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   Re-Presentation of Proposed Departmental Budgets Following Adjustments for FY25-26

   discussed

   City Manager presented adjusted FY25-26 departmental budgets aimed at a balanced budget, millage reduction to 8.2, and a COLA for employees. Department heads (HR, Library, IT, Finance, Police, etc.) walked through structural changes including elimination of the HR Manager position (replaced with HR Business Partner), moving GIS to Development, reclassifying Library's grant specialist to a Cultural and Special Programs Coordinator, and promoting Librarian III to Assistant Director. Council discussed (without formal action) removing non-cash in-kind special events overtime allocations from the council budget and reallocating to police/fire line items.

   📍Cavalier Square📍Railroad Square📍Schwepman School🏢Chasco🏢Tyler👤Arnie Wetzel👤Chief Cochen👤Kel👤Leanne Mahavio👤Matt👤Ms. Beyer👤Ms. Dunn#Account 41112 Division Head Salary#Account 431.99 Professional Services (billing/collection scanning)#Account 43499 Contractual Services Miscellaneous#Account 44011 Travel and Training#Account 44511 Liability Insurance#Account 44521 Building and Contents Insurance#Account 44522 Pollution Insurance#Account 44523 Automobile and Truck Insurance#Account 46612 Library Materials#Benefits Platform Administrator contract ($17,500/yr)#CAD RMS system#COLA ordinance#CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency)#Employee Benefits Broker contract ($82,500/yr)#FY25-26 Budget#Millage rate 8.2#Sports Coast

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   [00:00:20] Okay, thank you very much. [00:00:22] At tonight's [00:00:24] work session, we'll be [00:00:26] presenting [00:00:28] the proposed department [00:00:30] budgets following some [00:00:32] adjustments for fiscal year [00:00:34] 25-26. [00:00:36] The objectives, [00:00:38] as we've indicated to you [00:00:40] previously, [00:00:42] for this year's [00:00:44] fiscal budget [00:00:46] was to present you [00:00:48] with a balanced budget to reduce [00:00:50] the millage to 8.2 [00:00:52] and also [00:00:54] to be able to provide [00:00:56] a cost of living adjustment for all [00:00:58] city employees. Tonight, [00:01:00] as part of our budget presentations, [00:01:02] we'll be introducing some structural [00:01:04] changes that involve alterations [00:01:06] to personnel, [00:01:08] the decisions of which are never [00:01:10] easy or pleasant. However, [00:01:12] they're based on organizational needs [00:01:14] to amend either [00:01:16] minimum qualifications [00:01:18] associated [00:01:20] with positions resulting [00:01:22] from a need to expand services [00:01:24] or to eliminate [00:01:26] current inefficiencies. [00:01:28] Again, not easy [00:01:30] decisions to make, [00:01:32] but necessary [00:01:34] decisions, in my opinion, [00:01:38] in large part driven by the fact [00:01:40] that our general fund budget [00:01:44] needed to balance this year. [00:01:46] It was a big challenge [00:01:48] to balance this year, [00:01:50] particularly in lieu [00:01:52] of factors [00:01:54] impacting the budget. We had a very [00:01:56] moderate increase [00:01:58] in property tax values. [00:02:00] We had [00:02:02] flat revenue from our traditional [00:02:04] sources of state revenue, as [00:02:06] we've reported to you in the city manager's [00:02:08] report. [00:02:10] We have increased costs for equipment, [00:02:12] materials, and chemicals. [00:02:14] And on the good side of impacts [00:02:16] on budget, the only [00:02:18] factor I could think to report to you [00:02:20] tonight is [00:02:22] our negotiated health insurance [00:02:24] renewal, and that [00:02:26] was conducted [00:02:28] by Arnie Wetzel. [00:02:30] Typically, that's a $2 million [00:02:32] cost for the city per [00:02:34] year, and our [00:02:36] renewal came in at 0.2% [00:02:38] this year, which is [00:02:40] phenomenal [00:02:42] in comparison to what [00:02:44] other communities' [00:02:46] experience is, [00:02:48] particularly with [00:02:50] our modifier. [00:02:52] It's pretty high [00:02:54] because we do have people [00:02:56] in our seven-year pool that have [00:02:58] had some pretty significant or are [00:03:00] suffering from some pretty [00:03:02] significant illnesses. [00:03:04] So, very much to his credit. [00:03:06] The department heads [00:03:08] and I are prepared to respond [00:03:10] to your questions [00:03:12] this evening that you may [00:03:14] have from our first presentation [00:03:16] of the budget to you. [00:03:18] And tonight, though, we'll [00:03:20] highlight only major changes [00:03:22] in the department budget [00:03:24] in the interest of time [00:03:26] since we'll be presenting all the budgets [00:03:28] to you this evening, and I'd like to start [00:03:30] with the city council [00:03:32] budget. [00:03:34] And the city [00:03:36] council budget does not [00:03:38] have any changes in [00:03:40] the expenditures. The only [00:03:42] real change [00:03:44] we have is in the [00:03:46] personnel line item, and that [00:03:48] isn't reflected [00:03:50] in this version yet, [00:03:52] but it will reflect [00:03:54] the amendment in salary [00:03:56] if the ordinance [00:03:58] passes for the [00:04:00] COLA that you [00:04:02] asked me to draft an [00:04:04] ordinance for [00:04:06] that will take effect [00:04:08] in the next fiscal year if it's approved. [00:04:10] So, you did not [00:04:12] change the special events [00:04:14] to take the [00:04:16] non-cash [00:04:18] in-kind number out of there? [00:04:22] That has not been changed yet. [00:04:24] No, but that's still [00:04:26] a request on my part. I think [00:04:28] you can still identify [00:04:30] the amount of [00:04:32] overtime, but it's [00:04:34] budgeted in the police department and the fire [00:04:36] departments, and it's [00:04:38] just an allocation. [00:04:40] I know that was a discussion we had, [00:04:42] and with [00:04:44] the addition of all of [00:04:46] the... [00:04:48] and the use we had at our last meeting [00:04:50] of the money, the police [00:04:52] department got to buy a couple of more things [00:04:54] for special events. [00:04:56] There's just no doubt that the [00:04:58] crowd control is a [00:05:00] regular