TOWN OF MELBOURNE BEACH
MINUTES
TOWN COMMISSION - BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING
****************************************************************************************************
WEDNESDAY
SEPTEMBER 25, 2002
7:00 p.m.
COMMUNITY CENTER
***********************************************************************************************************************
A budget public hearing of the Town Commission of the Town of Melbourne Beach, Florida
was called to order by Vice Mayor Smith at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 in the
Community Center. Vice Mayor Smith also led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present:
Absent:
|
Vice Mayor Smith
Commissioner Crispen
Commissioner Walters
Mayor Wille
|
Others Present:
|
Town Manager Hoskovec
Five (5) members of the public
Town Clerk Masny
|
I. PUBLIC HEARING:
A. RESOLUTION NO. 712
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF MELBOURNE BEACH, BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA ADOPTING THE
FINAL LEVY OF AD VALOREM TAXES AND ADOPTING THE FINAL LEVY OF DEBT SERVICE TAXES ON
ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE TOWN OF MELBOURNE BEACH, BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002-2003; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Vice Mayor Smith read Resolution No. 712 in is entirety. Vice Mayor Smith opened the public hearing for
comments from the public regarding the fiscal year 2002-2003 ad valorem millage rates.
Mr. Guglietta, 318 Fourth Avenue stated that when you combine the ad valorem and debt service millage rates,
we still have the lowest millage rate on the beach side. Mr. Guglietta stated that even with the debt services,
the Town has rolled back the rate and have not cut any municipal services. Mr. Guglietta congratulated the
Town Commission on an excellent job with the budget.
Vice Mayor Smith closed the public comments portion of the public hearing.
Commissioner Walters stated that the Town is 2.5 million dollars in debt and is more in debt now than ever in the
past and the Town Commission needs to try to reduce this debt. Commissioner Walters stated that he does
not believe the Town needs to spend $52,000 to hire a Finance Director or buy a vehicle $10,000 in excess cost.
Commissioner Walters stated that a sport utility vehicle is not designed as a police vehicle. Commissioner Walters
stated that this money could be used to reduce the debt or provide a service to the community such as paving roads.
COMMISSIONER CRISPEN MOVED, SECOND COMMISSIONER WALTERS TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 712
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF MELBOURNE BEACH, BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE
FINAL LEVY OF AD VALOREM TAXES AND ADOPTING THE FINAL LEVY OF DEBT SERVICE TAXES ON ALL
TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE TOWN OF MELBOURNE BEACH, BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2002-2003; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
B. RESOLUTION NO 713
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF MELBOURNE BEACH, BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA ADOPTING THE
FINAL MUNICIPAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002-2003 INCLUSIVE OF A GENERAL FUND, LAW
ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND, POLICE EDUCATION FUND, CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND AND
STORMWATER UTILITY FUND; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Vice Mayor Smith read Resolution No. 713 in its entirety. Town Manager Hoskovec reviewed changes he made
to the final budget on Pages 2, under Miscellaneous, the transfer from General Fund/Fire Truck $20,000 and
transfer from Stormwater Utility $5,000 needs to be inserted and change the total revenue and these changes
needed to be made on Pages 7 under the Fire Control budget the Capital Reserve Fire Truck here and on
Page 10, the total General Fund Expenses change to reflect the total on Page l, and Page 16, under the
Stormwater account, the total repayment of $5,000 as a transfer from stormwater utility is reflected at the
bottom of the page.
Vice Mayor Smith opened the public hearing for comments from the public regarding the fiscal year 2002-2003
municipal budget.
Bill Miller, 220 Ash Avenue asked for clarification regarding the Debt Service Fund in the proposed budget.
Town Manger Hoskovec explained the purpose of the Debt Service Fund to Mr. Miller and answered other
questions he had regarding the budget.
Paul Guglietta, 318 Fourth Avenue, advised Mr. Miller that the CASB 34 program will make the budget look
more like a business in the future and it will be easier to understand.
Jean Marshall, 410 Sixth Avenue, commented that the Town can go after fees on cell phones and other items
to get funds for the Town, if needed and this is deceiving.
Commissioner Walters stated when people say how fiscal responsible we are, keep in mind that since 1998,
we have increased the electric bill from $1.60, maximum to 6.65% of the total bill, then we, the Town added
6.65% of the cell telephone, cable television, satellite dish, and portable gas taxes and this is where all this
money is coming from. Commissioner Walters stated that it is said that the Commission is so frugal, it is not,
it is because since 1998, it has added hundreds of thousands of dollars to the tax bill, although the Town
Commission is not increasing the ad valorem taxes.
Vice Mayor Smith closed the public hearing to public comments.
Commissioner Walters stated that as of October 1, 2002, based on a study done for police and general
employees, salaries automatically increase 5% for everyone and in December, the employees will be evaluated.
Commissioner Walters stated that he is opposed to employees of Town who have already received up to a 35%
salary increase over past 2 years are now going to get 5% October 1, 2002, before their evaluation and in
December they get evaluated, which gives them an entire year to improve to get the next one, which is already
set at another 5%. Commissioner Walters stated that his problem with this is that there is no requirement for
a performance review and before the employees get a dime in merit money, they need to be reviewed and
unfortunately, my understanding is, no one, since this came into affect last year or the year before, has failed
to get the maximum amount of money. Commissioner Walters stated that for the employees that the Town
Commission evaluates, he has an objection, especially considering how many times the ball has been dropped
here recently, to providing those employees with an increase before the Town Commission has a chance to
evaluate them.
Commissioner Crispen stated that on Page 14 of the budget, the referendum authorized the Town to spend funds
on the municipal complex and asked where those funds are earmarked in the budget? Town Manager Hoskovec
explained that on Page 14 under Intergovernmental these funds are listed here. Commissioner Crispen asked
that these funds be noted as such in the description for clarification.
Vice Mayor Smith stated that the step program does need to be looked at because we were told one thing and
something else was done. Vice Mayor Smith stated that salary increases used to be done by receiving a
cost-of-living on October 1st and merit after the evaluation was completed.
Town Manger Hoskovec stated that he agrees as there is no incentive and stated that he will look at this after the
budget is adopted.
Commissioner Walters stated that, for the employees the Town Commission evaluates, he reserves the right as
an elected official, after they receive the money to take it back, based on what he has seen these last 6 months.
Commissioner Walters stated he does not agree with giving a raise and then evaluating performance.
COMMISSIONER WALTERS MOVED, SECOND COMMISSIONER CRISPEN TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO.
713, A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF MELBOURNE BEACH, BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA ADOPTING
THE FINAL MUNICIPAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002-2003 INCLUSIVE OF A GENERAL FUND, LAW
ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND, POLICE EDUCATION FUND, CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND AND STORMWATER
UTILITY FUND; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
II. ADJOURNMENT
COMMISSIONER CRISPEN MOVED, SECOND COMMISSIONER WALTERS TO ADJOURN.
VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED.
The budget public hearing of the Town Commission of the Town of Melbourne Beach, Florida adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
____________________________________
ROBERT D. WILLE, MAYOR
____________________________________
CYNTHIA E. MASNY, CMC
TOWN CLERK
PURSUANT TO SECTION 286.0105, FLORIDA STATUTES, THE TOWN HEREBY
ADVISES THE PUBLIC THAT: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the
Town Commission with respect to any matter considered at its meeting, he will need a
record of the proceedings and that for such purpose, affected persons may need to insure
that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony
and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. This notice does not constitute
consent by the Town for the introduction or admission into evidence of otherwise
inadmissible or irrelevant evidence, nor does it authorize challenges or appeals not
otherwise allowed by law.
|