Thank you, M. Thank you, Let's go ahead and get it cranked up. We're going to call this um budget workshop uh meeting to order and uh I'd ask you to stand for the invocation and we'll follow the pledge
of allegiance. Heavenly Father, we thank you Lord for your guidance. We thank you Lord for your love toward us, this city and everyone here. So Father, we just ask for your wisdom and grace and all the decisions that got to be made and to clarif you bring clarity God to the
direction we need to go. And so we ask this all in Jesus name. Amen. >> Amen. I pledge algiance 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. >> Kelby, we'll pass a baton to you and we'll uh just ask the D to just uh direct their questions to you. >> Okay, mayor. Thank you. >> Okay, council. Um, this is going to be
about the general fund. Um, plus if we get around to it tonight, if not, we can shift it to the next one. Uh, Christmas reflections, cemetery, and solid waste. Reason solid waste, even though it's enterprise, you know, obviously it's got a big funding mechanism that comes to the general fund. So, kind of knocking
those out to birds one stone. Um, so the first page here is a summary of the budgets between what we adopted in this current fiscal year 26 and where we are at now is proposed for fiscal year 27. You're looking at right now at 11%
increase. Uh, that equates to roughly 1.61,559,354. And as we go through this, we'll be able to kind of further explain what that is. Um, couple things to know as we go through here and we'll go kind of in order. We'll start with revenues, prior
carry forward, equipment, and then we'll get into those individual departments and there's certain line items that will have, you know, I've got something to say on that just to make sure you're aware of it and then we can go to any individual ones you may have a question about what's making that up. Um, so start and as we go, we'll talk about,
you know, um, what increase percentages we had on insuranceances and things of that nature, health insurance, work comp, all that. Um, but I think to lay a baseline as we kind of hit last last Monday, uh, at this moment, this budget
does not have included in it any sort of coal raise associated with staff, right? So, as we go through this process, uh, we talk about priorities, we talk about what we're doing, we keep that in mind that is currently not factored into this budget you see before you today. So,
>> so when you say it doesn't include colar rays, is that the money that employees normally get for cost of living? >> Correct. That's what Yes, sir. Cost of living adjustment. Yes. >> Okay. >> So, >> do we have any figures of if that was
plugged in? >> Roughly for roughly every 1% equates about $65,000. So, what is the cola? >> If you were to put the cola in here, what would you put?
>> If I were to put it in, give you a recommendation to work toward >> based on last year. Um, and then this year and looking at inflation, I would insert a 4%. >> 4%. Okay. >> Which would be roughly $260,000.
>> Okay. >> That's and that's to the general fund. That is not that's not including Christian Reflection, Cemetery, solid waste, water, sewer, gas, airport. That's solely the general fund. >> Okay. >> That would take care of the employee
raises, right? >> That's what Yes. That represents $260,000 represents a 4% cost of living adjustment. >> Okay. >> So, looking through starting in revenues. Um, we'll scroll through these. If you have a question where how we got there, we can answer that. Um
yellow you see the fire assessment that is here as a placeholder. Again, as we go through that process over the next few months, if that if that does go into effect, that'll be implemented. If it doesn't, it will not be put in. Scrolling down to the county uh senior center funds, uh you know, we have an
interlocal agreement. In that interlocal agreement, the county provides $30,000 in a monetary contribution. this uh year, you know, we submitted a request for an additional $12,000 and they had the county had their workshop on Tuesday and Susan, correct me if I'm wrong, but
they seemed favorable to that. So, we expect the county to up their contribution in the amount of $12,000. So, that is represented here. And then hopping down to the bottom toward transfers. Uh some notes here. As we talked about the other day, uh
you'll see the water, sewer, gas transfers. Those are steady, same as last year. No increase or decrease. Brought the same number over. Sanitation, you see a small increase there. That increase would be greater, but when we get to that budget, I'm going to explain why it is not greater
than it is. Uh for preparation of future vehicles and personnel within the solid waste fund for knuckle boom operations. Next one down, you'll see loan proceeds of $11,850,000. That is in anticipation of $900,000 of
loan proceeds for city hall repairs and maintenance and renovation. And then another $950,000 for firetruck replacement. You all know we paid off our current truck, our newest truck this year. Um next year we would purchase one, put it in the rotation, and then we would start that debt payment in fiscal
year 28. The last four prior year carryover. So, as of right now, we're at $35,500 in prior year carryover from the general fund. We are I've got budgeted almost $750,000 in carryover
from the local option gas tax fund that we have. Remembering the local option gas tax fund is not being replenished. So, once it's spent, it's gone this fiscal year. There will be no more money in that account. So, that's something to keep in mind as we go through this. We talk about projects going into the next
year, specifically for roads. um prior carry forward for police impact fees and fire impact. So fire the 18,625 uh is for the impact fee study. We expect to do some of that this year, finish it up next year. So that would be paid for by fire police impact fees as
is being split 50/50. police carrying forward again 18625 for their portion of the study and then an additional 66,000 to cover roughly 60% of the two vehicles that police is budgeting is looking to to buy next fiscal year
>> any questions on any of the revenues before we move on >> in the most simplistic of terms explain to me just you know from my understanding I'm getting the impression that the reason the cola wasn't figured in. It's
like, does that mean we're not giving our employees a pay raise this year because it wasn't figured in or what was the rhyme and reason behind that? >> So, it's not factored in right now because as we went through each department, we met went through budget and we brought in what they had, whether
that was something new or just continuing the same cost and then factoring an increase of work comp, liability, auto um building um and we talked about capital expenses. So either projects andor equipment, vehicles, uh things of that nature, we got to a
balanced before we put that in. So to do that, and that's it's $65,000 per 1%. As we go through this and we come to a determination that there's a rate we're at, then I'm going to have to pull that money out of here, right? Typically, the easiest way to do that is start capital, capital equipment. That's the easiest
way. It's less painful way to go about it. So that's that's why I said at the very beginning as we w work through this, you know, as we're talking about it and thinking about it, there may be things that we pulled out. Um, again, that's also going to be based on what pool of money did it come out of. Fire and police impact fees can't help
you. Local option gas tax dollars can't help us, right? Those are funds that are dedicated to something that cannot be used for a cola adjustment, for example. Okay, >> so looking here at the prior year carry forward sheet as we just kind of discussed on the general fund of that
305,000 325 is would be the remaining amount for the land development code update. Uh we're getting pretty far into it now. I believe we're supposed to get a draft here in the next around the end of July. Um and so we expect that amount to be left to be done in fiscal year 27. The
$123,000 that represents that reserve fund we had we you all created a few weeks back. 43,000 of that came from uh you know leftover from the library project that y'all dedicated to it. 70,000 is for the exterior building from last year from
the sale of the property of well 10 now they're at well 10. And then the other remaining 10,000 if you all recall we'll talk a little more detail in a minute last year I believe was um we put in we do we budget for the community center Chicago building in the expense side it
matches dollar for dollar to the revenue right we want to start put money back for those facilities as we do that and so going through this year um 10,000 of that for the building right now we're about almost 12,000 in the green so we want to carry forward 10 next year um so that's where the 123 comes from for a
total uh the police renovation project that's $150,000 that you allocated to the city marshal for renovation 135 from the sale of old PD and then the other 15 you all allocated in this fiscal year
under the police impact again we talked about 66,000 for vehicles and then the impact study same thing for fire the impact fee study >> will the marshall be able to start spending that money for improvements now or does He need to wait till after
October. >> I mean, he could start now. At this point, we're at the point where he's going to have to it's going to take plans or bid it out. So, it'll be after October one most likely before he ever got to the point to doing it. But, yeah, the money's there. This we're talking about prior carry forward. That means that's cash on hand.
>> I think he was waiting for some for the engineers or somebody's drafting designs at the college. Well, that and I think he was also, if I'm not mistaken, waiting on the u the RFP for contractor services. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> But yes, that dollar those these monies
right here are physically. We have these physically. >> I heard he saved a significant amount of money by having Chipola Junior College do the drafting. Is that correct? >> I believe that's what he's trying to do >> instead of having say like uh Anchor or Three Notch do it, which would have been a lot more expensive. >> I believe that's his intention.
>> Okay. Uh then the last section here is local option gas tax and we'll get into this a little further as we get to the streets and stormwater budget. Um the 140,000 for reconnected communities that is the city's match to that grant. We've carried that forward a couple years now.
Um we did have to we paid out of and replenished uh our consulting fee with Liberty Partners for their 5% grant match grant writing fee that you all agreed with. Uh Safe Streets for All that is our match to that grant as well. um Twin Lakes Drive resurfacing. We, you know, as part of that project, we had a
match of roughly $153,000 of that 91 and some change was for design and that left 63 64,000 for CI. Uh but we got our CI quote task the other day from Anchor comes to 75 even. So right now that's here. Um however, we
will be able to offset some of that because now we've included water and gas and water and gas will be responsible for their portion of that CI task order. So, we we'll do that as we go through the project in the new fiscal year. Resurface improvements of $398,000.
Uh that's based off of our street action plan with one change. We can go over that a little more detail. Uh and then three pieces of equipment. So, a skid steer and a mulching head. The skid steer mulching head um will be split three ways between water, sewer, and the
general fund um to be used for clearing out easements, rightway, street, storm drains, things of that nature. And then the milling head, and I do apologize, it should not have one/ird on there. It'll be the full amount at 62,000. That a milling head goes on the front of the
machine uh to mill the top layer of the asphalt. that would be used for patches, repairs of utility cutouts or large sections of potholes that need a better fix in a localized pothole. Again, that is not one/3. That'll be the 60,000 is the full amount.
Lastly, Christmas reflections. Last year we set aside $25,000. >> So, the the amounts for the skid steer and the mulching head at 30,000. So, does that mean the skid steer is costing us 90,000 or >> correct? The skid steer is $9,300. Okay.
>> It's it's busted between general fund water and sewer. >> Okay. >> And the multi head is so multi head's 14 times three. >> Got y Okay. >> Um Christmas reflections. We've put back 25,000 as a reserve a safety net. That way if revenues do not come in as anticipated, we hopefully do not go into the red. So that money will be carried
forward again every year. Hopefully it always stay there. >> Any questions on any of this? >> How much did we go in the red on Christmas reflections last year? >> This this year? uh >> at the moment none. So that that's why we
>> I mean Christmas 2025. >> Correct. That's this fiscal year. Yes. >> Did we go into the red? >> No. Right now, no. We we worked >> That's amazing because we had a lot of rain days during Christmas. >> We had we had uh reduced revenues, but we went through checked the expenses and now Andrew and them know what they can't
spend. Right. Christmas reflections is kind of unique because it's not a fullear thing and it happens within the year, right? So we have to we budget what we anticipate it gets done we go back we recalculate and then he knows what he can and can't spend just because it says 150 you may have only generated
120 so 30,000 does not exist >> but we we've never gone into the red on Christmas reflections >> I'd have I'd have to go back and look to be >> to my knowledge we haven't >> Yeah we may not have I'd have to go back and just double check >> it always played out like you said we
see the revenue and then we would never spend beyond that revenue >> if we did it would have been The first year I think it was when male male took over we had um >> they had enough reserves that year when they spent all the money to switch to they had enough money back then.
>> Okay. All right. Yeah. Any other on this one? >> Okay. All right. We go to the next sheet which is capital equipment. This is equipment greater than 5,000. Uh on the police, uh the city marsh has 110,000.
Again, that's 60% by impact fees, 40% the general fund for a total cost of 110. I don't know exactly what the vehicle types are, so just for reference, I just split them in half, put the same. I'm assuming the admin vehicle and the patrol vehicle are different vehicles. >> We're looking for different.
>> Okay, but yeah, that's the dollar amount. Most important part is it's total 110 uh split between impact and general fund revenue. Uh, next is in the fire department. Uh, so the $950,000 truck that we talked about, uh, that would be covered by debt service. And
then the next three lines, uh, our equipment that would retrofit that truck out. We do not intend to, you know, put that under uh, a loan for that equipment. We would pay for that equipment out of the general fund. However, when we get to that line, you're going to see it all in one line because has to be capitalized as one
asset. Um, next is, >> are there grants that can fund that fire truck? Uh it's probably something again we chief and I talked about this. Um the grant that really the only one grant we've seen would be FEMA. Um and at that point we we had in the past the problem I think we've had with FEMA is we
haven't had the match money uh to really compete. >> How much >> how much is the match money? >> 5%. >> So on this you're looking at 950,000. So
>> 42 425 right? something like that. 475 give or take. >> I think we need to apply. >> That could be all >> and that's something we did do I think last year. So we but we we applied I think three years in a row and didn't receive it. Um and we did I think last year we applied if you'll remember uh in
the year before and we didn't budget the match because the match was made 30 something,000. We had all talked about if we get a million dollar truck we'll find $30,000 pay for it. Um so that's something we can do that again. I know those grants have came out. I believe Chief's been talking to Cara about that on the FEMA side. So that's something we
can look at. The other option would be appropriations. >> So do we need for from a FEMA perspective to get that credit so to speak on the grant, do we need to have it pre-allocated or will we just like you
just said, if we get the grant, we can fill out the paperwork and say yes, we have the match money and go at it that way. Like are we are we shooting ourselves in the foot by holding that back and then saying no, we don't have the grant money. Does that make sense what I'm asking? >> I get what you're saying. Um
>> not sure that's something we have we can give a care and ask. They're going to want to see the phys like the actual visual allocation or if they just need a letter like I know we were talking this morning Christian and I with emergency management for mitigation dollars. Uh they're going to want a letter saying the city is has the ability to pay the
match and that may be something we run into there. That's when we can find out, >> right? In other words, did she have to answer the question and say, "No, we don't have it because we didn't technically allocate it." Correct. So, that's what I'm getting at is like you just said, we can find $30,000. So, to me, let's go ahead and pre-allocate it.
That way, we can say, >> okay, >> truthfully on the application, yes, the grant, the match money is available, and let see if that helps us with our with our position. That's just my thought. >> We can find out. we can get the time schedule and figure out if if a lateral file server needs to be in there.
>> Okay, >> we can figure that out. >> Then the other option would be uh appropriation. Um obviously if we're talking about you know getting a new truck and then you know within the beginning of the fiscal year >> I guess a concern is you get it before the fiscal before the legislature even
convenes probably on site before you ever get awarded and then so would the would the legislature be willing to reimburse us for that cost? That's a question we're going to have to find out um and ask. Well, we tried an an appropriation. Was it last year or year before? And and it got denied.
>> I think it was 24. >> Okay. >> I believe. >> Okay. >> Timeline for receipt on these trucks is like a year out at least in is 18 months, chief. Or >> Okay. We wouldn't customize it. think we need >> you know there's there's that there
right there there is you know look to purchase it at start of year there is put in appropriations appropriation doesn't come through then move forward with the especially if we can get it within a reasonable amount of time >> the employee that we lost the county that was doing the grants for us >> is that position filled
>> yes that's Cara she'll cut >> okay so I guess your grant question would go to her. >> Correct. >> Gotcha. >> That's a good question, too. >> We'll figure that out.
>> Um, and then the next two uh are equipment that uh we had postponed last year, the misting fan and then battery powered extrication tools. We bought one last year and buy another set this year. Uh the next going down into public works uh parks and grounds buying another
commercial mower to replace an older mower. Same model as we did last year. Um next would be a bat batwing bush hog. I already know councilman beer bombs looking at me. So kind of find so we have a batwing but is a finishing mower. It is not a bush hog. And so the issue
they're running into particularly on 280B and FD and 331 south uh is when stuff gets too thick that finishing mower will not cut it. And so, you know, the next two items, this one, the stand on blower, as I spoke to Andrew about, you know, if we're looking at with the amount of area we have to cut and we're
looking at efficiencies, the ability for someone to pull that bush hog in a thick area versus having two or three people riding mowers uh for an extended period of time, saving time. Same thing about talking about the blower. Rather than, you know, two inmates walking down the street with a blower downtown, they can ride it one time and get out of there.
