Minutes 09-13-06
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
ON THE FIRE ASSESSMENT HELD ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 AT 6:30 P.M.
IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
Present
Jerry Taylor, Mayor
Carl McKoy, Vice Mayor
Bob Ensler, Commissioner
Mack McCray, Commissioner
Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant City Manager
James Cherof, City Attorney
Janet Prainito, City Clerk
Absent
Mike Ferguson, Commissioner
I. Call to Order - Mayor Jerry Taylor
Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and announced Commissioner Ferguson
was attending another meeting and would not be present.
II. Public Hearing on Fire Assessment
Attorney Tolces read Proposed Resolution No. R06-154 by title only.
Mayor Taylor explained the fire assessment had been levied several years ago and was
scheduled to sunset in 2008. The law requires the assessment be re-confirmed annually.
Mayor Taylor opened the issue for public hearing.
Commissioner McCray noted the marquee outside City Hall did not reflect the fire assessment
meeting. The Mayor indicated proper notice had been posted and properly advertised. Mr.
Hawkins explained the marquee is usually maintained by Recreation and Parks for public type
events and City meetings. He assured the notice of the fire assessment meeting would be
displayed in future years.
No one having come forward, Mayor Taylor closed the public hearing.
Commissioner McCray inquired how much money had been transferred to cover salaries for
firemen and also inquired when construction of the new fire station would be commenced.
William Bingham, Fire Chief, replied Station #5's projected start date is January 2007 with an
end date of June/July 2008.
Commissioner McCray asked if the fire assessment was not passed would plans for Fire Station
#5 be abandoned. Mr. Hawkins contended the availability of funding would perhaps address
the issue.
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Special City Commission Meeting
Fire Rescue Assessment
Boynton Beach, Florida
September 13, 2006
William Mummert, Director of Financial Services, responded the entire expense of the facilities
at High Ridge Road and Gateway had been included in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
budget; however, the Commission had directed those expenses be transferred back into the
Fire Assessment Fund. Also, $1.7M had been transferred from the General Fund to the Fire
Assessment Fund to cover salaries and operating costs for the 06/07 fiscal year. In addition,
$2.3M would be transferred from the CIP to help fund the construction of the new facilities.
Combining the funds allocated from the 06/07 budget and the 07/08 projection, there would be
$6.8M transferred into the Fire Assessment Fund. Mr. Mummert predicted the two fiscal years
would include $5.6M in revenues that would not be available if the fire assessment were not
passed. Funding for operating costs would be available. The construction costs would not be
available.
Commissioner McCray expressed concern the Fire Department was overstaffed and without
facilities for the present staff. Mr. Mummert stressed the money to be borrowed would only be
for the construction cost. The General Fund had already absorbed the operating costs for the
additional firefighters and operating costs. Commissioner McCray reiterated his concern that
the Fire Department was currently overstaffed.
Commissioner Ensler asked the percentage for overtime that had been included in the
calculations. Mr. Mummert replied the value of $50,000 was established based on past data
and trends. Salaries were valued at $1,138,000. The overtime would equate to 4% to 5% of
total salaries.
Commissioner Ensler contended there was a potential problem with too much overtime being
paid out. Chief Bingham explained the Fire Department operated with minimum staffing and
acknowledged overtime would be required for unscheduled absences. He added staff levels
were adequate for five fire stations and personnel plus fire equipment would be available in all
five sectors of the City to respond to calls. Chief Bingham reported overtime had significantly
dropped with the addition of new staff to absorb scheduled and unscheduled time off.
Commissioner Ensler asked for an explanation of previous significant overages for overtime.
Chief Bingham responded such things as family illnesses, injuries, new births and unscheduled
absences accounted for most of the overtime. Commissioner Ensler contended it appeared an
overtime problem did exist within the Fire Department and asked that it be monitored closely to
maintain the budget.
Vice Mayor McKoy inquired if the completion of Fire Station #5 would have any impact on the
overtime. Chief Bingham responded there would not be a negative impact because staff levels
would remain the same as currently exists.
Commissioner McCray stressed there is an obligation to provide service to the entire City even if
additional fire stations are not built. Chief Bingham assured the entire City would be provided
the same service.
Mayor Taylor commented the Commission's responsibility was to approve budgets and set
policy for the various departments and not manage the departments. Commissioner McCray
emphasized the Commission had a fiduciary responsibility to the citizens of Boynton Beach to
monitor the budget.
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Special City Commission Meeting
Fire Rescue Assessment
Boynton Beach, Florida
September 13, 2006
Attorney Tolces explained only one reading of the Resolution would be necessary and three
votes would be needed to pass.
III. Adoption of Proposed Resolution No. R06-154 Re: Relating to
the provision of Fire Rescue Services, facilities and programs in the City of
Boynton Beach, Florida; amending the preliminary rate resolution; re-
imposing fire rescue assessments against assessed property located within
the City of Boynton Beach for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2006;
approving the rate of assessment; approving the assessment roll; and
providing an effective date.
Motion
Commissioner Ensler moved to approve Proposed Resolution No. R06-154. Vice Mayor McKoy
seconded the motion.
Vote
City Clerk Prainito called the roll. The motion passed 3-1. (Commissioner McCray dissenting)
IV. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Mayor Taylor properly
adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH
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