[ GAVEL BANGING ] >> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING. TODAY IS MONDAY SEPTEMBER 8th, 2025, AND THE TIME IS 6:00 P.M.
WE WILL NOW TURN TO OUR CLERK FOR THE ROLL CALL. >> MAYOR SHELTON? VICE MAYOR HAY? >> PRESENT. >> COMMISSIONER CRUZ? >> HERE. >> COMMISSIONER TURKIN? >> HERE.
>> COMMISSIONER KELLEY? >> HERE. >> VICE MAYOR, YOU HAVE A QUORUM. >> VICE MAYOR: I WILL LEAD THE
INVOCATION TONIGHT AND THEN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. LET'S ALL STAND FOR THE INVOCATION. ETERNAL GOD, WE PAUSE AT THE OPENING OF THIS SPECIAL MEETING TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR PRESENCE AND TO SEEK YOUR WISDOM.
WE THANK YOU FOR BLESSING US WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE GREAT PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH. LORD, GRANT EACH COMMISSIONER, STAFF MEMBER, CITIZENS WHO ARE GATHERED HERE TONIGHT THIS
EVENING. CLARITY OF MIND, UNITY OF SPIRIT, AND COMPASSION AND DECISION MAKING. MAY OUR DECISION BE MARKED BY RESPECT, PATIENCE AND INTEGRITY. GUIDE US SO THAT EVERY ACTION TAKEN THIS EVENING WILL LIFT UP
OUR COMMUNITY. STRENGTHEN OUR NEIGHBORS, OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND ENSURE A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR ALL WHO CALL BOYNTON BEACH HOME. BLESS OUR LEADERS WITH COURAGE AND TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT.
EVEN WHEN IT IS DIFFICULT. AND MAY THE WORK ACCOMPLISHED IN THIS MEETING TONIGHT REFLECT FAIRNESS, JUSTICE AND THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE WE REPRESENT. WE ASK YOUR CONTINUED PROTECTION
OVER OUR CITY, OUR RESIDENTS AND OUR FAMILIES. AND WHEN THIS MEETING IS DONE, MAY WE LEAVE WITH PEACE, KNOWING WE HAVE DONE OUR BEST IN SERVICE. FOR IT IS IN THE NAME OF JESUS THE CHRIST, THAT WE DO PRAY AND ASK IT ALL, LET ALL OUR HEARTS
SAY, AMEN. >> AMEN. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND
JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> VICE MAYOR: THANK YOU, EVERYONE. WE ARE NOW MOVING ON TO THE AGENDA APPROVAL ADDITIONS, CORRECTIONS, DELETIONS.
LET'S BEGIN ON MY LEFT WITH COMMISSIONER TURKIN. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA? >> NO, SIR, GOOD TO GO. >> VICE MAYOR: COMMISSIONER KELLEY? >> I DON'T SEE ANY LINE FOR
PUBLIC COMMENT, IS THAT BECAUSE IT WILL BE PUBLIC COMMENT ON EACH ITEM? >> EACH ITEM HAS A PUBLIC HEARING. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NO CHANGES, VICE MAYOR. >> NO CHANGES. >> VICE MAYOR: I HAVE NONE.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> YOU WERE GOING TO ADD SOMETHING, COMMISSIONER HAY? >> YES, I WOULD LIKE TO ADD A BRIEF CITY ATTORNEY UPDATE BEFORE WE BEGIN THE PUBLIC
HEARING. SO ITEM 1C WILL BE ADDED FOR THE ATTORNEY'S REPORT. >> MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA AS AMENDED. >> SECOND. >> VICE MAYOR: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> AYE. >> VICE MAYOR: OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, THE MOTION IS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. THE ANNOUNCEMENT, 1-B.
THE SECOND BUDGET HEARING, THE SECOND PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING TO ADOPT THE 2025-26 BUDGET WILL BE HELD DURING THE REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING THURSDAY
SEPTEMBER 18, 2025, 6:00 P.M. IN THE CITY COMMISSION CHAMBER. MOVING ON TO ITEM 1-C. MISS LAMB, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE US YOUR REPORT? >> YES, I JUST WANTED TO -- MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION, I'M
PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND THE CITY'S PARTICIPATION IN THE PFAS LITIGATION, WE'VE SECURED THE SECOND INSTALLMENT IN SETTLEMENT FUNDS FROM 3M IN THE AMOUNT OF
$5.8 MILLION. THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL OBTAINED BY THE CITY IN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS TO JUST OVER $8 MILLION. >> VICE MAYOR: EXCELLENT. >> WHERE DO THOSE FUNDS GO, IN THE GENERAL FUND?
>> DAN IS PUTTING THEM IN THE GENERAL FUND, BUT SOME OF THEM ARE ALSO GOING TO UTILITIES. BUT I WILL ALSO TELL YOU, I HAVE A MEETING TOMORROW WITH OUR ATTORNEYS TO DISCUSS ADDITIONAL LITIGATION RELATED TO FIRE RETARDANT FOAM.
HUGH, YOU AND I WILL BE TALKING. SO THAT'S TOMORROW. THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WILL KEEP PROCESSING THOSE AND TRY TO GET ANY ADDITIONAL MONIES WE, WHENEVER IT'S POSSIBLE. >> PERFECT. >> FOR THE FIREFIGHTER FOAM, IS
THAT FOR THE ADDITIONAL TOXINS? >> YES, THERE IS PFAS AND OTHERS USED ON WATER. NOW THEY'RE STARTING THE LITIGATION REGARDING THAT. >> VERY GOOD. REAL QUICK.
WHAT I THINK I'M GOING TO DO IS ALLOCATE $1 MILLION INTO OUR CIP FUND. WE DIDN'T ALLOCATE ANY FUNDING INTO OUR CIP. I THINK THAT WOULD BE PRUDENT THIS YEAR, SINCE WE MADE SURE WE GOT THE SETTLEMENT TO FUND THAT APPROPRIATELY. SO.
>> VICE MAYOR: VERY GOOD. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, SHAWNA. >> VICE MAYOR: THE FIRST AGENDA ITEM IS PROPOSED RESOLUTION
NUMBER R25-239 TO APPROVE THE PROVISION OF CANAL MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR FISCAL YEAR '25-'26. STAFF, IF YOU WOULD BEGIN THAT PRESENTATION?
>> I DON'T NEED TO READ THAT ITEM. JUST WHEN WE GET TO 3C, IF THERE'S A PRESENTATION RELATING TO THIS BUDGET -- AREN'T WE ON.
>> VICE MAYOR: WE'RE ON 2A. WE DON'T NEED TO READ THAT. JUST WHEN WE GET TO 2C. >> THIS IS JUST RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF CANAL MAINTENANCE? IS ANYONE DOING THE PRESENTATION? >> THIS IS WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST NOR THE PAST TWO OR
THREE YEARS, THE LATE GRASS GETS TOO THICK, AND WE HAVE FWC COME BY AND SPRAY THE CANALS, SO THE RESIDENTS DON'T HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THAT BRUSH.
>> VICE MAYOR: OKAY. >> QUESTION. >> VICE MAYOR: GO AHEAD. >> ENLIGHTEN ME, I KNOW WE HAD LOTS OF CONVERSATION LAST YEAR, WITH REGARD TO THIS. WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.
IS THIS SOMETHING WE'RE JUST GOING TO ASSESS EVERY YEAR, BECAUSE I THOUGHT WE WERE LOOKING FOR DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS OR IDEAS THAT MAY WORK. THERE WAS CONVERSATION ABOUT MAKING THE DRAINS, THE CULVERT BIGGER. CAN YOU UPDATE US FOR THE
RECORD, OF WHAT THE STATUS IS ON THAT AND WHAT THE PLAN IS MOVING FORWARD? >> YEAH, ORIGINALLY THAT WAS ONE OF THE PROJECTS WE HAD EARMARKED, REDOING THE CULVERT SYSTEM ON MISSION HILL ROAD. WHAT WE DID WAS, WE DID AN
APPROPRIATION BILL AND WE ASKED THE STATE TO MEET US 50/50 TO WHERE WE WERE GOING TO HAVE THE FUNDS TO ALLOCATE TOWARD THAT, WE HAVE THE CULVERT DESIGN DONE. THAT'S GOING TO BE OUT OF OUR WAY, WE DID NOT GET ALLOCATED THOSE FUNDS.
