CC Minutes 06/13/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Commission Meeting June 13, 2005 Page 15 Commission Discussion: Mayor Goff asked the Commission to approve the formation of a Mayor's Committee to look at the situation of property assessments and the problems with the low assessment percentages for the City. He would serve as ex-officio member along with real estate professionals and financial experts in the field. Mayor Goff also stated that making a decision on the budget based on the five recommendations presented by the City Manager was premature and he would not be in favor of cutting items without further information. Commissioner Doerner stated that the property appraisal issue should be handled by staff and did not favor the forming of a committee. She favored eliminating purchase of fire truck, nine new firefighter positions and Animal Control. Commissioner Hufford was not in favor of forming a Mayor's Committee regarding property assessments and it should be handled at stafflevel. She favored the storm water utility transfer, the purchase of the fire truck and eliminating the nine firefighter positions. She would support readdressing the FEMA Grant at another time. She would support a 4.6% utility rate increase. Commissioner Hart suggested the City purchase the Fire Truck and not hire the nine new firefighter positions. She favored keeping Animal Control or eliminating any City positions. She favored the formation of the Mayor's Committee with staff input. Commissioner Cook favored purchase of fire truck and eliminating nine firefighter positions; opposed to increase in ad valorem; opposed to eliminating animal control; opposed to increase in utility rates. She favored the increase from the stormwater utility, possibly more than the $400,000. She did not have a problem with the formation of the Mayor's Committee. Commissioner Cook suggested that service levels may be a good referendum issue for the citizens to decide. Formation of a Mavor's Committee to Assess Property Values MOTION: Moved by Commissioner Linda Hart to authorize the Mayor to form a Committee to assess property values in the City utilizing professional individuals and City staff personnel. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Colleen Hufford and carried on a 3 - 2 vote. Commissioners Doerner and Hufford dissenting. Commission was asked to give their recommendations for membership on the Committee to the City Manager. Commissioner Doerner asked that a record be kept by the Administration of staff time spent as support for the Committee. No Official motion was made regarding the budget presentation. The City Manager stated that the consensus and the direction he heard was to eliminate the firefighter position; transferring the Storm water Fund balance to the General Fund; keeping Animal Control in the budget; Utility increase of 4.6%. The budget will be distributed to the City Commission on July 1, 2005.