thing, it's not an extra thing [00:05:02] anymore, and I really [00:05:04] believe that [00:05:06] some of the crowd control expenses for events [00:05:08] that we want, [00:05:10] whatever they may be, [00:05:12] can still follow the process, [00:05:14] but it should be... [00:05:16] it should not be budgeted [00:05:18] here, so this is not as [00:05:20] much an argument about that. [00:05:22] I don't know, [00:05:24] you've got the revenue budgeted, I guess, [00:05:26] somewhere? Yes. [00:05:28] Yeah, that's what I said, it's where it's budgeted, not necessarily... [00:05:30] Yeah, I... [00:05:32] once again, every year when [00:05:34] you figure out what it is, you add [00:05:36] it to an amended budget somewhere [00:05:38] else, and you've added a lot in that [00:05:40] other amended budget, so [00:05:42] it's obvious to me that whether or not we [00:05:44] charge for it and collect for it or not, [00:05:46] that's going to be an [00:05:48] equitable question. It's not the end [00:05:50] of the day if you don't do it, but I [00:05:52] think it has [00:05:54] provided a very easy [00:05:56] increase in overtime budget [00:05:58] in the police department as a result of [00:06:00] the methodology that you're using to [00:06:02] increase it every year. [00:06:04] I don't know if I have any [00:06:06] support for that, but... You have my support. [00:06:08] But it's a cash... it's not a cash [00:06:10] item, and I think we have a cash budget. [00:06:16] I don't know if that's a... if anybody else wants to [00:06:18] weigh in. Does anyone else have comments on that? [00:06:20] Matt? [00:06:24] Do we still want to have the work session to [00:06:26] discuss this item? Because I know that's [00:06:28] originally what... Well, it's a... [00:06:30] that's a different item. The work session is [00:06:32] how much we assess some of the special [00:06:34] events versus... I agree with that. [00:06:36] And so, [00:06:38] I'm happy... I'm not trying to say you're [00:06:40] not going to charge those events anymore. [00:06:42] This is an expense line [00:06:44] item that is [00:06:46] factored in, and [00:06:48] when we have our work session, we'll be obviously [00:06:50] looking at how much money we spend on [00:06:52] those items. [00:06:54] But, anyway. [00:06:56] Those special events, I'm [00:06:58] looking forward to [00:07:00] them... whoever's running [00:07:02] it, whether it's the [00:07:04] rec center or the library or whatever, [00:07:06] that they look further down the road [00:07:08] than just waiting for them to knock on the door [00:07:10] and say, okay, three months before, [00:07:12] because I can bet you right now, [00:07:14] Chasco's already working for next [00:07:16] year. [00:07:18] Yeah, and I think they've submitted... [00:07:20] So, we should be [00:07:22] reaching out there and saying, hey, and well, [00:07:24] it's going to cost you this much, so when you... [00:07:26] you don't wait until the last two or three months [00:07:28] before, you know, they know [00:07:30] six, eight, nine months ahead of time. [00:07:32] They would know how to budget. Yeah, exactly. [00:07:34] To Kel's [00:07:36] point, if police is coming out of there, [00:07:38] then I'd rather see that in the police spot. [00:07:40] If fire is coming out of there, I'd rather see that in the fire [00:07:42] spot and so forth. [00:07:48] It's the only [00:07:50] place I think that we have a non-cash dollar [00:07:52] amount in there, in the whole [00:07:54] budget. [00:07:56] It gives you more flexibility [00:07:58] in how much you want to do to determine [00:08:00] as you look through the course of the year, maybe your [00:08:02] overtime budget is allowing you to [00:08:04] bring some more events in [00:08:06] and say, hey, you know, [00:08:08] when you come back to us, say, hey, we have all this [00:08:10] in overtime and we've watched ourselves [00:08:12] and we've gotten enough so we can do something. [00:08:14] By [00:08:16] just working on that budget [00:08:18] and letting us know what realistically [00:08:20] we can do. [00:08:22] Some of these street parties, for example, [00:08:24] I don't know how much money is received on them. [00:08:26] Whether it's the... [00:08:28] Yeah. [00:08:30] Okay. We can do that. [00:08:32] We can try to get more money on the sports coast, too. [00:08:34] That's your job. [00:08:36] I know. [00:08:40] Thank you. [00:08:42] Are there any other questions or comments on the City Council [00:08:44] budget? [00:08:46] No? [00:08:48] Then we'll move on to the City Manager's budget [00:08:50] and there weren't any changes [00:08:52] to that budget? [00:09:00] I'll give you a few minutes [00:09:02] to look at it and if you don't have questions [00:09:04] we can move on [00:09:06] to Human Resources and we'll ask [00:09:08] Arnie, Mr. Wetzel, [00:09:10] to join us. [00:09:16] When will the COLA [00:09:18] get reflected? Because I'm seeing [00:09:20] the same amount for 24 [00:09:22] to 25. [00:09:24] The COLA isn't reflected [00:09:26] in the budget. [00:09:28] The City Manager's one, [00:09:30] the one for [00:09:32] that was passed [00:09:34] with the five-year extension a couple years [00:09:36] back. [00:09:38] That was [00:09:40] implemented [00:09:42] in [00:09:44] concurrence with my anniversary [00:09:46] date, which is June 6th. [00:09:48] So that'll start [00:09:50] being reflected next year? [00:09:52] It'll be next June 6th. [00:10:04] Quit looking [00:10:06] at each other and somebody start talking. [00:10:08] That'd be Mr. Wetzel. [00:10:10] Thank you. [00:10:12] Human Resources. [00:10:14] Thank you. [00:10:18] I think so. I think so from that perspective. [00:10:20] Good evening, Mayor and Council. [00:10:22] I have the privilege tonight to present [00:10:24] the updates to our [00:10:26] proposed 25-26 budget [00:10:28] for HR Department. [00:10:30] The updates are as follows. [00:10:32] With respect to authorized personnel, [00:10:34] HR will remain at four FTEs [00:10:36] for the upcoming year. However, [00:10:38] we will be reorganizing the structure [00:10:40] and functions within the department. [00:10:42] Since our first budget meeting, we have [00:10:44] continued to look at the efficiency and production [00:10:46] of our positions. And after careful [00:10:48] evaluation