I'D RECOMMEND WE CONTINUE WITH THIS. BUT I ALSO WANT THE COMMISSION TO REALIZE THAT THAT'S A PORTION TO WHERE IT ONLY AFFECTS DIANE DRIVE AND SOUTHLAKE DRIVE. YOU HAVE A HUGE AREA OF CANAL SYSTEMS ARE IN ADDITION TO THAT, THAT IT ALSO AFFECTS.
EVEN IF THAT CULVERT SYSTEM WAS REDESIGNED AND A BRIDGE WAS PUT THERE, WE STILL NEED TO CONTINUE THESE SPRAYINGS. >> GOT IT, PERFECT. >> VICE MAYOR, IF I MAY? >> VICE MAYOR: GO AHEAD. >> IS IT POSSIBLE TO PARTNER NOT
JUST WITH OUR LOBBYISTS, BUT LAKE WORTH DRAINAGE DISTRICT, SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT, AND SEE IF WE CAN COLLABORATE AND PROPOSE AN APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST? MAYBE THAT'S A BETTER AVENUE. MAYBE THEY HAVE A LITTLE MORE TEETH IN TALLAHASSEE OR MAYBE WE
ORGANIZE WITH DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS AND THEN DO A JOINT REQUEST? >> THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO JUST HIT ON, ABSOLUTELY, WE COULD DO A JOINT REQUEST. I THINK WE DID THIS -- I DON'T BELIEVE WE DID THE APPROPRIATION LAST YEAR, I THINK IT WAS TWO YEARS AGO, ACTUALLY, I'LL
DEFINITELY -- YOU BROUGHT UP DOING A LEGISLATIVE WORKSHOP, IT'S SOMETHING WE CAN BRING UP DURING THAT, AND GET SOME DIRECTION TO OUR LOBBYISTS AT THE STATE LEVEL, WITH BALLARD PARTNERS, THEY CAN DEFINITELY WORK ON THAT, BETWEEN LAKE WORTH DRAINAGE DISTRICT AND US.
IF WE HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROJECT. THE WAY IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME, THEY LOOK FOR PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE MULTIJURISDICTIONAL. AND MULTIPLE MUNICIPALITIES. AND I THINK BEING ON THE BORDER OF DELRAY AND BOYNTON, IT DEFINITELY FITS THAT.
IT'S INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT, AND IT'S GOING TO AFFECT THE RESIDENTS OF BOYNTON, IT COULD ALSO BE DELRAY. >> MAYBE WE CAN REACH OUT TO DELRAY TOO, MAYBE IT'S THE CITY REGISTRATION? >> YES. >> WE SHARE THE SAME LEGISLATOR
OR WILL SHARE THE SAME LEGISLATOR, BEFORE WE GET INTO SESSION. MAYBE WE EARMARK THAT INITIATIVE. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> VICE MAYOR: OKAY. MOVING RIGHT ALONG. THE SECOND AGENDA ITEM.
>> I'M SORRY, WE NEED PUBLIC HEARING. IF THERE'S ANY PUBLIC COMMENT. >> VICE MAYOR: SORRY. I FORGOT. IS THERE ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, SEEING NONE WE'LL MOVE ON TO --
>> WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE ONLINE. >> OKAY. EVERYONE'S TRYING TO STAY DRY. >> DON'T BLAME THEM. >> MOTION TO APPROVE 2A. >> SECOND.
>> VICE MAYOR: ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> VICE MAYOR: CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NOW WE GET TO 2B.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION NO. R25-240 ADOPTING THE FINAL FIRE ASSESSMENT FEE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING? >> YES, THIS IS RELATING TO THE FIRE ASSESSMENT.
SO THE FIRE ASSESSMENT IS STAYING THE SAME, WE'RE NOT CHANGING, IT'S STAYING EXACTLY THE SAME AS LAST YEAR. THERE'S BEEN NO INCREASE. >> VICE MAYOR: ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS
ITEM? ANYONE ONLINE? >> NO ONE ONLINE. >> VICE MAYOR: IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE, MAY WE HAVE A MOTION. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
>> VICE MAYOR: IT WAS MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED. BY COMMISSIONER KELLEY, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CRUZ. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> VICE MAYOR: ALL OPPOSED, NAY?
>> NAY. >> VICE MAYOR: THE MOTION IS APPROVED 3-1.
>> COMMISSIONER TURKIN DISSENTING. >> VICE MAYOR: THE FINAL ITEM, RESOLUTION NO. R 25-241, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF
BOYNTON BEACH TO APPROVE THE MILLAGE RATE AN THE TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR '25-'26. >> PUBLIC HEARING ON R25-241, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF
BOYNTON BEACH FLORIDA ADOPTING A PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2025, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2026, ANNOUNCING THE PERCENT IF ANY, THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE EXCEEDS THE ROLLED BACK RATE,
ANNOUNCING THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF THE SECOND AND FINAL NOTICE, PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET AND MILLAGE RATE, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> VICE MAYOMAYOR: DO WE HAVE PRESENTATION FROM STAFF? >> ABSOLUTELY. GOOD EVENING VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, CITY STAFF. MY NAME IS FABIO BACCA. THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PRESENTATION IS TO SUMMARIZE THE
CHANGES THAT TOOK PLACE BETWEEN THE WORKSHOP AND TODAY. AND SO AS THE SLIDES GO BY, I'LL MAKE COMMENTS AND I'M MORE THAN WELCOME TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION OR DURING THE PRESENTATION. FEEL FREE TO STOP ME IF NEED BE. A REMINDER THAT TODAY IS THE FIRST HEARING, AND THEN THERE WILL BE A FINAL HEARING ON
SEPTEMBER 18 AT 6:00 P.M. THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS MEETING IS TO ADOPT THE MILLAGE RATE AND THE BUDGET. WE'RE GOING TO REVIEW ANY CHANGES BETWEEN JULY AND TODAY. WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENTS TO THE PUBLIC. AND THEN ALSO THE RESOLUTION FOR FIRE AND THE CANAL ASSESSMENT ARE BEING ADOPTED. AND THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE IS
7.8 MEANING THAT REMAINS THE SAME AS THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE ACTUAL TAX INCREASE IS 5.74% FOR STATE TRIM CALCULATIONS, AND THE ROLL BACK RATE IS 7.3764 DUE TO THE CITY'S OPERATIONAL COSTS.
THE FOLLOWING SLIDE SHOWS YOU WHAT IT WOULD MEAN IF WE WERE TO GO BACK TO THE ROLL BACK RATE, THE 7.364, IF THE CITY WERE TO DO THAT, WE WOULD LOSE $4.4
MILLION IN REVENUE. [ INAUDIBLE ] >> HOW MUCH WAS AWARDED? >> $8 MILLION.
>> LET'S ROLL IT BACK. >> I STRONGLY RECOMMEND AGAINST THAT. >> YOU HAVE AN ACUTE INJECTION. >> IS THERE A LIVE EXCEL SPREADSHEET? >> WE DO, YES. >> ARE YOU GOING TO GET THERE? >> WE CAN PULL IT UP ANY TIME YOU LIKE, EITHER AT THE END OR RIGHT NOW, IT'S UP TO --
>> DAN, ARE YOU GOING TO MENTION THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IMPLICATION, OR THE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX? >> I KIND OF -- I'LL BRIEFLY GO OVER THAT, I SENT YOU CORRESPONDENCE IN REFERENCE TO THE PROPERTY TAXES, THE GOVERNOR
HAS AGREED TO PUSH IT FORWARD TO REFERENDUM, HOWEVER, THE SENATE HAS NOT VOTED ON IT, IF THE GOVERNMENT IS SHOWING SUPPORT, AND THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE BOTH FROM THE SAME PARTY, IT'S GOING TO PROBABLY GET TRACTION.