So, the goal is efficiency and speed to get people in and out so the guys can move on to their next task. Um, so that's the three items you see there in parks and ground. Uh, and then obviously streets and storm water, you've got the skid steer, the mulching head, and the milling head. Um, and then an asphalt
steel roller. So, we have one. It is rather old. Um, it's it's a little small for a weight size for compaction. And then, uh, fleet maintenance, looking at replacing one of our current lifts, um, that really isn't weight rated for some of the vehicles we have now, and getting it more weight rated for safety out in
the fleet shop. So, we would surplus off the current lift and put this one in. We actually have three. Is there three lifts or two? >> We had three. >> The one with the Chinese that >> Andrew calls it the teu lift. So, we
want to replace that with one that's of capacity. >> Golf, if if I can go back real quick. I hate to go backwards here, but uh back on page three, the Tesla rental lease. I'm not familiar with
>> the contract that the city had with Tesla back in the beginning. Uh is there a time limit before we can consider increasing lease amounts or is that perpetual? >> We that that lease I believe we renewed
that last year and 25 was either 25 or 24 they got renewed. I have to double check and I want to think it's either three or five year. So I double check, but yeah, they got renewed either 24 or 25, and I think it's at least three years, probably five, but we can find out. >> So somewhere there's a cycle for
consideration of of that. Okay. The other thing was real quick was the uh I think it was the civic center rent. I I know you had uh dropped down to $15,000 >> on that for that building, but I look
back at the last three years and it's been 217, 284, and 30,000. Is there a reason why we're cutting? >> So, so expectations on these sheets, the far the two far left columns, those are
actuals. So, those are what generated. the next one or the furthest right one right here that you see right this 30,000 that's this current fiscal year so that's what we're still operating out of that's just showing you a dollar >> okay so we're just we have >> yeah so as of right now based on the revenue we've collected to date uh from
now and when you extrapolate that out we expect to be toward 15 so it has slowed down um one reason for that is we've had a room that's been shut down for a while for an AC unit which I believe Andrew we just ordered today so that's getting ordered to be replaced um so that'll hopefully pick up but And I I'll tell
you, we've had other I think um from a council conversation have another council member, there seems to be people they are going a little further out now for other facilities. I don't know the reason for that. Um but the rates have slowed down versus what we anticipated in the fiscal year. Again though, >> I will say good good or bad. I think
it's good. We budget this dollar for dollar into that revenue expense line. So if it comes in less or more, we're okay. We're monitoring and make sure we're not overspending depending on revenue >> with too much left. is not likely to make up that difference. Correct. What it was. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. So, that's okay. I I was just curious about that. >> Thank you. >> So, uh two comments. Um, going back to the the Tesla lease, um, I I would say we probably need to be
thoughtful in our consideration on that lease because uh, when it first was established, it was the only one in the panhandle and it was an extremely busy uh, location because of that. But since then, there's now many more options across the
panhandle for charging. And from my understanding is Tesla has actually kind of reduced the staffing in their supercharger network division. So I'm taking reading the tea leaves. I'm I'm thinking that if we get too
aggressive with, you know, hey, pay me more. They're just going to say fine, we'll shut it down because there's now more options for them to to go to. Um, so I I think we we just need to keep that in the back of our heads that Tesla could call our bluff on that if we get
too aggressive with, hey, it's time to go up on on the rate. Um, the other thing is, and this has been, I just want to throw this out there, many, many years ago when I first got elected, um, we had paved, I believe it was Park
Street, um, and then we had to go back and and redo it. And so I talked to one of the guys that runs the county paving crew and said, "What kind of suggestions can you give me for the city paving crew so that we don't have to repeat that again?"
And the the biggest takeaway that he offered to me was we need bigger dump trucks because apparently when you have to stop and start for our small trucks, that's what produces the waves because the machine has to stop versus if you have bigger dump trucks,
obviously you can pay for much longer before you have to stop and start. So have we thought about that at all? Is that something that's just simply out of our reach? you know, looking at a bigger dump truck for especially if we're if we're going to make all of this other ancillary investment into paving, then
to me based on that advisement, we really need to look at one or two larger dump trucks to to house that that asphalt or contract that portion of it out. >> So, yes. So, um when we first started this, you know, out of the action plan, Andrew brought forward, you know, what
we needed equipment wise, uh and what it would cost material wise to do the projects in the action plan. So, I tell you what you see here in the action plan, the road improvements, we are not doing. I have put in here to contract all that out. This equipment would simply be for our day-to-day work, our utility corrections, intersect
intersection fixes, things of that nature. The dump truck was an item in the budget. I think a new one, a big one that So, we currently have one big one, two small, two medium or small ones in public works, and then one small one in utilities. And so, we had contemplated, okay, if we surplus the two small ones, which probably don't have a lot of
useful value to them anymore. They're old. uh and then got one more big one at a used amount, then that would have the ability to to haul asphalt if we were going to be paving that way. Um but right, but then as we go through this from a upfront capital expense and then from a year-over-year cost, um I I don't
think we're prepared and from a manpoint uh manpower standpoint, I don't think we're prepared to do the paving work in house. And so we pulled the dump truck out. It was originally $200,000 >> 250. We jumped it to a hundred to say, "Okay, we'll go find a good used one." Um, and then we pulled it out all
together. Now, we do know the county has a number of dump trucks slated for this year and so we're going to speak to them about purchasing one maybe on a reduced rate or getting one donated. Um, but that was in there. It came out. >> Okay. Okay. >> I'm good. Thank you, >> Mayor.
>> Okay. So, anybody who gets out and rides around in our city at all, public works is strapped ex especially water and sewer.
So, when we're looking at saving money or cutting the budget and trying to look after our employees, >> can y'all tell me why we didn't copy Freeport on the turning it over to the county >> because they told us we'd never get that. No one else would ever get that
deal. >> Well, yes. And there's a couple. So, I tell I just tell you I had a conversation with Mark down there because I was interested. I'm like, I'm curious. Okay, Mark, how do y'all you know, how are you doing these things? First, I'll tell you our public works department does a lot more than Freeports because they don't have that.
They don't have a downtown. They don't have events as frequent as we do. They don't they got I think four red lights and they don't even maintain them. I think the state maintains them. We've got Oh, we're pushing what 17 to 20 at this point um that we maintain. Um so the difference in that was I asked Mark,
I said, "Mark, how do you do this? How are you taking care of that?" He said, "Well, John does that." I said, "Well, who's John?" He said, "That's the water foreman." So they're a they're a very small crew. They're a very small department down there in terms of city staff and everybody does everything. And so um that's their model. That's
Freeport's model and that works for Freeport. Not saying that couldn't work for us one day or maybe an option, but that's their model right now is everybody does everything. >> So and on top of that, Freeport does turn over its local option gas tax to the
county as part of their agreement. Um because Andrew and I have had a meeting with them already so far about their ability to assist us. Um and so that's that's one way they do that. They turn over the full amount of local option gas tax which is more than ours. >> So is what I'm hearing is that that
model would not work for us. >> It's not necessarily couldn't it would take a little bit of time and refinement because again the county for example Freeport they're not doing they're not pulling on call. They're not running events. They're not running streets sweep. We're not shutting down streets. They're not fixing red lights. They're
not uh replacing signs, things of that nature, right? There's a medium between what the county does. The county's main role in that is paving. >> Well, that's what I'm talking about. Paving. >> Yeah. Well, we there's two separate operations when it comes to street storm water. There's a paving and then there's everything else that happens from a
daily maintenance and repair standpoint. And so, the paving aspect of this moment, we're going to talk about we get to it is going to be contracted out. We'll bid that out. And that's a lot more cost effective than buying dump trucks or even renting them. Well,
>> and stretching our our staff even more than they're already stretched. >> Well, yeah. You got to have enough people to run the crews, which Andrew and them could do by pulling other members of the department in. Uh, but a capital upfront cost, I think we were around by the time you bought the roller. So, in this, we took out
$108,000 rubber wheel roller. Uh, and we took out a $250,000 dump truck. So, you're talking $350,000 more of investment that would be required for us to pave it. Um, and then that would require us to pull other staff on just to pave. Again, from an economic standpoint, doesn't make a lot of sense
because we're only paving five to six roads a year and you're talking a total of less than a mile, mile, mile and a half, two miles. We're not paving like the county. County is paving 10, 12, 15 miles a year. Starts to pay itself off. >> Gotcha. I'm just looking for ways to
>> Absolutely. You know, >> we started that way. We started that path went through it. It just isn't feasible at the moment. >> Okay. >> Um I real quick hopping back before we go further council community center. I'll tell you another one um that something else I think has caused that.
I think over the last year and a half or so the mayor and I I think we've done a pretty good job of following the policy when it comes to facility rentals. So in the code um we have the ability and it's written in there that we can do a multiple of things right when it comes to the waiver of fees uh related to
other government entities nonprofits or if city staff city council member is you know with the event or is co-working with the city and so since we started doing that following what the policy allows us and code uh we have seen an uptick in nonprofits governments these
things coming using our facilities uh which is a waiver is a fee of waivers waiver of fees which has reduced has caused a little bit of reduction in revenue that has occurred to >> Yeah. >> So that's >> so when we pass that policy, Mr. Mayor,
help me correct my memory if it's wrong here. I I was very very adamant that even when we consider wavering of fees that we should at least cover our cost. In other words, if we're incurring overtime to pay someone to go out there
to unlock the building, we're not going to charge the full amount. what you know, $500, $1,200, whatever that may be, but we at least need to cover overtime cost if that's, you know, 150 bucks. >> Agree 100%. >> Correct. So, we are so on um nonprofits, we we wave 50%. They still pay 50% of
the rental fee. Uh anyone who's non- nonprofit government, they still pay the 100%. And then anytime there's something to do with the city event or a co-sponsor city event, we'll wave that 100% because we're involved. And then we will typically when it comes to another government entity, uh the sheriff's office, Florida State University that's
working with the Florida League of Cities, we wave those. So if it's nonprofit, that's really the the it's a 50/50. >> So do we do we track that so that we can at least know like, hey, we waved, you know, $5,000 last month in my monthly
report. Jen, she put you'll put in there uh the number of waiverss, what that equal to in a dollar amount, and then who got the waiver. >> Okay. Yep. >> Okay. >> All right. Any questions before we move to executive? >> Okay. Uh in executive really the two two
changes in here. Um there's really three big ones. One of them is retirement. That's because we haven't member of the council who's still active in that. So, uh that's a little bit different of retirement account there. Um and then pole worker and election expenses. We're coming up in April for an election and so we're putting that, you know, every
other year we take those out, put those in. >> Say that again. >> We have a council member that's that's currently active in in the FRS. >> I am. >> Yes. >> Oh. Oh, okay. >> So really that that change but more so um pole worker and election expense
those will be coming up uh in this coming April. So any any questions about executive All right, going into admin. Um, going through here. Uh, let's see. So,
committee expenses per CM. This is traditionally the city beautifification and treeboard line that you all allocate some dollars to. Uh, you'll see that 7,000. Again, we didn't mess with your original allocation of five. You did that last year. We're doing that again this year. You've allocated $5,000. Anything above that um they have to date
they raise in donations or whatever and then it's a dollar for dollar. We just reduced it by three because we weren't there this year and I you know trying not to inflate the budget as best we can. Um so again they have $5,000. Anything above 5,000 that they they raise uh that'll be in there as well.
Um and then coming down uh really to Main Street and Economic Development Alliance. Again these are our legacy ones that we have funded forever. Um and so you'll see that Main Street has remained the same for the last few years and then Economic Development Alliance has went went down last year and this
year um has went up $498. I'm going to assume JJ that's just to round the number out. >> Makes sense to round it instead of going 35. >> So that's that's those two. Those were the submitted request for this fiscal
year 27. Okay. Uh and then down here in reserves this 42,614 as I went through you know balanced the budget move things around brought things forward the one I shared with you previously was around 27,000 or so. So
then that is more so related to um the county. So the county we see that the county is more than likely to increase by 12,000. When I punched that in I had to put it somewhere. So this 426 line at the moment is there because we had a surplus per se and I put it somewhere so it wouldn't be lost. That way as we work
through budget, if we see a need to move that $42,000 or use it for something else, that's what that can be used for. That's what that there for. So it didn't just get lost. Any uh any questions on admin? Okay. Going into it, you're going to see most
of the yellow lines, well, all the yellow lines per se, you're going to see uh negatives in except for one or two. And the only reason there's not negative to some of these, uh, one of them we added a a service and we'll talk about in a minute. The rest of them we took out, Jesse took the time, pulled out or
did proportional fair share of systems or softwares or whatever that need to be allocated properly um to the airport, water, sewer, gas, solid waste, and then also senior center um, and fire and police already had there. So fire. So
again to fire and senior center didn't change the dollar amount. general fund. We just shifted it to show start showing true cost better. But all the other funds that we shifted out of the general fund, that's where that went was to them for them to cover their appropriate IT expenses. The one increase or the one addition we
had uh in subscriptions and annual renewals. Uh we are we're looking to bring in this year to do a software um that will allow us to um basically take our street assessment, put it into a system in which we put cameras in the trucks. They can ride the streets. It'll
assess it every six months or how often they want to do it. It'll take a sign inventory. It'll tell you, it'll it'll map out for the guys where potholes are, where we need to do it. It'll generate work orders in there. Um, it'll let you know if signs are faded, if they're blocked, if if uh right away needs to be cleared, tree limbs are in the way. And
so that's for them to do that. And then we constantly work through that and every by month by annually or annually, we ride the entire city just the same as they did for the street assessment. It won't be as detailed in terms of asphalt condition. It won't be that. it'll be more surface level what you can visually see that needs to be addressed. And so
that system is something we're looking to put in this year. >> Could you tell me what telephone voice data is? >> So that was that was included inside of internet services. And so Jesse felt appropriate and I and I would agree with him because of the dollar amount. So we separate them. So internet services is
your internet, Wi-Fi, fiber, unity, spectrum, things of that nature. Telephone services are our desk phones in city hall. um things of that nature across the entire city except for the ones that are now allocated appropriately. >> Cy, I know when we had the uh I believe
it was a joint meeting with the CRA, the former uh board at the community center. remember we had some video feed problems there and you and I we discussed how that could be remedied but I mean we don't have joint meetings there now uh
with CRA but there's there's evidently not a good connection or what whatever internet over there is that something that we need to address or no longer need to worry about that you think >> um I mean that's something I can get with Jesse and see you know what that looks like and what that may take I don't know if it is um because we're on
Wi-Fi and it may need fiber or if it needs new hardware that's you I don't play in that realm. That'd be a question for him. How how do we strengthen it? Um but we can figure that out. >> We can figure something out if there's a remedy to it. >> Yeah. >> Thank you.
