CITY OF WILLISTON, FLORIDA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes 2 July 15, 2010
DATE: THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2010
TIME: 1:00 P.M.
PLACE: WILLISTON CITY COUNCIL ROOM
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS:
Mayor R. Gerald Hethcoat
President Marc Nussel
Vice-President Debra F. Jones
Councilman Brooks Holloway
Councilman Steve Holcomb
Councilman Michael Shoemaker
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Manager Marcus M. Collins
City Clerk Valerie A. Anderson
Finance Director Marisela Barcenas
ITEM - 1 – REVIEW AND DISCUSS MILLAGE RATE/AD VALOREM OPTIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011
City Manager Marcus Collins is presenting the proposed options. The City of Williston has a 6.0990 millage rate currently. Staff recommends 5.9025 millage rate this year. This will give the City a balanced budget. Vice President Jones likes the reduction. The citizens will appreciate it.
ITEM – 2 – REVIEW AND DISCUSS GENERAL FUND PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011
Discussion regarding administration - Councilman Holloway stated that the City hall has termites and electrical issues. We need to get serious about what we are going to do about that old building. We need to put aside about 250k per year to prepare for the new building. If a new City Hall is a priority we will have to cut back more on some things. President Nussel stated that the property values have increased dramatically and have led to the changes in property taxes. People looking to move into the area are interested in the cost of utilities and the taxes. City Manager Collins brought attention to a couple line items showing that there is a large transfer from utilities to run the general fund. He suggested looking at grants available to consider for the new City Hall. Vice President Jones is happy with lowering the taxes and having a balanced budget. Looking at grants and saving a smaller amount each year to have available for the new City Hall is a great accomplishment. A discussion regarding reserves available ensued. The City is slowly starting to rebuild the reserves. The City still has a fire truck and water plant debt that have a considerable balance to be repaid over time. Benefits the City provides its employees are costing more and the additional amounts are noted. With the restructuring of placement of employees – placing the right employees within the departments they work in – changes are noted within the departments costs. There are contingencies in place for replacement of carpet and general fix up of City Hall with limited funds available. Discussion regarding full time and part time employee bonus for this year and how much will be given to each. Each department budget was reviewed with attention paid to changes and anticipated changes. Communications budget was discussed in depth. Discussion regarding having the County take on communications so it would reduce the City’s budget by over $200,000. The costs are being researched to be determined to make our system compatible. Depending on costs this could be accomplished in a short time. Council wants to move forward with the research to determine the costs to see if and when the change could be made. Discussion regarding Communications and the time frame that this change could happen Vice President Jones said that she didn’t want to see the change made this year and felt that notice needs to be given to the County and would prefer it be done possibly in October 2011. Because the City has people employed in communications that would have to be layed off they should be given notice of this possibility.
ITEM – 3 –REVIEW AND DISCUSS UTILITY FUND PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011
The Utility fund or enterprise fund is decreased about $90,000 in income stream. It is expected that consumers are becoming more conservative in their usage in this economy. Solid waste had no bad debt line item. This will be changed and allocated at $1000.00, for the budget. The budget is balanced for this fund.
ITEM – 4 – REVIEW AND DISCUSS AIRPORT FUND PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011
Airport revenue has decreased because there are currently no grants associated with the airport. If this changes in the future it will be amended to reflect the change. Discussion for possibly adding another employee for standby to fill in for vacations or as needed by Vice President Jones and Councilman Holloway. The airport is actually making money now. The airport budget is balanced.
ITEM – 5 –REVIEW AND DISCUSS CRA FUND PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011
Budget reduced by $ 1000. Transfers have been identified. There should be adequate funds for anticipated completion of projects for this year.
ITEM – 6 – GENERAL DISCUSSION – IF NECESSARY
Discussion for the next meeting. It was determined that the next meeting will be on July 20, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
ITEM – 7 – ADJOURNMENT
Vice President Jones moved for adjournment at 2:50 p.m.
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Marc Nussel, President City Council
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Valerie A. Anderson, City Clerk