I REACHED OUT TO BALLARD PARTNERS, WHICH IS OUR CONDUIT TO TALLAHASSEE, AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT THEY -- THEY'RE GETTING CALLS FROM ALL MUNICIPALITIES, ALL COUNTIES THAT CURRENTLY THEY SERVE, AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME WORRY.
THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE COMPLETE ELIMINATION OF THIS, OR IN THE EVENT THEY DO AN ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMEOWNERS. WHAT I HAVE TALKED TO BALLARD PARTNERS ABOUT, WAS IN THE EXTENT THAT THEY DO DO THIS,
IT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TAXES, AND IT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT SECONDARY RENTALS, YOUR AIRBNB'S, THINGS OF THAT NATURE, THOSE AREN'T GOING TO BE INCLUDED. THIS IS FOR YOUR PRIMARY HOMEOWNER, WITH THE PROPERTY
TAXES, AND IT'S -- IT'S -- WE HAVE 39 MUNICIPALITIES, VILLAGE, TOWN, CITIES, YOU NAME IT. THEY VARY FROM THE HIGH END OF MANALAPAN WHO HAS A 9.9 MILLAGE
RATE TO JUPITER COLONY, I THINK THEY'RE 1.8. IT'S A VAST DEGREE OF DIFFERENCES. A LOT OF THOSE CITIES, WHICH -- AND I DEFINITELY WANT THE CITY TO UNDERSTAND THAT, WE DON'T HAVE A DDA TAXING AUTHORITY, WE DON'T HAVE A PARKS AND BEACHES
TAXING AUTHORITY, BOCA HAS DISTINCT DIFFERENCES AND THINGS LIKE THAT, WHERE YOU HAVE THESE ADDITIONAL TAXING DISTRICTS. THOSE AREN'T ADVERTISED, LIKE A STANDARD MILLAGE RATE IS, AND BOYNTON DOES NOT HAVE THAT. ESSENTIALLY OUR MILLAGE RATE
TIES IN ALL SORT -- THE REVENUES THAT WE USE TO SERVICE THE ENTIRE CITY, THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT THAT WE HAVE. I WANT YOU TO ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT. IF YOU LIVE IN THE COUNTY, YOU HAVE RIGHT AROUND A 4.5 MILLAGE RATE.
IF YOU'RE IN THE MSTU DISTRICT. COUNTY, FIRE, RESCUE ATTACHES AN ADDITIONAL 3.46 MILLS ON TO YOU. AND YOU'RE OVER 7.8 THEN. JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING IS ADVERTISED FROM A PRIMARY
ASPECT, ALL OF THOSE ANCILLARY CHARGES THAT YOU HAVE TO PEEL BACK THE PAGE ON. THE ONLY THING WE HAVE IS A FIRE ASSESSMENT THAT WE'RE UTILIZING TO BUILD ANOTHER FIRE STATION AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND STUFF LIKE THAT. I WILL SAY THIS, I'M LOOKING AT
IT, PROBABLY -- IF IT DOES GO FORWARD, AND FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES, I LIVE IN THE CITY. I'M GOING TO VOTE FOR IT, AND I'M GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DEAL WITH IT, BECAUSE I PAY A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF PROPERTY TAXES, JUST LIKE EVERYONE ON THE DAIS AND PEOPLE
IN THE CROWD, THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE FOR IT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT MORE OF A FEE BASED SYSTEM, TO WHERE WE CAN REPLACE THAT REVENUE. AND WE ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AT, HEY, WHAT IS TALLAHASSEE PROPOSING AS A SOLUTION OR ALTERNATIVE FUNDING SOURCE.
I'VE HEARD THE ELEVATING SALES TAX, TO WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE AN ALLOCATION BASED OFF YOUR POPULATION, I CAN TELL YOU THAT WILL BE VERY ADD CONVENIENT TAKEN YOUS FOR A CITY THE SIZE OF BOYNTON BEACH. WE HAVE A LARGE SENIOR
POPULATION. WE HAVE A LARGE SECTION OF IMPOVERISHED RESIDENTS. IT WILL DEFINITELY -- IT'S AN EXCITING THING, AND AT THE SAME TIME, IT IS A PRECARIOUS SITUATION WE HAVE TO NAVIGATE THROUGH. THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME CHALLENGES, BUT WE CAN
DEFINITELY GET THERE. >> VICE MAYOR? >> IF I MAY,S I THINK -- I THINK THE OTHER THING TO LOOK AT TOO. THIS IS SOMETHING TO BRING UP WITH OUR LEGISLATIVE WORKSHOP WITH MATT, IS -- I THINK WE NEED
TO LOOK AND LOBBY HARD FOR EXPANDING THE USE OF THESE ENTERPRISE FUNDS. BECAUSE I THINK THAT WITH A FEE BASED SYSTEM, GRANTED, IF THIS DOES MOVE FORWARD, WE DON'T KNOW THAT, IT WILL BE VOTED ON BY THE RESIDENTS OF FLOORS, AND, YOU
KNOW, I WOULD IMAGINE THAT PROBABLY WOULDN'T GO INTO EFFECT RIGHT AWAY. >> TYPICALLY, IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE ABOUT 2 YEARS, IT'S GOING TO BE PHASED, AND AGAIN, WE DERIVE PROBABLY ABOUT $60 MILLION OF OUR GENERAL FUND FROM
THE AD VALOREM TAXES. I CAN TELL YOU THAT REPRESENTS ALMOST 50%, PROBABLY 45 TO 47% OF YOUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET. GENERAL FUND OUTSIDE THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS, BUT IT WILL DEFINITELY HAVE AN EFFECT, AND
WE'LL JUST HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY OF HOW WE'RE GOING TO REPLACE THOSE REVENUES. I CAN TELL YOU AFTER NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET, IF WE GET THROUGH '26-'S 27, THE FOLLOWING YEAR, WE HAVE PROBABLY 7 TO 9 MILLION IN DEBT
SERVICES, THAT THE CITY TOOK OUT IN LOANS. THOSE ARE GOING TO COME OFF THE BOOKS AND FREEING UP MORE CAPITAL. I HAVE ALLEN, WHEN HE COMES TO THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX, WE HAVE TAKEN A LOT OF STAGNANT FUNDS THAT WE'VE HAD IN THE
CITY, WE'VE INVESTED THEM APPROPRIATELY. AND WE'RE GOING TO BE RECOUPING BETWEEN 400,000 TO A MILLION IN EXTRA REVENUE. WE'RE REDOING OUR ERP SYSTEM, WE'RE DOING THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE MORE REVENUE DRIVEN IN THE CITY, YOU'RE GOING TO BE
SEEING A GOLF COURSE RFP COMING UP, TO GET SOME OF THE MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITIES OFF THE CITY'S BOOKS. WE'RE LOOKING AT THINGS FROM A TOP LINE AND BOTTOM LINE PERSPECTIVE. WE'RE TRYING TO MEET THAT IN THE MIDDLE TO MAXIMIZE THE CITY'S
FINANCIAL FOOTPRINT. >> ADAM AND I TALKED ABOUT THIS BRIEFLY, IDENTIFYING THE PROPERTIES WE'RE GOING TO LOSE POTENTIALLY WITH THE AD VALOREM. THE SCREEN WENT OUT. YOU GUYS -- I.T.?
