TOWN OF MELBOURNE BEACH
MINUTES
TOWN COMMISSION - BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING
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WEDNESDAY
SEPTEMBER 5, 2001
7:00 P.M.
COMMUNITY CENTER
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A budget public hearing of the Town Commission of the Town of Melbourne Beach, Florida was called to
order by Mayor Wille at 7:55 p.m. on Wednesday, September 5, 2001 in the Community Center. Mayor
Wille also led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Present:
Absent:
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Mayor Wille
Commissioner Smith
Commissioner Stacey
Commissioner Stark
Vice Mayor Remark
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Others Present:
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Town Attorney Gougelman
Interim Town Manager Masny
Interim Police Chief Bailey
Interim Town Clerk Wiley
Finance Clerk Prewitt
Several police officers and town residents
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I PUBLIC HEARING:
A. APPROVAL OF PROPOSED AD VALOREN MILLAGE RATE FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2001/2002
Interim Town Manager Masny explained that the budget for 2001/2002 was based on a millage rate of 3.7316 mills
which is the “rolled back” rate and it will generate 95% of the funds to be used to meet the Town’s operating expenses
(General Fund Budget) of $667,081. Mayor Wille pointed out that there was a reduction of the millage rate from last
year to this year to keep the funding at the same level as last year.
Mayor Wille opened the public hearing for public discussion. There were no public comments.
COMMISSIONER STACEY MOVED, SECOND COMMISSIONER STARK TO APPROVE THE AD VALOREM
MILLAGE RATE OF 3.7316 MILLS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001/2002.
VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
B. APPROVAL OF PROPOSED AD VALOREN DEBT SERVICE MILLAGE RATE FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2001/2002
Interim Town Manager Masny stated that last year the millage rate was .3900 mills. During the budget workshops,
the Town Commission requested that the revenues generated from the debt service would pay the principal and interest
for the year. The millage rate was lowered to .2020 mills. There was an overpayment last year so money would be
taken from the library reserves so that the rate would not be set higher than was required to pay the annual debt.
Mayor Wille opened the public hearing for comments regarding the proposed debt service millage rate. There was no
public comment.
COMMISSIONER STACEY MOVED, SECOND COMMISSIONER SMITH TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED DEBT
SERVICE MILLAGE RATE OF .2020 MILLS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001/2002.
VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
C. APPROVAL OF TENTATIVE FISCAL YEAR 2001/2002 MUNICIPAL BUDGET
Mayor Wille asked if there were comments that the public would like to make concerning the 2001/2002 budget.
Steve Walters, 416 Sixth Avenue pointed out that it was very difficult for people to hear in the back of the Community
Center and recommended that wireless mikes that are clipped to the Commissioners be purchased and a wireless
microphone system so that speakers would be put in the back and everyone could hear. Also a wireless microphone
could be used for the residents who don’t like to come forward to speak to the Commissioners. Mr. Walters also
recommended that the police department should receive their 8% salary increase as they had been through so
much during the past year.
Paul Guglietta, 318 Fourth Avenue asked for clarification of the amount budgeted for a fire truck. It was pointed out
that each year $20,000 was added to that line item and at a future date there may be enough money to purchase a
fire truck. Mr. Guglietta made some observations of the number of sergeants there were and wondered if a lieutenant
position could be created. Mr. Guglietta stressed that the Town had good officers and wanted to be able to keep them.
Mr. Guglietta continued with other observations and comments concerning the town manager and police chief salaries,
the Police Department’s step program and the sidewalks on A1A.
Steve Walters, 416 Sixth Avenue commented upon the professional services line item and recommended that all
financial services should be brought back to Town Hall. He also recommended that the Administrative Assistant
position be changed back to Deputy Clerk and be under the direction and control of the Town Clerk. Commissioner
Smith made some comments concerning the positions and would like to have the Town Commission review the
subject at a later time. Mayor Wille suggested that this issue and a few others might wait for a new Town Manager
and get that person’s opinion.
The Mayor and Commissioners then went through the budget page by page to answer any questions and to clarify
figures. Mayor Wille explained to the public the reasoning and use of the line item “cash carryover”. He pointed out
that due to good fiscal Town management there will probably be around $200,000 to be added to the reserves. Previous
changes were reviewed and new changes were discussed and made. Mayor Wille pointed out that the transfer to
stormwater utility of $14,722 would need to be repaid to the general fund and there should be a note made to that effect.
Interim Town Manager Masny explained that the Police Department’s step program salaries were already incorporated
into the budget in response to a question Commissioner Stark had asked. However, Interim Town Manager Masny said
that the other Town employees step plan has not been incorporated as yet. Mayor Wille asked Interim Police Chief Bailey
to project what the increase costs in benefits with the new plan would be and compare it with the old plan and present it to
the Town Commission on September 19, 2001.
Commissioner Smith suggested that the Police Department follow the Town employee manual and use the wording that
is there for holidays, employee birthday observation and bereavement leave so that there is conformity for all Town
employees although Commissioner Smith felt that the police officers would have been under this policy all along when
it was first approved by the Town Commission. The Commission also asked the police department for a clarification of
accrual of vacation time, its use and policy upon reaching maximum amount of time allowed.
Steve Walters, 416 Sixth Avenue pointed out different scenarios he faced with coverage when he was Chief of Police and
emergency situations such as a hurricane. Further discussion continued concerning this issue of earning leave, taking
leave and overage of leave.
Other topics that Interim Chief Bailey addressed were the situation of the police department’s new administrative
assistant’s probation and where she would enter the step program following probation, the Police Department’s
purchasing a SUV which could be passed on to other Town departments when the Police Department needed to
replace it as well as it being very functional and the request for a third sergeant.
Interim Town Manager Masny was asked to research sound systems, microphones and recording apparatus and the
Mayor thought that perhaps it could be worked into the renovation of the Community Center.
The General Employees Department Wage and Salary Plan was reviewed. Commissioner Smith suggested that it be
made clear in the policy concerning the plan that the Town Clerk works for the Town Commission. This fact is in the
Town Charter that the Town Clerk is evaluated by the Mayor and not the Town Manager. The fiscal impact of the step
program for the general employees would be a little over $14,000. Mayor Wille asked for this program to be presented
like the Police Department’s.
COMMISSIONER STACEY MOVED, SECOND COMMISSIONER SMITH TO APPROVE THE TENTATIVE FISCAL
YEAR 2001/2002 MUNICIPAL BUDGET.
VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
II. ADJOURNMENT
COMMISSIONER SMITH MOVED, SECOND COMMISSIONER STACEY TO ADJOURN.
VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
The budget public hearing adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
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ROBERT D. WILLE, MAYOR
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JANE WILEY
INTERIM TOWN CLERK
NOTE: A mechanical recording has been made of the foregoing procedures of which these minutes are a part and
is on file in the office of the Town Clerk.
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