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Minutes 10-03-81PUBLIC HEARING ON CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH 1981-1982 BUDGET HELD AT CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1981 PRESENT Edward F. Harmening, Mayor Walter "Marty" Trauger, Vice Mayor Joe deLong, Councilman Patricia Woolley, Councilmember Samuel Lamas Wright, Councilman Peter L. Cheney, City Manager Tereesa Pgdgett, City Clerk James Vance, City Attorney Mayor Harmening called the meeting to order at 9:30 A. M. He informed the public that there were forms on .the back table that could be filled out if any of them had any questions, and then brought to the City Clerk. Mayor Harmening said the City council had been working on the budget for some time. The City staff and the City Manager had been working on it for about six months. The original budget was 7.4 mills. It was revised once down to 6.985, and that was the adver- tised millage that the City cannot exceed.~ Since that time, due to the citizens' opposition or protest, the Council and City Manager have gone through the City budget} and the last millage figure they came up with was 6.583, which produces a property tax for the City of $4,211,150.00. City Manager Cheney explained that the City Council has reduced the amount of taxes to be received from over $500,000.00~ ~ Mayor Harmening added that 28 new positions were originally proposed, and that was cut to 14-1/2, The 1,/2 is part-time employment, Mr. Robert Deker, 2207 S. W. 20th Terrace, Boynton Beach was the first citizen to protest. He asked what the budget was last year. City Manager Cheney advised him it was $9,052,4.09. Mayor Harmening advised him it is $10,~608,158,00 this year. Mayor Harmening explained that the $4,211,150.00 mentioned before was the amount of money the City takes in from property taxes. The rest of the funds come from other sources. City Manager Cheney informed Mr. Deker that $3,266,000.00 came from City taxes last year. City Manager Cheney further answered Mr. Deker's questions by informing him that there was a 29% increase, of which about 1/3 of that is from new construction on the'books that would produce an income of $335,~00,00, which is 1/3 of the additional tax income the City will get. Mr, Deker thought the budget should be held to what it was last year plus the proportionate amount for new construction in the amount of $335,000.00, and then add 10% for inflation. Mayor Harmening said that was about what the City had done. MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 19~81-1982 Budget OCTOBER 3, 1981 Mayor Harmening told the public that one reason some of their. tax bills went up was not because of the millage increase, He said the assessment-rates had been very, very low, and the County Property Appraiser's office hit certain groups of houses where they reappraised the Property considerably. Mayor Harmening advised Mr. Deker that the 6.583 millage figure was 10.24% over the roll back millage, which is the m±llage that would produce the same amount of rewenue as last year, not including new construction. Mr. Deker thought the budget should be kePt down to $3,900,000,00, which would keep it in line, Mr. Deker said the form he r.eceived showed no budget changes were made but his taxes went up 21%. Mayor Harmening added that the tax bills represent four separate taxing bodies, of which the City of B0Ynton Beach is only one. The City of Boynton Beach has no control of the school taxes, taxes from the Board of'COunty Commissioners of Palm Beach County, the Water Management District, or Bethesda Hospital, Councilman deLong asked what percentage of increase over the roll- back would Mr. Deker's suggestion be. Grady Swann said it would be exactly the rollback rate. Mr. Deker suggested 10%, and the City is at 10.24%, Mr. Deker still could not understand why his taxes went up 21% if there were no budget changes as shown on the form. City Manager Cheney said the new assessment should produce the same amount of dollars. Citywide it does. He explained that people who have only lived in the City a short time did not receive as much homestead exemPtion. Mr. Cheney informed the public that Citywide the dollars that the City received last year is taken and divided ~by the new total assessment after they deduct new construction and come out with the millage rate. The millage rate applies to all who own property. There are two g~oups of people in Florida. Some get big home- stead exemptions and some get small homestead exemptions. Every- one who has been here since the 1st of last year gets $5,000.00. Some get $20,000~00 and others get $25,000.00. When you apply the rollback rate to the people whose assessment has gone down because of the homestead, their tax bill is lower, but Mr. Deker's bill would be higher because you get the same total dollar that was reallocated between two groups of people. Some people are pay- ing less of their share than last year and others are paying more. Mr. Cheney explained it was the result of the law the people voted on last year to increase the homestead exemption. That was why Mr. Deker's tax bill was-21% above last year's bill~.' Mr. Cheney believed some people had tax bills which were lower than what they paid last year. There were outbursts of disbelief from the audience, but one man had the courage to admit it. - 2 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981-1982 BUDGET OCTOBER 3, 19.81 Mr. Cheney continued that you must be ~a resident of Florida for over five years and-Own ~_~Qme to receive $25,000.00 homestead exemption. Residents from Colonial'Club shouted that their taxes were doubled this year. Mr. Deker felt the rollbacks should be on the $3,900,000.00 figure~ Otherwise, he felt the taxes were an increase and a roll forward. Mr, Arthur E. Johnson, 1210 S. W. 20th Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida, said he was living on .a fixed income and asked the Council to "tighten your belts", Mr, Melvin Earl, Seagate of Gulfstream, Boynton Beach, Florida wondered why an increase in taxes was warranted and mentioned the millage, Mayor Harmening explained that the ~actual increase is a decrease from the proposed budget. The proposed budget, based on the tax millage was $4,700,000. It is now .at $4,200,000, which is a reduction of $500,000, Mr. Steve Fecso, 2845 $. W. 5th Street, 'Boynton Beach said he worked for 38 years to accumulate enough to buy a home. He came here ten years ago, He asked if the budget could be managed with that amount last year, why couldn't it be managed again. Mayor Harmening replied that the prices of everything increased, and the City was no different. Everything the City buys and does costs more money, including the people who work for the City, This year some services were reduced, but the Police and Fire Department services were increased considerably, Mr. Fecso told Mayor Harmening he did not think the people would be at the meeting..if the City increased their budget 5% or 10% but are when taxes are increased .60% or 100%. His taxes were $400.00 last year and $700.00 this year. Councilman deLong asked if the public was agreeable to the City increasing the budget 10%. He asked them to ~emember the costs of materials, supplies and yearly increments fo~ employees, Council- man deLong said the public should consider that the City is at a disadvantage as they have no ocean front property, which is where the big ad valorem taxes come from. Councilman deLong informed the public that the Council was trying to accomodate the people by reducing the millage, but the County assessed valuation is done by the County. Someone in the audience asked Councilman deLong what happened to taxes collected from Florida Power and Light COmpany, gasoline taxes, and new construction, Mayor Harmening answered that it goes into the budget, and the people pay those taxes anyway. Martha W. Lambe, 132 S. E. 25th Avenue, Boynton Beach 33435 stated her tax bill claims she has 100 feet width on her property, She just discovered she only has 75 feet. Mayor Harmening referred her - 3 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981-1982 BUDGET OCTOBER 3, 1981 to Becky Walker, Property Appraiser, Palm Beach County, Mrs. Alice Fellhauer, 1919 $. W...16th Avenue, Boynton Beach~ Florida asked why some ~people paid less taxes when Lake Worth. has so much to offer. Mayor Harmening ~eiterat'ed that the. Property Appraiser's office sets the value on the homes. Mr. Steve Fecso came forward again to say when people improve their homes, they increase the valuation, but people who let their homes run down do not have increased taxes. Mayor Harmening commented that many of the properties'in the North end of town are paying very low taxes because they do not have the value and the Property Appraiser's office has intended to keep the value low. Mr. Nick Cassandra, 2554 S. W. 10th Court, Boynton Beach, Florida, proposed cuts so that the City's decrease would be to approximately 5.95 mills, Mr, Cassandra said he worked hard on his figures and knew Mr. Cheney and his staff had worked hard but he did not see many cost saving proposals from ~his department. Mr. Cassandra said $138,000.00 was asked to support personnel, and he used the City's numbers. There was an increase of approximately $136,604.00 for the Fire and Police. Mr. Cassandra said the City has to have the services that involve safety and hazards so he did not cut those figures, He cut some support services. Mr, Cassandra informed the audience that Mr, Cheney added $222,405.00 for new vehicles, of which $70,000.00 goes to the Fire Department for vehicle reserve and the rest goes to the Police Department. Mr. Cassandra said the City definitely needs some vehicles but he did not agree that 17 vehicles were heeded and he did not think any more motorcycles were needed, as he understood there were some motorcycles collecting cobwebs. Therefore, he did not think an increase of two more motorcycles was needed. Mr. Cassandra continued that Mr. Cheney was asking for approximately nine pursuit cars plus five patrol cars. Mr. Cassandra recommended an increase.