I THINK THAT WOULD BE LIKE STEP 1. AND I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A WAY TO DO THAT, OR IF WE HAVE A PLATFORM. >> I BELIEVE OUR PLANNING OFFICE COULD PROBABLY DO SOME LEVEL OF ANALYSIS THERE SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'VE DONE IN OUR FEASIBILITY
FOR ANNEXATION. >> YEAH. >> RIGHT. >> THAT'S ANOTHER THING TO TALK ABOUT TOO, LATER DOWN THE ROAD. BUT OKAY. ALL GOOD INFORMATION, THANK YOU. I DO WANT TO PLAY WITH THAT EXCEL SPREADSHEET TO SEE WHERE
WE CAN GET THAT MILLAGE RATE AT, ESPECIALLY WITH THIS INJECTION OF FUNDS. THE BEAUTY IS, WE CAN ADJUST EACH YEAR IF NEEDED. TIMES ARE TOUGH, I THINK IF WE CAN MAKE AN IMPACT WE SHOULD DO THAT. >> I'M ALL FOR THAT MYSELF, BUT
I'M NOT READY TO MAKE THAT MOVE AT THIS POINT. WE NEED TO DO MORE STUDYING, AND FIGURING OUT WHAT DIRECTION IS THE BEST WAY TO GO. >> WE HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION TONIGHT, THOUGH. >> NOT ON THE. >> OCTOBER 1st.
>> I KNOW THAT. >> SEPTEMBER 18th. >> MY WHOLE THING IS, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE INJECTION OF THE CAPITAL. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THAT ROLLING FROM YEAR TO YEAR. >> IT'S A ONE TIME. >> ANY SHORTFALLS YOU CREATE THIS YEAR.
IF WE DO A ROLL BACK RATE OF $4$4 MILLION THIS YEAR, YOU'RE GOING TO COMPOUND THAT NEXT YEAR. WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT A FUND THE SIZE OF THE CITY, OF ALL FUNDS, IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT 345 MILLION, YOU'RE GOING TO GO
UP 3% FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR. ANYTHING YOU GUYS DECIDE TO DO IS GOING TO COMPOUND. I CAN SAY, I ALWAYS TRY TO CREATE WIGGLE ROOM IN THE BUDGET FOR YOU GUYS, TO BE ABLE TO BRING THE OVERALL MILLAGE RATE DOWN. MY RECOMMENDATION, IF YOU DO
DECIDE TO DO THAT, I WOULDN'T GO BELOW 7.75, JUST -- WE'RE STILL HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND I DON'T THINK, EVEN YOUR PREDECESSORS CAN SAY THAT THEY ACTUALLY REDUCED THE MILLAGE RATE. AS A MATTER OF FACT, WHEN I
LOOKED BACK, OUR MILLAGE RATE WENT FROM 5 TO A HAIR AWAY FROM 8. SINCE YOU'VE BEEN HERE, WE'VE BEEN STEADILY MOVING THAT BACKWARDS, AND I THINK THAT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE DAIS. I WISH I COULD JUST BRING IT BACK. WE GOT SOME THINGS WORKING IN
THE BACKGROUND AND IT WILL GIVE US OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE DRASTIC CHANGES IN THE FUTURE. >> VICE MAYOR: VERY GOOD. ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM --
>> WE LOST OUR WHOLE SCREEN, SO. >> VICE MAYOR: OKAY, THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING -- >> WE'RE GOING TO KEEP DOING THE PRESENTATION. >> WE'LL PLUG IN THE MILLAGE RATE, THAT WILL SHOW US IF WE'RE
IN A DEFICIT OR SURPLUS WITH THE ROLL BACK RATE. WHAT'S THE DEFICIT, $4 MILLION? >> YES, IF YOU WERE TO GO BACK TO THE RATE, WE WOULD LOSE ABOUT $4 MILLION OF REVENUE. EVERY YEAR -- >> AND THE CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDING 7.75, WHERE DOES
THAT PUT US. >> WE WOULD LOSE ABOUT $450,000 OF REVENUE. >> I WOULD SUPPORT KEEPING IT AT 7.8 FOR THIS YEAR. I WILL NOT VOTE FOR A ROLL BACK RATE OR ANYTHING LOWER THAN
THAT. THAT'S MY POSITION. >> WHAT WAS THE DECREASE THAT WE HAD LAST YEAR? I KNOW WE'VE HAD A DECREASE EVERY YEAR FOR THE MOST PART, IT WAS -- >> 7.05. >> SO IF WE WERE TO DO THAT SAME
THING THIS TIME AROUND, HOW MUCH WOULD THAT BE? >> 400,000. >> 7.75. >> 450,000. >> DISAPPEARED AGAIN. >> VICE MAYOR: LAST YEAR WAS
7.8, CORRECT? >> YES. >> I WOULD SUPPORT 7.75. >> YEAH. >> YEAH, ONE OF THE YEARS I THINK WE KEPT IT THE SAME. LAST YEAR OR THE YEAR PRIOR. >> LAST YEAR WE CUT IT .05.
>> THEN THE YEAR BEFORE, WE DID 7.8. >> CAN WE GO BACK TO THE -- >> YEAH, THERE'S.
>> VICE MAYOR: HEARING NONE -- >> PARDON ME? >> ARE YOU FINISHED WITH THE PRESENTATION? >> YEAH, I'M GOING TO FINISH THE PRESENTATION, I'M IN FAVOR OF SLASHING TAXES, OF COURSE. I WOULD LIKE TO GO LOWER THAN 7.75, IT SEEMS LIKE THE
CONSENSUS IS MOVING AWAY FROM THAT, SO BREAK BREAD WHERE I CAN. >> VICE MAYOR: ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? >> I MEAN, MY -- I SUPPORT
ADJUSTING THE MILLAGE RATE, I THINK, THAT EVERY YEAR WE SHOULD LOOK AT HOW WE CAN ADJUST IT. MY CONCERN WITH TAKING A $5 MILLION SETTLEMENT THAT WE RECEIVED AS A ONE TIME DEAL TO REALLY GIVE A BENEFIT, WE'RE
THEN -- ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S A UTILITY SETTLEMENT, WHEN WE HAVE TWO WATER PLANTS IN DESPERATE NEED OF REPLACEMENT, AND WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW WE'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT. SHOULD WE REALLY -- SHOULDN'T THAT MONEY BE REINVESTED, AND IT
WILL ULTIMATELY SAVE THE RESIDENTS MONEY IN THE LONG RUN BY -- WHETHER THAT BE IN -- REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF A LOAN OR A BOND OR HOWEVER WE MOVE FORWARD WITH MAKING THOSE
UTILITY REPAIRS, I'M HESITANT TO SAY, WE SHOULD JUST TAKE THAT AND REALLY REDUCE THE ENTIRE CITY BUDGET. JUST BECAUSE OF THAT ONE TIME THING. WE GOT INTO A SIMILAR -- AND WE KIND OF FIXED IT, WITH THE ARPA
FUNDS, AND WE REALLY LOOKED AT HOW WE COULD USE THOSE ARPA FUNDS TO DO PAVING AND THINGS THAT WOULD BENEFIT THE RESIDENTS. YOU KNOW, AS OPPOSED TO THEM MAYBE SEEING A FIVE CENT OR 10
CENT DECREASE IN AN ANNUAL OR MONTHLY TAX BILL THAT REALLY DOESN'T PROVIDE THEM A BENEFIT. SO JUST REAL QUICK, ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE SPOKEN TO STAFF ABOUT, AND ON THIS DAIS AS WELL, IS LOOKING AT DIFFERENT WAYS WE
CAN PROVIDE MAYBE ADDITIONAL REDUCTIONS OR ABILITIES TO REDUCE OR ASSIST THE RESIDENTS WHO HAVE A NEED. I KNOW ANDREW AND I TALKED ABOUT THIS, I KNOW I TALKED ABOUT IT WITH PUNAM AS WELL.
