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Town of Ponce Inlet
TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES
Special Meeting of September 22, 2008
1. Call to order: Pursuant to proper notice, Vice-Mayor McCormick called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 4300 South Atlantic Avenue, Ponce Inlet, Florida.
2. Pledge of allegiance: Vice-Mayor McCormick led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Roll call:
Council present:
Mayor Epps, Seat #1 (arriving at 6:05 p.m.)
Councilmember Goudie, Seat #2
Vice-Mayor McCormick, Seat #3
Councilmember Hinson, Seat #4
Councilmember Sturno, Seat #5
Staff Members Present:
Ms. Blissett, Town Manager
Ms. Clauss, Assistant Town Manager/Deputy Clerk
Mr. Gunter, Public Works General Manager
Mr. Joulani, Town Planner
Chief Scales, Fire Chief
Chief Thomas, Police Chief
4. Additions, corrections, or deletions to the agenda: None.
5. Resolution 2008-14, adopting a final millage rate for fiscal year 2008/2009. Ms. Clauss read this resolution in full: A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF PONCE INLET, VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA ADOPTING THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE FOR THE LEVYING OF AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES ON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE TOWN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2008 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2009; STATING THE PERCENTAGE BY WHICH THE MILLAGE TO BE LEVIED IS BELOW THE ROLLED BACK RATE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTING RESOLUTIONS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, Florida law requires the Town Council of the Town of Ponce Inlet, Florida, to pass a resolution or ordinance establishing the final millage rate for levying ad valorem
property taxes for municipal purposes on all taxable property within the Town limits of the Town of Ponce Inlet, Florida, for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2008, and ending September 30, 2009; and WHEREAS, Florida law requires said resolution or ordinance to state the millage rate to be levied, and also, to state the percentage by which the millage rate to be levied is below the rolled-back rate as computed pursuant to Florida law; and WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Ponce Inlet, Florida, has duly considered the budgetary requirements of the Town and is now acting in accordance with the terms, provisions and procedures contained in Section 200.065, Florida Statutes at this duly advertised public hearing. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF PONCE INLET, FLORIDA: SECTION 1. ADOPTING THE FINAL AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATE, The final millage rate for the Fiscal Year commencing on October 1, 2008 through September 30,
2009 is 4.175 mills, which equals $4.175 per $1,000 (One Thousand Dollars) of assessed valuation for the purpose of raising income in the sum of $4,150,047 (Four Million, One Hundred Fifty Thousand, Forty-Seven Dollars). SECTION 2. PERCENTAGE BY WHICH THE MILLAGE TO BE LEVIED IS BELOW THE ROLLED BACK RATE, The percentage by which this millage rate to be levied is below the rolled-back rate of 4.44019 mills (as computed pursuant to Florida law) is 5.97%. SECTION 3. SEVERABILITY, If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Resolution is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, that holding in no way affects the remaining portions of this Resolution. SECTION 4. CONFLICTING RESOLUTIONS, All Resolutions s in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE, This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption. Ms. Blissett explained the
challenges they faced this year between the effects of the economic recession and the actions of the State legislature. In spite of this, they are still able to prepare a balanced budget at almost six percent below the rolled-back rate. Her PowerPoint presentation is attached. Ms. Blissett stated that Gary Swanhart, 32 Coastal Oaks Circle, has suggested Council might also consider a concert in the park in November. The estimate provided for this is approximately $3,000. Councilmember Goudie stated that he particularly liked the slides which showed the cost comparisons of prior years – costs rising eighteen percent while the budget decreases twenty-six percent. Mayor Epps opened for public comment. Russ Boner, 59 Beach Street, stated that he notices the legal budget is creeping up and he feels this is a good place to cut costs. He also felt that the sign ordinance money should be recouped because they have not delivered.
Mayor Epps closed public comment. Mayor Epps stated that the legal costs have been higher as this little town is growing up fast and the nature of the beast is that we must have legal involvement. The sign ordinance is still in the works and the reasons for delay are on the Town’s side because they’ve been so busy with the comprehensive plan. Councilmember Sturno noted that Las Olas will force incurrence of more legal fees this coming year. Councilmember McCormick stated that though the fee is creeping up, legal services used to be 9% of the budget and now they are 4.22%. Councilmember Goudie indicated that with the mindset of those in Tallahassee, municipalities can expect further actions which increase funding difficulties. Councilmember Hinson commended staff for reducing the budget by 26% in the past four years. Mayor Epps noted that this was done even with all of the unfunded mandates from the State.
Councilmember Sturno stated that we are one of the few municipalities who has not had to cut services or personnel but he did suggest that Council forgo their raises for the coming year. Councilmember Goudie moved to approve Resolution 2008-14 adopting a tentative millage rate of 4.175, seconded by Councilmember Hinson. This motion PASSED 5-0 with the following vote: Councilmember Sturno – yes, Councilmember Hinson – yes, Vice-Mayor McCormick – yes, Councilmember Goudie - yes, and Mayor Epps – yes.
6. Resolution 2008-13, adopting a tentative budget for fiscal year 2008/2009. Ms. Clauss read this resolution by short title: A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF PONCE INLET, VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE FINAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009 BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2008 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2009; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTING RESOLUTIONS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Vice-Mayor McCormick referred to Councilmember Sturno’s suggestion for Council to forego their raise for fiscal year 08/09. Everyone indicated they agreed. A resolution to authorize this will be forthcoming. Regarding the suggestion made by Mr. Swanhard for a concert in November, members expressed concern that the $3,000 estimate was not all
inclusive and in these times may be more than they could comfortably add into the budget. They requested Ms. Blissett ask Mr. Swanhart to make a presentation on this at their next regular meeting for further consideration. Ms. Blissett went through the summaries for each fund within the proposed budget. Mayor Epps opened for public comment. Russ Boner, 59 Beach Street, commended public works for grating all of the sidewalks so that there won’t be anything they can trip on. He also commended Council for cutting back on their salaries but asked if that was appropriate for them to do, given that they may or may not be the ones seated after the election in November. He then inquired if this was to freeze their salaries permanently or just forego the raise for one year – feeling a freeze was better. Don Romanik, 4545 South Atlantic Avenue, asked if the fire truck purchase had been committed as he felt they would be better served with
the telesquirt model for firefighter safety and to reach the highrises and a lease arrangement because there isn’t a longterm commitment to what will become obsolete equipment with rising maintenance costs. Councilmember Sturno stated that Chrysler has stopped leasing vehicles because they were losing money so it is worth a look. Ms. Blissett explained that these high expenditure items will come back before Council for approval before a purchase/lease is made. Councilmember Goudie requested a cost analysis be provided when this comes back to them. Barbara Davis, 4871 Sailfish Drive, asked if the Ponce Preserve dune walkover was safely within this budget as they need that in order to protect the dunes. She also asked about the projected reserve for the end of fiscal year 08/09 – clarifying where the contingency was located within the budget for estimated calculation of such. Ms. Blissett provided the information for estimation of this. Mayor Epps closed public comment.
Councilmember Goudie moved to approve Resolution 2008-15, seconded by Vice-Mayor McCormick. This motion PASSED 5-0 with the following vote: Councilmember Sturno – yes, Councilmember Hinson – yes, Vice-Mayor McCormick – yes, Councilmember Goudie - yes, and Mayor Epps – yes.
7. Adjournment. Mayor Epps adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Jeaneen P. Clauss, CMC
Assistant Town Manager/Deputy Clerk
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