~of five police cars. Mr. Cassandra said there'was a numerical ~standard'~ called compensa- tion adjustment, which is the "Catch 22" for raises every year and any necessary monies that have come up. He believed cuts should be made there Mr. Cassan realtors w Although t monies the · $50,000.00 revitalization of downtown is proposed. ~ra believed since that was'a private sector and two ho own property there, they should donate some money. he library is a pleasurable service, he has cut some re. "God bless the golf course", Mr. Cassandra remarked. believed $100~000,00 was spent on the golf course. Mr, Cassandra - 4 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 198L-1982 BUDGET OCTOBER 3, 1981 Mr. Cassandra advised that Mr. Cheney cut down another $81,000,00 which was overtime for the Police and Fire Departments and insur~ance compensation, which he thought should be recommended, Mr. Cassandra told the public they should not be misled, as the overtime was being taken up bY an increase in personnel. Mr~ Cassandra said Mr. Cheney felt the people would vote for the beach and there-would be money allocated. Today, with tax cries going up, Mr, Cassandra said he would take. two steps back, Mr. Cassandra recommended an.$80,0.00.00 cut in personnel, which gives you approximately all of the money for the Fire and Police plus $58,859.00 more than recommended by the City Council members, Mr. Cassandra recommended five police cars be bought, which would be a cut'of $167,000,00. He believed that Mr. Swann mentioned-he received $20,000.00 from Federal Revenue. Compensation Adjustment - The 1~.79~80 compensation budget was $285,000.00, of which, according to'Mr, Cheney's records, no money was spent, which meant he saved that much, In 1980-81, there was an increase of $500,000,00, of which he spent~$180,456.00 or 22% of that. City Manager Ckeney informed Mr. Cassandra that was not correct, Mr. Cassandra told Mr. Cheney that Mr. Cheney's numbers were wrong. Mr, Cheney retorted that Mr, Cassandra's interpreta- tion of the numbers was wrong. In the 1981-82 budget, Mr. cassandra continued, Mr. Cheney is requesting $700,000.00. Mr. Cassandra felt it Could be cut down. Mr. Cassandra noted that the City does have cost of living and there are raises that have to be included, but he felt there could be some savings in that area. The library books are $50,000.00. $30,000.00. Mr. Cassandra suggested Mr. 'Cassandra said his recommended ~eductions totaled $698,000.00. To arrive at his budget, Mr. Cassandra took a 10.873 budget and subtracted $700,000.00, which gave him 10.173. He'disagreed with Vice Mayor Trauger that this was gravy and should be used in the budget. Since it was taxpayers' money, Mr, Cassandr. a'.said it should be used to reduce the taxes, There was a lot of applause. Mr. Cassandra then subtracted the $405,000.00 from~the 10.173 budget and came up with 9,768 and some hundredths of dollars. The other revenue, according to the sheets he had,such as FP&L, came out to $5,968,000,000. Subtracting that means the ad valorem tax would be $3,800,000.00. Mr. Cassandra came out with a millage rate of 5.95 excluding publicity funds and debt fund. This is a mill decrease from the proposed millage of the citY, This would still give the City an ad valorem tax of $3,800,000, which is still greater than last year of approximately 10 % or 15%. - 5 - MINUTES - PUBLIC H.EHRING, 1R81~1982 BUDGET OCTQBER 3, 1981 Mr. Cassandra did not touch construction or play with that number' at all. He used what was paid for ~ast year'~s taxes and this year's. taxes. Mr. Cassandra heard that the golf course had 700 member.s and they only have to pay $t.00 to join the club, $1,00 is not much money~ Since the people are avid golf members, Mr. Cassandra asked why they should not be charged a first year fee of $500~00. 700 x 500 would give the City $350,00..00 for further development of the golf course. There was a 10t of applause, Councilman deLong pointed out that the golf course had nothing to do with the general funding. It will support itself and is not in the budget, Mr.. Cassandra said the City had spent $100,000.00 on it. Mr. deLong explained'that was borrowed money. Mr. Cassandra realized it was money paid back but said the budget being so tight, maybe no money should come out of that. The bond issue is very tight and Mro Cassandra did not think the bond could be floated until maybe January of.next year if things do not get'better. That money should go for the lights the City wants on U, S, 1,~n~t to-the golf course. Let the golf players pay their own way, Mr, Cassandra adviSed. Mr. deLong wished t-o enter a fewstatements into the public record, Since 19.73, past City administrations have adopted .budgets With each fiscal year with. low or reasonable millage rates, some public improvements have occurred without' any ~increase in the millage or putting local tax payers on a long term bid for a. bond issue. The improvements were a new public library, a fire station at S. W. 23rd and Congress Hvenue~ a new dog pound, increased the size of ' Wilson Center three~old, new public works complex, a new recreation building on N. E. 22nd. Avenue, the City Hall and Council Chambers were repaired, funds were set aside for a new roof at City Hall, extensive recreational facilities were provided beginning with the Little League Park, additional tennis courts, boat launching ramps, and Pioneer Park in the~Lauret~HiTls~sectiOn. New air- conditioning plants were installed in both City Hall and Wilson Center, new roofs were inStalled at Wilson Center and the Senior Citizens' building, improvements were made at the'Senior Citizens' building, construction at Police headquarters, all streets in the enti~e City were resealed, improvements in the water and sewer system were paid for out of sewer and water revenue, extension of the old treatment plant, a new office building with workshop and space and storage space on Woolbright Road. The City donated the land for the South County Technical School. Traffic lights were installed. Councilman deLong read a memo he seRt to the Council dated Ssptember 25, which said the Council must rely on the people the City pays - 6 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981-19.82 BUDGET OCTOBER 3, 1981 good salaries to to give the Council information and advice as to whiCh direction they should go in. Councilman deLong said regard- less 'of the vote of the County or local taxpayers, the City has been forewarned to pay heed to the people's wishes, 'and the people have no intention of being denied. The Council must consider that many of the CitY's people are attempting to exist on fixed incomes, Therefore, Councilman deLong said he had the utmost compassion for them, and they had his staUnch support. The taxpayers are shouting loud and clear for austerity, and the City must respond to them, Councilman deLong strongly recommended that. the request for 28 new full-time positions be reconsidered in view of the fact that the protection o~f life and property depend upon the Police and Fire Departments. Councilman'deLong suggested that'the City employ the appropriate number of paramedics and the additional personnel requested by the Police Depar ~.tment. Councilman deLong further informed the audience that the City employees will receive a 10% across the board cost of living increase, and they Should be-required to extend themselves during the present try- ing times. · Mr. Cassandra felt Councilman 'deLong showeda lack~ of