>> Oh, >> um I I I want to expound on Councilman Harrison's comment there. Um, we have struggled with the sound system in that for as long as I can remember. >> It's mainly acoustics. >> It is and it isn't. Those wireless
microphones are >> terrible. >> Terrible to say the least. >> Okay. >> Um, so I I really think that we we ought to look at replacing those or look at some sort of um some sort of snake that we can run out there to it and then hardwire in all the
microphones. um would probably be a little more reliable than than trying to put out there and purchase 12 channels of wireless. 12 channels of wireless if you do it right, you're talking 20 to 30 grand at a minimum. Uh but if
you were to run a snake out there and uh you know you could get a a Behringer X16 like we have here uh you could easily spend you know well less than 10 on that and and have hardwire connections like we have here that could easily be put
out there. So I I I think that that's something that we ought to invest in. Your point's extremely valid. We don't generally have meetings there and we have even less than what we used to because used to we actually used it as our primary council chambers but when we do we you know it's normally a larger
meeting we normally have need that support. I think one of the other things that could be addressed is speaker placement um adjusting the speakers in there so that you don't have four speakers in every corner. That's a big cause of the feedback and not being able to turn up the microphones. if you were
to eliminate those two or either move those two that basically are always behind us basically out in front of the stage firing that way um and then take the other two that are in that those back corners and get rid of them. It it would help the acoustics in there
tremendously. Just having four speakers in all four corners blasting is problematic from a sound perspective. I I don't remember if it was a microphone problem, but I just remember Gary Woodham saying that, you know, the feed you people weren't able to see it or hear. I I don't know what the problem
was exactly. I assumed it was something to do with Wi-Fi or or or lack of hardware. I don't know. I don't know what exactly what the problem is, but when people choose or for whatever reasons, they can't attend whatever's happening there, whether it's a, you know, a political forum or whatever,
people want to see, especially it's video, they want to be able to hear it. So whatever those issues are, I don't know. We just have to explore that. Uh >> we can do that. >> But you know, >> we can do that. >> The the other thing I want to comment on, and Andrew, don't throw anything at me. Um
it's been brought up year for for several years. Um should we look at uh instead of issuing a cell phone to every single employee or to to public work, should we um piggyback on the police radio systems? I know the chief has offered that numerous
times and purchase radios and then have public works on a on the radio system that we already own versus paying for a cell phone for everybody. I don't know which is cheaper. It sounds like to me a radio system we already own would probably be cheaper in the long run than paying a monthly fee for every person.
I I don't know. I don't know if the juice is worth the squeeze. That's something we probably would have to run the analysis on. But >> we'd have to we can give Jesse a look. I do know a lot of the phones I know uh public works and utilities number of them of those guys don't have iPhones and stuff have flip phones which have a reduced cost about half or so of of
their cell phone plans. So we can look at that and see but they are they are half of what you know what I'm carrying around but we can look into it and find out. >> Okay that's what the possibility looks like. >> Um because it's it's kind of sort of here. Um, I gripe about this every
single year. The effective rate for online payments for our water and for bill payment for our water, sewer, gas is 5%. Which is crazy to say the least. Uh, at my store, we use Square and it's
technically the the industry's highest rate and we're only charged three and a half%. >> When you say the Square, you mean the QR code? >> No, sir. the Square point of sales system for processing credit card trans right it Square has the highest and it's
three and a half% we're effectively paying 5% the citizens are paying 5% because I pay I pay my uh my uh store bill through the online payment system and I'm effectively charged $5 on a $100 bill every month so it's 5% which is
just crazy. Someone's laughing all the way to the bank on that that agreement and I've complained about that since we've switched over to Tyler. I really think that that's something that we we need to address. I I don't think that's right. >> Do you have a suggestion? >> My suggestion is to either renegotiate
the contract or look for an alternative provider or just simply see if there's some way that they can reduce the rate because again, it should be no more than three and a half%. When I pay my taxes, which are well over $5,000 on my building downtown, I don't pay a single
penny in processing fee to the to the tax collector. Somebody's figured it out. >> Unless you put it on a credit card, >> then right for me to go in and do the AC, which is what I would happily do. Um I don't pay a single cent to pay my my adorum taxes, which are well in excess
of $5,000. If they figured it out at the tax collector's office, I think we can figure it out. That's my >> Are you paying on credit card or a >> AC? >> We don't charge for AC here either. Just credit cards >> that that was not presented the last time I tried to to do all that.
So, we need to look at that. >> But even even so, so my comment still stands 5% on a credit card is still excessive. So when um when the city takes my utility bill straight out of my bank account, does that cost
>> That does not. But the down >> that's a different >> that's a separate process. And the that's a manual process where you have to come in, you have to manually cancel it, you have to bring a check. What I'm talking about is being able to through the online portal either pay through credit card or a not get charged a fee.
the the last time because that's that's the way I'm set up is through there. The only option I had was either bring a physical check in and set up set up the manual a to pay online with a credit card. Those were the only two options when I set that up six years ago. >> From a customer standpoint, that would
be everybody that lives. There's no transaction. It automatically comes in, >> right? >> Everything's smooth. It's user friendly. You don't have to worry about, oh my god, if I paid my >> right. >> I wonder is the majority of the payments
that way or >> I have to I'd have to get numbers from Jennifer utility billing supervisor. >> Yeah. I guess question is I mean if I was paying my uh facility rental am still paying 5%. >> We currently don't allow facility
rentals online. That's something we're looking at. So we we changed last year. >> Yeah. I thought, my god, are we ever going to get that mule? >> Last year we got the airport completely uh we got the airport completely converted over because we now make all the tenants pay a so we have that ability now to tie directly into Tyler.
>> Um but yeah, just we haven't done yet. >> Yeah. >> I'm just wondering what this change over how many customers would it affect? Are you talking you're talking effect from if the fees were reduced how many
would it help because this is already in place. Council Berbomb's talking about the rate he wants to rate lower. So you're saying if there's a thousand people who pay online it would it would reduce their their monthly bill for those thousand people. >> How many methods are there of paying your utility bill right now?
>> Technically three. You come in or you pay online either by credit card or by a bank account direct. It just seems like the easiest >> for sure. >> Especially >> the bank the bank account direct is the easiest.
>> But if you change bank accounts like I like I did with the theater. I had to come in, stop it, manually pay for that month, wait for it to then resume the next month, which I don't understand why we delay a month. As someone that previously worked at a bank and knows
how a works, there's no reason for it to delay a month. You should be able to come in as long as it's not two days before the AC's go out. You should be able to come in, swap it to a different bank and it should draw on that bank. >> There is a >> pretty much immediately. >> There's usually one test period that
they'll do just make sure they keyed it in correctly, but that's the only thing. But that should be able to be done, you know, within a few days. It shouldn't require a whole month for the customer to go through that process, but staff would need >> you know a week or something would be a
reasonable amount I would think, but not a month. >> Correct. >> And once you go through that minor inconvenience, it's on auto autopilot from then on unless you decide to change it. >> Correct. Well, I think the other question just to make sure you're clear with is when we
do this, I'll go a and throw this out because it's been issued quite a bit about charging search charges um for credit cards and other processing fees. Technically, you are allowed to charge the actual amount to recoup. So, it will be important that we understand what
that looks like. So just be aware if you add 3 and 12% on top. So when you're being charged 3 and a half% you're still losing money. >> And that's something that a lot of people miss. So example we're doing 5%
is what we're let's say we're getting hit with 5% as our fee. If somebody pays $100 and we get hit with 5% we're getting 95. The company's getting five. Well, if you say, "Well, we're going to charge you 5%."
Well, 5% on a 100red is $105, but you're still going to pay 5% on now $105. That's more than that. So, technically to break even on 5% on $100 and 5% sure charge, you have to charge $527.
>> I think I think they're already doing that because on my bank account, it shows up as two separate transactions. So, >> so they're actually double Well, that's >> exactly where the customers are really getting hit. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Because we're getting the money and then
somebody else is getting money on top of it. >> Right. >> So, we're not even being charged the fee. Or are we also getting charged the fee? >> Because if that's the case, they're double dipping. >> I hope not. >> Well, I would hope not too, but I might want to look at those payments. >> Sorry, I know I came in a little bit late, but what are we talking about?
Because there's three different things. So, credit card, I can understand 5% sir charge what you're talking about. He's just talking about the online >> talking about uh person to per um I do autopay. So are you saying we're
charging the customer for my auto? Am I getting charged for >> if you if you just gave them a check in your bank account, you set it up where they auto debit off your bank? No. But if you try to go online and pay a Todd at a Kobe saying we don't do that now. I
can tell you as recently as two years ago when I tried to do a pay, you got hit with a 5% pay, >> right? >> And same way with credit card. So I think the question was why are we charging the customer that extra 5% when Square is only three and a half and they're the industry high.
>> And my question would be Kobe, that's a negotiable with our banking uh RFP and that's what it's ran through it's ran through Tyler. Our current credit card system is through Tyler. It's not through the bank. >> Yeah. Our credit card system is is set up is through Tyler. We use Tyler Technologies for that.
>> Well, I would suspect that that's a negotiable that we could because your bank will do it for us, too. And then we can just upload it into Tyler. So, what's the difference? They should just maybe eliminate that fee if that's the case. >> That's what I've been, >> you know, if we're incurring money, they can do that.
>> No, I mean, that's >> Yeah, we want to break even, but we don't hit the customer with something over the top. That's And that's what we actually should not be doing. I mean, if Tyler's just saying that's what we're going to charge to process it, maybe we're not, but that's been the concern. >> So, because when I pay by autopay,
who's collecting that? Am I paying directly to the bank or am I paying directly to Tyler? You know, a vendor Tyler's to >> Tyler. It comes in >> and then I'm not and you're not getting charged a fee for that. >> Well, no. Well, she said on her bank autodraft. >> I'm gonna have to find all this out.
I don't know a second. I'm going to have to I'm going have to get with Jennifer and we can find out how how it is. I'm going to get with Tyler. >> I believe Tyler treats as a straight pass through. >> Yeah. >> I mean otherwise you can see it on your bill. >> We can have that answer when we have our uh workshop about enterprise funds particularly water and sewer and gas. We
can have that answer. H it >> any other questions in there? >> No, I'll just say that it on it. >> All right. Um HR uh the only the only real change
uh in HR other than some movements there uh is the addition of one part-time equivalent uh in HR. And so that is uh that's the only position uh requested in the entire budget is one part-time employee for human resources
>> and part-time is 32 hours. Uh, no. We we keep them around 20. >> So that means no benefits, >> correct? >> No health insurance. No. And what does what's that cost? Is it on this piece of paper? >> Uh, so yeah, on the HR sheet
>> probably the 20 >> 28 28 20,800. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Are we still doing the sell back or No. >> No. >> This looks like zero. >> Yes, it is.
>> Are we anticipate never going back to that? >> That would be a goal. Yes. >> Did you already calculate what it would be if we did? >> Uh, I did, but I I don't want to lie to you. had to go back and pull out the sheet >> because I'm kind of curious if you know we kind of implemented a few things that
you you wanted to maintain morale and maintain stability but then we turn around the next cycle and took it out and never went back. We had so it was in there in 20 fiscal year 24. Um we let me say that back was in there in fiscal year 25. Um and then last year when we
corrected the carry forward issue that was one of the things that had to be cut to correct that carry forward issue >> in budget year 26 it was eliminated. >> Correct. >> And so it remains that way until it gets changed back. >> Yeah. I mean yeah. So we we we put it in in fiscal year 25. uh fiscal year 26 we
removed it to help fix the carry forward issue and now for proposed fiscal year 27 it is not reinstated >> and I don't I don't know about everybody else but it would never be my intent to implement a benefit to the employees take it away and never put it back will you do me a favor so the next time we
meet could you just tell me how much that would >> absolutely I agree that was never the intent but once we were faced with a $600,000 deficit >> I understand why we did it I just I wouldn't want that to be a permanent loss to the employees because that was a
good retention tool. Okay. All right. Uh next is the uh senior center. Uh, as we talked about again in the yellow, um, internet, phone services, again, that was a that was a movement from it into the senior center
as well as copier expenses and as well as subscriptions and memberships. The other one, utilities, that's highlighted. Only reason that's highlighted is again that was that was our basis for the ask to the county, the $12,000 ask to the county was based on the utilities, $12,000 because a very large portion of that is power at that
facility. Um, and then the next one down there, the nonprofit grant. As we talked about a few weeks ago, Susan has been working with Ford Defunia potentially on a grant uh there that would help uh help offset some cost. We're not going to consider that in the case we don't get it. Um, but then would also help
purchase new new equipment, furniture, things of that nature at the center. And so that's in here as an offset. There's a revenue to the expense. Any any other questions about senior center? >> So you're saying the 18 is not in your total revenues of 85.
>> It is. >> It already is. >> Correct. >> So you're still at a deficit? >> Well, this is so senior center is a general fund. It's going to show a negative because all the revenues are in >> have any revenues on them. Correct. They're all in the general fund revenue. Yes. But there is an offset. There's an offset. >> Okay.
And council, I get real quick before move on. As we told everyone else, uh the county had a workshop on Tuesday. Um the county the board of county commissioner seems very favorable and was at that meeting of upping their contribution to the city by $12,000, their monetary contribution for the next fiscal year
>> for this. >> Yes. >> So we'll go from 30 to 42 and we asked for that in perpetuity of our agreement. >> Thank you. >> To match the county? >> No, they just increased their contribution from 30 to 42,000. That's what the county did. >> Correct. That's what we we hope they do.
They say they're going to. We hope they keep it in. Okay. >> Does that mean we wouldn't have to increase it at the city level? >> Well, we don't increase it per se in that aspect anymore because it's all on us and anything generated from the county. Membership fees, donations,
sales, that offsets, you know, our general fund costs to run the center. >> Okay. >> Okay. and uh community development. Um really the you know the main thing there would be uh the highlighted of the professional services that is again
that's the land of development code rewrite that um you know we had the money assigned. We're carrying that forward into this fis next fiscal year to finish that project out. >> Hold on a minute. What did you just go to? >> You need to go back to senior center.
Yeah, because I go from Did you leave the senior center to community? >> Yes, >> because mine goes from community center to uh finance. >> So, am I missing a page? >> This somewhere. >> Let's see here.
>> If it's printed front and back, check uh >> find HR. Check the back of HR. >> This is about the senior center here. And then I got it down. Am I missing? That's just a Are you talking about the $18,000 grant? Councilman,
>> she's she's got me. >> So this is where they're down. >> Now, Kobe, this is planning, right? Community. Okay. So where is it that you're capturing the fees that we're charging the
developers now? So that is those already reduced in the expenditure line item. >> Yes. So this is in the top line here. Um 515320 or 3120 >> this $30,000 number. >> There is an offset to that in the in the inter in revenues. There's an offset. So
as they come in >> 30,000 Well, then there's also in addition to that now that we have fire review fee and then we have the we call them engineer uh we call them planning review fee you know now we charge above and beyond. So if the task order that we
give our engineers to do plan reviews 4,000 they invoice us we invoice that to the applicant >> dollar for dollar >> dollar for dollar and then anything above that so advertising cost um any changes extra reviews things that gets build back to the applicant. So there there is line it eyes for that. Yes. Just out of curiosity, who does that
bill back? >> The engineers >> division or or your finance team? >> Chris does. Chris Wallace. He'll So, let's say you submit a plan. You submit plans to be reviewed. He will provide those he'll provide that to the engineers. They give him a task order.
We I sign that task order. They do the work. They invoice us when they're complete. We pay it. And then we turn and we bill the applicant for that dollar for dollar. And then again, anything that happens beyond that, extra reviews, advertising costs, things of that nature, we we capture all that and then we send them another bill to the
developer and they cover that as well. >> Is this a mirror image of what the county does? >> I doubt it. I have no idea. >> No. >> Okay. >> A lot closer to what we do in Freeport, I'll say that, though. >> Okay. Freeport's been charging dollar for
dollar for engineering reviews for at least eight years, probably longer than that. They took a hard look at the amount of money that was going out the door for planning that was going to multiple reviews and council said we're not going to lose money anymore.
