CC Minutes 07/09/2013 Budget Workshop

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CASSELBERRY CITY COMMISSION Minutes of July 9, 2013 — Budget workshop Page 2 of 3 3. ROLL CALL The City Clerk called the roll of Elected Officials. All were present. 4. REVIEW AND DISCUSS PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014 Presentation: City Manager Randy Newlon gave an overview of the proposed Fiscal Year 2014 City Budget including revenue and expenditure comparisons, personnel related matters, debt service, and proposed capital improvements program projects. The total proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2014 is $45,549,075, representing an overall increase of approximately 4.3% over the adopted budget for FY 2013 of $43,649,389. This increase of $1,899,686 is largely due to an increase in capital spending proposed for the water and sewer fund. Mr. Newlon explained that staff was requesting that the millage rate be set at 5.45 mills. He added that this millage rate would be the same as the past couple of years, but the revenue derived would increase by approximately $100,000 from what was budgeted for FY 2013. He noted that the growth in revenue was driven by a growth in taxable values after five years of regular declines which was a welcome change. Mr. Newlon advised that the proposed budget included a merit increase for employees with an average overall increase of 3%. He noted that the actual rates would be based on performance evaluation scores, and as a point of reference shared that the inflation rate for FY 2014 was projected by economists to be 2.3%. He added that the proposed budget did not include increases for either the City Commission or the City Manager. Finance Director Rebecca Bowman gave a PowerPoint presentation covering in more detail the projected revenues and proposed expenditures for FY 2014. Discussion: Discussion ensued regarding various subjects including the following: increases in various budget lines; personnel issues, including wages and performance evaluations; neighborhood improvement programs and economic development; capital improvement projects; debt service; CRA proposed projects and possible extension; property acquisition and annexation; contingency reserves; and F1exBus. No changes to the proposed budget were discussed by the City Commission. Each member of the Commission expressed appreciation to staff for their hard work in preparation of the budget. The Commission as a whole also expressed approval for the proposed 3% wage increase for employees, voicing their appreciation to the employees for continuing to work hard to keep the City moving forward. Consensus: Commissioners Aramendia and Fry were in favor of a small reduction in the millage rate; however, City Commission consensus was to set the tentative millage rate at 5.45 mills.