courtesy to butt in before he finished his presentation. Councilman deLong said he acted in accordance with Roberts' Rules of Order, Mr. Cassandra thought everyone was aware there was a tax revolt, He did not want the City to fall into a problem where the people revolt. He asked the Council to give deep consideration to his requested tax cuts. There 'was loud applause. Mrs. James Kovacs, 2209 N. E, 2nd Street, Boynton Beach, said her tax bill was $90,96 last year and is $206.48 'this year, She wished an explanation, City'Manager Cheney said her property was appraised at $22,000.00 last year and $32,000.00 this year, Mrs, Kovacs wondered why her taxes should go up when the Northend is so deteriorated. Mayor Harmening said her neighborhood was a lot better than some, and he suspected her house was worth a lot more than $32,000.00, City Manager Cheney further explained that she did not pay school taxes last year but was paying them this year, Mrs. Kovacs could not understand why she had to pay them this year. Mayor Harmening explained that the City does not set the appraised value of a home so any questions regarding the appraised value should be directed to the County Property Appraiser's office. The City applies the millage to the appraised value. Mr. Harold G, Werger, 719 N, W. 7th Court, Boynton Beach informed Mayor Harmening that the people on social security got a raise of about $40.00 a month for both man and wife, or $360,00, The budget gives the City employees 10%. That will be a $1,100 or $1,200 raise City emPloyees will get. Everything goes up, everyone wants an increase, but the taxpayer does not get an increase from.anyone. He felt the City should do with less. Mr. Werger said if the City could not - 7 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981-1982 BUDGET OCTOBER 3, 1981 afford all of the services, they should do without. Mr. Werger told the council if they want a taxpayer's revolt, the people will give it to them. Nobody will pay their taxes and then the City will not have any money. The people want a rollback and do not want to pay any more taxes than they p~ to hold the line and make t will be happy for this yea~ Councilman Wright asked Mr, cut back. Mr. Werger told experts, handle people, and department heads should wo~ people for their salaries. Mayor Harmening asked the ~ services cut. Mr. Werger · concentrate on the robberie~ alone. People from the audience s~ said they did not need park and Fire Departments, Mr. Harold F. Jaeger, 2006 informed the Council that ~ better known· as Seagate, ~ Boynton Beach, His taxes they went up again. There mately 650 people, Most of gate is also raising its ss to sell. The County Assess Mr. Jaeger said it appears they do is set the assessm~ The Council says they set t ments. The hot potato just Assessor's Office and the C Mr. Jaeger asked the Counci id last year. Mr. Werger told the Council he taxes the same as last year, and they · There was loud applause. Werger to address the areas he would like Councilman Wright the Council was the know what to do, He said the City k more efficiently and get more from their udience where they would like to see the eplied the~Pol~ice~Department should ~- and break-ins and leave the motorists Duted to cut Parks and Recreation, They s. They did not want cuts in the Police South Federal Highway. Mr, Jaeger e lived at the Gulfstream condominium, r..Jaeg, er retired last year to move to ncreased last year by 95% and this year, are 360 units at Seagate with approxi- the people are on fixed incomes~ Sea- Sessment, so some people will be forced or's office promised little relief. to. be a hot potato~ The County says all nts but do not determine the taxes. he millage but do not determine the assess- goes back· and' forth between the Tax ity Council. 1 to consider rolling back the taxes this year, He felt a review of the budget with a good sharp knife would produce some savings. Mayor Harmening said it had been twice, and Mr, Jaeger thought it should be done again, Mr. Jaeger was loudly applauded, Mr, Jaeger was not privileged to release how much his monthly maintenance had go~e up to Mayor Harmening, Mr. John Esposito~ 118 So E. 25th Avenue said~his neighborhood was promised a light on S. E, 25th Avenue four months ago, and he wanted to know where it was. He shouted that City Manager Cheney promised it, and the rest of the streets have three lights. He is living in the dark. Mayor Harmening told Mr· Esposito he wants taxes reduced then wants a street light, which costs money, and it has to come from somewhere, City Manager Cheney advised that the request for a light was pending because Florida Power and Light Company is in the process of changing the street lights from mercury vapor to sodium vapor. -- 8 -- MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1R81-1982 BUDGET OCTOBER 3, 1981 Mr. James Laughlin, 17 Colonial Club Drive, Apt. 104, Boynton Beach wrote, "Why do We pay for more police to catch more criminals and then pay more judges to let them go?" . Mayor Harmening wished he could answer the question. Mr. A. J. De Luca, 2121 S, W, 15th Avenue, Venetian Terrace Condo- - minium, Boynton Beach informed the Council there were 152 families in their condominium. Most of the people are retired, They received an 11% raise, but the cost of living went up 18%, so they are'back 7%. The City wants to raise, the taxes 18% or 20%, Last year it was 34%. This year it is about 22%. The condominium has ±ts own lights, which saves the City money. Mr. De Luca wondered why a man would pay $734 taxes for'a downstairs apartment and the man living upstairs pays the same amount of money. They are not homes, just two bedroom apartments. Mayor Harmening explained that both condominiums were appraised at the same value, and both owners -have the same homestead exemption, but he agreed with Mr, De Luca that his' taxes did seem high. The only exemption Mr. De Luca had was $5,500.00 as a disabled veteran, He has to wait two more-years to be entitled to a $25,000.00 exemption. Mr. R. E. Bender , 1617 S. W. 17th Terrace, Boynton Beach, wrote, "Millage should be adjusted to collect same amount dollars as last year." Mayor Harmening s-aid the coHncil may make some adjustments. Cosmo Scialpi, 301 S, E, 34th Avenue, Boynton Beach, wrote he was against any millage rate over the year 1980. He said his taxes had increased 50%. Mayor Harmening read an unsigned form, as follows: "Why does this City persist in operation of the Peter Principle of rewarding and perpetuating incompetence. Why not an elected mayor? What dis- position ±s made of city taxes paid through So. Bell and FPL bills?" Mayor Harmening thought he was elected. He advised the Southern Bell and Florida Power and Light taxes went into the budget; The total proposed budget for this year was $10,608,158.00. Property taxes comprise approximately 4/10thsand the balance comes from other taxes, fees, and user fees, Mayor Harmening informed the public that the Building Department is self-sufficient in normal times. In fact, it generates profits sometimes to offset the'taxes, particularly when there is a lot of construction going on, Library fines is another form of revenue. The franchise fees from Florida Power and Light Company and Southern Bell and the fee for bottled gas go toward the ~taxes. The Recr~eation Department also charges for some types of recreation which help to make taxes go dOwn. Gladys M. Farace, 23 Colonial Club Drive, Boynton Beach wanted to know why her taxes doubled and why Co'lonial Club was taxed so high when they are multi'level buildings with apartments with less than 1200 square feet of living space~ Mrs. Farace felt everyone there was glad they lived in the City of Boynton Beach. - 9 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981-1982 BUDGET OCTOBER 3, 1981 Mrs. Farace asked the retired people (_of which she is one~ to remember that the City of Boynton Beach has a lot of younger people and they are entitled to'recreational facilities and parks. MrS. Farace said Colonial Club has 22 acres of land with 504 apart- ments. One bedroom apartments were asSessed at $37,000.00, with approximately 1,100 square feet of living space. They were assessed twice by the Tax Assessor's Office in. the last two years and the assessment went from $37,000.00 to $52,000.00 .for a one bedroom apartment. She felt when they are living .in a multi-family dwelling l£ke sandwiches, one on top of the other, the average assessment on an 18 family b~uilding is $750,000,0.0, and for a two story building containing 12 aPartments, they are assessed $500,000.00, that they were being overtaxed. They have their own lighting and take care of their own roads. Mrs. Farace said Colonial Club had already gone to the County Tax Assessor's Office, and a man talked to them. Mrs. Farace said her city tax bill was twice what it was last year. Mayor Harmening advised there were inequities in the appraised value of the properties, He said..