And so they broke even and it creates a very healthy planning department. >> That's what we need to do. >> That's what we do. >> That's what we're doing now. >> Okay. You said it was close to what Freeport's doing. So, we're doing what Preport's doing. >> Very, very similar. They don't We're actually probably
capturing a little bit more of the administrative cost than Preport does. >> Okay. >> Only because their numbers that took those into effect were a couple years ago. I don't think, and I need to look at their last year's budget, I don't think we've revised that rate resolution in the last two years down there. If
that's the case, I know here we're doing them. So, we're just a little more current. So, we're probably ahead of the curve on CPI and inflation. Wow. >> And those rates will go up again because when you all update the resolution, we put in CPI. So those will go up again October one.
>> Who who pushed for that? >> Not sure. I'm just kidding. >> I'm assuming Council Member Bomb. >> Mr. Mayor, can I ask one more question? >> Yeah. >> Uh Kobe, just refresh me because I'm a little bit late. What do the yellow highlighted lines represent? They're
just u of significance meaning that they just mean that I'm going to touch on them. If there's any other ones you can talk you can talk about. I just want to make you know that we're going to talk about those just as a >> Okay. And so what did you say? Why did you drop from 50 to 32 and a half? Especially if we're in a growth if we're in a growth spurt. Why would
>> No. So this is professional services. So this was the money allocated for the land development code rewrite from the consultant. And so we anticipate the total project was $97,500. we anticipate to be um you know all the way up to 325 going into the new fiscal
year. So we expect to have about $32,000 worth of work left to be completed in fiscal year 27. >> Now what about uh we just approved something at Monday night's meeting that was going to Oh buildings. It wasn't for this >> the repairs and maintenance for the
>> original contractors. Yeah. >> Okay. That's in a different place. >> Yep. Mhm. Okay. Any other questions on community development? All right. Uh, next is finance. Uh, two things of really one's not really of note just just to let you know, but
under personnel services, you all had, you know, we changed the range of the finance director position up to a max of 125. That is in budgeted. The 125 max is in there. Um, so that's why you see that change there. The other line is a financial audit. That number represents
what our contractual cost is for our our regular citywide audit. And then we have there is a rate that we will be charged uh for every single audit that we have. We anticipate to have a couple of those um with all the grants going on particularly water sewer and the
airport. And so we expect to have to pay for a couple single audits going into the new fis going into that next fiscal year. So that's that's what makes up our audit number is mostly our contractual obligation. So, any other questions on finance? Okay.
Um, into police. I know the city marshall's not here, so I'm just going to hit on these high ones. That just that way we can explain why these numbers are here. Um, the first one, professional services. Again, that is the uh police and fire impact fee study. This is their 50% of it. what we expect
will be left in the next fiscal year. Um, IT maintenance and service, you're going to see it increased pretty drastic. The main reason for that is we did last year and we had initially started to put this 44,000 you see in software. We took that out of a capital number because it's truly not capital
anymore. This is a recurring annual thing. We move that up into operating. So, that was a dollar for-doll move. No increase, no decrease, just move it from capital up to operating uh in that IT maintenance and service line. this vehicle insurance claim line. Um, you
know, hey, he's not here, but you know, we we like to get in a little couple fender benders at the police department, Lieutenant Thumb, and you know, so we went ahead and budgeted that vehicle insurance claim in there. Again, it's got to offset in the general fund. So, anytime we submit a claim and get paid,
they're offset, but we did put that in there. Um, you know, with expectation we may have to deal with some of that. U, we did that in another department as well. Um, going down again, the last two highlights are equipment greater than 5,000 and the impact fee outlay. That is the two vehicles we talked about at
110,000 split 6040 funding. So 44,000 comes out of general fund revenue and the 66,000 will come out of the current police impact fee balance. Can you make sure that we put an item on
the next CRA uh agenda to uh talk about offsetting some of those personnel cost and chief have his plan prepared as well? >> Yeah. >> Four positions. >> I had that same question, but it looks like 34 to 34. So, I'm assuming that
that has not yet been removed out of here. >> CRA. >> Well, you still wouldn't remove it. >> I think >> let's just let's assume that happened. You still wouldn't that number would not change. These people are still there. He would still be in the police department. >> So, how how does how are you? You would do it very similar to you would do it
very similar to the CRA admin fee we have now that we pay the city for admin cost. We'd have a line that would go to the city's general fund revenue. You would not move the employees from the police department to the CRA budget. Just the same way we do utility admin fee. We pay an admin fee from the three
utilities to the general fund while the employees are physically and they're budgeted within the enterprise funds. Sheriff's office does same thing with TDC and beach patrol. >> So I see there's only $10,000 for education and training. >> Will you go? Uh they're not here. I'll
take care of it. >> How did I get out? >> So that's again I think the police chief intends to have uh a presentation. He's not here today. He tends to have one at our next meeting when I spoke to him. The one he typically does. So again, just the yes, the yellow ones for I want to make sure you're aware particularly
of the 44,000 and why that was moved and make sure yeah miss anything. So anything of me on the police >> how here's my concern. I got to sorry uh how do you move the the CRA is a special
revenue fund. It is not it has its own set of financial statements. So you cannot have those misleading by not showing those four officers in that. So we got to be careful cuz I'm contract a little bit different similarities but I'm also
>> we could do an interlocal agreement with the city. It' be a contractual service. >> Well well it's not. So, what you're going to actually book on the CRA's plan and into their budget is a line item dollar amount for community policing initiatives
that would then be reimbursed to the city for those community policing initiatives because the city would be the one fronting the money. No different than how the sheriff advances money for the new positions he brings in during summer season to be able to get
allocated the TDC money under Florida statute because it's a special revenue accounting as well that's limited by Florida statute. The money is then treated as a reimbursement. So you would budget for it and then you would not pay the monies out until the actual officers
have been hired, the service has been performed and you just do it as a cleanup at the end of the year. be the cleanest way to do it. Just book it on September 30th probably. But we can ask the auditor their opinion on whether they want it done on a non um fiscal year related note.
>> Would any of that include uh education and training? >> As to that, absolutely. >> In fact, it probably has to. I say probably because they may not need it directly, maybe the chief's attitude, but I can tell you
that every other program that has done one of these we've looked at, there has been an education and training component to advanced community policing. In other words, get out of your car, walk around, go doortodoor at businesses and affected areas, put your card in their door, you
know, just get out of your car and don't just ride the roads. >> What about getting pit certified? I don't know that we can get there on that, but we can. The chief's have to make an interesting case on that. He's not here to do. >> We'd have to up that vehicle insurance claim line item.
>> I mean, as much fender bender as they play in bumper cars. >> I mean, didn't didn't warn. Didn't you try that on on a car not too long ago? >> You did a pit maneuver? >> No. >> Exactly. >> And that's my story. to your to your
point, Councilwoman, one of the things that we're going to if we start doing this, I want to be very clear with the council. If we want to start doing this, um, we are going to want to make sure that we are working on the front end of
showing how that is with our auditor because that's where you end up seeing a lot of findings in the first couple years you do these interfund exchanges or administrative cost buybacks. >> Exactly. and that and since they have their standalone financials as a component that I think we're going to
find out that you may be right because the control over those four individuals are still remains with >> the chief. It cannot be delegated to someone else. So I do think that there's a compromise. I just can't. It's been a while since >> we I can tell you where we're going to be good with that because I've looked at
that is when we talked to the chief when he first came to us about those flock cameras a long time back was how we can do it and we looked at this at a couple other CRAAS that worked with the police departments. We pointed out that our police department is a charter based entity with a charter elected official that made everybody a lot more comfortable
about him having control over what we give to him >> then opposed to him being Kobe's employee >> and then it running in that form. So, it's actually a blessing in disguise that we have it that way. >> Okay.
>> So, uh if I can here, um you know, we we've had some hard conversations about budget last year >> right out of the shoot. You know, we were talking about potentially laying off 25 employees.
We wanted to reduce transfers and Kobe said Monday night, you know, this, you know, we're not looking at we're looking at same level of transfers, you know, so we've talked about implementing fire assessment,
you know, and we've had a couple changes hard on on that Monday night. And so, you know, we we we talked for a year about the fire department, if not over. And We talked really hard about it. The
public got more and more involved uh and coming to the meetings and things got ugly with some of them at at the podium and and up here at the dis. And you know, we we we we went through a wild
ride o o over how to how to fund our fire department, you know, and we decided to keep it unanimously. We decided unanimously on a fire assessment. And so I I think we have an obligation to to to look really hard at
where we can find revenue. You know, my my whole push for the fire assessment was not because I like to place burdens on citizens. It was to find revenue to do what we decided as a council to do and that was to keep the fire department.
So here we are. It seems like, you know, if we can pay for four police salaries out of the CRA, that saves us money for raises potentially and what have you. And we're, you know, I I get the feeling that the work is is is done, so to
speak, but it but it's not. We're we're still we're still looking for additional revenue to fund the things that the city manager needs to do with the infrastructure and and various things. So I think we have a responsibility to
find every possible avenue of additional revenue. And so you know I'm I'm not I'm not an advocate. I want some information to explore um the
possibility of whether we need to actually continue to pay for for 911 dispatch. um our the the payroll for that is somewhere between I don't know 4 435 450
uh thousand a year. Um there are six personnel that do dispatch. There's one supervisor uh who who is a is a police officer and been been on been on the city police force for for years. So this is not this is not about anybody
personally anything at all. it to I'm wondering whether it's a duplication of services that the county by statute has to provide anyway and they do um they do provide it and the sheriff's
department uh operates 911 dispatch and how that works exactly I I guess you I want some more information from from the chief I want him to bring back some things you know to see is this really something because I don't know if we pay
an annual subscription for software for for our our portion of the dispatch um you know training and all that is in there but that's minimal you know for for for the for the handful of personnel that we're talking about and I you know
I'm not I'm not a fan y'all know I've argued on behalf of employees and I I don't want to see anybody lose their job and and the first thing I would say if if if it went that direction, you know, those six people,
we we have job openings and I'm and I'm not advocating one way to other. I want some information because when we're talking about four $500,000, potentially $550,000 um for a service that do we really need it? Is there another alternative? I I
from my understanding, if a n if a 911 call is made, it goes to sheriff's department. sheriff's department relays to the police department and for example somebody has a a waterline bus and or something and they they need public works. A lot of people they panic and they call 911. Well, that's handled and
our police department gets in touch with our our public works personnel or whatever is is is that right pretty much the way that works. But is there another alternative to doing that through radios or having a person on call public works
or whatever um that um we have a different number but 311 or whatever. I don't even know what 3 what that is but it could be something like that. So, let's ex explore options
open-mindedly and objectively to see if we are in fact paying a half million dollars uh for a duplication of services. Um and again, nothing nothing personal to
anybody. I I I don't um but you know, we we're facing some challenges here in in November potentially with a loss of revenue and so is the county and we have a responsibility in my mind. I I I I can't speak for everybody, but I I know
we all have the same heart for this city and we have to we have to prepare for what might happen uh in November and it might be out of our hands and then where where we going to what's going to happen at that point. Last thing I want to do is for a lot of employees to get laid
off uh or something partway through the year that we didn't quite anticipate. So, um, can we just, you know, let Chief when when when he comes back, uh, you know, have have I I want to hear what he has to say about this. I think the
council need I'd like to learn more about it and be sure because I just don't know that if if we can do without city dispatch, half million dollars is a lot of money and and we're looking hard for it. And
so it's I just think it's something we need to look at. I just to reflect on our neighbors. Uh and Oakloose County, most of the cities over there have their own dispatch. U of course Holmes County, their sheriff's department does all their
dispatch for PD. Um Washington County does their dispatch for PD. uh Jackson County uh they do Graceville, Sneeeds, and Cottondale. They do their
PD, >> but they don't do uh Mariana's PD. So, that's kind of look look at our neighbors. Um. >> Mhm. >> And um anyway, it is uh
you know, and it's something you may do temporarily, you know, because I think, you know, as we grow, it's going to be needful to have PD on with their own dispatch. But at this juncture, probably we could make it through two or three
years of some relief, you know. Mhm. >> But um but anyway, I think that we have don't we have numbers for any type of public works problems? Uh >> we have numbers. Yes.
>> Yeah. But uh you know PD's been doing a lot of that for us. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um Toby, will you tell us uh refresh my memory, what did we borrow money for? for I know it was patrol cars but what year and how long is this debt for?
>> Uh we started that in uh would be what fiscal year 25. >> So we would have took them out. We would we would have got we would have took them in in probably fiscal year 24 started the debt payment in fiscal year 25. >> Okay. And then um what's that what what's that reserve section for? Remind
me what is that? >> U so uh there's some some revenues that the police department will generate. Uh so reserve training funds and automation funds. Again, that's a that would be a chief to kind of explain more what those mean. I don't know if Lieutenant Stum know may know what those mean, but >> So, these are roll forwards from the
>> these are just these are revenues and we budget them dollar for dollar. So, what we expect to collect, we put into the reserve and then the fire impact fee reserve is what we expect to collect based off of what Mr. Wallace gave us for future, what he expects to get in fees for the upcoming fiscal year. >> So, so just clarification. So, what I'm
hearing you say is this is what you anticipate raising, not what's really there in our Okay. So, >> do we know how much has really been accumulated over the >> We do. I had to get that number from Hold on, I may have it because I think uh Danielle provided that to Lieutenant Black the other day.
>> See, let's see. So, uh let's see. This was as of 63026. Um the automation funds total 54,25187. The education funds total $12,52.17. >> I remember the automation funds from
when I worked at the sheriff's office. that that account built very very very slowly because I believe it is a ticket revenue source but it is like only a tiny fraction of a percent that we get off of each ticket which is why it builds extremely slowly and I remember
>> during my tenure there I think they ended up using that to pay for like a 911 system upgrade but it took them many many years for it to accumulate to a decent amount >> so it's accumulating there the numbers again numbers you see here are what we anticipate to collect this fiscal year
dollar for dollar revenue to expense. Don't I don't think the chief intends to expend any of them right now. He may, but that just we're showing that those are coming in and they're going to go into a reserve line. >> I was thinking and I I don't have your general fund revenues that we'd already gone over, but I'm thinking they take in
more than just these three. >> We can go back. You have the general fund sheet there with you to the beginning. Yeah, there may be some other ones like for example, uh >> let's go up here. Um, you got grants, they have offsets. You've got the fishing tournament which has an offset that he he he expects to get donations
for. Um, but and then like there's a OT overtime grant that we receive every year. I know Lieutenant I believe Lieutenant Austin ministers that's $20,000. It's an offset that we get back. Um, I believe the incentive pay comes from the state. Pretty positive. So that's an offset as well. um in the
general revenues. >> Since there's a zero for flock cameras, is that because the sheriff pays for all of them? >> CRA >> that was a grant. So the section you see here are grants. And so uh speaking with Danielle, uh you know, some of these we try not to do a line for every single
grant comes in, but police seems to be a little finicky on some of the agencies, particular JAG. They like to see individual lines. And so, uh, what that means is at some point, and it looks like in fiscal year 2024, the city received or was expect to receive a grant or they did spend, we spent
$38,800 in the flock cameras grant, but since then, we have not received that grant, nor have are we are we expected to apply for it from what I was given. >> How many >> That's what that is. >> How many flock cameras have we got in the city? >> Too many. >> Any of y'all know? >> That's a chief question.