and discussion, we have [00:10:50] requested to eliminate the HR [00:10:52] Manager position. In return, [00:10:54] we will look to add an [00:10:56] HR Business Partner position to replace the [00:10:58] previous HR Manager position. [00:11:00] We believe this change will result [00:11:02] in greater efficiency, production [00:11:04] within the department, as well as provide [00:11:06] financial savings. [00:11:08] The next update is the creation [00:11:10] of Account 43499 [00:11:12] Contractual Services [00:11:14] Miscellaneous. [00:11:16] This account is necessary to fund [00:11:18] and pay for the fees associated with our new [00:11:20] Employee Benefits Broker and the [00:11:22] new Benefits Administration Platform. [00:11:24] Under our relationship with the new [00:11:26] Broker and Benefits Platform [00:11:28] Administrator, our costs will be a flat [00:11:30] fee for these services rather than [00:11:32] commission-based, as has been the case [00:11:34] in the past with our previous providers. [00:11:36] The added funding will be $100,000 [00:11:38] for this fiscal year. [00:11:40] The Employee Benefits Broker will be [00:11:42] compensated at $82,500 [00:11:44] for the year, and the Benefits [00:11:46] Platform Administrator will be compensated at [00:11:48] $17,500 per year. [00:11:50] Those rates will remain consistent for [00:11:52] three years straight. [00:11:54] Again, we will be [00:11:56] in that position. Moving to a flat [00:11:58] fee payment structure will save the city a [00:12:00] considerable amount of money versus a commission-based [00:12:02] structure, which increases annually [00:12:04] with any increase to the rates. [00:12:06] With respect to [00:12:08] accounts 44511 [00:12:10] liability insurance, [00:12:12] 44521 [00:12:14] building and contents, [00:12:16] account 44522 [00:12:18] pollution insurance, and [00:12:20] account 44523 [00:12:22] automobile and truck insurance, [00:12:24] these accounts have been updated to reflect [00:12:26] a 5% increase over last year [00:12:28] based upon the last recommendation [00:12:30] from our insurer. [00:12:32] We still are waiting for their final [00:12:34] documented percentage increase. [00:12:36] However, the City Manager [00:12:38] and our Office of HR continue [00:12:40] to evaluate new providers and insurers [00:12:42] which may lead to reduced costs [00:12:44] for these insurance coverages prior to [00:12:46] the adoption of the final budget. [00:12:48] The 5% recommendation is a safe [00:12:50] build into the budget, but we still [00:12:52] believe the percentage amount may go down [00:12:54] before it is finalized. [00:12:56] And finally for us, account 44011 [00:12:58] travel and training [00:13:00] has been reduced by $5,000. [00:13:02] In an effort to support the budget, [00:13:04] we believe we can limit travel and conference [00:13:06] training this year, and instead [00:13:08] we'll look to utilize virtual training [00:13:10] and peer meetings to remain current in our HR trends. [00:13:12] So with that, [00:13:14] that is the changes for us, or the updates for our budget. [00:13:16] I'll be glad to answer any questions. [00:13:18] What's presented [00:13:20] before us doesn't show what the budget [00:13:22] was, we're just seeing the new numbers, [00:13:24] is that correct? Right. [00:13:26] No questions. [00:13:28] Okay. [00:13:30] The next budget, thank you Arnie. [00:13:32] Thank you. [00:13:34] Here's the City Clerk's budget, [00:13:36] and there weren't any changes [00:13:38] in the City Clerk's budget. [00:13:44] And Leanne, [00:13:46] this is Mahavio, [00:13:48] is here to represent [00:13:50] Technology Solutions, [00:13:52] which is our next [00:13:54] budget. [00:13:58] I don't think we have any [00:14:00] real significant changes from when I presented [00:14:02] until now, [00:14:04] but for some of you that may not have been here [00:14:06] structural-wise, [00:14:08] looking to [00:14:10] move the GIS position [00:14:12] to the Development Department, [00:14:14] and restructure our department [00:14:16] to create a system analyst [00:14:18] position to support the Tyler [00:14:20] initiatives that we're planning for [00:14:22] this coming year, [00:14:24] and that will be to move an existing position [00:14:26] into that position. We have a fit [00:14:28] within the House, [00:14:30] internally already, [00:14:32] and then changing [00:14:34] our [00:14:36] IT manager, I believe [00:14:38] is his current title, [00:14:40] to a Service Delivery Manager, [00:14:42] and changing that position around [00:14:44] a bit to fit what we really need [00:14:46] for that position. [00:14:48] We didn't reduce, [00:14:50] we went, well, [00:14:52] we did last year, [00:14:54] I'm sorry, so in the middle of last year [00:14:56] when I came in, we restructured [00:14:58] and instead of hiring [00:15:00] a new person, [00:15:02] we hired [00:15:04] a new person [00:15:06] to take over [00:15:08] and [00:15:10] to [00:15:12] take over [00:15:14] and [00:15:16] to [00:15:00] a network administrator position. We split that out into two positions of [00:15:05] security to focus on cyber security and networking to focus on networking. So [00:15:09] really it looks like we've went down two. We went down one. Anyways GIS is still [00:15:16] within the city. We reduced one last year so if that makes sense. So any [00:15:23] questions? Nope. Okay. You're off easy today. Thank you. All right. [00:15:33] Ms. Dunn you're up. Accounting and budgeting we had no changes within this [00:15:42] department but we did add the contractual service cost or actual to [00:15:50] professional services. We had $9,300 to the billing and collection division [00:15:55] that's account 431.99 for the scanning that was mentioned in the previous [00:16:00] meeting. We had not received those quotes at the time but in order to scan all [00:16:06] those permanent documents that we receive for applications for each [00:16:09] utility account that we have to keep forever we've included those costs in [00:16:16] that line item. But those are the only changes that's the only change to that [00:16:20] budget and to the finance department. [00:16:25] Do you have, is it called the content management system? Is that where you can [00:16:32] take and maybe