WE KNOW TAXES INCREASE BECAUSE PROPERTY ASSESSMENT VALUES INCREASE. HOW CAN WE REALLY PROVIDE A BENEFIT TO OUR RESIDENTS? WE DID THAT BY REDUCING THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, OR INCREASING THE HOMESTEAD
EXEMPTION FOR SENIORS, THERE ARE WAYS WE CAN STILL LOOK AT EITHER CHANGING THE QUALIFICATIONS TO APPLY FOR WAIVERS OF OUR FIRE ASSESSMENT OR POTENTIALLY
INCREASE THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR SENIORS OR LOW INCOME, TO REALLY ASSIST THE RESIDENTSING WHO NEED IT, AND NOT JUST GLOBALLY THE ENTIRE CITY. I MEAN, I PAY TAXES, AND I KNOW WHAT I'M GETTING FOR THOSE TAXES.
SO I'M WILLING TO OAWN A HOME AD LIVE IN THIS CITY AND SUPPORT THE CITY. AND SUPPORT ALL THE THINGS THAT GO INTO RUNNING A CITY. I WANT -- I WOULD LIKE STAFF TO LOOK AT WAYS THAT WE CAN PUT A TRUE BENEFIT BACK TO THE
RESIDENTS WHO NEED IT, AS OPPOSED TO TAKING AWAY POTENTIAL SERVICES TO PROVIDE A TEN CENT DECREASE TO SOMEONE'S TIRE -- OR DECREASE GLOBALLY TO THE TAXES,
REALLY AT THE END OF THE DAY, DOESN'T MAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS. I THINK THERE ARE WAYS THAT WE CAN LOOK AT REALLY ASSISTING THE RESIDENTS WHO DO HAVE A NEED. I WOULD LIKE STAFF TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT, AND LOOK AT HOW
WE CAN CHANGE SOME OF THE POLICIES THAT WE HAVE THAT WILL BENEFIT THOSE GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS.
>> I AGREE WITH THE SENTIMENT THAT'S BEEN STATED. FOR ME PERSONALLY, I HAVE TO SAY THAT I'VE ALWAYS SUPPORTED DECREASING PROPERTY TAXES, THE MILLAGE RATE IS SOMETHING I'VE ADVOCATED FOR SINCE YEAR ONE, I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN
CONTINUE TO WORK ON ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE IS NOT JUST DECREASING THE MILLAGE RATE, IT'S ALSO MAKING SURE WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SERVICES, THAT THE RESIDENTS ARE COUNTING ON THE CITY TO PROVIDE. AS WE KNOW, WE HAVE AGING
INFRASTRUCTURE. WE HAVE -- WITH REGARD TO UTILITIES, WE HAVE A LOT OF MONEY THAT HAS TO BE INVESTED IN ORDER TO NOT ONLY MAINTAIN SERVICES, BUT IN A SHORT TERM BASIS, BUT ALSO IN A LONG TERM BASIS. WE HAVE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE TO INVEST
IN INFRASTRUCTURE TO MAKE SURE WATER IS SAFE. AND SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WOULD SUPPORT A REASONABLE DECREASE IN A MILLAGE RATE. YOU SAID IT WAS 7.75? I WOULD SUPPORT THAT.
AND MAKING SURE THAT ANY REVENUE THAT WE RECEIVED. AND I DO WANT TO THANK OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT FOR GETTING AND WORKING ON THAT LITIGATION AND GETTING US THOSE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY POSITIVE FOR US
GOING-FORWARD. BUT AS WE GET THAT, WE DO HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S A ONE TIME FUNDING SOURCE, AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO COME ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
SO I DO SUPPORT 7.75, AND AT THE SAME TIME, I WANT US TO PUT MONEY ASIDE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE INVESTING IN OUR UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE. BECAUSE WE DESPERATELY NEED IT. >> I HAD A PRESENTATION WITH UTILITY STAFF, AND THEY'RE
LOOKING AT INCREASING THE UTILITY RATES, ALSO PULLING A $50 MILLION BOND. I THINK THE SENTIMENT OF THIS WITH UTILITIES DOESN'T MATCH UP, IF THAT'S THE INITIATIVES THAT THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE IS LOOKING AT. BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE
AGING INFRASTRUCTURE. I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE END ALL BE ALL. I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT CREATIVE SOLUTIONS. WHETHER THAT'S PUBLIC OR PRIVATE. WE SERVE THE TAXPAYERS, RIGHT? WE INVEST IN THIS NOW, AND WE DON'T WANT TO BE PUNISHED BY SINS OF THE PAST, WE'VE BEEN UP
HERE, AND WE'VE HAD TO MAKE THOSE TOUGH DECISIONS. MAYBE WE NEED TO LOOK AT TOUGHER DECISIONS. ULTIMATELY THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN. AND I JUST DON'T -- THIS DOESN'T EQUATE TO WHAT IS BEING RECOMMENDED. BECAUSE THEN IT'S -- I JUST --
IT SEEMS THAT WE'RE TAKING MORE AND MORE AND MORE. I'M JUST NOT GOING TO GO FOR THAT. SO I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER THAN 7.75. AND I PROPOSE 7.7. AND I'M GOING TO STAND THERE.
IF THERE'S DISCUSSION TO PULL A $50 MILLION BOND, THAT THE TAXPAYERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO VOTE ON, RIGHT? AND IF THAT PASSES, THAT'S ULTIMATELY THEIR LIABILITY AS WELL, AND THEN IN ADDITION, THE
UTILITIES INCREASE -- >> IT JUST POPPED UP. >> OKAY. MOVING ON.
YOU KNOW, I JUST -- I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE IT COUNT WHERE WE CAN. RIGHT? I MEAN, IF -- SAY WE DON'T UTILIZE -- THIS INJECTION OF CASH, YOU'RE TELLING ME THERE'S NO RESTRICTED USE, IF UTILITIES IS LOOKING AT A $50 MILLION BOND
IN RATE INCREASES, I THINK WE SHOULD BE USING THAT FOR OTHER PROJECTS. BECAUSE WHO'S TO SAY THAT'S NOT OVERBOARD WITH THE $50 MILLION BOND AND UTILITY INCREASES, RIGHT? I'M JUST -- I'M GOING TO BE A HAWK ON THIS, AND SAVE WHERE WE
CAN. AND WE'VE DONE A GREAT JOB WITH THE ARPA FUNDS, WE'VE DONE A GREAT JOB WITH SUBJECTIVE INITIATIVES THAT PEOPLE SEE AND FEEL AND ARE IMPACTED BY, BUT IT'S JUST -- THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS, A LOT OF FEEDBACK, I
GET, WHERE, WHERE'S THE SERVICE, WHERE'S THE QUALITY, I WAS BLOWN UP ABOUT THE WATER BOILER OR IN A WAS NOT COMMUNICATEDS VERY WELL. I THINK WE REACTED GOOD, BUT WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROACTIVE. IT'S HARD TO SIT HERE AND WANT TO ADVOCATE FOR ALL OF THIS,
WHEN WE CAN'T GET COMMUNICATION, AND RESIDENTS ARE FREAKING OUT. IF I'M A TAXPAYER, THAT IS MAYBE UNINVOLVED, AND I HAVE WATER ISSUES. AND MY WATER SMELLS -- I GET THESE PHONE CALLS, THE UTILITY
DOES A GREAT JOBSPONDING AND BEING REACTIVE. IT'S HARD TO SAY, WE WANT TO DO X, Y, Z. A LOT OF TIMES, PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THE WHY, THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE NECESSARY INVESTMENT THIS TAKES AND THEY DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT.