>> Where are they? where they located be a city marshal question and they mix. So some of them are the sheriff's office. >> Some of this stuff you got to watch because there's tactics that's exempt from public record on some of the things that he's got out. It deals with his
investigative tactics. So if you want to ask about those things, I would encourage you to talk to the chief about it oneon-one. And I say that because the cost of a life, you don't want to bear that up here. I would I would talk to him oneonone on the >> the cost of the flot cameras. No. A life. >> A what?
>> A life. If your child is kidnapped, snatched and taken, you want to talk to him about that stuff one on one. You don't want to do that up here. >> So that's what that line is. That was a grant. >> Okay. >> Okay.
So, real quick, can can about the the dispatch thing, I I didn't hear any any feedback other than from the mayor. Is that something that we are willing to look at or is that something that is off the table or what?
>> That's something Councilman that talked to Kobe about in the past as well as Chief Hurley. >> Realistically, when I brought it to Chief Hurley, it was in an attempt to get his buy in on it. and um and then to see where he was at
with it. I know that there are always there's always issues between agencies. It's always going to be like I I want to do everything or I want to do it the best between whoever you're talking about, but can we work together? Can we save money? And much like the talks with
the fire department, this would be a good thing to get Chief Hurley to go up there and talk to him about and see a are you even amanable to it? And which I can tell you that there was a legislative bill put before the state the state last year. It didn't pass. It's my understanding it is going back
up against this year. There's an opportunity if we were to pursue that now to where it might not cost us money. Whereas if it goes through with the legislation the way that they're presenting it, then we may wind up having to pay some fees on that end of it. But I think that Chief Hurley needs
to develop that buy in and that relationship to where it would be successful for everybody um for everything. But so I'm with you on that. That's something we have talked about in the past. >> Yeah, it came up. As a matter of fact,
the mayor brought this up last year and I went and talked and asked uh the chief. And I said, "So, what's the deal?" And he said, "The um the communication radio system that the county has is astronomical compared to
what the city's got because he's he's got a shoestring budget." And so the it's like they're not compatible. they they work together and provide and I I would have to ask Lieutenant to come up
here if if we talk about it, but I'm pretty sure they have SER radios in there. One per officer, isn't that correct? >> Not all. >> How many have y'all got? >> Uh, most our supervisors have them and maybe a handful of officers, but we don't have full >> enough to cover a shift. >> No.
>> No. How many do you lack per shift? >> I'd have to get a solid count. Um, I would guess to push it probably 8 to 10 or >> that that is a concern to have interoperable communications, but I'm
pretty sure that that's doable and workable between everybody. Again, it's just developing that buy in. What are the issues or how can we work around this? >> Sir, >> I'm aware of that, too. But I also know
that the sheriff's office dispatches for fire as well and they don't house their system either. So there's there's still different ways to make things work with what you're saying. I'm not saying he'll want to do it or even that's the way this this goes. But I would let him go
talk to him though. And I remember too just from previous conversations when the chief would come here because I would ask you know those radios we were buying was five grand a piece plus for the for the fire and then all of a sudden you see the chief police
chief buying them for half that cost. And I I couldn't understand why are we paying five plus for fire when and it had to do with communication towers that we invested >> as I understand it from the chiefly is we invested a lot of money in that
towering system that he's got that dispatch uses and you know they've got private communications for the uh city staff. So uh it did have to do a lot with >> once you get that infrastructure up and running. It was my understanding you
just can't flip-flop without that large investment, you know, to perhaps whatever the sheriff's using and then, you know, a year or two later try to flip back to because there's different communication systems, there's different equipment, there's different there was a lot of com moving parts, pieces and
parts. So, it's not something that's you can do it and then turn around and come back to >> maintaining yourself. >> I think Go ahead. I was I've recently had a tour of the comm center with our police department.
It's state-of-the-art. It looks very professional and they got it they got the town wired and I was glad to see that. Um, and I was also uh glad to hear that Chief Hurley was trying to educate
me and pulled up his phone and uh some kind of fancy radio that looked like a phone >> and it uh they got communications with school bus drivers and I thought, okay, that's pretty impressive. If they have an emergency on
a on a school bus, they got direct contact with them apparently. That's the way I understood it. >> Mhm. Is that correct? Did I understand? >> Okay. So, yes, to your point, there has been a ton of money invested in it. Um,
and you bring up some good and hard questions. You really do. >> Well, you know, even on the radios and and again, I don't know. I I'm anxious to hear Chief >> Hurley and and what what he can find out because e even investment in equipment
um you know I don't know if every I I don't know how it would work. I don't know if every officer would have one of those radios that uh they they they could re receive directly from the sheriff's department on scene in the field >> um or how what that would look like. But
the, you know, the radios like the U fire, our fire department, they, like you said, $5,000 piece for those radio, much smaller staff, but they only have a couple radios per shift or something like that. I I don't know. Cheap. >> We have one per vehicle. >> One per vehicle. Okay. And so,
>> well, is that cheap? >> Yeah, we have we have one that goes on the hip. We have one goes on the hip, but the most recent ones that we bought that were so expensive, those go in the vehicles. >> Okay. >> But everyone does carry one. Yes. So if something similar were to be with the police department, I don't know how many
radios that would be, but you know, when you compare the the price of those radios, one a one-time purchase or whatever for the adequate number you need, it's done. You know, the our our dispatch personnel cost is repeated every single year to the tune of that
$500,000. So I I just that's what I want to look for. What is the most practical thing we can do? not jeopardize any lives, not put anybody in harm's way with delays and calls or miscommunications or anything like that, but just top-notch
professional immediate 911 response. Um, that's what we should be looking for, I think, and that's what everybody wants. And, um, but we're we're just so we're just in a corner on this money thing. And, um, I just I hate to have to bring that that up, but I think it's just
something we need to examine. >> Yeah. Okay, good. All right. Um, going into fire, the uh the first line in yellow you'll see up there is part-time employees. We currently keep on, you know, on uh on the books, I guess you would say. We
have six people that are part-time or volunteer, right? The state kind of changes there. But so we we've increased that to to 10. That does not change the dollar amount. It does not increase money in any way. It just puts four more people on the list to be called out if we need it. So, doesn't it doesn't
change dollar amounts. Juststead of having six on on the waiting list, we know got 10. Our ability if we start get short on list, we can call more people. Doesn't doesn't change our dollar amounts. Um the professional services again uh $18,000 increase that is the fires
portion of the impact fee study. subscriptions and memberships. Like we talked about, we moved fire out of it into their appropriate line to capture that cost for fire service. The equipment, the greater than 5,000 line, uh that is a large portion of
that, almost a million of that number is the fire truck and the equipment to retrofit it. As we talked about, right now in the budget, we have uh the debt service of 950,000 for the truck and then pay for the equipment through general fund revenues. Um, we will again we'll go talk to Cara about the FEMA
grant and what that looks like um, moving forward, but that's currently in here to buy a new truck in fiscal year 27. >> You went a little too fast for me. What where did you put the $100,000? That was the debt service. Did you move it into this million?
>> We haven't got there yet, but we're about to. >> Oh, >> so the next line is the is the$1000,000. What was $100,000 debt service? So obviously last year or this fiscal year we pay the truck off. Um if we buy a new truck next year we would not have a payment until fiscal year 28. So I took
the $100,000 out of fire this year to buy purchase capital equipment and then next year that would go back into fire for the debt service assuming the fire assessment wasn't implemented. Fire assessment implemented. >> So that extra $100,000 that you took out of this line item is somewhere else up in here.
>> Nope. It's in the it's in it's in the general funds and other departments to help pay for capital >> equipment. A one-time purchase. That way next year we take that back from uh other departments and put it back into the fire department assuming the fire assessment is not implemented. >> So you are using it but you're using it
for >> other one-time purchases >> and Okay. Not people cost. You're not correct. >> Capital cost. >> Onetime capital expense. >> So you just reallocated it. Yes, next
year it'll go back. >> So earlier you mentioned the possibility of a legislative appropriation for fire engine and we didn't we chose not to do that last year because we the fluent line, right? We're trying to correct save our multi-millions
uh to to do that. And I don't know if it's feasible again to consider a fire engine request or or not. I guess that's how we decide we look at our capital improvement projects and >> decide what we want to do there. we want
to continue the debt service or um it sure would be wonderful not to have that debt service you know but there's some practicalities to that that you know Kobe you might see that more advantageous in the long run than than using appropriation you know
>> we usually make two requests a year right and lucky if we get one so I know I know that puts limits on us as far as that but wow to add that kind of money to uh that we don't have to expend
expend it would be would be wonderful, but we have so many things to spend money on. Anyway, Amy. >> Okay, I gotta back up a minute because this is boggling my head. A million dollar for a new fire truck. And so that
to me, a million dollar means you're going to pay for it lump sum. You're not going to borrow. Is that accurate? Because >> No. Again, we have an offset in the general revenue. There is a $950,000 loan proceed that would offset this $950,000 expense.
So yeah, you're going to buy it in lump sum, but it's with loan proceeds, not with general fund revenues. >> But in 27 or in 28? >> 27. What I'm saying is you would buy it in 27. Your first note due would be fiscal year 28. You're not going to buy it until it's
going to take a year's lead time from the time you order till the time. >> No, even if you do buy it, we speaking, we should have the ability a six month or one year out from purchase for your first payment be due. That's typically how it's been done. That's how the last engine was done was an annual note payment.
>> And the reason I'm asking, Kobe, is because this is deceiving, okay? Because this shows you that uh you don't have those note proceeds up, you know, >> because it's in general revenue. >> I'm sorry. It's in the general revenue. >> No, I I understand that, but it's still
>> Are you asking why isn't like the note payment in there versus the million dollar lump sum? Because I >> Well, first of all, you look, so we went from a million9 budget to a 2.9 million. And that's basically the cost of that firetruck 900 and some >> I agree
>> whatever it is. But we we lose $100,000 for the loan payment >> for one year. But we don't show that. So when I read this, it says we've got a deficit of 2.9 million. And that's not really accurate.
>> That's because all general fund budgets show a deficit down there because all the revenues are captured. We capture in that one section of general fund revenues. So when you go to general fund revenue, you go down to the very bottom, you're going to see loan proceeds in the amount. >> I can fix it on mine. I'm just saying it's a little deceiving. So, if somebody
didn't know that's what we were doing to look at this, >> I mean I mean I'm gonna when we do the full budget and I give you the full with all the explanation and the documents and charts, you're going to have a section on debt I'm going to I'm going to lay out explain. >> So, just verbally what it is. >> How much is the offset in
>> $950,000 >> even? >> Yes. >> All right. So, 950K equals a loan proceeds. Just out of curiosity, what is the lead time on the fire truck? So if we buy it October 1st,
>> again, we're our intention is to buy one that's either on the lot or as Chief's talked about as a demo, they use that as new. So we would hopefully have a reduced lead time because we don't expect to customize a truck at all. >> So let's just say you get it in five months or on October the you know, if you budget this and you get it on
December the 1st, you are going to have >> $100,000 loan payment in the same fiscal year that you're going to have these proceeds. >> Okay. Well, if we do have to deal with it or we just we'll just wait to buy the truck until we fall in the time proceed and when the loan payment would be due in fiscal year 28
>> and and what I'm trying to avoid is okay, you say, you know, we're just saying, okay, we just reallocate it to other general fund capital line items, but that's really not realistic. We're really going to use it whenever it offsets this purchase >> next fiscal year. Yes,
we're buying the whole truck. Yeah, I get what you're saying. You could reduce the loan from 950 to 850. You could do that. Um, but from a from an immediate right now, there's a bet greater use of the 100,000 and buying equipment right now for other departments than we do just offset 100,000 on a loan, particularly a 15-year loan
>> at a reduced interest rate. >> The the year you take the loan, you got to offset it with the loan payment. That's what I'm saying. You're you're showing a loan, but no loan payment. I'm saying they go in the same >> same year. >> The payment won't be due. The first payment won't be due till fiscal year
28. Well, that's not true. If you go and buy it October the 1st of 2026, which is fiscal year 27, >> typically they will work with you and either do first payment due in six months or first payment due on the 12th month. So, our payment will be due in fiscal year 28, the first the first note
payment. >> Same thing we do with police cars. We've done that for multiple years with police cars. >> Same thing with the last engine that got bought. >> So, what I'm hearing you say is you're going to time it differently. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So it's not like when we go buy a
car and you start paying on it the next month, >> right? >> Correct. >> Same thing with the city hall. We're talking about facility maintenance. You have the ability to look at a six-month delay in first payment or a one-year delay in first payment from the time you get done with the draw. >> Theory concept though in financial
statements is they both go in the same year to offset each other. You know, you don't >> it. Yeah. But but the payment's not there. So why would it need to be offset? I'm not convinced that that that's an accurate statement that >> the loan the loan proceeds are in revenue and then we have the expense of
those loan proceeds. That's what's in here. >> So we bought we got the we got the the loan from the bank, we paid it out of this line item and then next fiscal year we'll have the first note payment to the loan >> to the lender. >> So he's booking it three ways is what
he's trying to I'm still not sure we get it 28 but that's probably not critical right now. Yeah, I think it'd be one year would be 27 if we bought October one 26. >> We're going into fiscal year 2. We' be first pay fiscal year 28. >> Okay. >> And what kind of just to refresh my
memory. So if we're going to buy this truck coming up at our new fiscal year, what what >> what type of truck is it versus what we what do we have now? >> And it'll be a regular engine. And what happens to the truck that
you're using now? It'll just be a second backup truck or or will it be traded in for the new? >> The goal is to take the oldest of our two mains right now, move that to the backup, get rid of the third, which is the oldest backup, get rid of it. So, you'll have a backup and then two mains
and the brush truck. >> So, we'll have a fleet of how many? >> Three engines and one brush truck. And then two two trucks, pickups. Oh, and we got a Yeah, we gonna get another one. >> Three fire engines plus the >> brush truck
>> plus a brush, >> which is what uh the fire assessment is based off of right now from a work from a capacity standpoint. >> Now, just just just another one final question. Is it absolutely required to have this fire truck in 27 versus 28?
If we're if you know November comes around and we are stuck, >> does that could that firet truck be postponed purchase-wise for one more >> fiscal cycle? >> Oh, I mean and the plan we put together is to be bought next fiscal year, but I
mean yeah end of the day I mean at the end of the day, yeah, that's not we're not any or any sort of obligation to do it. >> It's just a plan. But based on the age of our two oldest trucks, that's why we recommend to get another one in this coming fiscal year >> because one one's almost 30 years old.