-it probably Was not possible to reappraise the entire County in one year. There are some properties that are not anywhere near 100% valuation. If everyone's property was appraised at a fair price, according to market value, everyone should be paying equal taxes in t. he sense of fairness. The homesteads that were voted for were grossly Unfair, in Mayor Harmening"s opinion. Mayor Harmening explained that someone who has lived here only one year does not get the exemption. He said some people had a very low appraised'value, high exemption, and, therefore, low taxes. City Manager explained to Mrs. Farace that the "Other" on her tax bill includes South Florida Water Management District, Lake .Worth Drainage District, Bethesda Hospital, and Palm Beach County Junior College, George J, Dorval, 556 S, W. 24.th Avenue, Boynton~'Beac~ did not think the City CoUncil had the right to give ~way his property, He referred tO the giving away of sewer lines to people who do not pay City taxes, He referred to a newspaper article he read where the City supplied sewer lines to people outside of .theCity limits, and he did not think that was right. Mr~ Dorval said the people may be paying a sewer charge but that was all he knew of. Mr. Dorval warned the Council that they would run into problems with that situation because the City is giving the property away and it is not in their juris- diction for building and sewer inspections. He wondered how the City would know if someone else hooked onto the line and how they would cover employees working out there with insurance. Mr. Dorval said the City residents are paying for sewer lines probably through a'bond issue. He said the City will be getting into conflicts with the County. Mr. Dorvat questioned why the City is spending money for s golf course when, as Mr. Cassandra mentioned, there are 700 members. He felt Mr. Cassandra had a good point in letting the members finance - 10 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981-1982 BUDGET OCTOBER 3, 1981 the golf course themselves, until the City sees how successful the golf course will be. The City could reimburse the'members later on through some sort of bond issue, Mr. Dorval told the Council that whether it was borrowed money or tax money, with interest rates from 16% to 20% and bond rates at probably 8%~ 9% or 10% or much higher, he would qusstion the feasibility of it, He did not feel 700 members out of a population of 50,000 people would support a golf course, The third item Mr. Dorval called the Council's attention to was that properties around town were underassessed. He advised they were missing part of the taxable base and they should call the County Tax Assessor's attention to this, It should be the' job of the City Council. Mayor Harmening advised Mr. Dorval that the appraising was the responsibility of the County Tax Assessor. Mayor Harmening further said that today, instead of a home depreciating, real property has actually gone up in price in most every case. Mayor Harmening told Mr. Dorval he was totally misinformed about the sewer lines. Mr. Dorval asked him to explain, Mayor Harmening said the City serves everyone to the West of the City, out to Military Trail a~d some beyond the Trail, They~ are charged 125% more, In addition to that, the usage charges are so structured that when a develOper comes in he only pays for all of the lines that he puts in, The City inspects them to see that they are built in accordance with specifications. The City requires him to pay not only for the lines but for a pro rata portion depending on the total flow coming from that area for everything right back to the treatment plant. The same thing applies for water. The developer pays for the wate~ lines he puts in, the larger lines which are already installed in the City, a portion of the treatment plant, a portion of the elevated-tanks, and it is taken back to ground zero. Mr, Dorval asked if the City was making money on it, and Mayor Harmening replied they are not supposed to, but they are not giving it away, Councilman deLong commented that the City is a non-profit corporation. Mayor Harmening told the audience that the City has .been able to keep the water and sewer rates down as a result of their policies. He noted by reading the newspaper that some cities had increased their water and sewer rates by 200% and 300%. Mayor Harmening told Mr. Dorval that management in the City was "very sound", in reply to his question about management. Rosemary W. O'Neal, 2734 Yale Lane, Boynton Beach was concerned about the increase i~ traffic pertaining to a proposed soccer stadium. She asked how the City intended to handle the traffic situation .on Congress, as Golfview's entrance is almost impossible to exit. She said the double lane part is hazardous because of the entrance and exit on this section. Mrs. O'Neal expressed a privately constructed golf course could make money and would be built if it was needed. Her son is a golfer and would enjoy a golf course, but does not want the City to have to build it. - 11 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981-1982 BUDGET OCTOBER 3, 1981 Mayor Harmening advised that the golf course will be paid by revenue from the golf course and not by the City taxes. The City acquired the land at no charge from the County. The COunty gave the land to the City for the express purpose of building a golf course. It went through the study and discussion stage and, after interview- ing several architects, the City had selected von Hagge, who is well known and world reknown. The golf course would be under Construction very shortly if it were not for the high interest rates on municipal bonds, Mayor Harmening continued, by saying the plans and specifications were prepared, the money has been advanced out of taxes, but the taxpayers will get the money back when the bond issue is sold. The money was advanced to pay for the plans and specifications. The money market is too high right now, and the City cannot afford to go out and pay from 14% to 16% for tax-free revenue bonds. As soon as the market comes down, the City will sell the bonds, build the golf course, and the $100,000.00 will be retrieved from the bond money, The other problem with the golf course was that the South Florida Water and Management District would not give the City a permit to water the golf course because of'the water shortage, Mayor Harmening stressed that the golf course will be paid for by the people wko actually use the golf course. James Taylor, 2595 S. W. llth Court,.Boynton Beach thought the full assessment was predicated on the fact that the millage would be rolled back. He said that the Governor had said it was up to the individual cities to roll the millage back. The taxes are still being raised above the r~ll back rate. Mayor Harmening said B~ynton Beach was not the only City that had not rolled the millage back. He only read of two who rolled the millage back to what it was last year', Mr. Taylor mentioned the City of Boca Raton, and Councilman deLong said they have more revenue. Mayor Harmening i~formed Mr. Taylor that Boynton Beach has.one of the lowest millages inPalm Beach County, Vice Mayor Trauger said Boynton Beach is 1/2 the per capita Boca Raton is. Mayor Harmening explained that millage by itself and assessment by itself did not mean anything. It is only when you multiply the two together that it means anything, If the property is appraised high, millage can be lowered. June Price, 2716 Yale Lane, Boynton Beach, Florida wrote, "Let's cut out the money spent on fun things. We can tighten our belts and do without for now. No parks. No golf and no tennis courts." Mayor Harmening informed the public that the parks and tennis courts pay for themselves to some extent by. user fees. He asked Charles Frederick, Director of Parks and Recreation, how much of the Parks budget was paid for by user fees. Mr. Frederick said it ran around $150,000..00 in revenue coming in. The total recreation budget is $822,000,00, About 20% of the Recreation Department is funded by user fees. 80% is funded by taxes. - 12 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981-1982 BUDGET OCTOBER 3, 1981 Mrs. Rudy Maurice, 2732 Yale Lane,told the Council they had reviewed their budget and found that it could be reduced and asked why it was not taken care of. Vice Mayor Trauger said every line in the budget was carefully reviewed in two meetings. He said they had reduced and reduced in' every way they could originally in August, and it was revised down to the amount of 6.985, which they gave to the County. Once that figure is given to the County, the City can go-under that but never