this is more utility billing where documentation is just [00:16:39] captured electronically now instead of the printed, saving all the printed copies of [00:16:44] everything? So it is. So within Tyler management we have TCM which is our [00:16:49] document management system and scans it within the cloud. But this we originally [00:16:56] when we started the scanning projects throughout the city we went with a [00:17:01] microfiche system and then we've taken those documents and scan them I believe [00:17:05] to a single server. Is that right? Yep. So we took it and now we house them in-house [00:17:11] but in order to move those documents quickly, efficiently, and on a smaller [00:17:18] capacity we took those original hard copies move them to microfiche and now [00:17:24] they're stored back with the city. In this situation we'll just scan them and [00:17:29] store them with the other documents that are stored with the city as well. So we [00:17:33] won't be going to the microfiche but TCM is a data storage. I believe it's titled [00:17:40] differently based on the product. In your purchasing, in your purchasing process [00:17:46] then the departments are they providing you with the electronic sort of POs for [00:17:57] you to process everything electronically but we do still handle paper. Right. To [00:18:02] process to in-house we handle the paper but everything is stored electronically. [00:18:16] No questions for me. Moving on. Okay. Ms. Beyer, if you could represent the library budget. [00:18:35] Good evening council. So to continue advancing the mission of the city and [00:18:45] the library to better align our staffing with the changing needs and [00:18:49] interests of our community I propose that council consider two organizational [00:18:56] changes neither of which increases the total number of FTE positions. So the [00:19:03] first would be the promotion of the librarian three position to assistant [00:19:08] director which is a line item 41112 division head salary. The reason for [00:19:15] this is the expanding scope of library operations which requires additional [00:19:20] leadership support in areas like staff supervision and systems oversight. This [00:19:29] would help strengthen the internal management capacity and ensure a [00:19:34] continuity of service delivery. The next change you'll see is the reallocation of [00:19:43] the grant specialist position to a cultural and special programs [00:19:47] coordinator for the city. The rationale for this change is that although grant [00:19:55] support remains ultra important to the city the majority of the city's grant [00:20:00] activities really require the special skill set, knowledge, experience, expertise [00:20:07] and the best and and this experience is best provided by trained and certified [00:20:17] experts which are already employed within each of the departments here at [00:20:21] the city. The responsibilities for the grant reporting and compliance will be [00:20:28] integrated into each department's existing administrative duties and at [00:20:34] the same time there is a growing demand for robust cultural and special [00:20:40] programs that connect residents to enriching experiences which showcase [00:20:47] the city's incredible resources and support the growing successes of our [00:20:53] small business owners. So converting the position will allow the city to add [00:20:58] impactful programs and revamp spaces like Cavalier Square, the improved [00:21:07] Railroad Square which is those additions and changes and improvements are [00:21:16] happening already and it will help us develop more sustainable community [00:21:22] partnerships and increase cultural engagement opportunities for all of our [00:21:27] residents here in the city. The third and final change that I want to point [00:21:33] out is line item 46612 which is library materials and you'll see an increase of [00:21:42] $2,500 which fits within the balanced fiscal year 26 budget being proposed [00:21:48] and this amount maintains the library's ability to purchase high demand titles [00:21:54] while it also leverages the online and digital resources to help supplement the [00:22:03] collection. Those are the three items that I'd like to point out and I'm [00:22:10] available if you have any questions. [00:22:15] The automobile was in the current when we got that big check. Is that already [00:22:21] being ordered? It's already been ordered and we are waiting with bated breath for it to [00:22:26] drive onto the property. We're excited about it so any day it should be [00:22:33] arriving. Wrap it or something? Yes and we're working on the design for that right now. [00:22:39] And then with respect to the cultural programs coordinator, this isn't a [00:22:45] done deal and not to jinx it but some of the expenditures that I know happen [00:22:52] in like our rec center is managing the trolley but the payment I believe is [00:23:02] coming from the CRA because it's a CRA facility so when the CRA buys the [00:23:09] Schwepman School to the degree that someone that serves in those capacities would be [00:23:17] needed at that location. If it relates to the operation of that facility perhaps [00:23:26] there's a bit of room for the library to expand and have that paid for through the [00:23:31] CRA because we just don't we're not going to have money to continue to [00:23:35] increase our personnel so to the degree these facilities can give us a chance to [00:23:40] use where we do have the money. I look forward to that discussion when it [00:23:45] happens. [00:23:48] It hasn't happened yet but it will. Thank you. Thank you. [00:23:56] All right, Chief Cochen. [00:24:05] Thank you. Mayor, council members, good evening. We met on September, I'm sorry, January 29th. [00:24:18] Deputy Chief and I, we talked about the police budget, we talked about you know [00:24:22] how a budget is simply a plan to achieve your vision, mission goals, objectives. We talked [00:24:27] about all the exciting things going on in the police department with our [00:24:31] technology, our CAD RMS system, some of the new equipment that we'll be getting. [00:24:35] We also talked about the lift team and how this budget supports all of our [00:24:39] downtown activities. So since the last