IT'S HARD TO SELL THAT. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE ON WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SET IT TO? IF NOT, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> MOTION TO MAKE THE -- FOR THE MILLAGE RATE? >> MOTION TO MAKE THE MILLAGE
RATE 7.75. >> SECOND. >> ARE YOU GOING TO DO PUBLIC COMMENT FIRST? >> VICE MAYOR: WE DON'T HAVE TO. >> WE HAVE TOO DO PUBLIC
COMMENT. >> VICE MAYOR: I MEAN, BEFORE WE VOTE, WE CAN HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND. BEFORE WE VOTE, CAN WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS POINT? >> YES.
>> VICE MAYOR: I OPEN UP THE FLOOR FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE MILLAGE RATE BEING SET AT 7.75, IF YOU WOULD COME AT THIS TIME.
YES? GIVE US YOUR NAME AND -- >> DAVID WESLEY CORNISH. CAN I START? >> YES. >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. AND I WANTED TO SAY, I'M A NEW RESIDENT TO BOYNTON BEACH. I LIVE HERE WITH MY WIFE, WE OWN A SINGLE FAMILY HOME.
NORMALLY I DON'T GET INVOLVED IN LOCAL POLITICS AS SUCH. THIS TO ME IS SOMETHING THAT IS JUST PULLING AT ME. SO I SEE THESE GENTLEMAN, THEY GIVE A NICE PRESENTATION. AT THE END OF THE DAY THEY TELL US OUR TAXES ARE GOING UP 5.74%. THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE.
EVERY PERSON WHO OWNS PROPERTY IN THIS TOWN PAID FOR PROPERTY, AND BY US HAVING TO PAY PROPERTY TAXES EVERY YEAR, AND WITH THEM GOING UP, WE DON'T OWN OUR OWN LAND. WE'RE RENTING FROM THE TOWN OF BOYNTON OR PALM BEACH COUNTY OR WHOEVGS THAT IS NOT APPROPRIATE.
OUR GOVERNOR HAS COME OUT VERY FORCEFULLY AND SAID, THAT WE HAVE TO GET RID OF PROPERTY TAXES. AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, WHATEVER RIGHT IT IS, IT'S NOT LOW ENOUGH. WE NEED TO GET THERE. YOU GUYS ARE TALKING, AND I WAS WALKING THROUGH HERE, THROUGH
THERE BUILDING. YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SAVING MONEY EVERYWHERE. AND I'M LOOKING THROUGH YOUR PACKET THAT YOU GAVE HERE. AND I'M JUST WONDERING, BECAUSE IT'S ALL NUMBERS HERE. WHY DO WE NEED TO PRINT SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN COLOR, THAT'S WASTING MONEY.
AGAIN, IN SOMETHING LIKE THIS, IN BLACK AND WHITE, WHY ARE WE WASTING MONEY? IF WE NEED MONEY SO BADLY, WHY DON'T WE HAVE MORE RED LIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS. THEY DO IT IN EVERY OTHER CITY IN DADE COUNTY. WHY DON'T YOU PUNISH THE PEOPLE
VIOLATING OUR LAWS, PEOPLE SPEEDING THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY. WHY DON'T WE HAVE THE POLICE ENFORCEMENT? WHY DON'T WE HAVE THE POLICE GOING OUT AND WRITING TICKETS ON PEOPLE WHO IMPROPERLY PARKED OUR CARS. WHY DON'T WE JACK THOSE FEES UP, WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE THE
PEOPLE IN HERE WHO OWN PROPERTY, WHO FOLLOW THE RULES, GO TO WORK EVERY DAY, AND DO WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY BETTER. WE'RE THE PEOPLE GETTING PENALIZED, NOT THESE OTHER PEOPLE. IT'S NOT RIGHT. I DON'T SUPPORT -- AS I SAID, I
DON'T SUPPORT THE -- ANY TYPE OF PROPERTY TAX, BUT YOU CANNOT BE RAISES TAXES ON US, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY UNFAIR, AND IT'S A VERY UNAMERICAN THING. YOU GUYS NEED TO THINK OF OTHER WAYS TO RAISE REVENUE. AND IT HAS TO BE BESIDES JUST GETTING A LAWSUIT.
YOU HAVE TO FIND MANY OTHER BETTER WAYS TO DO THINGS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. AND I WANT TO SAY, MR. TURKIN, I ESPECIALLY APPRECIATED YOUR COMMENTS, I THOUGHT THEY WERE VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. >> VICE MAYOR: THANK YOU. NEXT?
>> SUSAN OTYER, BOYNTON BEACH. I'M NOT ANTI-PROPERTY TAXES, WE NEED THEM TO PAY OUR BILLS AND MAKE OUR CITIES RUN. I THINK THEY'RE EXCESSIVE AND THERE SHOULD BE A CAP. PROPERTY TAXES SERVE A PURPOSE.
I DO AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER TURKIN, WE NEED TO BE ROLLING THIS BACK. AND MAYBE WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT THE TAKE HOME CARS, THE EXCESSIVE PAYCHECKS, MAYBE WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT, LIKE HE SAID, COLOR COPIES, SINGLE SIDED ONLY AS OPPOSED TO PUTTING BLACK
AND WHITE ON A SHEET OF PAPER, 2 AND 2. THAT'S AN EASY WAY TO SAVE PAPER, EASY WAY TO SAVE MONEY. I THINK YOU GUYS NEED TO BE BITING THE BULLET A LOT HARDER, I THINK LOOKING AT THE REAL ESTATE END OF THINGS, HOW
EVERYTHING IS CRASHING AND BURNING. I KNOW I HAD TWO THINGS FALL APART IN THE LAST WEEK. THAT'S PEOPLE WHO WERE EXCITED TO BUY, AND THEN IT ALL FELL APART, THERE'S EVEN A STORY ABOUT IT ON THE NEWS TONIGHT. THINGS ARE NOT GOING IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION. IF YOU THINK THEY ARE, YOU'RE
SADLY MISTAKEN. AND YOU LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SEAGATE, ALL OVER CHANNEL 5 NEWS TONIGHT. THEIR ASSESSMENTS, THIS IS LEADING NOWHERE GOOD. ARE YOU TRULY PUTTING ENOUGH ASIDE? ARE YOU LOOKING AT THE RESERVES, ARE YOU TRULY STARTING TO CUT BACK?
YOU SHOULD. HOW MANY PEOPLE -- AND BEAR IN MIND I'M NOT PICKING ON ANY ONE PERSON. HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU NEED IN THE PR DEPARTMENT WHO DIDN'T DO THEIR JOB THE LAST FOUR DAYS. HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU NEED TO RUN PROMOTIONS. I WILL TELL YOU, YOU ALL OUGHT
TO BE HIRING MERCEDES AWAY FROM CRA. SHE USED TO RUN PIRATEFEST ALL HERSELF. SHE'S A FORCE OF NATURE AND I LOVE HER. SHE PROBABLY DOESN'T KNOW I LOVE HER THAT MUCH. YOULY SHOULD BE LOOKING AT
MERCEDES TO BE RUNNING EVENTS IN THE CITY. STOP HIRING OUT, STOP DOING THOSE THINGS THAT ARE COSTING TOO MUCH MONEY AND START GOING BEAR BONES NOW AND SAVE IT UP, YOU'RE GOING TO NEED IT IN THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS. THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER TURKIN, YOU'RE RIGHT, THIS NEEDS
TO ROLL BACK. >> VICE MAYOR: THANK YOU, NEXT? >> DAVID KATZ BOYNTON BEACH. I HOPE THIS ISN'T WHERE COMMISSIONER TURKIN DROPS INTO THE PER ANNA TANK FOR WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY.
MY FEAR IS, YOU'RE LOWERING THE MILLAGE RATE, SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE, PROBABLY NEAR FUTURE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RAISE IT. AND THIS COMMISSION MAYBE NOT, IT MAY BE ANOTHER COMMISSION. I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD KEEP IT
WHERE IT'S AT, NOT AT A ROLL BACK RATE, AND KEEP THE MONEY SO THAT WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THE CITY. YOU KNOW, YES, ALL THIS EXTRA MONEY IS COMING N AND IT'S LIKE, BAR MITZVAH MONEY, YOU SHOULD PUT IT ASIDE AND SAVE IT FOR THE FUTURE.