go over it. The City has worked on it, and Vice Mayor Trauger advised that if any~further'C~ts W~re taken, they would be taking some of the muscle. Vice Mayor Trauger assured the public there "is no fat," If the people~want further cuts, it will become, "What services do you want cut?" Mrs, Maurice said the ~axpayeres are given more homestead exemptions but millage is raised. Mayor Harmening said the taxpayers gave themselves the homestead exemption. She asked why private enter- prise could not take the golf course. ~Vice Mayor Trauger informed Mrs. Maurice that~the people voted for the golf course. The golf course was a referendum item.which passed 4-1 three years ago. Mrs. Maurice said the senior citizens want to pay their taxes, but they do not want their government filled up with people they do not need~ Mr. John Johnston, 708 N. W, 1st Avenue, Boynton Beach asked how much money was budgeted for Christmas bonuses for employees, Mayor Harmening advised if was $25.00 per person, He was advised it was about $10,000.00, Mr. Johnston wants the Christmas bonuses cut completely, as he does not get a bonus'where he works. Mr. J. Land, S. W. 18th Ave., wrote, "All this talk is a waste of time. All Palm Beach County should not send in their taxes which right now is outrageous. Proposition 13 is needed in this County." There.was a loud outburst of "Yeah" and applause. Mayor Harmening informed the people that the taxes in the State of Florida were low compared to ~other States. People shouted this was a retired state.and not an industrial area. People up northdo not live in shacks. Charles Johnson, 25 Colonial Club Drive, Apt. 100, Boynton Beach asked that Council Members agree to a 6 milla~ge compromise and, if agreeable to all, maybe the meeting could adjourn. Mayor Harmening advised that if there was. anyone in the audience that wished to speak, they could do so at this time. Dr. Brubaker, a retired church college Dean of Students, came before the Board, noticed that some bigger communities have a much smaller police force than Boynton Beach-and wondered how the bigger communities get along with a police force 1/2 the size of Boynton Beach's force. - 13 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981-1982 BUDGET OCTOBER 3, 1981 Dr. Brubaker continued that someone made a remark about $18,000 for street lightS along Federal Highway. He asked the people to drive it late at night. He thought every third light on the main streets could be cut out and perhaps $140,000.00 could be saved by cutting some of the extra lights in the City. Since Boynton Beach does not have any big buildings in the community, Dr. Brubaker suggested maybe the City could do with less increase on the Fir~e Department. Mayor Harmening enlightened him by saying a major increase in the Fire Department was with the para- medics. Councilman deLong said the Police and Fire Departments are like undertakers and insurance. They are there when you need them. Clair.e Grow, 2305 S. W. 20th Way, Boynton Beach~ lives on a street that the residents maintain themselves and they have their own lights. She wondered if there was any difference. Mayor Harmening answered that her assessment was probably slightly higher because they are on a private street and they derive a benefit from having their own private street. Mrs. GrOw said she lived in Leisureville and they also have their own patrol. Mayor Harmening iHformed Mrs. Grow that neighborhood watches tend to keep taxes down and is probably more effective than the City police force because they would recognize a stranger.~ Mrs. Grow told Mayor Harmening the taxes she pays up north are far less than the taxes she pays here. He said there are a lot of places with higher sales taxes and property taxes that are higher than Florida. Nathan Luco, 313 S. W. 13th Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida asked if the Budget Department actually worked out the millage. Mayor Harmening said the Property Appraiser's ©ffice worked it out, and it was 5.971, Mr. Luco said most of the property in Boynton Beach had been increased 50% to 60% higher. With the tremendous increase, Mr. Luco thought many municipal bodies boosted their budget almost 60% also. Mr. Luco thought the government bodies should start a rollback millage and then go from there. Mayor Harmening explained'that the City is up to 10.24% millage, which makes 6.583, which is I0.24% against the so-called rollback millage, It would be the same amount of funds that the City took in last year, not including real construction. Mr. Luco felt that was reasonable and thought the assesSments produced higher taxes, as they had gone way up. Mrs. Matilda yon Entrem, 2121 N. E. 1st Ct., Apt. 101, Boynton Beach asked why a one bedroo~ 1-1/2 bath pays so much and another one does not pay anything. Mayor Harmening said one may be homesteaded, one may be ~unhomesteaded, or one may be appraised higher than the other, Mrs. yon Entrem said she had a dumpster in front of her door and she did not think it was fair. Mayor Harmening stated that people voted for homestead exemption but someone has to pay for it. - 14 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981~1982 BUDGET OCTOBER 3, 1981 Councilman Wright asked that the dumpster be moved from Mrs. yon Entrem'S front door. Mr. Carl Martino, who retired in North East Boynton Beach, said his home was valued at $54,000,00, and he would gladly sell it for that amount, but he did not think he could, Mr, Martino said the senior citizens nee~'their ~1% increase in social security for food. Mr. Martino said he wanted to leave ths room knowing that the people got their point across as well as the~Council getting its point across that they need money for this and that. Mr, Martino was in favor of police and fire protection. He said 'to forget about golf courses and would go along with the proposition that anyone who is self-sustaining could own the golf course. He told the Council they know the people's wishes and they should go out and do the job. He felt they would be commended for it. Mrs'. A~ai~ Sterling Village, is paying $86.50 for maintenance. They have their own lighting. Her tax bill is $716.59. Sterling Village has its own police. No firemen have ever been there. Mrs, O~Clair did not feel that people in condominiums should have to pay the same taxes as people living in houses, Vice Mayor Trauger told Mrs. Auclair that the maintenance went up 20%. He knew because he also lives in Sterling Village. Mrs. Auclair said people, who bought 14 years ago have less taxes but their apartment is valued as high. Vice Mayor Trauger said he would not sell his apartment for the asSessed vauation. Frank C. Totz/~Sr, 1991 Campanelli Blvd., Leisureville, asked how the former County Property Appraiser managed to keep taxes stable for over twelve .years, and perform such a miracle.. Governor Graham kept asking him to raise assessments, but Dave Reid kept them low, and people had all of the services. Now his tax bill has increased 100%~ and he could not believe it. Mayor Harmening explained that apparently Dave Reid was trying to bring the overall tax roll up considerably and he picked up a lot of places whose appraisal was very low so their taxes had been~ low. Mayor Harmening said Dave Reid just appraised the property. The higher the appraisa~ on the school tax is raised, the mor~ the City loses, because the City sends more money to Tallahassee on'the school tax than it gets back, but that is not Mr. Reid's fault, Mayor Harmening said some people had been getting a free ride for several years. Robert Hassel, 4541 Diane Drive, asked the Council why the City had not joined in the suit against the County to eliminate the dual taxation. He said other cities were getting the advantage of it while Boynton Beach is still waiting around. City Attorney Vance said the other cities are not getting the advantage of it as it is currently in the District Court of Appeals, and it will probably - 15 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981-1982 BUDGET OCTOBER 3, 1981 go to the state Supreme Court. The litigation on the case cost a lot of money. There was a decision at the time t-he original suit was filed by most of the cities in the County to let the four big cities go first. Now that they have won in the trial court, Mr. Vance advised, the City of Boynton Beach is "ho©king on" as fast as it can. There is no win yet, The Appellate Court may or may not oppose the Circuit Court. Mr. Hassel nOted there was quite an increase in the population of the City last year, wh±ch~means the taxable base has' increased consider- ably. Therefore, he felt it was ridiculous that the millage rate has increased to such a proportion, City Manager Cheney said new construction is $51,000~000, and is producing around $335,000,00, as he stated