>> Chief does >> 27. >> That's the backup. >> What did he say? I could >> the oldest truck. The third truck is 27 years old. >> 27. >> How much How old is 40 number four? >> Which one? >> The second one. did
2000 >> 2008 >> so it's almost it's 18 years old >> and then the other one we bought what 2020 >> so it's six years old so 27 18 and six >> okay thank you I don't have any further
questions on that >> did you get your answer >> yes >> is it so is it or is it not imperative that we get that truck this I don't the the idea of being impaired or not I don't think is that's not
relative I don't think to what we are we have presented to the council for a plan for the fire department. We're telling you our oldest truck is 27 years old. It needs to go >> oldest truck. >> You need to move the 18y old truck into the third slot as backup. Then you move the six-year-old and a brand new truck as your two primaries. So again, if
again like the council said, if you get to the situation November and it passes, the council says, "Hey, we need to stop and reassess." End of the day, it's not going to stop operations. We're still going to operate. But there are maintenance costs associated with those old trucks. That that's high. So a newer vehicle reduces maintenance costs. Um
but again, in terms of, you know, is it imperative or not? I'd say yeah, it's part of what we provided as a plan for the fire department to provide service. >> Okay. >> It needs to be replaced. And I'm assuming if we get a grant or something too, that number could significantly be reduced, which means we would have more
money to spend elsewhere. >> Correct. >> Yep. >> Delaying the replacement of of these large items like this, in my opinion, never never works well for us. And and case in point, when Chief Hurley came in, there were many
many delays with replacing the police vehicles. And so he had to do catchup. During my tenure at the sheriff's office, they delayed the replacement of uh numerous patrol vehicles. And I vividly remember uh under sheriff
Chapman looking at the BCC and saying, "I've got to replace over 25 vehicles a year at the tune of $50,000 a piece just to get caught up." So delaying the replacement, especially on something like a like a firet truck, it's only
going to get more expensive with time. So delaying it one year versus versus the next, I I just I think we bite the bullet on that. >> And see, the only thing I disagree with that is I agree that I too would like to see us be able to do that. But you got
to be able to afford your you gota we've got to in totality be able to afford everything because you know with everything that the unknown strains that we're faced with, decisions, hard decisions got to be made. Now, I don't think that's necessarily the first one I
want to make, but >> I got to look at it in totality, and I just want to know, is there room to >> make there? Because >> I think two parts. One, cost, right? What council just talked about the fire engine in 2020 was just shy of $500,000 and we're buying a very similar engine
now at almost a million. >> So, you've almost doubled the cost of fire engine in six years, give or take. Second part of that is again the h 100,000 that was in there for debt service that we've now used for onetime purchase that money be moved back and it's recurring revenue. So I can only imagine if the council does not pass the
fire assessment and we get to next year we got a cut we will not be cutting $100,000 that was for debt service. It'll still be there. I think made all made it very clear we're not going to cut out public safety first. So we'll look somewhere else for $100,000. Well, heaven forbid we have an event
where we need all three trucks out. One of them is 27 years old. >> You know, anything can quit at any point with a 27y old vehicle of any type. Um, and so, you know, where are they have to be they have to be ready to
go. I >> I I spoke to some firefighters in other fire departments and they told me the absolute max that they typically take their vehicles out to is 15 years. and that one is approaching double that. >> So I think we've well extracted the
value out of it. >> Well, one of the things that we're very lucky to have is mutual agreement and between Argyle and Liberty. Uh they're a tremendous help. Um as far as brush fires go, we got the Florida um
Department of Forestry. Uh they've got some excellent firefighting equipment and um we even have Crescue to help us. Um we've actually gone uh they had a fire so bad in Crescue >> uh within the last within the last
calendar year that we had to send a truck over there. Uh >> did you get turned around? Did they ask you? >> That would have been the county. >> That was in the county. would have had to be. We don't have a mutual agreement outside the county.
>> Okay. I got some bad information because I asked them. I said, "You went to Crest View?" And they said, "Yeah, we were heading that way." Now, maybe he meant out to just about the county line. Bad information. I'm glad I asked. Thank
you. >> Okay. All right. So, any other questions on fire? >> Okay. one one thing uh and it may be under facilities fire station renovations. >> Where is that at? Where's it at? At this
current moment, that is not in here. So, it is in the anticipation assume assume the council were to put in a fire assessment at a certain rate, the one I provided to y'all. Uh at that point, it would be right because we then we had the allocation of those dollars in that first year revenue that was that was in
there. Uh but that's again that's based on the uh implementation of a fire assessment at this moment. >> What was the rate? What was the cost? Refresh our memory so we can >> $450,000 is what we had estimated. But again that that's more importantly when
we get a general contractor that would be something come in assess it tell us you know what we're looking at. But that's what we had initially in our plan but put to the renovation of the station. Well, you know, Representative Abbott talked about, you know, accessible
grants now and that that kind of thing. Um, but that process takes a while. We can always amend this later if we apply for a grant and get it right. >> Um, >> for that. >> Yeah. There um there's two other things
that obviously, you know, FEMA FEMA's always won. um legislature, you know, this year I know the representative got stuff for different counties for uh public safety facilities, notably a couple fire facilities, uh whatever that was building new ones or hardening them. Um local mitigation, that's what Christy
and I had met this morning with way emergency management about particularly right now for water and sewer on generators and lift stations on bypass pumps for that. And so again, they do a lot of mitigation money for hardening of structures. Um so that could be one as well and it could be included in that at
the same time. Good question. >> So, this budget meeting right now, we're just covering a small portion of what we still need to work on. Correct. >> Well, I mean, we're covering the entire general fund. This is what tax dollars pay for.
>> Public works. Um this is again public works. You know we have multiple lines when it comes to public works. This one is the admin side of it. Uh really the two notable ones you're going to see. Uh the first one in yellow are uniforms. We corrected that this year. You know last year we switched companies in the middle of the year. Uh we redivvied out to the
appropriate funds those uniforms as well. And so we had to make those corrections that we didn't capture last year properly. So that's that's what you see there. Um and then on the next line down the adaptation plan grant. you know, we are doing currently through the resilient program adaptation plan. Um,
and this is what I estimate from the $198,000 grant that we received. This is what I expect we will carry forward and finish in fiscal year 27 roughly $138,000 of that grant. Again, no match grant. Um, and there's an offset in general revenue. Am I missing something?
>> Okay. So again, this is just this is really just the admin side of public works. >> And it says it's two full-time equivalents, >> correct? That's the director and the administrative assistant. >> And it increased $100,000. >> Uh mostly due to uh the grant right
here, the grant underline 516 5715. Yeah, I see it. >> Y Mr. Mayor. >> Yes. >> We've been going at this for 2 hours. Can we take a bathroom break? >> We can. We can. Uh, it is about 5 till.
Let's try to do it about 8 minutes or so. >> Get you out of here. before we get orders. >> Uh yeah. Yeah. So, um do y'all get phone calls about things
that when you hear them, it's like what? And they get bad information or somebody tells somebody something else and they call you up and say, "Y'all are wasting money. Why are we doing this? And >> all the time. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Well,
I do too. So, one of them that's come up lately is >> they sent me um a newspaper article um with this young lady holding up a $10,000 check uh giving it away to
who? >> So, the contestant who Jaden Broadway, executive director of Main Street. Okay, >> nice to see you guys. So, >> so I should I I told her I said, "Did this come from city funds? They're
in they're implying this came from city taxpayers." >> And I said, "I don't know." >> And she assured me it did not. >> Yeah. So, if this is floating around out there that this is uh this is the city's taxpayers money, I wanted to bring this
to the public record after I found out it's not. >> Did you see it on Facebook or where'd you see it? >> No, they inquired. >> They sent it to me. >> And this is just >> And what was it? >> He was under concerned citizens. The
imple implement the implication was is >> they give away $10,000 to somebody. >> Yeah. But it was their money. >> They raised it. >> They raised it. >> Mhm. >> And they did everything they were supposed to do. >> But the implication was
>> the city did it. >> That this was city taxpayers money. And I just wanted to clear the record. Yeah. And that Main Street did everything they were supposed to do above and beyond. >> Yeah. I've got no beef with Main Street and I'm trying to defend them. >> Okay.
>> And I'm trying to dispel a rumor. >> All right. Appreciate the heads up. >> Okay. >> Councilman Amy, uh, are you aware of Faith Factor? >> What? >> Have you heard of Faith Factor? >> No. >> What is that? >> Yeah.
>> We'll get you two together after the night. Let's keep >> Can I go home for the night? >> Yeah. >> Thank you guys. I appreciate it. Good night. I'll >> All right. All right. We're going to call this workshop back to order and
>> we are picking up on um still public works or street. >> No, that was just the last one. Making sure no more questions before I roll on. >> Okay. All right. The uh next one is streets and storm water. The uh the first top line you see up here that's
yellow. you'll see a a decrease, but really um and there at 39,000 6,000 of that is for, you know, we have large trees or, you know, we just don't have the ability to cut those down. The other 33,000 is a task order to do preliminary design
on these the storm water issue off Sloth Avenue. We all know the the big wash out >> between 90 and SLOs. >> So, we got that task order later earlier in this year. Um it's $33,000 for Anchor to do preliminary design which we would then take and try to apply for grants.
We'll put on CIP. Uh but that's just figure out how we're going to correct the issue. So it's in there. If for some reason we feel we don't need to do that or go a different route, we can talk about that. But that's a task order to do preliminary design to get a solution to that problem and then we will work to find the money to fix it.
>> That design going affect all the way down to verdict? >> No, I believe it's just for the section between 90 and SLOs. >> Okay. There's a big wash out. >> Okay. >> All right. Good. >> Is Chris? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. So, that's what this task order
that's what that $33,000 is for. Preliminary design. >> Um everything else relatively the same um until we got down into so grants. These are highlighted again just the first one is the Twin Lakes Drive grant that is for construction only. So, that'll be carried into next year. Uh we
expect to have uh all the designs for water, sewer, gas. The road's already been completed here over the next few weeks and hope to be bidding that out sometime August, September to be moved forward that in the in the late fall winter time frame. Uh the next one, the
$75,000. That's our match to the grant. You know, again, we had $153,000 match. We had budget that was for design CI. Now CI is a little about $10,000 more than it was, you know, roughly two years ago. And so that's what this number represents for $75,000. Again, like we
talked about, that will be a little bit different because water and gas will pay for their portion of the CI as well. Uh reconnecting communities, that's the grant we've had for a while. It's been carried forward. We are working with Liberty Partners on that on some RP stuff. Both this one and the safe streets for all is very slow. Federal
government is very slow. Um we got the EPA grant for the effluent line. You all heard from Tim and them a few weeks ago. and it takes weeks at a time to get an email back because I don't know what they got going on but it takes two or three weeks at a time for you to response and then that takes two or three weeks it's it's awful. Um so those
are the grants. Those are the matches that we've had that we've carried forward that are coming out of that local option gas tax fund that we talked about. Uh equipment greater than 5,000. This is back on our equipment sheet. That number represents, as we talked about, um go back here real fast.
Represents uh the skid steer and the mulching head that's going to be split between water sewer and the general fund. Uh the milling head at $62,000 that goes on the skid steer and then the uh the steel roller that we discussed in the amount of 52,947.
So that is what makes up the 159047. >> What kind of roller? >> It's a steel wheel roller. >> We talked about that. That was early, >> correct? Mhm. And so that will that will come out of the local option gas tax. And then so that's all the equipment in straight storm water. The next line is
398,110. This is the resurface uh projects that we have in our action plan. This is every project in the first plan minus two. The first minus is Twin Lakes Drive because that's already being done. The money is a grant. So that's why I don't see it here. The second one is Hugh
Adams Road. The reason I took it out, uh, according to the engineers, um, it's a roughly $225,000 project. Um, reason we took it out is because we few weeks ago when you all approved the task order for the water main replacement along Hugh Adams, which is actually out in the
ride ofway. Um, three nights group engaged with DOT and we have some, we don't know yet whose road it is. So, we have a meeting on Monday with DOT, Andrew and I do to understand whose road it is before we go and repave it. Um, we're going to hope that if it is DOT road, we may work with them on some discretionary funds or maybe next year
budget for that. And at that point, even if they don't have funds, do believe it is an eligible CRA project, particularly if DOT is willing to put up money, then we can look at the sidewalks, the lighting, things of that nature, safety, pedestrian improvements along that corridor. So, that's the reason it got pulled out to get some clarity before we
try to move forward with any funding on it. Um the uh the total amount here represents um design CI core samples and estimated construction for those those segments that we're looking at doing next fiscal year.
So, so is that whose road is it? Is are you talking about like from Star Starbucks down to the curve or whole entire >> from star from the intersection there where Starbucks is at headed technically south down to the winery that section there that is what was slated to be
redone this year but based on information we got from DOT when they were looking at the water man it looks like that is DOT road so that's what we had clarity on Monday about whose road is it >> okay >> yeah that'd be Right. >> So, if I need to, I can go over the the
projects that are slated in here or again, they're in the action plan. So, so I can go over them if you want me to, but they're in there. They will be in the budget as well when you get the full written out. >> Do you know what page of that action plan? >> Uh, >> because I'll just write my little note
and look it up myself. It would be pageuh technically it's well it's in appendix B or I'm sorry appendix C and it'll be under 2027 action plan. It'll be toward the back of the book. You'll see a map and you will see the roads. I'm already here so I'm just
going to say is that okay with everybody? >> Yeah. Okay. >> Uh the first one is approximately one/tenth of a mile for Willow Run. Uh the next one is Clay Street approximately 34 to.34 miles uh from
11th to Hubard. Uh we pulled out Hugh Adams. The next one would be 24th Street from Baldwin to 331 that's less than a tenth of a mile. 19th Street from Live Oak West to Van Beurren that's.14 miles.
And then Engle Road from Twin Lakes Drive to Rose Lane approximately a quarter of a mile. And again, Twin Lakes Drive, that's in a separate pot of money for the grant. So, those are the the sections to be redone in this coming fiscal year. >> Okay.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. Any other questions on uh streets and storm water? >> Parks and grounds. Um the you'll see highlighted here a $8,000 decrease in operating supplies. Again, that's just Andrew and I looking at it based on what we're at this year, we expect to go.
Again, some of these numbers here in this one, you're going to see another in a minute. Last year when we got rid of transportation and maintenance, we split them all out. I took that money and divided what I thought was appropriate. So, now we see there's, you know, we didn't need as much there or we needed more somewhere else. So, we have we've shifted that around for that purpose.
Um, the other one is in the yellow line down there, the equipment greater than 5,000. That is the commercial mower, the backwing bush hog, and a standon blower. That's what makes up the $60,000 number. >> Say it one more time. A commercial mower, a sand what?
>> A stand on blower, and a batwing bush hog. You have this council. There's a you have equipment sheet as well toward the front of your packet. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Real quick, where is what's the status of that fence around that park? Have we paid for it or and or
>> we've encumbered it. Andrew, you know where he's at on the >> process now. >> Okay. >> Okay. We cut the tree down. When do we expect to pay the parking lot? >> I want to say the parking lot
in that parking lot parking lot. >> Yeah. >> I want to do it close to by the time he does the fence. That way we can make sure that the asphalt goes up. You know, about a month ago, I'd asked and the answer was they were in the welding process of whatever, but
>> because he's hand making them. >> He's hand done. It's just he's waiting to do something more before he can erect it. >> It takes time to build those panels. >> It's what the year ends or Yeah. >> Is it going to roll over into the next
year? >> No, we fully anticipate be done this fiscal year. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Any other questions? Parks and Grounds. All right. >> Uh dog park. >> That's in CRA budget.
>> So, not nothing of that will come out of >> general fund though. Okay. That's in the CRA budget as of right now. >> Thank you. >> Fleet maintenance. Um I really again like we talking about the biggest one in here the main one is the equipment greater than 5,000 in the amount of 25,000 that is replacing one lift we
have now uh with a bigger lift one for heavier vehicles we have and one for safety. So get rid of an older u somewhat inadequate lift for for a new lift in the in the fleet shop. >> I do have one more question if we back up to parks. What happened to the
discussion we were having? Did I miss it when I was absent about the sign for that park? right there. >> No, we have a the sign that Councilman Harrison brought up the digital sign. Monday we have our meeting. We have a list of things and that's one of them to determine if it is in DOT right ofway, what's the pering process and then get
their surveys on their right ofways on both that section and on the wayside part. >> So it's not on this like no right now. No, there's no number of >> Yeah, there's nothing there right now because I don't know yet everything to come about. >> Thank you.
Okay. So, uh any any other questions in fleet? Again, the big one in there was uh the equipment which was a lift. Good. >> Good. >> Mhm. >> Councilwoman. >> Oh. Uh yeah, I'm okay.
