Loading...
07-05-1994 Budget Workshop MeetingMiami Shores Village Budget Workshop Meeting July 5, 1994 The Budget Workshop of the Miami Shores Village Council was held on July 5, 1994 at the Village Hall commencing at 6:12 p.m. with the following members present: Present: Also Present: Mayor Heffernan Michael Boyle Robert Cook Richard Fernandez Steven Johnson Michael R. Couzzo, Jr. Scott W. Davis Patricia Varney Mr. Fernandez spoke about taxes and the Increase In valuation of the property In Miami Shores. He stated that the proposed budget Is an increased tax budget. Mayor Heffernan explained what the the roll back rate was. He stated that there will be an increase In the amount paid for property taxes If the Council approves the proposed budget. Mr. Boyle spoke about property taxes vs the millage rate. Mr. Fernandez stated that If property values go up the millage rate should be reduced. Mayor Heffernan stated that In other municipalities property values are increasing and• the millage rate is also increasing. He also stated that in Miami Shores property values are Increasing and the millage rate Is proposed to remain the same with an increased level of service. LIBRARY: Ms. Esper'stated that she Is requesting a part time clerk to Input Information Into the computer. Mr. Couzzo asked if at the end of the budget process If funds are available he would like to proceed with the Department's request for carpet at a cost of $13,769. BUILDING AND ZONING Mr. Lubien spoke about changes In personnel and the Community Affairs Specialist position. Mr. Fernandez spoke about the Community Affairs Specialist and the proposed salary of approximately $40,000. He asked If staff Is talking about creating another department. Mayor Heffernan replied yes but that the Department would not be split right away. He stated that the new posltlon Is a new Idea and that the learning curve needs to take place first. Mr. Fernandez stated that he was concerned with $45,000 as the salary for the position. He stated that It was equal to 2 Code Enforcement Officers. Mr. Couzzo stated that a survey of other municipalities show that this salary is In line with what they are paying and inaddition the person selected for the position will be on the senior staff. Mr. Johnson stated that the Village Manager Is not planning to develop a new department at this time but It may be necessary In the future. Mr. Couzzo stated that some Department Heads In the Village don't meet the minimum salary of similar Department Heads In other municipalities In Dade and Broward as shown on a salary survey conducted by the Personnel Department. Mr. Fernandez stated that If 60% of the time of the position Is Code Enforcement then 40% should be allocated to another department. Mr. Johnson stated that the Village Manager can negotiate an appropriate salary commensurate with ability. Mr. Johnson stated that in the B&Z budget, vehicle maintenance will be funded under the motor pool budget. Regarding the Historic Preservation Board. Mr. Johnson stated that he would Tike to see the Council match dollar for dollar any revenue the Board raises. Mayor Heffernan stated that he would like to see a protect by protect request for funds rather than a blanket allocation. Mr. Couzzo stated that the Boards request was not approved and the funds are not In the budget. Mr. Fernandez asked where will funds come from ,for an annexation study. Mr. Couzzo responded that funds have not been set aside for a specific study. Mayor Heffernan stated that a study could cost up to $10,000. VILLAGE CLERK/PERSONNEL Mr. Cook arrived to the meeting at this time. Mr. Couzzo stated that this Is the first year that the Department Is funded separate from the Village Manager's budget In order to better reflect the expenses for greater accountabillty. Mr. Couzzo also stated that related Items in other budgets will now be administered In the Personnel Directors budget. MAYOR AND COUNCIL Mr. Fernandez spoke about how the travel remuneration would be processed. He stated that It would be $200 per month for the Mayor and $100 per month for each Council member. He stated that the Village would then Issue a 1099 form at the end of each year. Mr. Johnson stated that he was not In favor of this method. Mr. Fernandez also stated that he was against the proposal. He stated that it was way too much money. Mr. Johnson stated that it should be Included In the budget as a line Item but not in the form as it is proposed. Mayor Heffernan stated that he was not In favor of the proposed distribution method. Mr. Cook stated that he was not In favor of the proposed distribution also. He stated that there Is no budget now for Mayor and Council travel and that the proposed amount Is acceptable. Mr. Johnson stated that it should be an accountable plan that would reimburse expense or have an advance to be Justified after the event. Mayor Heffernan suggested $150 Instead of $200 per month for the Mayor's travel budget. Mr. Boyle stated that it should be a budgeted item and that he was not In favor of the proposed distribution method. Mayor Heffernan called for a recess at 7:41 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 9:20 p.m. The consensus of Council with Mr. Fernandez In opposition that the Mayor and Council travel budget should be as follows: $150 per month for the Mayor $100 per month per Council member The funds will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis or In advanced if Justified following the event. LEGAL COUNCIL Discussion ensued regarding the EPA Superfund reimbursement for legal fees. Mr. Cook reviewed the EPA situation and stated that the fees would not be reimbursed. Mr. Fernandez inquired about the reduction In the amount budgeted for labor attorney fees. Mr. Couzzo replied that some of the work would be done in house. NON -DEPARTMENTAL Mayor Heffernan asked Ms. Varney about the Insurance line Item. Ms. Varney explained about self funding. Mr. Johnson described the self Insurance for the Village and the excess Insurance premiums. Mr. Fernandez spoke In favor of revamping the Village Hall phone system. Mr. Cook proposed to donate $5,000 to the N. Miami Foundation and $1,000 for each school in the Dade Partners program that the Village Is Involved In and take the funds from the Mayor and Council budget. Ms. Ginny Solberg, from the N. Miami Foundation, spoke about the Foundation and described the work that they perform. Mr. Couzzo described how the Foundation helps Miami Shores residents. Mr. Fernandez suggested going with the Village Manager's recommendation In the budget of $3,610. Mr. Boyle suggested raising the funding to $5,000. Mr. Johnson stated that he supports increasing the funding to $5,000; however, the schools In the Dade Partners program are funded from other sources In the Village. Mayor Heffernan stated that he does not support increasing funding for Dade Partners. Mr. Johnson spoke about the Theater matching grant line Item of $8,000. FINANCE Ms. Varney explained the Increase in the line item for accountants fees. The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m. By: Scott W. Davis Village Clerk WI l I lam J. Jeff Mayor