time we met, just to take you to the [00:24:43] macro level, we worked with the city manager and the finance director and [00:24:48] there were some basic cuts and additions but nothing major. So the budget went up [00:24:53] about one and a half percent from the last time we saw you, mostly due to [00:24:56] personnel service costs such as pensions, Social Security, FICA, some of the things [00:25:01] the city manager talked about. So that's pretty much where we stand at this point [00:25:05] and we have six divisions, as you know, and I'd be happy to answer any questions [00:25:10] you have about the current budget before you or any of the divisions or anything [00:25:14] that we're doing. [00:25:16] I just want to comment under the code enforcement expenditures and the code [00:25:33] enforcement division when you brought the group in and gave them some [00:25:38] accolades, where in the expenses, well I know that we've had some discussion and [00:25:47] people petitioning us on foreclosures and there's a revenue to be generated [00:25:53] and I was at one of the CMA conferences a couple years ago when the attorney [00:25:57] talked about what he did in St. Petersburg to plow through code [00:26:02] enforcement violations and the like. I just want to make sure that we are [00:26:07] cautious that these multiple hundred-dollar-a-day assessments for [00:26:15] items, I had gotten heard that someone had a foreclosure letter related to him [00:26:24] failing to apply for and get a renter's, pay a renter's fee, like if you are a [00:26:34] landlord you have to pay a fee, and if that happens and it goes over a period [00:26:40] of years and it becomes this multi-thousand-dollar to the point of [00:26:43] having it high enough to foreclose on the house or take the house, and it's not a [00:26:48] really safety issue but rather one violation of codes. I remember doing some [00:26:55] research and I think we were reminded by one of our frequent visitors here at the [00:27:00] last meeting of the prohibition about punitive non-tangible growing fees [00:27:13] resulting in ability for property. So I know the attorneys that go after that [00:27:20] get a percentage, a good percentage, but I want to make sure that when these [00:27:26] processes move forward that we're the ones on the City Council who hear the [00:27:32] horror stories about what's happening and we just find out about it. That [00:27:36] particular issue you may be familiar with, everybody has a right to appeal and [00:27:42] say they don't and go to court, but some of the court hearings that I looked at, [00:27:46] the judges were really taking some cities. I think in that case it was like [00:27:50] mowing fees that turned into $100 a day fees and the, you know, elderly person who [00:27:59] didn't realize it or was incapacitated for one reason or another. I don't want [00:28:07] us to use the power of government to take property from people unless it's [00:28:15] warranted and that we have a really good case. It's a nice way it [00:28:21] was promoted at that, this wasn't a City of New Port Richey discussion, this was a [00:28:26] managers conference discussion, but I'm not real comfortable with foreclosures [00:28:35] based on $100 a day going, unless I knew that the city or the finance [00:28:43] club or somebody was sending frequent letters, making continued outreach. You [00:28:48] can't just send somebody a bill and then not follow it up for five years and say [00:28:52] that it's added up to something humongous. Make sure we go after folks [00:28:57] that are late in terms of commenting, communicating, making sure we make an [00:29:05] effort to reach out to them, not just quietly waiting for, you know, the day [00:29:11] when it piles up into a big fee. So I don't know the circumstances, but I just [00:29:15] want to put that on the record, that let's make sure that we are not going to look bad when we do these items. [00:29:23] Absolutely. Yeah, we're very mindful of that and I'm not aware of any case where we [00:29:29] would have issued a directive to the attorney to initiate foreclosure proceedings. [00:29:37] I'll have somebody forward what I heard. Please do. I think it's a customer was out looking for an [00:29:43] attorney and I heard of it. Yeah, we can take care of that. Yeah. If I may, Ms. Mann, so the goal of [00:29:49] code enforcement is always compliance and there's full due process every step [00:29:53] of the way. We work with people, they get a venue before the magistrate, we don't [00:29:57] assess those fines, the magistrate. [00:30:00] And our clerk notices everybody with outstanding fines that they have these fines. [00:30:05] Obviously, we can't foreclose on homesteaded properties, so a lot of these are going to be rental properties. [00:30:10] But like the city manager said, I don't know of any case like that. [00:30:13] And I know that folks come here and they have a right to speak. [00:30:16] They have a First Amendment right to speak, but that's not the whole story a lot of the times. [00:30:20] And when I look at these cases and I look at all the efforts that our code division does to get compliance [00:30:26] and to work with people such as the NICE program and all the things we do, I've been in code enforcement for 25 years directly. [00:30:33] And I'm very comfortable with the way the city runs code enforcement. [00:30:36] I think it's a good operation, just to respond. [00:30:39] Well, and this may not even be a code enforcement issue because it's an issue of someone getting assessed something for not paying their fee. [00:30:45] And I know there's a fee you pay for a service to make sure that we know who to reach in case of emergency, you know, just basic information. [00:30:55] And it's a very simple process for them to do. [00:30:58] And if that blows up into taking their house because of some circumstances, filing it, being legal, is good. [00:31:12] But after a year, you look at it and say, well, we haven't heard from them for a year. [00:31:16] And try to look into it. [00:31:18] I'm just saying let's try to follow up with people so we don't find ourselves having to defend the fact that we let them. [00:31:24] Because when I was here, there were a good number of those cases. [00:31:27] And I