at the beginning of the meeting., That is about 1/3 of the proposed new income. Mr. Hassel replied that it did not seem equitable that with a 1./3 more taxable base, the City has not pro- vided 1./3 more services. Mayor Harmening pointed out that theyhave new lights, which Mr. Hassel said he had been paying for. City Manager Cheney informed ~him he ha~ not been paying for the lights. Mayor Harmening said the services have increased ~because as the City increases in population, it takes more people to serve the whole City, The level of the services may not increase. Mr, Hasse! said his main concern was that each department has cut all the fat from their departments, Mr. Hassel said he did not get any answers, One man in the audience said the Council Members were laughing at them and just thought it was one big joke, Councilman Wright inform~e~ the audience that the Council does not think it is a joke. Vice Mayor TraUger said he knew of no fat in the operating line items with the exception, of ~the items Mr. Cassandra presented. To Mr. Cassandra it may.be fat, but it is hitting on the muscle. Vice'.Mayor stated he had been through the budget four times, line by line, by line for each department. He assured the public there was nothing left in there from the reductions the Council had made that could be considered fat. Vice Mayor Trauger said he thought Mr. Cassandra would say the next place they would have to look would be at the~level of services. Mro Coleman came forward and. said the City has a police force with approximately 85 men, He asked how many vehicles were assigned to the department, City Manager Cheney replied 19 marked vehicles. Mr. Coleman asked again how many vehicles there were, Vi~ Mayor Trauger nad a list and City Manager Cheney offered Mr. Coleman a list of the v~hicles~~ Vice MayOr Trauger commented that some .of the vehicles~were getting old by mileage and wear. City Manager! CheneY informed Mr. Coleman that ~3 Vehicles were on the list, A number of the vehicles were last year~ vehicles which had not ~een auctioned off, City Manager Cheney explained. There would probably be 14 of those, about to be auctioned off. They are - 16 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981~1982 BUDGET- OCTOBER 3, 1981 not being used. City Manager Cheney added that there was a request for two motorcycles, and two motorcycles would be turned in. No additions are proposed for police vehicles this year,'-jus~ replace- ments. . ~ Mr. Coleman felt that in a department of 85 people, probably there are notmore than 10 or 12. working at any given time, so Why is there a need for' 43 vehicles to be assigned .to them. City Manager Cheney said he would take the time to go through the list, if that was what Mr, Coleman Wanted. Mr. Chen times th There ar detecti~ of other the vice three ca officers relation Mr, Cole save peo Ch~ney a stated t were, B marked v vice squ and pick man fr deLong k to the r City Man inflatio growth i Cheney f PersOnne sure tha a~ected which in When the Council whole Ii needed. to hear ey informed Mr. Coleman there were 19 marked cars and some- ere were 12 or 13 of thOse on the lot all-of the time. e three or fQUr backups due to repairs. There are six e vehicles, which the people never see. There are a number unmarked cars used by patrolmen, an unmarked car used by squad, two ID cars that are used in the Traffic Division, nine cars, and two or three staff cars that are used by the around the Cityl There is a station wagon used for public s used by the officer that does the crime prevention. man believed the County, %he State, and Federal agencies ple tax money by using confiscated vehicles, City Manager dvised him that the City of Boynton Beach dOes too. He here were two or three, but he would not say which ones they ecause of the tourist season,, the City can use .the same un- ice squad cars without the people realizing they are the. Sd, If they become too well known, the City will sell them up other ones, ~m the audience said five or six years ago, former Mayor ~pt taxes down, He asked the Council to try-to get it down D!~back, and everyonewould ~be satisfied. ~ger Cheney said the budget was 17% above last year, If is 12% or 13%, then the additional cost in the budget for 3% or 4%. 'At the rate the City is growing, City Manager ~lt there was some reasonable relationship in that. is high~ There was a major effort among citizens to be the pay level for the Fire Department was adequate. This ~11 the employees. The'~City is talking about a 10% raise, ~ludes social security and workmen's compensation. City puts a budget together, Mr. Cheney continued, the listens to what the people w~nt in services. There is a ~t of streets that need to be resurfaced. Drainage is People want street lights. The Council sits for 26 weeks ~hat the people want. The man said there had been inflation for the last' seven or~ght years. The City has a new library, and they still~kept the b~get down. Miyor Harmening said he was a part of the previous administra~ tions an~ he knew that they tried to keep taxes down and they were trying tO keep them down this year. - 17 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981~1982 BUDGET OCTOBER 3, 1981 One man in the audience shouted that the people could "do with one garbage collection a week." He requested that the garbage collection be cut to once a week. Mayor Harmening asked how many people were in favor of one a week. He then asked how many people~were in favor of two collections a week as it is now. It was about 4 to 1 in favor of the way it now is. One man asked the City to' compare the cost of having an outside collector doing the job wi~h what it costs the City to do it. City'Manager Cheney replied that if he compares what the City charges to what the County charges, he would not'say that, Another man state~ "Those garbage boys do their job, They don't walk, they run," There were shouts of, "They do a good job," A lSt of compliments were given to the Garbage Department, Another man in the audience asked if the Council had decided on 6,583 millage, and the Council replied that was correct, He could not see any reason for continuing the meeting and thought it should adjourn. City Manager Cheney informed the man that there would be another public hearing on October 12, aG whiCh~time it will be adopted. Councilman deLong explained that this was only the tentative budget and he felt some of the matters'brough~ out at meeting should be taken.under consideration. Councilman deLong felt the tentative millage at this time could still be reduced. Irene Berggren, 2391 S, W. Congress Boulevard, wrote that her taxes will go from $277.00 last year to $558,00. She hoped there would be a tax revolt in Boynton Beach. Councilman Wright stated that everyone would like to keep taxes down as much as possible, He was s~pathetic to the concerns of the public, as they are on fixed incomes. Councilman Wright felt that the City had been given a mandate from the.citizens, which is to cut the budget, Councilman Wright asked the citizens to be mindful that children should~have access to parks and there should~be civic centers in the City, Councilman Wright told the audience they should be more sensitive to the needs of younger people also, as they have children and grandchildren, and they should not say to cut down on recreational facilities. The City needs services for its youth as well. Councilman Wright said perhaps the City could cut back on some books or downtown revitalization. Perhaps there ~couldbe~s~necutbacks on vehicles and give a 10% increase to employees on the minimum of their grades. Perhaps the City could wait to give the increases, so they would be effective in November. If the City decides to go with some of those alternatives, ~he City will have a savings in fringe benefits as well. Councilman Wright reminded the audience that they were young at one time themselves. Councilman deLong noted that Councilman Wright brought out about not giving the cost of living increase until November. Relative to the Police Department, Councilman deLong thought that in their meetings, the increase was to start in October. - 18 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981-1982 BUDGET OCTOBER 3, 1981 City Manager Cheney' explained that he had said he would recommend that if the Council reached an agreement, that the increase would be effective October 1. It did not mean the Council had to do it, but City Manager Cheney had told the Police Department he would recommend it. Councilman deLong did not want a confliction. City Manager Cheney informed the Council that the Fire Department contract had been signed. Mr. Cheney told the Council they had-a very serious problem of'treating the departments differently. Councilman Wright pointed out that the Council can move