HomeMy WebLinkAbout07242003 City of Sebastian
1225 MAIN STREET ~:~ SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32958
TELEPHONE (561) 589-5490 17 FAX (561) 589-6209
CITY OF SEBASTIAN
CITIIZEN$ BUDGET REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES
July 24. 2003
The Citizens Budget Advisory Review Committee Meeting convened at 6:00 p.m.
The following members were present:
Herbert Munsart - Absent
Larry Napier
Gene Rauth
Leon Griffin
Bob Daberkow
Richard Smith
Ed Seeiey
Staff Members present:
Terrence Moore, City Manager, Sally Grunzweig, Recording Secretary, Deborah Kruger,
Assistant Director of Finance, Nancy Veldt, Computer Operator
Approval of Minutes- July 10, 2003.
New Business:
Mr. Moore informed the committee that this year is a negotiation year for the Communication
Workers Association of America. Mr. Moore said 90 percent of city employees belong to the
CWA union. The union's contract expires September 30th and the cost-of-living adjustment, as
well as merit increases for non-management workers, will then be negotiated. Charter officers
still will receive at least a 3-percent cost-of-living adjustment. That amount is stipulated in their
benefit packages. Charter officers in fiscal 2004 could receive salary increases smaller than
those offered in an earlier draft of the preposad city budget. A previous budget draft showed
raises of at least 8% for the city manager, city attorney and the city clerk.
The proposed budget is $18 million, 10 percent less than the current budget of almost $20
million. Personnel costs for city employees are expected to rise by $331,000, or almost 5
percent more than last year, and make up more than 70 percent of the City's $9.2 million
general fund. City officials propose levying the current tax rate of 4.59 per $1,000 of assessed
valuation in fiscal 2004.
Budget Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
July 24, 2003
Page 2
The preliminary proposed fiscal year 2003-2004 Budget was unanimously approved.
One recommendation the committee is recommending is for the City Manager to look into the
rate equalization charge Indian River County places on the residents of Sebastian's water and
sewer bills monthly appears to be actually a 6% franchise fee charge. Mr. Napier said "if it were
truly an equalization charge would the funds be transferred from the utility to the MSTU"?
It is the opinion of every member of the committee, that the City Council instructs the City
Manager to look into the legal issues that revolve around this charge and to audit the collection
of the water utility tax to determine if all that is being collected I being remitted to the City's
coffers.
Meeting adjourned @ 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Sally Grunzweig, Recording Secretary