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07-31-1984 - Budget Workshop . , .( w Q CITY OF EDGEWATER Budget Workshop FY 1984-85 Mayor Ledbetter called the budget workshop to order July 31,1984 in the Council Chambers in City Hall. ROLL CALL Mayor David Ledbetter Councilman Melbourne Wargo Councilwoman Gigi Bennington Councilman Neil Asting Councilman Jack Spencer City Attorney Jose' Alvarez City Clerk Connie Kinsey Present Present Present Present Excused Excused Present Also present: Karen Rickelman Mayor Ledbetter stated today's meeting is for the purpose of setting the millage rate. Mrs. Rickelman explained she recalculated the Refuse and Street departments budgets, taking four employees and the vehicle expenses from the Refuse and placing them in the Street. Councilman Wargo stated he doesn't think we should hire any new employees in the Refuse Department. He went on to mention the equipment that is needed in the department and exp~ained how the employees could be rotated around, eliminating the need to hire more men. There was discussion at this time about the crews having to perhaps work on Saturday. The pros and cons of this system were expressed by the Council members. Mrs. Rickelman went over the new figures she calculated. The end total is $361,685. She asked the Council's opinion regarding the interest earnings figure. It was agreed to reduce this line item; - $382,400 Anticipated revenue, based on your current rate of $5.50 for residential . customers, there is an excess of $20,715. She reminded the Council this includes the $25,000 which is being subsized by the Federal Revenue Sharing. Councilman Wargo questioned the reason for hiring more employees in the Refuse Department. He added he does not feel we need three more people. There was discussion about the semi truck drivers, and whether two are needed. Councilwoman Bennington stated that two were already cut out. Mayor Ledbetter explained a laborer in one of the other departments could fill in when needed. Councilman Wargo added there should be more efficiency within the departments rather than just hiring more employees. It was agreed to keep one extra employee in the budget. The Council went to the Street Department budget sheet. went over the new figures she calculated. The total of is now $269,583. Including the vehicle expenses added, Department budget total is $439,368. Mrs. Rickelman personnel services the new Street General Fund over-all expenditures is now $1,911,000. The General Fund Revenue figure, using the rolled back millage rate, is $1,880,171. This leaves a shortage of $30,829. It was established if the millage rate is left as it is now, there would be an estimated overage of $11,000. Councilman Wargo stated he would like to take the $5,000 out of the Library's set aside funds, and he would like Joan Taylor put back under the Planning budget. Councilwoman Bennington questioned why she was placed in the Code Enforcement budget. Mrs. Kinsey explained she is not doing Planning and Zoning work and her wages being charged there was a distorting figure. Her job and salary have stayed the same, it is just being charged to the department where the work is done. . . o Q Mrs. Rickelman explained this change will not change the bottom line of the budget. Councilman Wargo stated he would also like to cut down the amount set aside for the EVER truck. When the tape was turned, Mrs. Kinsey was reading from the Charter regarding the balance of each appropriation shall revert into the General Fund and shall be subject to future appropriation, except that any special fund shall remain in tact and never revert to any other fund. She stated this was discussed with Brent Millikan last year. Councilman Wargo stated he does not see any reason to keep the millage rate up like it is. Mrs. Rickelman explained the information she was given regarding the procedure to follow when setting the millage. You only have to send out new notices when you are proposing an increase in the millage. The figure has to be into the County today. Councilman Asting and Councilwoman Bennington stated they are in favor of leaving the millage rate as it is now. Councilwoman Bennington added the income could be beneficial to the City and if we lower it this year, next year it will really have to be raised. Councilman Wargo and Mayor Ledbetter reminded the Council members of the over-all tax structure and the other increases being put on the people. It was determined that the unexpended fund balance is presently $330,902. According to the last year's figures (1983). There was more conversation regarding the needs of the City, such as road paving, which Councilman Asting commented would be one place to use the money. There was a lengthy discussion on this subject. Mayor Ledbetter stated he agrees with Councilman Wargo, that the millage should be dropped back to 5.441. Mr. Frank Opal was given the floor to discuss the millage rate. He was in agreement with the rolled back rate and added we should be going for more efficiency within the City. The Council remained at a deadlock. Mayor Ledbetter explained today is the deadline for the figure to go to the County and if nothing is sent to them, the millage will drop back to the 5.441. There was discussion as to how much of the unexpended funds should be reverted into the General Fund to balance the budget. At the rolled back millage rate, $30,000 is needed. At this time further discussion began regarding the millage rate and why it should or should not be rolled back. Councilman Asting made a motion to adjourn, since there was a deadlock, Councilwoman Bennington seconded the motion. Mayor Ledbetter informed the City Clerk she would have to notify the County accordingly. Meeting adjourned. Minutes submitted by: Debbie Sigler -2- Budget workshop July 31, 1984