THANK YOU. >> VICE MAYOR: THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY OTHERS FROM THE AUDIENCE? >> REAL QUICK, IF I CAN -- CAN I REQUEST FOR THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING, AS IT WILL BE THE SECOND READING FOR THE MILLAGE
RATE, CAN WE HAVE A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF WHERE WE WERE BACK IN -- FROM 2020 ALL THE WAY UNTIL NOW? AND WHERE OUR MILLAGE RATE HAS GONE, BECAUSE IN FACT IT HAS DECREASED. >> PRETTY MUCH, I DON'T KNOW IF
AFTER SINGLE YEAR, BUT WE HAVE DECREASED IT MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT TO REFRESH MY MEMORY. >> AND THE SPENDING. 7.8% OF $100 MILLION IS DIFFERENT FROM 7.8 OF $90
MILLION, IT'S NOT JUST THE PERCENTAGE, IT'S THE REVENUE WE'RE DERIVING, RIGHT? AND THAT'S THE NUMBER TO LOOK AT. WHAT IS OUR SPEND? >> OUR SPENDING HAS SIGNIFICANTLY GONE UP, AND I'LL TELL YOU WHY? >> WE KNOW WHY.
>> AND WE DON'T -- AND THE CITY MANAGER, YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB AT LOOKING AT ANCILLARY REVENUE SOURCES. AND WE'VE -- I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES WE ALL SAT DOWN, GONE TO THE WHITE BOARD AND LOOK
AT WAYS TO ALLEVIATE THE BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYER. AND AGAIN, YOU KNOW, IF IT'S NOT THE ROLL BACK RATE, WHAT CAN WE DO? AND IF PROPERTY TAXES IS INDEED GOING TO BE ELIMINATED, THEN WE WEREN'T GOING TO BE RAISING IT,
BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER MECHANISM TO GENERATE REVENUE, RIGHT? AND SO, YEAH, WE COULD DECREASE IT, AND THEN LET'S SAY NEXT OCTOBER COMES, NOVEMBER. SORRY. AND YOU HAVE THIS REFERENDUM
THAT DOES GET -- I THINK 70% IS WHAT IT NEEDS, AND IT'S VOTED ON, WHICH I THINK IT WILL BE, AND YOU HAVE ANOTHER YEAR OR TWO TO PREPARE. I MEAN, I -- I THINK THERE IS A REALITY WHERE WE CAN CONTINUE TO GO DOWN UP UNTIL THAT MOMENT.
AND HERE IT IS RIGHT HERE, 7.9, WE KEPT IT THE SAME FROM '23 TO '24 AND -- >> NOW WE'RE ABOUT TO LOWER IT AGAIN. >> TO 7.8 OR 7.75.
I THINK WE COULD GO LOWER, IS WHAT I'M SAYING. MAYBE WE'RE NOT AT THE ROLL BACK RATE, BUT LET'S DO WHAT WE CAN. YOU KNOW, AND IF WE -- CAN WE CHANGE IT AT THE SECOND HEARING?
>> VICE MAYOR: ANY OTHER COMMENTS? >> HOLD ON, LET ME JUST CHECK ON THAT. >> I WANT TO PUT THINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE FOR EVERYONE HERE. I SAID THIS BEFORE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT A TOWN THAT IS COMPARABLE IN SIZE TO BOYNTON,
AND WE ARE SISTER CITY TO DELRAY BEACH. THEY BRING IN TWICE THE REVENUE. THEY HAVE 15,000 LESS PEOPLE THAN WE DO, AND 200 MORE EMPLOYEES. THE MORE WE LOOK AT LOWERING THE MILLAGE RATE, YOU'RE REDUCING
YOUR REVENUE FROM AN ALREADY STRAINED REVENUE SYSTEM THAT YOU'RE BRINGING IN THROUGH PROPERTY TAXES. SO WE'RE ESSENTIALLY TRYING TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN, WITH WHAT WE HAVE COMING IN. SO IF YOU LOOK AT THAT, DELRAY BEACH HAS $20 BILLION IN TAXABLE
REVENUE? OR TAXABLE REVENUE. BOYNTON HAS 10 BILLION. WHEN I CAME IN IT WAS 6 BILLION. WE MOVED THAT ALMOST DOUBLE. AND NEXT YEAR, I FULLY ANTICIPATE IT'S GOING TO BE THAT. IF WE DO MOVE OFF OF AN AD
VALOREM BASED PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM. I BROUGHT THIS UP IN 2022, THE FIRST BUDGET YEAR, WHEN YOU HAD THESE PEAKS AND VALLEY STYLE PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM, WHERE ESSENTIALLY I HAVE TO CALL ANN GANNON, AND I HAVE TO BUY A
POWERBALL TICKET BECAUSE YOU'RE PAYING THE PROPERTY TAX LOTTERY. ONE SIT I WILL HAVE 40%. ANOTHER CITY LIKE WEST PALM BEACH, YOU MAY SEE 2%. BOYNTON GETS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE 7.8%. THAT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE, AND I
THINK THAT THE FLORIDA LEGISLATOR IS LOOKING AT THAT. AND WE WOULD BE PRUDENT. THIS ISN'T A DRACONIAN STYLE RECOMMENDATION. IT WOULD BE PRUDENT TO LOOK AT MOVING OFF A PROPERTY TAXED BASED FUNDING SYSTEM AND MOVING
TO A FEE BASED FUNDING SYSTEM. YOU'RE GOING TO GET ESSENTIALLY STEADY STREAMS OF REVENUE COME N THAT RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO GET RECIPROCATED IN QUALITY SERVICES FROM CITY'S STAFF. AND IF YOU CONTINUE ON THIS PROPERTY TAX LIKE UP AND DOWN,
UP AND DOWN, AND YOU'RE JUST WAITING IN FEAR THAT ONE DAY PROPERTY -- THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IS GOING TO CRASH AGAIN. AND YOU'RE HOPING THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH IN YOUR RAINY DAY FUND THAT YOU CAN SUSTAIN CITY SERVICES. IT'S SOMETHING I WANT YOU GUYS TO PUT AWAY.
YOU HAVE BEEN A CHANGE ORIENTED COMMISSION. I THINK LIKE -- THIS ISN'T ME BLOWING SMOKE. IT'S LIKE COMMISSIONER CRUZ JUST SID, EVERY YEAR FOR THE MOST PART, YOU HAVE STEADILY REDUCED THE MILLAGE RATE, THAT'S A TESTAMENT TO YOU GUYS WANTING TO GIVE BACK TO THE RESIDENTS.
IT'S UNFAIR FOR THE RESIDENTS TO HAVE TO SIT HERE AND DEPEND UPON A LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT'S BEING PROVIDED FROM A CITY THAT'S ON AN UNSTABLE STREAM OF REVENUE. SO -- >> YEAH, AND I THINK A LOT OF THAT COMES BACK TO OUR STRATEGIC
PLAN, WHERE WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON HOW TO INVITE MORE INVESTMENT INTO THE CITY. THAT'S OUTSIDE OF THE CRA DISTRICT. THOSE DOLLARS GET PIPED OVER TO A BUDGET THAT HAS RESTRICTED USE. AND SO THAT'S ANOTHER BATTLE
WE'RE DEALING WITH, AND IF THERE'S TAX ADVANTAGES, YOU'RE NOT REALLY DERIVING THAT MUCH. AND SO THAT'S WHY I HAD THIS BIG PUSH ON -- FOCUSING ON COMMERCIAL, RIGHT? FOCUSING ON THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO IMPROVE THE AREA.