>> Okay. All right. Uh facilities maintenance. Um the biggest again the two yellowed there, Chicago Building Community Center. Again, I highlight those and I'll probably do this every single year just to make sure I'm saying those are tied directly to revenue. So that number
is let me take it back. It's revenue minus 10%. So what we expect to take in minus 10% that we use for offset of overtime. So we budget 90% of expected revenues in the expense line. That's what that's what we do now for the community center and historical
building. Um going down to we'll hit grants real quick. We fully anticipate to have the Shiitak building done this fiscal year. So, we have no carry forward next year with the grant or our match. That is our hopes and goals. They're moving pretty quick out there, so we hope that'll be done. Um,
under building improvements, $900,000 that's that's highlighted. That is the city hall repair, maintenance, renovation stuff. Again, that number along with the firetruck is shown in general revenue under loan proceeds. So, a total amount of loan proceeds of $1,850,000
we have budgeted. >> How much of that 900 is city hall? >> 900 is city hall. 950 is a firet truck. So, when you look at the general revenue sheet, you're going to see a section of loan proceeds in a total amount of 1,850,000.
900 is city hall, 950 is a firet truck. So, we're going to borrow money to fix this, but we're not going to borrow money to fix the fire station renovations where people sleep. Is that I'm just asking a question. I just want to
>> Well, two reasons. One, I mean, we don't we don't have to if we don't want to. I mean, we can we can leave the rooms as they are in the roof leaks. It's just city hall, I guess. But the fire station, again, right now it's >> I meant right. >> I understand. >> Okay. The anticipation is uh the fire
assessment again if if this fire assessment were to go through that is calculated in there. We expect that to be in there. That's I mean if you do the fire >> budgeted though, >> correct? Because the fire assessment hasn't been done yet. I can't I can't reasonably budget that money if y'all aren't even through the process yet. You
still got one more budget. >> Should I make a note that this could possibly my fire budget could possibly increase by a need of 450? >> Mhm. If you pass a fire assessment, your fire budget is going to go up by however much of that assessment we leave in there.
>> So right now, if the fire assessment is implemented, >> so so this is general fund. Then you're assuming that that will not pass, but we still have to move forward with the budget and fund it somehow. >> Correct. >> Thank you. >> Correct. >> Okay, got it.
>> If the council does pass it, then again, that hearing is the end of August. We've got a few days there to change that budget and y'all to adopt that going into our hearings in September. >> So, let me ask this. Uh would it be possible to borrow an
additional amount to fix that fire station so that it's done? I mean, >> yeah. I mean, obviously we do it. We just have to have the lender is going to have to check our uh you know, credit ratio, what we can pay back again. The original and talking to >> do that. So, this is for Jeremy. So,
when Jeremy did this, this is a number we we expect to take out for the renovations, repairs, renovations of the building. Um, his estimate on a believe it was a 15-year lease note for that was around $75,000 annual debt service. But, yeah, I mean, obviously, if you wanted
to look at that, when we go to get financing, we go to the bank with with ask of 1.35 million and see what that debt service looks like and see if we had the capacity in the general fund without having to look at some sort of go bond. because of course I would want it to come out of the assessment if
that's where we head. But also, you know, I don't want any workers comp claims or other potential, you know, safety issues with the the the lives of those firemen that are living there. >> Correct. >> Because wasn't there mold issues there, too? >> Mhm.
>> Kind of like what you said here, whether it leaks and >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, you're saying we need to uh review our borrowing capacity, >> correct? Assume the assessment doesn't pass, then yes, you reviewing. If you want to put that in there on the low
loan proceeds, then when we go to get financing, we have to get a look at it. And then could we Clay is it can they can we bond against those fire assessments if if in order to get this additional amount needed to do the repairs right away for that renovation.
>> You can pledge typically you can pledge a nonvalorm assessment a debt service whether you're going to be allowed to your first year or not really is going to be a lender based question whether a lender will let you do it until they see what you establish. Um, the only thing you always have to note are there additional loan covenants that prohibit
you from being able to not reenact it. Once you pledge it for one year, you don't get the choice of not reenacting it in future years. So, there's some notices we would have to do as part of that process. And is there a no is there any kind of agreement that city council
can do uh against itself to say hey we pledge this so but if this occurs we're going to fund it with >> that's up to your lender ultimately you'd have to figure out where you're going to fund it from you certainly cannot fund it from advalorum money
>> okay as long as it's a nonadvelor source >> correct >> okay >> so based on the anticipated breakout of fire assessment funds the again we're looking at a 60% funding level which would generate roughly $947,000
that first year. Um there would be enough in there after a breakout of of monies that uh I've put $450 toward that that station renovation with generated dollars not debt service from the fire assessment generated dollars from the fire assessment.
>> So you wouldn't take out debt to re to do that remodel the fire station >> but it would occur in year one. >> Correct. fully funded. >> Correct. >> Again, that's at the rate you've all talked about. 60%. >> Assuming at which rate?
>> 60. >> At 60% funding level again. And like council said, assuming that's the cost. 450 is the cost. >> And just to be clear, most likely >> who gave us who gave us that? I'm sorry, Cliff. Who gave us that 450 uh estimate? that came from our plan of what we had
from our from a five to 10 year plan based on our conversation with the sheriff's office at the time what they thought it would take to renovate the building. >> So it was not a professional it was just an estimate to >> correct. Mhm. >> And who did ours here at city hall? >> We had companies come out and look at
various portions of it. >> What did that cost us? >> Well, various portions. So the roof cost to come look at it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. To give us the >> No, they'll come out and quote. Don't cost us. >> We could have that same people. So, the fire chief has tried with a couple different contractors. He's having a difficulty getting people out there to
quote him on the renovations on the inside. >> Uh, >> but we're continually trying. We've called a few more. >> So, the people that quoted here won't come out and quote us over there >> because they've quoted individual pieces. So, like the roof, a company come out, they quoted the roof, >> that speaks volumes to me. So,
>> and then a different company came out and quoted the mold remediation. A different company quoted the uh air conditioning unit. >> Different companies for different parts. Not one person came out and quoted the whole building. Again, why we can't get someone to come out look at that, I don't know. They've contacted a few. We're still trying to contact people.
>> These people that we just are uh this thing that you just asked for us that we approved. Yeah. Thank you, Josh. The general contractor. Is that something that can be divied out to that person and they can give us a better goal. >> They'll be the ones that do the work. >> Okay. >> Huh. >> They'll be the ones that do the work.
>> Give us a quote. And the ones that'll Oh, interesting. >> Most likely though, let me be clear. We always talk about trying to find grant funding. Please do know correct that's going to probably be the one issue that if we do hire a general contractor certainly federal grant money or state
grant money that flows from the fed, they're going to want to be bid out and not going to let us do it in house. But that's okay. >> Yeah, >> we'd still have our GC being the oversight of it either way, >> but we're not talking about that for now. The only thing I wanted to comment on was whenever we talk about bonding
this kind of stuff, we're probably going to be asked to pledge all available nonadvalorum revenues like we had to do with city hall here, which basically like look, they may they know they may be the sixth priority lean
holder on water, but they'll take that plus sales tax plus basically everything you've got available is what you're going to pledge is what we're going to have to do on each of these buildings. That's what they're going to make us do. Um, so any legally available fund that is nonvalorum would go into the hopper.
So with the fire, they're going to make you pledge the same thing. The difference is you would have the fire assessment to add into that bucket whereas you could not use the fire assessment on this bill. >> What uh remind my remind me there was um I asked the question, do we give
preference to local people that bid on whatever we're looking for? And you know one of the jobs I remember him saying I voted for Mr. offer to give him what was that building? >> Chicago building. stop >> and and >> the only reason the only the only reason that occurred the only reason you could
do that is because the department of state after we have bid this out like three times at this point said you know what forget that if the council's willing to get quotes and assign it we're willing to take that but any other time local preference we have one mechanism local preference and that's in your purchasing policy that we give 5%
local preference to people within the city limits when we're buying goods uh service things of that nature typically local preference does not apply to we bid We bid things out competitively. Whether that's a grant or non-grant related, we don't give local preference at that point. >> Even if even if it was a local vendor
that came back and and was competing against all those others, correct? Correct. We wouldn't give them a >> because at this point when you go to competitive bidding and collect something, you've given that they've given that option up when you competitively bid it. And in grants, both state and federal, they do not allow it at all. >> Correct. State and federal grant funding will not allow you to have a local
vendor preference. They want you to select the most qualified person at the best price. However, let's just be practical about something here. I don't want somebody to ever hear this meeting and say, "Why do you have so many local vendors doing business?" Well, one, as a practical matter, we are a small,
generally rural area, we're inherently not going to get people from Pensacola bidding some of our smaller construction job. Two, while we don't give preference, when we look at qualifications, ability to perform the work, and the time frames we put on things, a vendor that's here locally or
in Walton County is probably going to be scored slightly higher if we have to evaluate their ability to perform at the same dollar amount than someone who is located in, let's say, Milton or Tallahassee. You know, if they're having to mobilize from Tallahassee every day, the cost is going to be higher. So I
mean the practical effect is there but we cannot simply say you are a local vendor therefore we give you a preference for hiring. >> Correct. >> Under full competitive bids that is okay. Any other questions on facilities maintenance?
All right. Uh okay. So that uh pretty much wraps up uh regular general general fund budgets. The next two are special revenues, which is Christmas reflections in the cemetery. Christmas reflections. Um, again, you know, both Christmas
reflections and cemetery. I took a rather conservative approach to revenue estimates. Um, just to make sure, you know, one, we don't uh we don't overdo ourselves and two to get to the habit of, you know, working with working with less just in case things happen. So the only again really the only thing in
light that of note is again the $25,000 reserve which we talked about earlier that we carry forward to this year and we'll continue to carry every year as that safety net in that uh special revenue account. Any questions on Christmas reflections?
All right, the cemetery uh the cemetery is relatively close. Again, I mean you're seeing only about a $650 increase. Again, I was very conservative on the revenues B versus what Danielle had provided to me for the very same reasons lights. However, I will tell you
um most likely going into next year, you will be looking at a transfer into the cemetery. If we don't make some changes uh to rates andor operating cost um because we're getting to the point now to where these lines, there's not a whole lot to take out of the lines, we won't be able to operate for the full
full year out there. So that's something that this year we most likely will get through on a balance there without transferring. But next year if we don't look at rates or look at uh you know some sort of something else with personnel whether move that to a different department I mean a different division of public works and then shift
that around or cut operating we're going to be looking at a transfer next year from the general fund as we did uh for the years prior to this current fiscal year. >> Is that an outside board that's kind of open? That's the the mayor the mayor and two appointed citizens that are the
cemetery board. They more so handle the administrative like we have a dispute or we're looking at the lots, the plots, things of that nature and then they will recommend to the council. Uh we've talked a little bit at those meetings about rates before. Um so that's something we can discuss with them, but I'm just letting you know we can get
through this year, but next year you're most likely going to be looking at a transfer from the general fund. >> But is that a board the cemetery board? >> Nation or is it our our >> the city council? Mayor, does are y'all chatting about that though as to how to Yeah,
>> because I know we have talked about that. >> We had one gentleman supposed to come in and he wanted to talk about all the rates and fees and >> he didn't show up. Uh but though about two three or four months ago, I thought we were fixing to have a pretty
u unpleasant conversation, but he he did not show up. So, we we know it's coming. Uh, and I would recommend that you know let's >> How often do y'all meet? >> Every 3 months. >> When's your next meeting? >> Got one day.
>> Uh, none. >> No. Okay. We rescheduled it next Wednesday. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, uh, >> so you're in July, August. So be October. But anyway, I mean, I would just shoot for the, you know, just by
the end of this new fiscal year, have the new rates in place. >> Why do they have to Why did y'all have to cancel it on Tuesday? >> Didn't have any business. >> Out of curiosity. What? >> We didn't have any business. >> It sounds like it's important business. >> Yeah, but the council sets the rates,
not not the board. Yeah, >> but they're But don't they talk about it and bring it to us, or are we just going to just cut off their hands and just do it? So, I mean, I don't know if Mayor wants to hit on it, but the cemetery board isn't really like the tree board. It's not really generating ideas. It's not really doing the cemetery board is really an administrative function of the
cemetery where have disputes when it comes to deeds, things of that nature. >> Yeah. So, I I do think I mean they talked about >> go really >> it it could it does not require their approval. >> No, I know, but I mean I would think that they would want to buy in like why
would I mean they know the business of the cemetery more than I do. Well, I think if the council showing willingness to want your rates, >> all you can do is look at our competition. They're cons significantly higher than we are on just the sale of a plot. Uh, so
>> who is your competition? Where is the next >> Well, there's some city owned cemeteries. I think Fort Walton is one of them. And >> Lynhaven's got one or two of them, >> but anyway, they are considerably higher than we are. Um, >> is there any private ones here like >> Oh, there's private ones all over the
place. Yeah. >> Oh, so if I was trying to pre-plan estate planning or whatever, that's not the only choice. >> No, around is there any more in the city limits? >> Is where's the next closest one? >> I think so. >> Churches.
>> A lot of churches. >> Churches. >> Yes. >> Oh. Oh. Those up on >> some pretty big cemeteries. And uh and there are some private private, you know, to open to the public. I say not private, but they're not government run.
I'll put it that way. And their fee structure is significant. We know that we, you know, of course, we have enough people that'll show up and just cry the blues uh when we do talk about upping fees and that type of thing, but that's going to happen no
matter what. You just got to set something that will keep us in the black. Mhm. >> Is this part of chapter 12 or or eighth chapter of anything? >> I believe cent's chapter something tell me four, but that may be elections.
>> It's own has its own chapter. >> Correct. >> And Craber, you you put together your staff. You put together a sort of like I don't know that it was a fiveyear plan, but pretty much a plan for future maintenance and road grading and paving
and all that. And you know, if we're ever going to get there, we we've got we've got work to do. >> So, we did um we've kind of on hold now. We're working we got to work toward getting some dollar amounts. I will say councilwoman, her and I went over it and she kind of kind of >> went through it with me and I thought it
was a great idea. Some associate it was a really good idea. I have not had time to circle back to it yet. But yes, that is something we want to do in the plan. Um there is and that's something with Danielle not right now because I don't think we have enough time yet to really consider that. There is um in the cemetery fund there's a there's a restricted balance of about $75,000.
So Danielle is going through those through our investments because our investments is one large amount and it has all these breakdowns. So that 75 maybe made up 150 different little >> um so she's going through that to determine is that something we can use at some point to do some of that road maintenance and things of that nature.
So she's going through that and that's something we're going to be bringing here in the next few months anyways is cleaning up all these little investment lines and we also want to move money to prime. So that's another topic for another conversation. >> But yeah, we do have the plan. We just we got to do some refinement to it.
>> So again, this year we will balance it out, but I anticipate next year if we do not make some changes to that the rates, we'll be looking at a transfer. >> I I think we ought to take the mayor's advice and uh we need we need to get moving on a fee increase. It's been
several years since we did that first initial increase. >> And much like the capacity fees prior to that increase, they hadn't been touched in a decade plus. Um I I want to reiterate what I was told last time we increase the fees. And the mayor's
right. You had a lot of people come out and and express their concern about it, but the reality is most people already own a plot out there. >> So what are they paying? >> Yeah. Well, a lot of them have bought them, you know, 30 years ago, >> right?
