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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-21-2007 VC B WS-M• • • Present: ROLL CALL MINUTES OF THE BUDGET WORKSHOP SESSION VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 21, 2007 Dr. Edward M. Eissey, Mayor William Manuel, Vice Mayor David B. Norris, President Pro Tem Darryl Aubrey, Councilman T.R. Hernacki, Councilman Jimmy Knight, Village Manager Melissa Teal, CMC, Village Clerk Mayor Eissey called the Budget Workshop Session to order at 7:05 p.m. All members of Council were present. All members of staff were present, except the Village Attorney. COUNTRY CLUB Village Manager Jimmy Knight briefly discussed the proposals received for golf course maintenance services and the potential cost savings. GRANTS Mr. Knight reviewed the grant process, including grants that require matching funds, appropriation of matching funds, and the use of prior grants for matching funds. Mr. Knight reported that approximately $450,000 has not been appropriated for matching funds and will need to be funded from undesignated reserves. Finance Director Sarnia Janjua detailed the procedure used by the Finance Department to account for grant funds. Discussion ensued on grant expiration dates. Mr. Knight will revise grant charts to include the expiration dates. HUMAN RESOURCES Mr. Knight reviewed HR responsibilities, including centralized employment hiring, safety coordinator/risk manager, employee benefits and retirement plan administration, collective bargaining contracts, and workers compensation administration. Mr. Knight noted a reduction of 2.5% from last year's budget. Mr. Knight reviewed the capital plan. Brief discussion ensued on the need for additional personnel. Discussion took place concerning background checks of Village employees, subcontractors, and volunteers. Minutes of Village Council Budget Workshop Session held August 21, 2007 Page 2 of 2 • • FINANCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Mr. Knight reported a reduction of 4.9% in Finance, and an increase in Information Technology, for an overall increase of 5%, primarily due to capital items such as replacement of the Village - wide telephone system and anti -virus software. Brief discussion ensued on the total appropriation for the telephone system. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Mr. Knight noted that Community Development encompasses planning, code enforcement, and building. Mr. Knight reported an increase of 3.8% in the Building Division budget, most of which is for capital items. Mr. Knight reviewed the use of building permit fees per Chapter 553 Florida Statutes. Mr. Knight reported that the auditors will establish a cost allocation for the Building Department, including direct costs and indirect costs, with regard to the use of funds from building permit fees. Mr. Knight provided details concerning the current number of commercial and residential building permits issued, approved but awaiting payment and pickup, or pending plan review. Mr. Knight reviewed the capital plan for Community Development. DEBT AND OTHER Mr. Knight noted Debt Service in the amount of $1,034,174 for outstanding loans. Mr. Knight explained that "Other" includes Council contingency and Village Manager contingency totaling $391,949. Additionally, there are non -departmental costs for items such as workers compensation insurance, general liability insurance, and Village Hall costs, which total $629,678. RECESS The meeting recessed at 8:20 p.m. and reconvened at 8:30 p.m. MILLAGE Discussion ensued on the millage rate. The Council debated reducing the millage rate to 5.64 mills as mandated by the legislature. Concern was expressed regarding unfunded mandates, whether the property appraiser may reassess properties, potential reduction in cable franchise fess, and the unknown outcome of the January referendum. Council consensus was to lower the millage rate to 6.1 mills Discussion ensued on contingency funds. Mrs. Janjua reported that $202,000 would be available for Council contingency with a millage rate of 6.1 mills. Mr. Knight requested that Council reduce its contingency by moving $10,000 to Village Manager contingency. By consensus, Council approved the change as requested. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. • fl 1 Melissa Teal, CMC, Village Clerk'