think, Mr. Mayor, you'll remember that we had a big backlog of uncollected old code enforcement issues that went on. [00:31:38] And plowing through them and looking through the circumstances. [00:31:43] You know, if they're not managed by us, which we didn't do, in admission of our own fault as a city, they just keep growing at that amount. [00:31:51] And then they become potential. [00:31:54] I'm just glad to hear that you're on top of it. [00:31:56] Yeah. [00:31:57] We try to be and we try to provide relief every way we can. [00:32:01] Like you said, you use the magistrate. [00:32:03] So that means they're aware. [00:32:05] I mean, I know somebody didn't show to the magistrate. [00:32:08] So they knew. [00:32:09] Yeah. [00:32:10] They knew the fines were coming. [00:32:11] Yeah. [00:32:12] And I'm not talking about houses so much and health and safety. [00:32:14] I'm talking about just not managing our rules properly and finding themselves. [00:32:19] I'll forward that one to you and you can see if you want to do something. [00:32:22] Absolutely. [00:32:23] I don't even know who it is, but I'll find out when I get it to you. [00:32:25] Well, it doesn't sound right. [00:32:26] So please do. [00:32:28] Any other questions or comments? [00:32:32] All right. [00:32:33] Thank you. [00:32:34] It's a beauty, darling. [00:32:39] I can leave with my golden rule. [00:32:41] Yes. [00:32:48] Evening. [00:32:49] Evening. [00:32:50] Pertaining to the fire department budget, [00:32:52] we do not have any changes to report to you gentlemen tonight. [00:32:56] But I am here to answer any questions that you might have. [00:33:00] We didn't make any changes to the fire department budget. [00:33:02] But, of course, he's prepared to respond to any questions that you might have. [00:33:08] Up right here. [00:33:10] Thank you. [00:33:11] You're excused. [00:33:12] Thank you. [00:33:13] Good job, Adam. [00:33:15] Good job. [00:33:18] Quick to the punch. [00:33:25] I'll represent the economic development department budget. [00:33:29] And the only amendment that we made in the budget was in the personnel category. [00:33:36] And we bumped up the salary to reflect the actual salary, not the full salary, [00:33:46] but the percentage of salary that's paid for out of the general fund for the [00:33:51] economic development director that will be starting on August 25th. [00:33:55] Excellent. [00:34:03] And with that, Mr. Hall. [00:34:08] If there aren't any questions, of course. [00:34:11] Mr. Hall. [00:34:12] October 26th. [00:34:17] Thank you. [00:34:18] The changes that we have in the development department budget relate [00:34:23] directly to staffing and contractual individuals and contracts that we have [00:34:30] signed and anticipated in the next year. [00:34:33] Under our regular exempt salaries, we had the individual on our chart, [00:34:42] but we were using that individual under a contract. [00:34:47] We're looking and hoping and trying to work out moving a building official as a [00:34:51] full-time. [00:34:52] Right now we have a contract for a building official. [00:34:55] So under our regular exempt salaries, we adjust the salary to add the building official. [00:35:01] Under our regular full-time salaries, our full-time wages, [00:35:05] we had that small adjustment there or an adjustment because the GIS technician [00:35:11] moved from IT, so there was adjustment in that section. [00:35:15] And then underneath our professional services, [00:35:19] that was the adjustment for the building official moving on up. [00:35:24] So there were those adjustments that we worked with. [00:35:26] And the biggest one you'll see in our budget is the unknown right now for our [00:35:31] CDBG funds. [00:35:33] We're working on that and hopefully we'll know what that amount will be. [00:35:37] So right now it's not shown as anything, it's an unknown. [00:35:40] So the adjustments, again, in the salary and wages, [00:35:43] some adjustments in our professional services that were just adjusted to the [00:35:47] wages and the CDBG funds. [00:35:51] I'm more than happy to answer any questions you might have. [00:35:54] I just have one. [00:35:57] You have a position or one and two-thirds position or three-quarter position [00:36:02] called development clerk. [00:36:04] I would suggest that you could call someone a building permit clerk because [00:36:14] if you try to divide that, you might want to take and put as much into the [00:36:19] building part as you can. [00:36:22] What we're looking at is all of these individuals touch a building in a [00:36:26] certain way. [00:36:27] So we're looking at percentages of their job for each area, [00:36:31] whether we're going to put one person 100% in that. [00:36:33] But each one of these development techs touch building, permitting, planning. [00:36:39] I mean, they touch a myriad of things. [00:36:41] So, yeah, we're going to work on that. [00:36:42] It's tricky to do that, yeah. [00:36:44] So that's what we're working on. [00:36:46] So in the future, you'll probably have two departments within the division so [00:36:51] that you can segregate the revenue and the expenses and be able to answer the [00:36:58] question of how much excess you have and that it meets the three-year look [00:37:03] back as far as how all those numbers work out. [00:37:07] We're working on that presently. [00:37:08] Good. [00:37:09] Thank you. [00:37:10] Any other questions? [00:37:11] Thank you. [00:37:13] Mr. Rivera and Colin, right? [00:37:22] No, I got the recreation. [00:37:24] Oh, I'm sorry. [00:37:25] No? [00:37:26] Mr. Trapp, how about you? [00:37:28] Sorry. [00:37:29] Thank you for helping me out. [00:37:32] Thank you, Mr. Trapp. [00:37:39] If it goes south, we'll call them in, so. [00:37:41] All right. [00:37:42] All right. [00:37:43] I'm sure you'll be fine. [00:37:44] Good evening, everybody. [00:37:45] As has been mentioned throughout the evening, in a tight budget year, the [00:37:48] city manager and I reviewed all areas, as we discussed kind of in the first [00:37:52] work session. [00:37:53] We were focusing on staffing and trying to do the best we could to reduce [00:37:57] costs. [00:37:58] After that meeting, we had discussions together and we determined that two [00:38:03] full-time positions