>> And so, you know, it's like I mean, they got them for chump change >> and um anyway, it's hard to convince them that, you know, that's the going rate and our we're not the going rate. We're under >> Yeah. >> well under the going rate. But anyway, uh >> are you saying the people that already
own have to pay something in addition to >> Well, if they own if they own a plot and then they pass away, there would be there would be the I think the what is it? There's a fee for the burial fee. There's a couple $350 bar burial barrel. >> This would be like the concept y'all were saying on Monday night that we
can't increase the developers capacity fee or whatever because if they're already bought in, they already bought in and that's it. You know, >> versus everybody moving forward would be new, which >> expenses is going to change, >> you know, every few years uh for internment and all that type of stuff.
So, you can't just set a flat fee. uh you can for the property, but my these fees uh we will charge them for a permit and then the usually the funeral home will cover all the rest of the cost and we charge them a fee in a per
>> right and and and that's my point is there there will be a lot of consternation about the fees but the reality is >> it's it's people that have already paid in they're already locked in at a particular plot rate. So the only thing that they're going to incur when they pass away is the permit fee for
for the burial, which is at $350 is quite dimminimous compared to the cost of a funeral nowadays. >> So, they don't pay us though, right? Because I I had a complaint that they pay the funeral, not not to the city. >> So, the majority of our fees getting paid are by the funeral home, right?
Because the the funeral home pays the permit fee or they're handling cash. >> Oh, yeah. >> So, the funeral home doesn't dig the grave, the city digs the grave. >> No. >> Who digs the grave? funeral home responsible for the the grave. >> But who actually does the digging? Their employees are >> I don't know if it's theirs or a
contractor. So we do not dig >> contract. It's typically a contractor. But yes, we don't do it. It's kind >> So then why are we charging them a $350 burial fee if we're not doing if we're not digging the hole. >> Now if you are >> because we have $80,000 worth of
expenses in in the cemetery. >> If you're the owner, if you own the plot, we do not charge you fees to work on your own plot. >> Yeah. But you're hiring a contractor with a burial. >> Go ahead, Andrew. >> The actual burial permit fee is 850.
It's 350 for a family. And then if but if you're that's for a burial, but if it's cremain, stuff like that, a family permit is free. So if my grandmother passed away and she already had a plot out there, I can go out there, put her in the ground for free, and it doesn't
cost me anything. But if I go through a funeral home, then it costs a permit fee. >> Correct. >> Why? Why? Why? Why am I not sending you the >> And we mentioned the monuments, too. Yeah. >> Mhm. Do what now? So if you went out and
buried your family member there without using the services of a funeral home, >> why why would the city why is the city getting money from the funeral home >> to to do the same thing you just did, but I'm losing money by not getting
>> because the funeral home the funeral home charges them regardless. >> So >> funeral home just charges it back to the individual, >> right? But but um the city's not getting anything from that then. >> Yes. >> Yeah. We're getting the permit >> before we were not getting anything.
That's why we did the burial. >> Why am I charging the funeral home a permit fee versus not him? >> You're you're saying if he goes out and buries his own family member in a plot they own. Yes. We don't charge a permit fee. >> Currently we don't do that. >> Right. But the funeral home, I own that
same plot, but he uses the services of a funeral home. Now all of a sudden he the funeral home's going to send him and me a fee. >> No. >> Or he's going to pay a fee and I'm going to get a portion of it. The city. >> That's what we're saying. >> That's what I'm hearing. >> The funeral home just pays us directly.
We do not if a family goes through the funeral home, we don't deal with the family. We only deal with the funeral home. >> Correct. >> Because you know that was the the fellow that brought this up that was arguing that I shared with you before. He said, "Look, I bought this 20 years ago. Here's my contract. Here's what it says I get." And all of a sudden, I'm now
being charged to bury my family member out there. And I don't think that's right. I had a contract with you for 20 years now. That's why I did it. >> Somebody's got to be paid to dig the hole, >> right? >> Okay. >> The funeral home pays for that. We don't
do anything with that contract. >> So, we So, I got three generations of Cosens out there in Magnolia. So, I'm This has got my attention. I'm going to get say uh Katon or Jerry to dig my hole
>> and I pay Jerry for digging that hole. >> Do I owe the city anything? >> You owe Jerry the city anything? >> Yeah, Jerry pays us the permit fees. >> And the funeral home pays us the permit fees. >> We have a So, think about this. We have
a permit fee. The funeral home is going to charge you some amount of money. If they charge you less than the permit fee, they lose money. If they charge you the permit fee, they break even. They're probably going to charge you an amount that is permit fee plus their take.
>> Clay, I'm getting lost as to why the funeral home has to come and get a permit fee and and who's burying his sole family member without the use of a funeral home gets away with not buying not paying me for a permit fee. So, so the answer
>> it's typically it's not a regular burial that is typically cremains >> because if it's an actual burial that has to go through a funeral home. >> It's just a small earn different than what we're >> that's putting a vault in casket and all that. He's giving you the reason as to
why I'm giving you the reason you don't pay the permit fee. >> Yeah. The reasons you don't pay the permit fee. Like if a family member I I can't go just take my granny and go out there and throw her in a >> He can't go out there with a shovel. >> But the funeral home cannot either though. But the funeral home doesn't need a permit for me to give me the
remains your your burned remains >> for remains. But for a burial that that's different. That's >> that's what I'm saying. That's a different transaction type. >> And I think what we're saying is that the average citizen's not just because you don't get charged. If the average citizen came and said, "Hey, we want to
go do a formal burial." That's not something you get asked. >> Correct. >> That's I think what we're saying is it's an impracticability. It's not something that we're >> You don't have people go out there with shovels. >> Mo most people that have that even that do the cremations and stuff and they you
know they have to go through a funeral home to get their cremations because it's a lease cost funeral. A lot of the lowincome people that's what they have done is cremations because it's a cheaper funeral and then they don't even have a service. So they can go out and
put them in the ground cheaper affordability versus having a whole funeral. >> Then we limit the number of cremines that can be put in one lot. One plot. >> Well, let me ask you a question. How much deficit do you believe would be next year that would have to come from
the city supplement? I mean assuming again assuming just increases in you know utilities insurance couple thousand dollar5 $6,000 but there's not a whole lot of five there's not a whole lot of money to cut out of 31,000 from an operating when majority of that operating is power bill water bill
vehicle insurance liability insurance you know there's not a whole lot there's not a whole lot to cut from that um that that's what I'm getting so it's going to be a couple thousand I'm not saying it's gonna be $30,000 but you will start next year with a with a small transfer again which we cut out this current fiscal year No, I understand. I just want to
kind of figure out >> it won't be nothing astronomical, but it will be one though. >> And Todd's correct. So, how do we bring that forward then so we can all have a discussion on >> looking at the >> just brace for impact is all I'm going to say. >> On the next agenda and
>> I mean, can you first before we put it on the agenda share it amongst us so that we can start? >> Well, I mean, it seems like everybody wants us to do that. We'll sh can share with you the you know the rates and stuff and then Andrew and uh assuming them can work start getting some comps around us and we can bring those to a council meeting on on the comps of
cemetery rates around us and we can start that conversation >> and should we have a public you know something out in the public so that they have a choice to come and and input. Yeah, it'll be on the it'll be on our agenda show. You know,
>> I I will add one other comment just >> so notice >> because this was discussed at great great length a couple iterations of the council ago. Y >> um one of the reasons you see the no
rate charge to family plot burials is at various points in time in the city's history and we're talking about 40s 50s60s plots were marketed and sold by the city
and we have the brochure somewhere >> and somewhere in city hall I don't it probably may be still stuck over there >> that We encouraged people to come buy plots for your family. And it appears based on what you can look at what the city advertised and when you actually
look at the old books that a lot of people would not come buy their entire family plot. They'd say, "Well, I'm going to buy my wife and I's and then several years later come back and I'd want some for my kids because now we've had kids and now we have
grandkids." The problem is every time they do that, if they sold one next to them, but now they needed to rearrange, we'd take the eraser and move people around. So the city decided, look, this is a problem. We don't want to ever have somebody
because we're literally issuing deeds. And we there are records of us literally having people bring their deed back in. Let us swap you to another place. I mean, I can't imagine how fun that was. >> Oh, we're we're still dealing with that. >> We still are. I mean, I was going to try to
So I can tell you >> three this week you heard I mean so this is this has been an ongoing issue but what we found the city did to get people to buy an entire block or plot >> right >> was to say if you purchase this with this you will not owe anything when
you're buried >> and so we told people that. Now, we apparently stopped telling people that somewhere in the late 60s, >> but we don't know what people said at city hall forever because I can tell you we did have an issue. >> Mayor, remember, former city clerk here.
>> Mhm. >> Who had some responsibility out there at the cemetery. >> Yep. >> Um was trying to do some GIS mapping for us out there was I think all the real responsibility was. But turns out she might have been taking receipts for us. apparently was making similar
representations. Well, that can't be real. Sure enough. Oh, yeah. That's what I told people. Yeah. If you pay, you don't have to pay anything. We got an ordinance right here that says they got to pay. >> So, we have people who have literally bought land under our representation.
They're never going to owe anything. And so, our attitude is why do we want to charge anybody? And Councilman Mcnite advanced that argument. And I think council be will tell me if I'm wrong or the mayor will that we shouldn't charge anybody anything. And the answer was
the reason we're trying to charge because we get these companies to go out there and while some of them are responsible some of them do get out there and do damage some of them cause problems. >> We can't just trust them to go out there by themselves at all times. We have to be out there. So the position was the
funeral home's going to make money anyway. Let's just charge a permit fee for them to come out there and do business. We're going to permit the commercial business. And the question that I recall being asked, I think it was Councilman Crystal, mayor, who asked, he said, "So, let me be clear. If I come to the city
and I say I want to do a burial, y'all give me my approval to go do the burial and then I find a come find a company that's going to come stick my granny or my dad or whoever in the ground, I can get away with that, right?" Like,
well, I guess technically you're going to. Yes, but if it is being permitted, if the entire process is being permitted by a third party, we're going to charge the fee. And if somebody wants to game the system, I guess people are always going to be clever enough to game it. But our concern was the amount of damage
out there because we had coping being damaged every week. >> That's why we even do the the free family permits. That way we know when people are coming out there and then we go out there and mark the grave so that we can make sure that they go in the correct spot because we
>> there's an administrative cost to put people in the ground. >> There is matter of fact I want to tell you on the permits >> uh it's not that we're just you know trying to dip into the undertaker. Um, how many trips average you've been
making? >> You know, for the uh uh >> this week for an upcoming year. >> Yeah. >> This week alone been out there 10 times period of time we've got in this not counting our texts going out there and we're having to >> every grave, even some of the newer
ones, we are having to make sure there's not a body already down there. Mhm. >> And so we're we're >> uh >> especially in the in the old section where they didn't keep good record as ask Chief Early about that. >> Oh yeah, that was a real story. But I'm
telling you it it's there's a lot to it >> and I am I understand all of that. Is there like for those people that are adamant that I bought this from you and I paid my money and here's my contract. Would we as a council be willing to do
kind of like we did Twin Twin Lakes Drive out there with the sewer line and say, "Okay, we know there are a few folks out there that say they got sewer, but they're not hooked up or they've been paying or whatever >> and those people don't pay right now because they're part of the family of plot. We know that they don't pay."
>> Well, they're saying that the funeral home's trying to charge them. So, I'm just wondering how do we get that waved for that one particular person that can come to city hall? >> They got that contract. there. He He has that contract. He came to my office. He showed it to me. He said, >> "Why am I being charged for this
>> to the funeral home? This is not appropriate." >> So, we would, but I will tell you the issue we've had come up because that has happened before. >> Even though we've tried to step in and wave, the funeral home said, "Well, we're our fees are still our fees." >> And what they really different
>> Well, what they really wanted us to do is tell the funeral home to take that off. And we're like, "Well, we're not charging you the permit fee." Well, can you tell the funeral about it? We did. We called the funeral. Hey, we're not going to charge this one a fee. We think we'll wave it. Okay, that's fine. But
our rates are our rate. So that's >> But you're saying, but the rate that the funeral homes charging this person, I understood a portion of that's coming to us. >> Well, we don't know. We have no idea. We have no idea. >> We have no idea. I mean, you can assume that because yes, the fee go I mean, I
don't think the funeral home loses money putting people on the ground was what I'm saying, >> right? >> But what I'm telling you is the funeral home in that one instance was like, we don't care if you wave the fee or not. Our fee to them is our fee. >> All right. >> So, they just made more money is what they >> Yeah, >> that's my conclusion, but I did ask them for a break.
>> Yeah. Well, I think we ought to kind of take your time and and and look at everything, every every activity that creates a fee or a sale or whatever, you know, and uh and uh see what needs to be bumped up and give give the public a
little time to uh make a, you know, just make a purchase. You know, you buy in the next six months. >> Yeah. >> Type thing. And uh >> at this point we fine is we got to October one. So if we do it over the next few months it don't have to be effective immediately. It could be
effective October 1 or 27. >> Yeah. >> If that's what if that's what council wanted to do. >> Yeah. That's that's what I'd prefer to do. But you know give them at least six months if not a year. >> And maybe that'll provoke some uh additional revenue. >> Yeah. I was going to say we can watch the sales of the flocks and stuff and
see. >> I mean we can get creative especially with the cremation. I've been thinking, you know, cremation is getting more and more popular and we need to figure out how to make a little money off of it. >> But like I say, you've already >> everybody going. We're not We got We got one more. >> You know, >> we got Hung Cemetery. We got more.
>> Let's go. If they say they're done, technically, I hate to tell you, but >> they do get to make the motion to adjourn. >> You know, we're about to run out of room out there, too, you know. >> Yeah. Oh, no. There's plenty of room. >> Well, I say all that room there right
off the highway. Well, that's true. >> There's some stipulation there. I don't know if Clay can tell us if we can indulge or not in the the front piece out there. >> I we we do have that part is the most accurate statement. We have got to fill
from back to front first. >> So, we have to back. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Are we done? >> Yeah. No. No. No. M. But I mean, >> you call for a motion to adjourn. >> I mean, if y'all want to Dan had me Yeah.
>> If if you're Did you make a motion to >> continue? We will. We can get it done. >> Got one more. >> I mean, one more. >> All right. Go ahead. >> No, I do. >> Solid waste. >> Last one. Solid waste. Um, okay. So,
solid waste. Uh, really again, most of this is generic, regular, just solid waste management fee. We anticipate a 5% increase. We don't usually get that number until about September anyways. So that's what we're estimating right now. Um again, I'm going to skip this reserve
real quick. Go to general transfer. Obviously, whatever we don't spend uh in the in solid waste fund gets transferred to the general fund. That's what that is. So every dollar above we need in solid waste gets transferred. This uh reserve line, the 75,000 number, we talked about this a meeting ago or so
about truck setting back. So Andrew and I sat down, went through it. Uh we currently have in that depreciation fund almost $250,000 which is what you see in green right here. So we feel that's adequate next year to buy a new truck. That money would buy a new one. Starting
this year for the next four years we would budget $75,000 be set back that way in fiscal year 2031 we would buy another truck and we'd be on every three year rotation the oldest vehicle gets rotated out. So that's what that's what this is. At the same time, uh, we're
looking at next year, um, right this moment, next year, bringing on an additional FTE. So, you have two per truck. And then three years from now, you get two more to run an additional truck because that point you're in 2031. A lot of these housing developments be built out. The demand is going to go up.
So, that's why that's why the $75,000 is there. And that's why we first started the conversation. And I told you this, that's why this the transfer from general from sanitation to general is less than expected because now we're retaining $75,000 in the solid waste fund that we did not do previously. So
that is that's solid waste. >> Good. >> All right. Like ended on a little cramp situation. All right. Workshop. >> Oh my gosh. >> Get out of here. Don't shoot the messenger. Oh, she garlic, man.
>> Yep.