in any direction they like. ~Councilman deLOng felt there were plenty of other areas th~at could be trimmed without touching .the increase. Councilman Wright said he was not supporting the cutback on the Christmas bonus, as at that time people could use extra income. Mayor ~Harmening stated he was not willing to cut back anything. He said if any more was cut, the City would just be reducing the level of services, and a few people want taxes reduced, but there were no specific recommendations for reducing services, Mayor Harmeningfelt only a very small percentage of the people had anything to say. Several people come before the Council all the time and~want more services, not less, City Manager Cheney said he had already recommended delaying the purchase of six unmarked police cars for a year, One of them has 79,000 miles. Mayor Harmening remarked that When the City delays purchasing something that is needed, all it does is cost the City money to increase the maintenance. A man in the audience said the people want to pay a decent wage for a decent day's work but he felt a certa~n~'portion of the City employees are "Sluffing off". It is reported to department heads but they do not agree. He sees cars riding around at 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon, not working, The man suggested an efficiency expert.. Mr. Clifton Peterson, 2088 S. W. 14th Avenue, Leisureville, thought Mr. Cassandra gave the Council some wonderful ideas on how to cut the budget. Some man in the'audience thought there should be some spot checking in Boynton Beach to get the valuation. Mayor Harmening referred~him to the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser's .office. The man then asked whether police officers were allowed to take their cars home and go shopping in their police cars. Mayor Harmening believed the canine units could take their cars home~ City Manager Cheney said the patrol cars did not go home or take their wives shopping. Some people said they saw patrol cars. City Manager Cheney said Delray Beach, Ocean Ridge, and Gulfstream po~ice~ cars look like Boynton Beach's Police cars. The man did not think Delray Beach cars wOuld be on Woolbright Road and City Manage~ Ch~ney~said they are. Mr, Cheney said the Sheriff's'Dep~tment 'allows the car~s to be t'aken home. More people shouted that they. See Boynton BeaCh Police cars being taken home, City Manager Cheney said a police officer !n BOynton Beach can take his car home for lunch, but he is still on duty. - 19 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981-1982 BUDGET OCTOBER 3, 1981 Another man said a City pick-up truck is taken home for lunch and they use City gas and the City truck. City Manager. Cheney said for them to give him the information about it and he would then~give an answer. Robert LloYd, 1145 S. W. 24th Avenue, wants to see the taxes rolled back further. He pointed out that with the new cons%ruction, there would still be a tax increase'.of $335,000.00. He thought some of the inefficiencies from government should be trimmed. Mr. Lloyd thought the City had an excellent Police Department and he did not think it had to be increased that much. Mr~ Lloyd also thought the City could do away with the downtown development. Councilman· Wright asked Mrl Lloyd why he didn't want the downtown improved. He thought'the people who own businesses downtown should improve it, not the tax payers. Some woman in the audience thought Mr. Cassandra made good suggestions and wanted them taken into consideration. Councilman Wright informed her that the Council likes Mr. Cassandra and he serves on one of the Boards. Councilman Wright said the Council respects Mr. Cassandra's comments but the people do not know what type of impact they can make on some types of services and they should find out more details as it could hamper some departments. Councilman Wright thought the people should say they support cut backs and they did not want their taxes increased that much, and then allow the City ad. ministration and Council to say where the cuts need to be made. A man who lives at 132 S. E. 25th Avenue complained about a ~lot that needs the grass cut. The person that owns the lot lives in New York. Councilman deLong referred him to City Manager Cheney. Robert Bender, Leisurevitle, requested the Council to keep the millage at six mills or under. He said then they would do a good job. Councilman Wright nOted that some people thought the Council was taking things lightly and regarding thC budget as a joke. He said there were times when he laughed or s~iled but it was because some of the things they said were actuall~._funny and not because he would not ~upport them. He said the Council was human and some of the remarks from the audience were humorous. Mr. and Mrs, Robert C. DeLisl~ 2293 S. W. Congress Blvd., Boynton Beach wrote that the efficiency of services should be upgraded - police, roads, sewer. They pay for the services but they are not very.good, Mr. and Mrs. DeLisle wrote that the cities and County should meet and work together for a cut in taxes. The public hearing was closed, and there was a five minute recess. - 20 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981-1982 BUDGET OCTOBER 3, 1981 City Attorney Vance filled in the blanks of the proposed Resolution as follows: Section 2: The proposed millage rate for the 1981-1982 fiscal year shall be 6.583. Section 3: "tax assessor" should be changed to Property Appraiser and 10.24 percent should be filled in. the blank. Section 5: The blanks should be filled in with the 12th day of October, 1981 at 7:30 P. M. Vice Mayor Trauger felt City Manager Cheney and Finance Director Grady Swann should take a look at Mr. Cassandra's suggestions, He felt there was an error in some of Mr; Cassandra's figures, particu- larly in the $700,000.00 figure. Also pertaining to the vehicles, Vice Mayor Trauger noted City Manager Cheney was recommending a deferment in vehicles for the Police Department. Vice Mayor Trauger noted that one of the Police cars in the recommended deferral has about 77,000 miles on it. If it is delayed much lOnger, you have lost almost all value. If it is traded in this year, the City may recover trade-in value. Vice Mayor Trauger believed City Manager Cheney and Finance Director Grady Swann should.look at everything before the CounCil jumped to any conclusions. City Manager Cheney said the $700,000.00 figure was accounted for. There is nothing to be saved there if you are'going to go into the personnel they talked about. 'Something has already bsen done regarding~the~Vehicles. The downtown development is in revenue sharing funds and is not directly associated with the general fund unless something is taken out of the general fund and there would be problems with~that. The Council would have to decide whether or not they want to keep up the purchase of books for the library. The surplus from the City cannot be .deducted, as it is already in. City Manager Ckeney said he would call Mr. Cassandra to see what he meant about certain items, Councilman Wright and Vice Mayor Trauger did not think any time should be wasted discussing it. Vice Mayor TraUg~r pointed out that if the library acquisition is reduced by $30,000.00 of what it cost to put the books on the shelves to somewhere around $18.00 or $2~.00, there will be no acquisitions this year. The acquisition keeps going up and the City will be way behind in the acquisitions for the size of the library completely. In another two years, the City will be about out of business with the library. Mayor Harmening said it was the busiest library in Palm Beach County and, primarily, Boynton Beach residents use it. Mayor Harmening said if the library is cut, people will be coming up all year wondering why it was cut. There would be more public disapproval and opposition from cutting on the library than in cutting somewhere else. Councilman Wright said the media should print .t~hat because Mr. Cassandra wanted the library cut. Vice Mayor Trauger said the education of youths and adults should be a principal concern. - 21 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981-1982 BUDGET OCTOBER 3, .1981 City Attg~neY ~ance. read..prop0sed. Resolution No. 81-FFF by title only: "RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON .BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1981 - 1982; ADOPT- ING A PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1981 - 1982; ANNOUNCING THE PERCENT BY WHICH THE MILLAGE RATE EXCEEDS THE ROLLED~BACK RATE'FURNISHED BY THE PROPERTY APPRAISER; INSTRUCT- ING PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING FOR ADOPTION OF BUDGET AND SETTING A HEARING DATE FOR THE FINAL ADOPTION OF BUDGET." Councilman deLong moved the adoption of propoSed Resolution No, 81- FFF. Vice Mayor Trauger