would be eliminated for the upcoming fiscal year, and [00:38:07] I'll highlight those two positions. [00:38:08] Positions were the assistant director and the recreation events coordinator, [00:38:12] which ties into what the library mentioned earlier. [00:38:16] Although you never want to lose any positions, we feel confident that the [00:38:20] proposed staffing levels will still allow our department to focus on the core [00:38:23] responsibilities, and we have a fantastic staff over there, so we'll be [00:38:28] working hard and assisting the library in any way we can. [00:38:33] If we get throughout the year and we determine we need some assistance, we'll [00:38:38] have conversations at that point. [00:38:40] The responsibilities of the rec and events coordinator has been re-envisioned [00:38:44] and will be reallocated over to the library department, so we are reducing our [00:38:49] FTEs by a total of 2.27, so this year's FTE number will be 16.85. [00:38:55] That's the biggest highlight from our first proposal, and then I'll just [00:38:59] highlight one other item that we did reduce in capital expenses. [00:39:03] Because we're doing the birch room floors in the same time as the gymnasium [00:39:07] floors in a few weeks, we were able to reduce that for the upcoming fiscal year, [00:39:11] so we'll just be doing the palm room floor, so we reduced that by 3,500, and [00:39:16] that's out of capital 46,399. [00:39:19] And then for aquatics, we do not have any changes to propose since the last time [00:39:25] we spoke, and I'm happy to answer any questions you guys may have. [00:39:29] So special events is moving underneath culture coordinator at library? [00:39:35] It is. [00:39:36] Okay. [00:39:39] And in addition to the cultural affairs programming, we're adding railroad [00:39:46] square programming and cavalier square programming to the position. [00:39:50] Okay. [00:39:51] And they'll be responsible for, say, special events at the park, like [00:39:57] Sims. [00:39:58] Would a recreation representative be in on those at library, or how is that [00:40:03] going to impact the overall look of – because my understanding was it all [00:40:07] happened at rec center because they had a pretty good understanding of Sims [00:40:12] Park and the various downtown, but it looks like you're envisioning and [00:40:17] we're envisioning more of downtown as a whole now as opposed to Sims Park [00:40:21] and just some parts of downtown. [00:40:23] That's right. [00:40:24] So it's all moving to the library, and then rec center will have some sort of [00:40:28] representation during the meetings? [00:40:30] Well, yes. [00:40:33] There's still events, and that's a $25,000 figure in the budget, which is [00:40:38] good to see that you're committing that when we spend the kind of money we do [00:40:43] for the sound boards and the things we do in the park as well as other places. [00:40:53] I know in the railroad square there was a drawing that we saw initially when [00:40:59] you showed us how it was going to be built that had some of these little sort [00:41:03] of like weekend art stands that opened up like a book and then somebody could [00:41:09] sell leather goods inside of them or jewelry or show art or something. [00:41:17] Is that still a component of that project? [00:41:19] The clamshells are not part of the project. [00:41:21] They were very cost prohibitive, we'll say. [00:41:26] But we do have some temporary structures that we'll be moving in so that we will [00:41:31] be able to provide structures for people to sell items from. [00:41:36] So more like the 10 by 10 tent things or something? [00:41:41] Like that. [00:41:42] We actually are looking at some options, and we'll share them with you once we [00:41:46] hone in on specific structure types so that you can help us make the choice. [00:41:51] Funny how those engineers trick us with all the fancy pictures and then switch. [00:41:56] It's called AI. [00:41:57] It's called AI. [00:41:58] If you go to St. Pete Pier, they have the boxes. [00:42:02] They're basically on wheels. [00:42:03] You put all your stuff in a box. [00:42:04] You lock it up. [00:42:05] Throw it out. [00:42:06] No, you leave it there, and then you take your stuff out. [00:42:09] You display it, put it back. [00:42:11] It's a really cool thing. [00:42:13] So is that something like what you're looking at? [00:42:18] Yeah, it is something like what we're looking at. [00:42:20] Oh, cool. [00:42:21] Yeah. [00:42:22] So you guys that travel from Maine to all the Main Streets in Maine, [00:42:25] it should be called Main Street. [00:42:27] All of them should be called Main Street. [00:42:29] Yeah. [00:42:30] That's right. [00:42:34] I don't have any other questions. [00:42:38] Thank you. [00:42:44] Thank you, Robert. [00:42:49] Thank you, Ms. Mann's counsel. [00:42:51] As you recall, on July 16th, we presented you the public works departmental budget. [00:42:59] You do recall that there are 13 divisions. [00:43:03] Five of those are general fund. [00:43:06] When we presented those to you and the general fund, all of those were reduced budgets. [00:43:12] We presented a very conservative one to you. [00:43:16] The only division that basically affected the general fund was the parking garage, [00:43:23] and that one was increased, if you recall, [00:43:26] and that mainly was due to the three-year security contract as well as the EV station three-year contract that we had to renew. [00:43:35] So that inflated that. [00:43:37] The utilities that we had, the revenue sources, [00:43:40] those budgets did increase, if you recall, [00:43:42] but most of that was due to the wastewater treatment plant and the capital portions of those divisions. [00:43:50] We had one organizational change out of the 13 divisions. [00:43:54] That was the grounds maintenance supervisor. [00:43:57] We did lose that, and we consolidated that position over with the street and stormwater position to lead it, [00:44:06] and then we promoted two other employees, one in the grounds and one in the streets division as crew leaders, [00:44:15] to be able to lead the men out in the field. [00:44:18] And so we feel like that is a little bit the span of control is a little bit better to where we should be more efficient in