Loading...
2024-09-03 First Budget Hearing Minutes1 FIRST BUDGET HEARING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 6:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1) CALL TO ORDER Mayor Burch called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2) MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL Present: Mayor George Burch Vice Mayor Jesse Valinsky – arrived at 6:07 pm Councilmember Jerome Charles Councilmember Sandra Harris Councilmember Cantor Also Present: Village Manager Esmond Scott Village Attorney Chanae Wood Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez 4) PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. 5) RESOLUTION(S) 5.A A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE OF 7.8 MILLS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025, THE CALCULATED ROLLED-BACK RATE IS 6.9761 MILLS, OR 11.81% HIGHER THAN THE ROLLED-BACK RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025; ESTABLISHING THE DEBT SERVICE MILLAGE RATE AT 0.1459 MILLS, REAFFIRMING THE SECOND PUBLIC BUDGET TO SET THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2024, AT 6:00 P.M.; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF: FINANCE DIRECTOR). 2 Village Clerk Rodriguez read the entire resolution into the record. Village Manager Scott welcomed the residents and anyone listening to the meeting. He then introduced the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) Holly Hugdahl who introduced and expanded on the proposed resolution. Chief Financial Officer Holly Hugdahl recommended that the Council maintain last year's millage rate of 7.8 mills. She noted that the significant increase in ad valorem revenue would allow the Village to contribute to the contingency fund, which currently holds around $2 million. A portion of this fund will be used to cover employee health insurance and cost of living adjustments (COLA). Mayor Burch opened public comments regarding the tentative millage rate. Ms. Nancy Dowson expressed concern regarding the proposed millage rate and noted the proposed rate is higher than the rolled back rate by 11.81%, requesting the Council to review the increase before a vote is made. Mayor Burch responded to the public comment regarding the proposed millage rate, stating that this will raise an additional $1.5 million. Mayor Burch stated the residents are requesting a new tot-lot, seawall, new community center and septic to sewer conversions. These initiatives come with a cost. He added that the Village is mostly residential and the millage rate is necessary for the time being to generate funding for those projects. Councilmember Charles explained that residents have the opportunity to question their assessment on their homes through the Property Appraiser’s Office. He, furthermore, explained the process of how the revenue gained from the Village is used. Councilmember Harris moved to adopt the proposed millage rate of 7.8 mill. Vice Mayor Valinsky seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, Mayor Burch asked for a roll call vote on the motion, which carried a 5-0 vote. Councilmember Charles - AYE Councilmember Cantor - AYE Vice Mayor Valinsky - AYE Councilmember Harris - AYE Mayor Burch – AYE 5.B A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE OPERATING AND CAPITAL OUTLAY BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2024, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, PURSUANT TO SECTION 200.065, FLORIDA STATUTES; AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES CONSISTENT THEREWITH AND AUTHORIZING CERTAIN BUDGET AMENDMENTS WITHIN A DEPARTMENT PROVIDED THAT THE TOTAL OF THE APPROPRIATIONS IS NOT CHANGED; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (STAFF: FINANCE DIRECTOR). Village Clerk Rodriguez read the caption of the resolution into the record. Village Manager Scott provided an overview of the tentative budget and answered questions posed by the Village Council. 3 Newly appointed Human Resources Director Yamileth Slate-McCloud provided an overview of the group life insurance coverage, proposing: - a benefit of 1x salary to a max of $200,000 and a minimum of $50,000 - an accidental death and dismemberment benefit which will increase the budget by $251 - a health care insurance proposal to reduce the contribution gap for general employees regarding family coverage Mayor Burch opened public comments. Daniel Serrano from the Historic Preservation Board urged the Council to approve the original Historic Preservation Board budget of $10,000. Seth Bramson offered his services as a consultant for the Miami Shores Country Club given his previous employment at said facility. Village Clerk Rodriguez read eComments into the record. Mayor Burch highlighted the importance of reviewing the findings from the compensation study to assess the competitiveness of employee salaries. He also proposed allocating specific funds for the septic-to-sewer conversion and suggested conducting a resident survey to gauge interest in a new community center. Additionally, Mayor Burch requested that all capital improvement projects (CIP) be reflected in the