included and captured for next year, whatever is not completed. [00:24:04] And assuming we don't have torrential downpours next year, we'll get caught up. [00:24:08] Yes. [00:24:09] And then the third was Main Street landing and mismans definitely. [00:24:14] Either you or Crystal correct me if I misstate this. [00:24:18] They also got rained on. [00:24:22] And that is if paving, and that seems to be the biggest piece they haven't completed [00:24:27] at this point, it's hard to pave when the ground is soup. [00:24:33] So they agreed to extend the agreement, splitting the cost to the city [00:24:43] and the agreement in two halves, one of which in the current year [00:24:49] and one of which in the next year. [00:24:53] Correct. [00:24:54] Which then allows us to use 700 and something. [00:24:59] $7,500. [00:25:01] For other types of CRA grant programs to help with the redevelopment in this year [00:25:10] as opposed to not having any of that money because it would have all been tied up [00:25:14] in Main Street landing. [00:25:16] Did I say that right? [00:25:18] You correctly stated it. [00:25:20] Okay. [00:25:22] So open it up to members of the Council to discuss the budget. [00:25:27] I have a kind of a problem. [00:25:29] You don't have an answer yet because the year is not over, [00:25:32] but do you have any idea, Crystal, where we're going to be on reserves [00:25:36] or carryovers from this year? [00:25:41] In the general fund, we're not. [00:25:43] You said we're going to have some. [00:25:45] We're not going to use them, so we have some play money. [00:25:50] In the general fund, we're not anticipating any. [00:25:53] So all of our projects [00:25:55] and capital purchases we plan on making by the end of this fiscal year. [00:25:59] But in our other funds, for instance, the Street Improvement Fund, [00:26:05] what reserves we plan on rolling forward is captured in the revenue side of the budget. [00:26:12] So it's under prior fund balance roll forward. [00:26:17] So in Street Improvement Fund, for instance, [00:26:20] we anticipate rolling forward $1.5 million to use to finish existing construction projects [00:26:27] that aren't done this fiscal year and then to help fund future projects for next year. [00:26:34] In the Capital Improvement Fund, which is our penny for PASCO dollars, [00:26:44] we're anticipating rolling forward $614,390. [00:26:49] And again, to cover projects that we were not able to finish this fiscal year, [00:26:55] rolling those forward and then to finish fund or to fund future projects in next fiscal year. [00:27:02] So it is captured in each of the budgets for each of the funds, if there are any. [00:27:08] But as far as the general fund, we're not anticipating any. [00:27:14] This is regarding the paving again. [00:27:15] I can't tell you how often I field questions regarding Massachusetts. [00:27:18] So I know it's been raining, but I was told several months ago we're like two to three weeks out. [00:27:24] Do we have a projected start date for Massachusetts Avenue [00:27:27] and do we have a projected start date at this time for Gulf Drive? [00:27:30] Because once a week I get a question on Massachusetts, minimum of one question a week. [00:27:34] Correct. [00:27:35] The project has started. [00:27:37] They're doing all the prepping work, the concrete work, a lot of the drainage stuff. [00:27:43] They're expecting to do the paving the middle of this month. [00:27:47] Again, that's dependent on the weather. [00:27:49] And, of course, Massachusetts would be the first street, and they'd work their way south. [00:27:54] And what's the timeframe we're looking at from start date if we have normal rainy weather and not raining every day? [00:28:01] If we have normal weather, they're calling an end date to be before the beginning of the new year, calendar year. [00:28:09] That's a long time. [00:28:12] If we're starting in a few weeks, it's going to take that long to do all Massachusetts? [00:28:16] I'm talking the whole project, all the streets. [00:28:19] I know. [00:28:20] My first question is regarding Massachusetts. [00:28:21] So start and end date of the street, Massachusetts. [00:28:24] What are we looking at? [00:28:25] Let me supply you with the new schedule. [00:28:27] I should have it tomorrow. [00:28:28] Okay. [00:28:29] I've been given, Debbie. [00:28:30] We get them, like, about every two weeks. [00:28:32] And that way you'll have the latest. [00:28:34] Just a question I field over and over and over again all year long, and the road gets worse and worse. [00:28:38] So I know it's been raining, but I just need to know what to tell people. [00:28:41] Sure. [00:28:42] Yeah, I had somebody ripping me on Facebook earlier this week on exactly the same issue [00:28:46] because we told them it's going to be in the fiscal 19 budget. [00:28:50] And then we got to July, and, well, it should be under construction shortly. [00:28:55] And then we got into August, and it was like, well, yeah, it's coming, [00:29:00] and there's a plan that's one of these charts that shows when the thing is supposed to happen. [00:29:07] And here we are September 5th, and they don't see asphalt going on the ground, and that's pretty exciting. [00:29:14] The only thing they're seeing right now is if they look down by the Winn-Dixie parking lot. [00:29:20] That's where all the heavy equipment's been parked for about the last month now. [00:29:25] Well, is there, I mean, if they're in town with their equipment, [00:29:29] are we going to just continue to keep them here and work on next year's since we'll have the money [00:29:33] and we know the roads that we want done? [00:29:35] That would be a different project that would have to go out to bid unless we decided to do a change order [00:29:41] and the contractor accepted to agree to keep the same terms [00:29:46] and conditioning and the prices as the current contractor. [00:29:48] Well, it would seem like we could save some money, [00:29:50] and they would save some money if they didn't have to move their equipment out and bring it back. [00:29:54] We could most certainly talk with them about that.

   This text was generated automatically from the meeting video. It is not a verbatim or official record. For exact wording, consult the video or the city clerk.

5. 5Communications▶ 29:56
6. 6Adjournment