07-14-2015 Budget Workshop MeetingMIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
FISCAL YEAR 2015-2016 COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING
The Miami Shores Village Council met on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 to conduct their Fiscal Year
2015-2016 Budget Workshop at the Community Center. The meeting was called to order at
6:00 PM with the following members present:
PRESENT:
ALSO PRESENT:
Alice Burch
Steven Zelkowitz (arrived at 6:30 PM due a scheduling conflict)
Herta Holly
Ivonne Ledesma
Jesse Walters
Tom Benton, Village Manager
Barbara Estep, Village Clerk
Holly Hugdahl, Finance Director
Elizabeth Keeley, Administrative Services Coordinator
Sarah Simpson, Accountant
Mayor Burch called the meeting to order and introduced Mr. Benton, who provided information
and highlights from his Budget Message contained in the budget document. Mr. Benton
provided information regarding the general fund budget, and that the proposed budget is
balanced using the 8.0 mill tax levy.
Mr. Benton reviewed the Village's revenue projections, including increased revenue projections
received from the State and lower than anticipated employee health insurance cost increases.
These factors account for an additional $150,000 in revenues which had not previously been
reported. Mr. Benton responded to Council questions regarding the projected revenues.
Councilwoman Ledesma voiced a number of concerns regarding the appearance and formatting
of the budget document. Mr. Benton and Ms. Hugdahl advised that the new financial software
program formats the pages as printed, however some modifications will be possible for the
future.
Councilwoman Ledesma asked about the new positions proposed and incorporated into the
budget. She indicated that she would like to see a Human Resources person be hired before
any other position funding is considered. Discussion amongst the Council and members of the
Staff centered around the functions and responsibilities of human resources and who in the
Village manages those functions. At the conclusion of the discussion, Councilman Walters
suggested that he would agenda the issue for the fall for further discussion and possible
inclusion in the following year's budget.
The Village Council reviewed the individual Departmental Budgets. The following Departments
were discussed with the Department Heads providing information relevant to their respective
budgets and responding to questions posed by Council. Departments were discussed in the
following order:
Planning & Zoning Department
Building Department
Code Enforcement Department
Brockway Library
Recreation Department
Public Works Department
Mayor & Council
Village Attorney
Village Clerk
Village Manager
•
Police Department Finance Department
Non -Departmental
During review of the Recreation Department budget suggestions were made regarding the
possibility of increasing revenue at the Aquatics Center. Councilwoman Ledesma pointed out
that the Aquatic Center loses approximately $350,000 annually. A number of possibilities were
mentioned and the Council will agenda and review options in the fall. In addition, the $1,000
Fine Arts Commission request was discussed. The Police Department budget was discussed and
specifically, a request was made to have the Department uniforms bid out through an RFP
solicitation. In addition, discussion regarding the reasons promoting from within is not
appropriate for the command staff position to be hired for the new budget year. Chief Lystad
indicated that both the currently employed Lieutenants are officially retired from the
Department. During the Public Works Department review, Councilman Walters' request for
$20,000 in holiday light decorations was discussed. Mr. Benton indicated that he would like to
allocate an additional $10,000 for necessary electrical upgrades to accommodate the holiday
light displays. Council Members discussed the proposed Assistant Public Works Director position
and the proposed timing for the new hire.
Following the departmental budget discussions, Councilwoman Ledesma asked about the
Charter School Lease and rent payments. Mr. Benton provided information as to the rent
payment paid to the Village. Councilwoman Ledesma stated that she would like to stop the rent
requirement and refund the monies. Mr. Benton outlined the direct expenses paid by the
Village amounting to approximately $70,000. Vice Mayor Zelkowitz indicated that the lease is a
legal document which if the Council directs, may be renegotiated. The Council indicated that
they would like to discuss further in the Fall and possibly have a joint meeting with the Charter
• School Board.
Council discussed and agreed upon using a portion of the $150,000 additional revenues on the
following items:
- Holiday decorations/lights and associated electrical work - $ 30,000
- Downtown Design Standard program - $ 50,000
- Fine Arts Commission funding increase - $ 1,000
- Overtime funding for tree -trimming crew to - $ 29,000
Eradicate non-native nuisance trees
At the conclusion of the presentations and discussions, the Council reached a consensus to
accept the proposed operating ad valorem tax levy of 8.0 mills and 0.5289 mills for the debt
service tax levy, which will be confirmed with the adoption of a Resolution at the July 21, 2015
Regular Council Meeting. The Council requested that the Administration evaluate the feasibility
of lowering the millage rate to 7.9.
The July 14, 2015 Budget Workshop on the proposed Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Budgets was
adjourned at 9:30 PM.
Alice Burch, Mayor
Barbara A. Estep, MMC
Village Clerk
Amended as of July 21, 2015 Council Meeting