AND I THINK A LOT. I THINK WE'VE DONE A GREAT JOB WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, CLEAN, SAFE, WE HAVE SOME OPPORTUNITY, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE SEE WHAT'S GOING ON IN BOYNTON. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING AT
THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARD GALA SATURDAY, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT BOYNTON. THEY WANT TO COME HERE, THEY WANT TO INVEST HERE, AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY MAKE SOME GOOD DECISIONS THAT WILL HELP ALLEVIATE THE BURDEN FOR THE RESIDENTS.
AND I THINK THAT'S THE WHOLE -- I THINK THAT'S THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THIS PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION, YOU SEE THE STATE IS -- IT'S DERIVED FOR HOMESTEADED PROPERTIES, AND THAT'S IT. SENIORS, AND THAT'S A CONTROLLABLE. THE FREE MARKET IS NOT A
CONTROLLABLE. WE CAN'T CONTROL INSURANCE RATES, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. YOU COULD ARGUE HOA BOARDS, SOME COMMUNITIES HAVE TO HAVE THEM, THEY ESTABLISH THEM, THEY CONTROL THOSE ASSESSMENTS. SO I WANT TO DO WHAT I CAN AND
FOCUS ON THINGS I CAN CONTROL. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS. >> I'VE ALSO TALKED WITH SEVERAL CITIZENS IN BOYNTON BEACH. AND THEY'RE WILLING TO EVEN PAY MORE FOR FULL SERVICES.
YOU CAN COUNT THE CITIES ON ONE HAND THAT HAVE FULL SERVICES HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. BOYNTON IS ONE OF THOSE. AND THE CITIZEN FIELD THAT I TALKED WITH, AND I TALKED TO MANY. I ATTENDED SEVERAL OF THE MEETINGS, THEY'RE WILLING TO GO
OVER AND BEYOND WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR, IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A FULL SERVICE CITY. BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY HORROR STORIES OUT THERE, WHEN YOU STOP CONTRACTING IT OUT. SO TO KEEP THE TREND WE HAVE
STARTED HERE OF REDUCING THE MILLAGE RATE, WE'RE STILL DOING THAT BY GOING TO 7.75. SO MY POSITION ON THAT IS, HAS NOT CHANGED. I UNDERSTAND WHAT THE COMMENTS ARE BEING MADE. NONE OF US HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL.
WE REALLY DON'T KNOW. BUT I THINK THIS IS THE PROPER DECISION THAT WE CAN MAKE AS A BODY AT THIS TIME, GIVEN THE INFORMATION THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH. AND IF WE HAVE TO ADJUST DOWN THE ROAD, SO BE IT, I STRONGLY
FEEL RIGHT NOW IS THE TIME TO REDUCE IT, GO TO 7.75, OUR STAFF HAVE DONE THE ANALYSIS ON WHAT THAT IMPACT IS. AND I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO HAVE ALMOST A 4$4.5 MILLION
IMPACT BY ROLLING BACK. WE'RE ALREADY STRUGGLING. GOING WITH THE 7.5 IS THE WAY I'M GOING TO VOTE. AND WE DO HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR. >> 7.75. >> I'M GOING TO CALL FOR THE VOTE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF 7.75. PLEASE SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> VICE MAYOR: OPPOSERS, NAY. CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. AT THIS POINT 7.75. >> AND THAT CAN BE CHANGED AT
THE SECOND HEARING, CORRECT? >> LEGALLY, YES. >> YES. >> VICE MAYOR: NOW, IF THERE'S ANY PUBLIC COMMENT RELATING TO THE BUDGET OR DO YOU HAVE A SECOND PRESENTATION TO THAT?
>> WE HAVE A FEW SLIDES WE'D LIKE TO PRESENT TO THE COMMISSION? >> OKAY. I'M GOOD. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NO, NO, NO, PUBLIC COMMENT ON
THE SECOND RESOLUTION. >> VICE MAYOR: ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS ON THE SECOND MOTION WE MADE -- >> NO, ON RESOLUTION R25-242, WHICH IS THE ACTUAL ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET?
>> VICE MAYOR: COME ON UP. >> SUSAN OYER BOYNTON BEACH. YOU NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE BUDGET AND FIND OUT WHERE SOME PUBLIC INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION FUNDING COULD GO, JUDGING BY THE LAST FEW DAYS, WHICH HAS BEEN AN
ABSOLUTE DISASTER. I'M NOT LAYING THE BLAME ON ANY ONE PERSON, I'M GENERALLY PRETTY ON TOP OF THINGS, AND I DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL SATURDAY NIGHT, I SPENT THE WHOLE DAY WITH AN UPSET STOMACH WONDERING WHY. OUR WATER WENT OUT FRIDAY,
YOU'RE LOOKING AT 50,000 PEOPLE AT A MINIMUM ON THE EASTSIDE OF THE CITY WITHOUT WATER. I DIDN'T REALIZE IT UNTIL THE MAYOR'S POST.
I THOUGHT, HOW DID WE NEVER GET NOTICED. THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN A GREAT DISEMENATION OF INFORMATION. SO I STARTED ASKING AROUND, AND NO ONE KNEW ABOUT IT. IT TURNS OUT ONE NEIGHBOR SAW A SIGN SOMEWHERE BY UTILITIES OR DRIVING BY ONE OF THE CITY SIGNS
AND SAW IT POSTED THERE, I DIDN'T SEE IT WHEN I HAD BEEN DRIVING BY EARLIER IN THE DAY. APPARENTLY THAT'S NOT THE WAY TOO GO. NO ONE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD KNEW. NO ONE AT WALMART NEW, SO I MADE SURE THEY ALL KNEW, AND I WENT
TO PUBLIX TO GET MY POWERBALL TICKET, WHICH WAS NOT THE WINNER SADLY, OR WE'D BE HAVING A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION LEER. NO ONE AT PUBLIX KNEW EITHER, SO I MADE SURE THEIR MANAGEMENT KNEW SO THEY COULD TELL THEIR EMPLOYEES AND THEIR CUSTOMERS. THE CUSTOMERS AROUND ME ARE
LIKE, WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE WATER'S OUT. NO ONE KNEW. I DIDN'T START GETTING TEXT MESSAGES ON THE REVERSE 911 SYSTEM UNTIL SUNDAY. YOU HAVE EVERYBODY'S EMAILS AND PHONE NUMBERS FROM THE UTILITIES. WHEN I WENT TO MY PART TIME JOB
TODAY, YOUR SECOND BIGGEST EMPLOYER IN THE CITY, NO ONE THERE KNEW. THESE PEOPLE ARE LIKE, I RENT APARTMENTS, AND HOW WOULD YOU HAVE THEIR NUMBERS, HOW WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO CONTACT THEM. I THINK THIS IS A GREAT THING TO LOOK AT TO PUT IN OUR BUDGET TO REACH OUT TO OUR CITIZENS WHEN
THERE'S TIMES OF EMERGENCY. AND THIS WAS NOT THE WORST CASE SCENARIO. BUT WE COULD EASILY FACE THE WORST CASE SCENARIO. WHAT DO YOU HAVE LINED UP AND HOW ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THIS, AND I'M NOT PICKING ON ANY ONE PERSON. I THINK EVERYONE PROBABLY DID THEIR BEST AT THE TIME.
WE HAVE ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT, AND MAYBE THAT SHOULD BE IN OUR BUDGET. THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO ADD. THANK YOU. >> VICE MAYOR: THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR
PRESENTATION. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> VICE MAYOR: ARE THERE ANY -- >> A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. >> VICE MAYOR. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KELLEY. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> VICE MAYOR: MOTION CARRIES 4-0. ANYTHING ELSE? ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
>> MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> SECOND. >> VICE MAYOR: THEN WE'RE ADJOURNED AT 6:59.
GOOD NIGHT, EVERYONE.