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2024-05-07 Pre-Budget Workshop 1 Mayor George Burch Vice Mayor Jesse Valinsky Councilmember Neil Cantor Councilmember Jerome Charles Councilmember Sandra Harris Esmond Scott, Village Manager Chanae Wood, Village Attorney Ysabely Rodriguez, Village Clerk PRE-BUDGET WORKSHOP MINUTES MAY 7, 2024 5:30PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Burch called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. 2. MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor George Burch Vice Mayor Jesse Valinsky Councilmember Jerome Charles Councilmember Sandra Harris Councilmember Neil Cantor Also Present: Village Manager Esmond Scott Village Attorney Chanae Wood Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez 4. PRESENTATION(S) 4.A. PRE-BUDGET DISCUSSION WORKSHOP (PRESENTED BY: ESMOND K. SCOTT, VILLAGE MANAGER): - FISCAL YEAR 2025, BUDGETING TIMELINES - FISCAL YEAR 2025 PRIORITIES AS PER THE STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, COUNCIL, AND STAFF. Village Manager Scott reviewed the budgetary process, discussing previous practice and what would be included in the pre-budget workshop. The budget calendar was presented with key dates, which ended with the budget adoption by September 30. Village Manager Scott reported that the key factors that drove the budget were revenue and expenses, continued rising costs, ongoing projects, priorities, the strategic management plan, necessary investments, and Council consensus. Village Manager Scott reviewed the highlights and priorities. He noted that the Council would determine if there would be a cost-of-living adjustment. He discussed the importance of rate studies and examining impact fees and user and service fees. 2 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS - 3-Minute Time Limit Toni McCormick stepped to the podium to discuss the need for improved maintenance to the recreation fields. Village Clerk Rodriguez read the eComments into the record. 6. DISCUSSION ITEM(S) 6.A. DISCUSSION REGARDING COUNCIL PRIORITIES. Mayor Burch raised concerns that the list of strategic priorities was taken from the 2022 Council. Vice Mayor Valinsky discussed that when the priorities were determined, it was more about where the focus needed to be, but it would likely be a different list at different times. He discussed the importance of everyone being on the same page. Councilmember Charles discussed the list of priorities and stated that the exercise at the retreat was done to re-prioritize items. Councilmember Cantor suggested discussing priorities for the budget first and then diving into particulars. He stated that he wanted presentations from Department Heads to understand where the money was being put and why changes in the budget were needed. Councilmember Harris stated she would like to see Village fees raised. She also stressed the importance of having a full-time Human Resource individual. She showed her continued support for the master plans and stated that the budget should align with the 2022 Strategic Plan. Mayor Burch discussed the loss of police officers. He stated that Miami Shores was not underpaying police officers compared to neighboring cities based in the findings. He stated he wanted as much comparable information as possible. Responding to Village Manager Scott’s comments regarding the importance of new compensation study, Councilmember Harris discussed the compensation study, and she stated that she wanted to see it for all employees. Councilmember Cantor agreed with the need for the compensation study. He discussed the 2022 Strategic Plan and that many items were out of touch in the plan. Vice Mayor Valinsky agreed with the need for compensation studies. He stated over the last few years there had been large fluctuations in the job market, and it had been hard to recruit and retain people. He stated that he was a fan of the old strategic plan but would also prioritize somewhat differently. He discussed that it would be appropriate to reassess the priorities. 7. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 6:34 pm.