those operations. [00:44:27] And so with that, we had no changes in any of our divisions from what we presented to you before. [00:44:33] So I'll take any questions if you have any. [00:44:38] Nothing here. [00:44:40] It's just a small division. [00:44:41] It's no big deal. [00:44:42] Yeah. [00:44:44] Half the boys in the city. [00:44:50] He was very prudent. [00:44:53] He's always good with his pencil. [00:44:57] Yes. [00:44:58] Thank you. [00:45:00] Thank you. [00:45:02] I hope I heard that right. [00:45:06] Can we close the book now? [00:45:08] No, we've still got a couple more. [00:45:10] You've got to open yours. [00:45:12] Does that include stormwater as well then, and water? [00:45:18] Yeah, that's what I'm saying. [00:45:20] There were no changes. [00:45:22] There were no changes in any of the budgets of Roberts. [00:45:26] That's what I'm saying. [00:45:29] That's what I'm saying. [00:45:30] Before you hit the hammer, thankfully you've left your cannon up there at the desk. [00:45:37] Could I speak just for a moment about revenue? [00:45:40] Because I know you've said you're budgeting to revenue. [00:45:42] We haven't seen a whole lot. [00:45:44] I know they still haven't told you how much money is coming in from communication taxes, unless that came in today. [00:45:49] It has not. [00:45:50] Probably didn't. [00:45:52] Do you have a figure that you are working on for the sale of city property? [00:46:02] Which properties? [00:46:04] Well, I'd like this. [00:46:08] Well, I guess the question is, is there some money in the budget for sale of property from the city? [00:46:13] Yes. [00:46:14] And I would say it appears as if, from talking the other day, there's no such thing as a lease. [00:46:23] It would be a sale if this thing comes through with a rec center. [00:46:26] And to the degree that we identify $400,000 or whatever the number is there. [00:46:34] You also have taken ownership of the Bank Street property, and I'd like to see the CRA take ownership of that, [00:46:44] because it is rightfully development and needs to be discussed and determined. [00:46:50] It's a good piece of it. [00:46:52] It's an empty building. [00:46:54] Something should happen to it. [00:46:56] The longer it sits empty, the less valuable it's going to be. [00:47:00] The fall season is coming, so we'll be able to watch the games on the roof of the social on that. [00:47:06] We did budget. [00:47:08] The CRA purchased the building from the city. [00:47:12] Yeah, I think I'd like to see that the city is going to sell property and receive it in theory, [00:47:23] and they want to do it and make it happen, and the Congressman was here. [00:47:27] We should budget the sale of city property. [00:47:30] I don't know that they've given you any follow-up. [00:47:32] They're probably hiding and trying to think what they're going to do. [00:47:35] I actually did reach out to them today, Councilman, and I've arranged for a phone call tomorrow. [00:47:39] That would be great, yeah. [00:47:41] But I think that in that it's going to be revenue that will come to the city for land that the city owns. [00:47:47] The CRA doesn't own it, so that would be a city revenue on that as well. [00:47:52] I know that there had been contemplation of funds coming over from the CRA, [00:47:57] and I want to make sure that it can buy something, that it can actually turn into something. [00:48:03] I don't know about the plans, but I believe it was the CRA who bought both the property of Potter years back. [00:48:14] I don't know if that was the CRA, and then the Montemayor purchase. [00:48:18] That was also. [00:48:19] The city's boat ramp is not, and so I'm guessing by the time we get done figuring out how much, [00:48:26] if there's public-private, there's no net to that probably because two-thirds of it is already in the CRA. [00:48:34] But I just think that that sale of that building will allow for Mr. Pridgen to make his pitch, [00:48:47] and he's going to make a pitch because you've told me for years that he's interested in it, or the bank, or whoever. [00:48:56] If it's in the CRA's hands, that gets money over to the general fund that you need. [00:49:00] So those are friendly, or at least should be, reasonable transactions to anticipate that you can put in the budget. [00:49:12] Thank you. [00:49:13] Do you have a number that the monies that we're getting from the increase in taxes that's going to go to the CRA, the property taxes? [00:49:21] We do. [00:49:22] I'm sorry. [00:49:23] I don't have it at my fingertips, though, and I don't recall the number. [00:49:26] So what was the question? [00:49:27] How much? [00:49:28] Is it a 3% increase in the CRA's tax increment collection? [00:49:33] I will have to look. [00:49:34] I'm not sure. [00:49:35] I don't want to stay. [00:49:36] How many values? [00:49:37] Went up 3%, I think, citywide pretty much? [00:49:40] I'll have to look. [00:49:42] I don't want to quote that just yet. [00:49:43] Do you have the document that would have been? [00:49:46] I have the document. [00:49:47] Do you believe I have a memo, too? [00:49:49] Yeah. [00:49:50] Just give us a number in Friday's report. [00:49:52] Maybe on Friday you could include it. [00:49:53] It would also give us the... [00:49:55] How much we're going to get, excuse me, how much we're going to get on the... [00:49:58] In the CRA. [00:49:59] The CRA based on last year, what kind of increase. [00:50:03] Okay. [00:50:05] Go ahead. [00:50:07] The rollback rate that you have determined, is that what we're shooting for? [00:50:12] Below. [00:50:13] It would be below. [00:50:14] So reducing the millage would put us below the rollback rate. [00:50:17] Would that be the first time? [00:50:19] You said you thought we had a tax increase last year. [00:50:22] We did, and that was the newspaper article that we provided. [00:50:27] I believe I provided to the city manager. [00:50:29] Yes, you did. [00:50:30] The ad that you have to place in the paper. [00:50:34] So you don't have to put that same ad in this year, I think. [00:50:37] No. [00:50:38] Good. [00:50:39] That's great. [00:50:40] Awesome. [00:50:41] Yeah. [00:50:42] Anything else? [00:50:43] Yes, sir. [00:50:47] I heard it.

   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.

3. 3Adjournment