Loading...
08-31-2006 VC B WS-MMINUTES OF THE BUDGET WORKSHOP SESSION VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 31, 2006 Present: David B. Norris, Mayor Dr. Edward M. Eissey, Vice Mayor William Manuel, President Pro Tem Charles R. O'Meilia, Councilman Judy M. Pierman, Councilman Mark Bates, Village Manager Christine Wilcott, Deputy Village Clerk ROLL CALL Mayor Norris called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. All members of Council were present. All members of staff were present, except the Village Attorney. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the proposed budget for fiscal year 2006-2007. CONSENSUS ITEMS Discussion was held on the proposed General Fund Budget for fiscal year 2006-2007, and specific agreement was reached on the following items: • Set tentative millage tax rate at 6.4 mils .,~„ • The Comprehensive Pay Plan • Eliminate Automation of Council Chambers • Eliminate Digital Camera & p/c for cable broadcast from Manager's Budget • Eliminate part time College Intern -Manager's Budget • $50,000 to remain in manager's contingency account • Maintenance of security surveillance cameras at Country Club to come from Country Club budget • Administrative charges to Country Club to be determined after opening of golf course • One Budget Ordinance that incorporates both General Fund and Country Club Fund Mr. Bates began the meeting by outlining the items that need to be finalized before the 1st Budget Public Hearing scheduled for September 12, 2006. Mr. Bates listed the items to be discussed as setting the tentative millage tax rate, the Comprehensive Pay Plan and any other amendments. TENTATIVE MILEAGE TAX RATE Discussion was held regarding lowering the millage rate from 6.6 mils. Mr. Bates explained the amounts of Council contingency in relation to lowering the millage rate. Mr. Bates recommended transferring the manager's contingency into the Council contingency if the millage is lowered. Mr. Bates informed Council that there is over $4 million dollars in unappropriated surplus reserve. Further discussion ensued regarding contingency amounts and the reserve and services provided to residents. Mr. Bates explained that there are higher costs in all departments because of salaries, benefits and costs of services. Council consensus was to set the tentative tax millage rate at 6.4 mils. MINUTES OF BUDGET WORKSHOP SESSION HELD AUGUST 31, 2006 COMPREHENSIVE PAY PLAN Mr. Bates reviewed briefly the changes in positions, salaries and adjustments in responsibilities to personnel. Discussion ensued regarding the new department level position in Human Resources and the increase in salary. Mr. Bates explained the need for comparable and competitive salaries for job positions, specifically in Human Resources, the Planner in the Community Development Department and in the Finance Department. During further discussion, Council revisited the need for the position of a Planner in the Community Development Department. Mr. Bates explained the need for a trained professional expert in-house to assist with annexation and zoning issues. Mr. Bates explained that the COLA in the proposed Comprehensive Pay Plan is based on the April index of 4.2% and the merit raise would be 0-5%. Discussion continued regarding the performance merit range and the evaluation process. Public Safety Director Jimmy Knight explained that union negotiations have commenced using the Comprehensive Pay Plan as proposed. Mr. Bates said that there is money in the proposed budget for another salary study. Council consensus was to set the performance merit range at 0-5 %. Council consensus was to approve the Comprehensive Pay Plan. VILLAGE COUNCIL -AUTOMATION OF COUNCIL CHAMBERS Discussion took place regarding the automation of the Council Chambers. Council consensus was to remove the $35,000 Council -Automation of Council Chambers amount from the proposed budget and consider doing this in the future. RECESS The meeting recessed at 8:55 p.m. and reconvened at 9:00 p.m. VILLAGE MANAGER -DIGITAL CAMERA AND P/C FOR CABLE BROADCASTING Discussion took place regarding the $4,500 for a digital camera and p/c for cable broadcasts from the Village Manager's budget. Mr. Bates explained that since the college intern position to help with public information has been eliminated from his budget he does not need the digital camera and p/c for cable broadcasting. Council consensus was to remove the digital camera and p/c for cable broadcasts from the Village Manager's budget. SERMA Mr. Bates discussed the $350,000 budget increase in insurance coverage rates. Mr. Bates stated that the increase is mainly for property and general liability insurance coverage. Mr. Bates said he does not know what the rates will be for the coming year but he should know within a few weeks. Mr. Bates stated that a sizable amount has been budgeted but more may be needed. Mr. Bates further explained that Council will have to approve the insurance rates once the Village receives them. Mr. Bates said that the SERMA meeting had not been held yet due to meeting date changes and Tropical Storm Ernesto. 