budget with appropriate funding. The Council then discussed the pros and cons of allocating specific CIP dollars from the contingency fund. Councilmember Harris expressed a desire for more information on how the $2 million in contingency funds would be spent, particularly in relation to projects or emergencies. Village Manager Scott clarified that the funds have been reserved for infrastructure projects and the cost of living adjustments (COLA). Councilmember Charles referenced the previous year’s budget, noting that although funds were set aside for CIP projects, none had been spent. Vice Mayor Valinsky stressed the need for both a plan and funding to advance the Village’s outstanding projects, urging the Council to consider categorizing such funds. Councilmember Harris requested that the Village Manager provide a memorandum outlining how the contingency funds from FY23 were used. The Council continued to discuss allocating the contingency fund for specific projects. In response to concerns raised by Mayor Burch, Village Manager Scott suggested that the Mayor direct staff to amend the budget to allocate funds for specific CIP projects. Chief Financial Officer Hugdahl clarified that any unused contingency funds are added to the surplus and can be earmarked for future CIP projects. Responding to Councilmember Harris’ question about using AARPA funds for repairs to the roof and A/C unit at the 9900 building, Village Manager Scott indicated he was awaiting Council’s direction on how to utilize the AARPA funds. Discussion ensued regarding the appropriate indicator to measure a COLA increase. Assistant to the Village Manager and Special Projects & Grants Manager, Elizabeth Keeley, provided an update on the current status of AARPA funds in the FY24 spending process. 4 Regarding the potential lease of the 9900 building, the Village Council reviewed the Charter's provisions on leases and renewal options, noting that there are no size specifications for properties when considering renewals of 10 years or less. Village Manager Scott reminded the Council to factor in the cost of the building's pending 40-year certification. Village Manager Scott also raised the issue of the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), requesting the Council to set a percentage rate. Mayor Burch suggested using preliminary findings from the compensation study to support a salary increase for Village staff in FY25. Village Manager Scott clarified that compensation and classification studies are separate from COLA and emphasized the need for consensus on COLA and other related matters. Councilmember Harris proposed a 2.6% COLA increase for the executive team and 3.5% COLA increase for general employees. Chief Financial Officer Hugdahl suggested that the budget could be approved at this meeting with modifications to the allocation of contingency funds earmarked for specific areas of the budget. Village Attorney Wood clarified that it would be preferable to make changes to the budget at this meeting to provide the most notice to the public; however, voting at the next budget meeting would still suffice. Councilmember Charles moved to approve the Human Resources’ recommendation regarding health, life, and accidental insurance for general employees. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Cantor, carrying 5-0 voice vote. Village Clerk Rodriguez asked Councilmember Harris to clarify “executive team” regarding her suggestion for a 2.6% COLA increase to which Councilmember Harris stated that it is within Village Manager’s discretion to make that determination. Councilmember Harris moved to approve 2.6% COLA increase for the executive management team and 3.5% COLA increase for general employees and Mayor Burch seconded the motion. Councilmember Charles presented a friendly amendment to the motion, requesting a 3.5% COLA increase for all Village staff. Councilmember Harris did not accept the friendly amendment. Mayor Burch called the question on the main motion, which failed with a 2-3 voice vote. Vice Mayor Valinsky, Councilmember Cantor, and Councilmember Charles voted in opposition. Councilmember Charles move to approve a 3.5% COLA increase for all Village staff. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Valinsky which carried a 5-0 voice vote. Councilmember Charles posed a question regarding the Historic Preservation Board’s funding before the vote. Deputy Village Manager Kathleen Gunn discussed the funding request of $10,000 for the Historic Preservation Board and the importance of consistency relative to funding requests from all boards and committees. Ms. Gunn noted the budget committee has recommended allocating $7,500, and the final decision now rests with the Council for approval. Vice Mayor Valinsky moved to approve the resolution as amended and Councilmember Charles seconded the motion which carried a 5-0 roll call vote. Councilmember Harris – AYE 5 Councilmember Cantor – AYE Councilmember Charles – AYE Vice Mayor Valinsky – AYE Mayor Burch – AYE 6) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Village Council, the meeting adjourned at 8:22 PM.