HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-12-2008 Use of Meeting Room and Property Taxes MeetingMeeting - February 12, 2008 — 2:00 p.m.
Present: Bennett Boucher, City Manager, City of Cape Canaveral, Catherine J. Schweinsberg, Library Services
Director, and Isabel Matos-Escapa, Director, Cape Canaveral Public Library
Objective: To discuss Meeting Room and Property Taxes
Mr. Boucher presented the City of Cape Canaveral- Site Plan B, Master Key Plan, which would have an approximate
cost of $12,020,825. They had to place on hold this plan because of the impact of the property tax amendment. It
was discussed that the property tax cut would not only affect the County ; but also, the Brevard County cities.
Mr. Boucher presented a memo to the Honorable Mayor and the Members of the City Council of the City of Cape
Canaveral from Andrea Bowers, Treasurer, City of Cape Canaveral, with the breakdown of all Ad -Valorem Taxes paid
by a citizen of Cape Canaveral on the 2007 Tax Billing and the article " Double Taxation' from the Florida League of
Cities, Inc.. The Ad Valorem was 0.4699 mil, which represented a Projected Revenue of $685,935. The Municipality
Library Ad Valorem was 0.0453, which signified projected revenue of $66, 126 that was used for Insurance &
Maintenance.
Mr. Boucher discussed the letter he sent to Honorable Chuck Nelson seeking for an explanation of how the Brevard
County Library ad valorem taxes of $685,935 estimated to be collected from the City taxpayers, funds the Cape
Canaveral Library Budget of $482,007 and why the remaining property tax levy of $ 203, 928 is not being appropriated
to the Cape Canaveral Library budget. Mrs. Schweinsberg explained that the Brevard County Free Public Library
district is a COUNTYWIDE taxing district that provides a COUNTYWIDE service and as such, there is no
relationship to the amount of tax revenue collected in one city and the budget of any one library. All of the citizens
of the Brevard County (including those of the City of Cape Canaveral have full access to ALL SEVENTEEN Public
Libraries in the County. All the citizens of Brevard County have access to every book in the entire Library System.
Cape Canaveral Public Library Actual Expenditures for Fiscal Year 2006-2007 was $ 463, 600.36 and for Budget
Expenditures for fiscal Year 2007-2008 are $482,176.24. These numbers are only for staffing and operating expenses
specific to the Cape Canaveral Public Library. They do NOT include system -wide support provided to all 17 county
libraries including Cape Canaveral. Examples of these support services are the cataloging and patron computer system,
interlibrary loan, Talking Books for the service impaired, courier service, General Repair Technician Services, Mobile
Library to serve children and the elderly, and more. The budget for these supporting services is $4,575,480 for the
current year.
Mr. Boucher expressed that he will speak with Peggy Busacca, County Manager, and the Honorable Chuck Nelson,
County Commissioner District 2, about the Brevard County Library taxes. He will. support the Brevard County
Library Budget to enhance the services available.
Mr. Boucher brought up the use of the Cape Canaveral Meeting Room by the City of Cape Canaveral. Once more,
Mrs. Schweinsberg expressed if they take over the Meeting Room, it will defeat the whole purpose of the Meeting
Room service provided to children and adults of the City of Cape Canaveral. She mentioned The Cape Canaveral
Public Library Board `s position on the Meeting Room usage.
Based on the library usage statistics provided on the Cape Canaveral Library Board Members' letter to Mr. Boucher,
he asked on the probability of opening some additional nights. "What would be the cost of opening an additional
night.? " Mrs. Schweinsberg asked about what kind of plan they were thinking about the meeting room. Mr. Boucher
indicated they were planning to:
New agreement in terms of usage of the Meeting Room by the City of Cape Canaveral
Place a portable dais
Coordinate to cord off electronic security separately.
Provide and install additional audio system.
Provide storage for the Friends of the Cape Canaveral Public Library at the Annex
Draw a floor plan by Architect Designs Inc. ( Feasibility & Appearance)
Share the extra cost expenses (custodial services, supplies, rug cleaning, painting , water, electricity)
Mr. Boucher will come to the Cape Canaveral Library Board Meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. to
discuss the Meeting Room usage with the Cape Canaveral Library Board Members.
Insurance
The City of Cape Canaveral pays insurance for the library structure and covers flood insurance. The Brevard County
pays insurance for the inside materials and equipment. The City of Cape Canaveral does an appraisal of the building
every year. Mrs. Schweinsberg spoke with Jerry Visco, Risk Management Manager, and the Brevard County Libraries
is going to get a refund for insurance duplication.
Meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m_