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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-25-1995 Budget Final Hearingr CITY COUNCIL BUDGET FINAL HEARING September 25, 1995 The Final Budget Hearing of the Cape Canaveral City Council was held on September 25, 1995, at the City Hall Annex, 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 P.M. by Mayor Porter. ROLL CALL: Mayor John Porter Present Mayor Pro Tem Rocky Randels Present Councilmember Arthur Berger Present Councilmember Leo Nicholas Present Councilmember Buzz Petsos Absent City Clerk/Acting City Manager Sandra Sims Present City Treasurer Deborah Haggerty Barker Present City Treasurer, Deborah Barker, presented an overview of the budget, comparing FY 1994/95 to FY 95/96. She further explained the rolled back millage versus the increase in property values and increased development. The 21.41 % increase is representative of the dollar percentage increase in the budget. The actual millage increase is 9.9%. Because the city's property values have increased, due primarily to new development, the millage is decreased to equal the same dollar budget as last year. Fire Chief, David Sargeant, explained that the basis for the budget increase is to appropriate funds to the Fire Department as voted in by the 1994 referendum. The increase will fund a one- person shift (3 people), and to provide for advanced life support (first response). Audience Comment: Mr. Dick McGehee expressed concern that freeholders are billed garbage and sewer rather than the renters or actual users. Mr. Jim O'Toole queried, "Why do we need a tax increase when there is nearly two million dollars in reserves ?" He commented that the city spent $300,000 on wetlands research which did not work. Mr. O'Toole also queried about the sewer plant upgrade and beautification funds. • Upon written request by Mr. Hans Saurenmann which is attached, the topic of a three - part poster directed toward Mayor Porter was mentioned during the meeting. Mayor Porter queried Mr. O'Toole if he was responsible for its posting, implying that it was his belief, even though it did not matter. r City of Cape Canaveral, Florida Final Budget Hearing September 25, 1995 Page 2 Ms. Barker explained that Council and staff's philosophy is that there must be reserves to support six months of operations in the event of an emergency. Mr. Nicholas commented that it took 32 years to accumulate that amount of money and that a portion was earmarked this year to go toward capital purchases in the five year plan. Mr. Mel Praetorius queried how beautification taxes can be decreased arbitrarily. Ms. Barker explained that it was not, the same budget amount is proposed for this year as last and because of the valuation, the millage required to produce the same money is less than last year. Mr. Dick McGehee queried about capital purchases and asked why the city does not provide its own lawn service. Mr. Jim O'Toole queried where the two million dollar figure for storm damages were derived as published in the Cocoa Beach /Cape Canaveral Press. He further stated that more beautification is needed in the City, as well as better lighting on side streets. Mayor Pro Tem Randels gave an overview of the capital five year plan and stated that copies are available at City Hall for the general public. Mayor Porter explained that contracting the lawn service has proven less expensive than having city staff provide the service and that the bulk of storm damage dollars is from beach erosion. Mr. Nicholas explained the plan for beautification, especially along A1A. Mr. Bruce Cummings asked if the police contract includes equipment. Mr. Nicholas explained that it does not, the general fund provides for vehicles and other expenses. Mrs. Arbalino related that there should be a way of relating the reality of the 21 % increase before unnerving the public with the advertisement required by law. Mayor Porter stated that an explanatory statement should have been prepared to be published along side the state required advertisement. Mr. McGehee commented that ad valorem taxes compounded by utility taxes and franchise taxes is the true comparison of city taxes versus county taxes. r City of Cape Canaveral, Florida Final Budget Hearing September 25, 1995 Page 3 Mayor Pro Tem Randels demonstrated the millage comparisons of 1984 through 1995. The millage in 1984 was .12 versus .147 today for a difference of $ .27 per $1000 in eleven years. Mr. Jim O'Toole asked if the letters regarding the sewer increase was sent to the condominium associations rather than each owner as a cost cutting measure. Mr. Hans Saurenmann commented that he was offended that each owner was not informed. He requested that letters be sent to all users and condominium owners with the next proposed utility increase. Ms. Barker explained that the letters were mailed as a courtesy, not a requirement, and therefore, cost saving measures of sending to associations was utilized. Mr. Tom Quinn related that he felt confident about the proposed budget since hearing the explanations. Mayor Porter read Resolution No. 95 -40 in full. A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A MILLAGE RATE FOR THE LEVY OF AD VALOREM TAXES FOR 1995 ON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF CAPE CANAVERAL, BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. A motion was made by Mr. Nicholas and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Randels to adopt Resolution No. 95 -40 as read. The resolution was adopted by a 4 -0 vote as follows: Mr. Berger, For; Mr. Nicholas, For; Mayor Porter, For; and Mayor Pro Tem Randels, For. Mayor Porter read Resolution No. 95 -41 in full. A RESOLUTION OF 1'HE CITY OF CAPE CANAVERAL, BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA; ADOPTING TIE ANNUAL GENERAL FUND, SEWER ENTERPRISE FUND, EXPENDABLE TRUST FUNDS, AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGETS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1995, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1996; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. A motion was made by Mr. Nicholas and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Randels to adopt Resolution No. 95 -41 as read. Mr. Nicholas stated that he was voting against the budget because he disagrees with the Sheriff's Dispatch Fees. The resolution was adopted by a 3 -1 vote as I City of Cape Canaveral, Florida Final Budget Hearing September 25, 1995 Page 4 follows: Mr. Berger, For; Mr. Nicholas, Against; Mayor Porter, For; and Mayor Pro Tem Randels, For. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:40 P. Sandra O 4 e1 Sims,p.C..rJ Y CLERK . Porter, MAYOR