2 MINUTES OF BUDGET WORKSHOP SESSION HELD AUGUST 31, 2006 MANAGER'S CONTINGENCY Mr. Bates explained that there is $50,000 in the manager's contingency account, and offered to move it to Council's contingency account. Discussion was held regarding the need for the manager's contingency and the procedures for its use. A request was made for Council to be notified if any emergency purchase over $1,000 is made by the manager from this contingency account. Council consensus was to leave $50,000 in the manager's contingency account. IMPACT FEES Discussion took place regarding impact fees from new developments. Mr. Bates explained that the impact fees are cash receipts, and are not budgeted and are not a general fund revenue item. Mr. Bates said that the fees are already marked for certain improvements such as a match for Anchorage Park improvements and Prosperity Farms Road landscaping. AUDITOR In response to a question regarding the budgeted amount for the auditor, Mr. Bates explained that there is $20,000 budgeted in the General Fund, and about $5,000-$7,000 budgeted in the Country Club budget and these amounts should be sufficient. COUNTRY CLUB MEMBERSHIPS In response to a question regarding the Country Club memberships, Mr. Bates explained that a golf membership does not include a pool membership. Councilman Manuel said that it was brought to his ~,,,, attention that it was advertised that way. Mr. Bates will look into it. Discussion ensued regarding Golf Memberships and the number of memberships that will be available to non-resident members. Mr. Bates explained that starting Tuesday, September 5th, memberships will be available to non-resident existing members and will be on a first come first served basis. Discussion took place regarding corporate memberships. After further discussion, Mr. Bates said he would reserve a number ofnon-resident membership slots for the current non-resident members. SECURITY CAMERAS AT COUNTRY CLUB Discussion took place regarding the maintenance of the security cameras at the Country Club. Mr. Bates stated he would check with the Finance Department and make sure that the maintenance of the security surveillance cameras would be charged to the Country Club and not charged in the Public Safety budget. Council consensus was to have the maintenance charges for the security surveillance cameras at the Country Club come from the Country Club budget and not Public Safety. Mr. Bates advised that a report is forthcoming regarding a dollar amount for the administration charges for Public Services employers performing work at the country club. Discussion took place regarding administrative services charges to the Country Club budget. Mr. Bates explained his recommendation to wait until after the opening of the golf course for a year and then determine these costs. Mr. Bates stated that $100,000 is built into the proposed budget for insurance 3 MINUTES OF BUDGET WORKSHOP SESSION HELD AUGUST 31, 2006 allocations. Council consensus was to wait until after the opening of the golf course to determine administrative services that are to be charged to the Country Club budget. BUILDING PERMIT FEE INCREASE Mr. Bates explained that the building permit fee increase is on the agenda for the Council meeting scheduled for September 14, 2006 and the Ordinance is being reviewed by the attorney. MONET ROAD Discussion took place regarding street paving and the overlay of Monet Road. Mr. Bates showed the plans for future street paving and explained the areas that are planned in the proposed budget. Mr. Bates further explained that Monet Road was not in the plans for FY 2006-2007. BUDGET ORDINANCES Discussion took place after a request to have two separate budget ordinances. Council consensus was to have one budget ordinance that incorporates both funds. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. ~. ~ G~/ Christine Wilcott, Deputy Village Clerk 4