seconded the motion~ Councilman deLong pointed out that 6.58'3 was a tentative millage rate and he anticipated it would be lower. Councilman Wright hated to make the work more cumbersome for the staff and he supposed Mr. Grady Swann was tired, but he wanted the staff %o bring back to the Council a proposal of slicing the budget $300,000,00 and one slicing about $200,000.00. Vice Mayor Trauger noted that throughout the budget year, in August and September, the Council had attempted to bring the budget down to where it is now through the direction of City Manager Cheney and Finance Director Grady Swann, He asked where there could be another cut and suggested the Council give Mr. Cheney and Mr. Swann direction as to where to look for-.cuts. Councilman Wright did not want to. get involved at this point. He wanted the staff to do it. Councilmember Woolley and Councilman deLong agreed. Councilman deLong said to let the City-Manager and staff handle it. Councilman Wright thought he gave some alternatives where they could look for savings. He felt the library was being used quite frequently, People are complaining about lots being mowed. He did not think people living in front of a City park would like for the grass to be growing three or four inches off the ground'. He supported Charles Frederick's program. Councilman Wright said perhaPs the City could cutback on the Police and .Fire Departments. Everyone wants cut backs, so Councilman Wright thought the City should cut back. Vice Mayor Trauger said there was a proposal of what was made with more cut backs than what was made the last time. He asked if the Council agreed to them or where did they want the cuts to go further. Councilman Wright answered in the Police Department, the Fire Department, but not with the paramedics, Those two should be left in there. Councilman Wright thought maybe some firefighters or some of the clerks could be cut back. He asked Vice Mayor Trauger if that was what he was asking for. Vice Mayor Trauger said the recommendations of the City Council had - 22 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981-1982 OCTOBER 3, 1981 been worked down to come to the budget today, Now if Councilman Wright expects to cut another $200,000.00 from the budget, the Council should give the staff some direction as to what'highway they should take. Councilman deLongadvised the Council to give staff the same direction they were given before, Mayor Harmening Said the Council Was to be the ones to set the policY, He said it may be Council could ask City Manager Cheney and Finance Director. Grady Swann to make their recommendations and see what they come'up with, but he thought it was a policy decision as to where to make the cuts. Councilman deLong thought it.'should be presented again, and the Council could make a decision then. Councilman Wright agreed with him, Vice Mayor Trauger pointed out that the Council had already told City Manager Cheney how many personnel to bring the budget down.to and he had. He asked if City Manager Cheney was to bring down more personnel now and, if so, in what departments, Councilman Wright said he should look into the Police and Fire Departments. Vice MaYor Trauger said the Council would give that direction to City Manager Cheney. Councilman Wright said some people were confused about the downtown revitalization program. They think the City is paying all of the burden of enhancing the downtown. He felt it should be clarified, Councilman Wright suggested Perhaps that $50,000.00 should be-cut. City Manager Cheney expressed that since Boynton Beach does not have ocean front property, they should, get the downtown area turned around because it could become the highest square foot area in Boynton Beach and a real asset to tax problems. Councilman deLong said everyone was in agreement that they did want redevelopment for the downtown, but he felt the question in everyone's mind was, "Is this the year to do it?" Councilman deLong felt this was the time to do something. Councilman Wright agreed. He Said perhaps $20,000.00 from revenue sharing's money could be put into that space. Then maybe they could come up for some more money dUring the year. Councilman deLong thought the members should be polled. Vice Mayor Traugher did not feel this was the year to spend extra money. He agreed that the City needs the downtown fixed up but he felt it should be incumbent upon the property owners. He recommended that it be taken out for another year. City Manager Cheney said he doubted that it would be spent this year. If it is not spent, it will go into a reserve and will be there as a good faith statement. City Manager CheneY pointed out that the chances are very good-that this might be the last year for Revenue Sharing. He told the Council they should think about that. - 23 - MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981-1982 OCTOBER 3, 198'1 Councilman deLong could not go along with putting $50',000.00 aside when the people are hollering~for a cut in taxes. Councilman Wright said the Council started something when they voted to create the redevelopment area. Councilman deLong said the City was told to give them $10,000.00, which they did, and now they want an additional $50,000..00. Councilman Wright said they did not ask for $50,000.00. Councilman deLong suggested $25,000.00. City Manager Cheney explained that he put it in as a recommendation, based on the Council's vote, to support the downtown area. Councilman deLong was not in favor of ~it. Councilman deLong did not think the Council was acting properly in putting ~mjoney ~head for 2 years. City Manager Cheney infOrmed.the Council that the $50,000.00 was in revenue sharing. He said the total capital cost for next year was $580,000.00, which was mostly replacing current equipment. There is no capital--~r~v~ment program, as there is no money for it. City Manager Cheney informed the Council that they asked him to bring up the question of the beach during budge~'time. City Manager Cheney further advised the Council that if they take money from ~e Police and Fire Departments and put it in revenue sharing and there is no revenue sharing next year, and if they do not get more of the capital replacement out of revenue each year intO the general fund, they will just be fOoling themselves. Councilman~Wright did not want to see any cut backs Of the present. emPloyees or current positions that are now filled cut back. Mayor Harmening said if the people want a level of services, if it requires more people and more services, that is one thing, If they genuinely feel that they require less services and they require less people, then you need to say you will lay off some. It is a question of how many people you need for a certain level of services. Mayor Harmening said the Council was not going to go that ~deep. City Manager Cheney informed the Council that if they want a $200,000.00 cut, the staff would get $200,000.00'. There was more discussion about downtown and Councilman deLong said he was concerned with taking money and allocating 'it for two years. He thought they were working on this year's budget. Councilman Wright pointed out that maybe more than $25,000.00 would be needed. Councilman Wright said he heard they would get-a real professional man, so you would be talking about more than $25,000.00. Mayor Harmening advised that they will not get a decent director if there is no budget for him to do anything with. CitY Manager Cheney anticipated a match from some of the business leaders. This would make it possible to have a two year agreement w~th a professional to be here, knowing he had a two year commitment to get something on the ground. The City might expend the money over two years but, hopefully, a commitment could be made this year. - 24- MINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING, 1981-1982 OCTOBER 3, 1981 Mayor Harmening pointed out that there was no question that they would nOt get the job done in one year, but if it came to looking at the money hard, it was something that could be knocked out or postponed. He thought the Council could definitely consider the $50,000.00. Councilman deLong still thought the City Manager and Finance Director and staff should get .together and come baCk to the Council. Councilman Wright thanked the concerned citizens Who remained at the meeting. Mrs. Tereesa Padgett took a roll call on Resolution No, 81-FFF, as follows: Councilmember Woolley - ~ye Councilman Wright - Aye Councilman deLong - Aye Vice Mayor Trauger - Aye Mayor Harmening - Aye Motion carried 5-0. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Woolley moved, seconded by Councilman deLong, to adjourn. The motion carried 5-0, and the meeting .adjourned at 1:40 P. M. CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH ATTEST: City Clerk Tape~ - 25 -