Minutes 09-04-03PlZNUTES OF THE SPECZAL CZTY COPlI~IZSSZON t4EL:TZNG HELD ZN
COt41~tZSSZON CHAF4BERS~ cTrY HALL~ BOYNTON BEACH~ FLORZDA~
ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 AT 6:00 P.l~t.
Present
Gerald Broening, Mayor
Mike Ferguson, Vice Mayor
Mack McCray, Commissioner
Carl McKoy, Commissioner
Ron Weiland, Commissioner
Kurt Bressner, City Manager
.lames Cherof, City Attorney
Janet Prainito, City Clerk
Mayor Broening announced that the purpose of this meeting was to have the first budget
hearing for the fiscal year 2003/04. He explained that during this meeting the Commission
would adopt the proposed millage rate for the fiscal year 2003/04, adopt the tentative budget
for the same fiscal year and have the first reading of the ordinance regarding the budget for the
fiscal year 2003/04. Discussion can be combined but there would be separate motions.
City Attorney Cherof noted that this is the first substantive step in the adoption of the budget
pursuant to Florida Statute. The Statute provides that the general public is allowed to speak
and to ask questions prior to the adoption of any measure by the Commission. The two
measures are the adoption of the millage rate and the budget. The first item is the proposed
percentage increase in millage over the rolled-back rate. At the conclusion of the discussions,
the first item that will be adopted by the Commission will be the resolution adopting the millage
rate, followed by the resolution adopting the tentative budget.
First Budget Public Hearing for Fiscal Year 2003/04 Budget
Mayor Broening asked if anyone from the audience wished to speak.
Lois Laner~ Dos Lagos~ questioned why the City is proposing a 30% increase in her
condominium.
Commissioner Weiland said that this would be due to an increase in the valuation of her home.
Mayor Broening explained that Ms. Laner would need to address this issue with the Palm Beach
County Tax Assessor.
Ms. Laner said that the fire assessment was supposed to be a one-time item and now it appears
on her tax bill again.
Mayor Broening explained that the fire assessment was for seven years. This matter will be
heard at a public hearing on September llt~.
City Manager Bressner asked Ms. Laner whether she had the $25,000 homestead exemption.
She said she did not. He then explained to her that if someone owned property for more than
one year and they had the homestead exemption, they were eligible for the Save Our Homes
constitutional amendment. This amendment limits the increased assessed value of property to
3% or to the cost of living, whichever is lower. If she did not have homestead on her property,
she was subject to market conditions.
Meeting Minutes
Special City Commission Meeting
Bovn~on B.~=ch, Florida
~eotember 4, 2003
Claire Verola, Dos Lagos, questioned what the limit was on the increase if someone is not a
permanent resident in this state.
City Manager Bressner said there was no limit. He explained that it is not a decision that the
City makes. The County Assessor's Office evaluates the value of property in Palm Beach
County. It is based on comparable sales in the area and market conditions.
Ms. Verola said that she had a homestead exemption on her property, She was inquiring
regarding the increase for family members who do not have the homestead exemption.
2. Proposed Resolution No. R03-157 Re: Adopting the Proposed Millage Rate for
Fiscal Year Millage Rate for Fiscal Year 2003/04
Mayor Broening said that because of refinancing some existing bonds and other debt, City staff
has come up with approximately $450,000 in a very tight budget year. The question is whether
to increase the budget this year, reduce the millage or put the money back in reserves.
Commissioner McCray asked what the current millage rate was. City Manager Bressner
answered that the base millage rate is 7.6 and the total rate is 7.998 including the debt service.
City Manager Bressner said that after the Commission takes any additional public comments, it
will be necessary to make a policy decision as to which rate the Commission chooses, the 7.5 or
7.6 base rate.
Commissioner McCray asked whether the City could live within the means of a millage rate of
7.5. City Manager Bressner said that it could.
Vice Mayor Ferguson felt that the tax millage should be reduced because of the proposed fire
assessment and the increase in valuations.
M~tion
Vice Mayor Ferguson moved to reduce the tax millage rate to a base of 7.5 mills.
Weiland seconded the motion.
Commissioner
Commissioner Weiland asked whether the money the City borrowed from the reserve last year
to balance the budget had to be paid back at some point.
Diane Reese, Finance Director, answered no. She explained that $3.8M of the fund balance
was applied last year. There will be approximately $:L4M of that remaining that will not be
spent. Therefore, that portion will go back into the fund balance.
Vote
The motion carried unanimously.
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Meeting Minutes
Special City Commission Meeting
Bo¥,iL~n -~-~k....... Florida
~;eDtember 4, 2003
City Manager Bressner said that just as a point of information, he calculated that on his own
property taxes, he would save $:L2 based on going from the 7.6 to the 7.5 rate.
City Attorney Cherof read Proposed Resolution No. R03-157 by title only. He announced that
the proposed millage rate is 7.34% above the computed rolled-back rate. The second Public
Hearing will be on September 16t~ at 6:00 p.m. in Commission Chambers.
Motion
Vice Mayor Ferguson moved to approve Proposed Resolution No. R03-:L57. Commissioner
McCray seconded the motion that carried unanimously.
3. Proposed Resolution No. R03-158 Re: Adopting the Tentative Budget for Fiscal
Year 2003/04
Mayor Broening asked for any comments from the Commission.
Commissioner McCray wanted to make sure that the $5,000 for the Track Team was in the
budget. City Manager Bressner said that it was. The Track Team will be eligible for up to
$5,000 based on them providing the necessary receipts.
Mayor Broening asked if anyone from the audience wished to comment or ask questions.
one wished to speak.
No
Mgtion
Vice Mayor Ferguson moved to approve the tentative budget. Commission McCray seconded
the motion that carried unanimously.
City Attorney Cherof read Proposed Resolution No. R03-158 by title only.
M~tion
Commissioner McCray moved to approve Proposed Resolution No. R03-:[58. Vice Mayor
Ferguson seconded the motion that carried unanimously.
4. First Reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 03-051 Re: Adopting the Final Budget for
Fiscal Year 2003/04
City Attorney Cherof read Proposed Ordinance No. 03-051 by title only.
Mayor Broening asked whether anyone from the audience wished
question. No one wished to speak.
to comment or ask a
Motion
Vice Mayor Ferguson moved to approve Proposed Ordinance No.
McCray seconded the motion. City Clerk Prainito called the roll
unanimously.
03-051. Commissioner
and the motion carried
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Meeting Minutes
Special City Commission Meeting
There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 6:15 p,m.
-.l~yor . /
Vice Mayo[
[ ~i~ Clerk Commi~~-.
Depu~ Ci~ Clerk Commissioner
(9/5/03)
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