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rief
Vol. 4 No. 4
Official City of Sebastian Quarterly Newsletter
Summer 2oo~
Fiscal Year 2004 Proposed Budget
Messaqe to Seb~st/an Residents:
On July 25th, the Fiscal Year 2004 Proposed Budget was submitted to your City
Council for review and consideration. This budget recommends no increase in the
operating millage rate from the current fiscal year. This arrangement is possible as a
result of a relative increase in property values over prior years. Annual increases in
property values have averaged 7.01% over the past eight years, whereas this year,
property values increased 9.82%. In real dollars adjusted for inflation (14.5%), General
Fund expenditures continuously reflects a philosophy of lesser dependence on property
taxes, as the City of Sebastian is currently experiencing increases in outside revenues
and allocations, primarily as a result of being a growth community
The municipal services traditional to the residents of Sebastian are Police Services,
Public Works, Recreation, Streets, and Grounds Maintenance and are paid for from the
property taxes levied. In fiscal year 2004, the proposed property tax rate will represent
19.59% of your total tax bill. The balance of your tax bill, or 80.4% goes towards the
schools, county services (including fire rescue and other emergency services), and the
special taxing districts. The following chart provides a distribution of the tax bill for
ad valorem taxes in Sebastian:
· ~ing Authortt~
Indian River County:
General Fund 3.83770
Municipal Service 1.68040
Emergency Services District 2.18710
Land Bonds 0.23440
TOTAL TO INDIAN RIVER COUNT~ 7.93960
School District of Indian River County:
General Fund 8.17900
Bonds 0.56000
TOTAL TO SCHOOL DISTRICT: 8.73900
St. John's River Water Management Distxict 0.46200
Florida Inland Navigation District 0.03850
Mosquito Control District 0.26380
Indian River Hospital District 1.04633
Sebastian Inlet 0.35000
TOTAL TO SPECIAL DISTRICTS 2.16063
CITY OF SEBASTIAN: 4.39040
TOTAL PROPERTY TAX BILL: 23.42963
FY 2004
Proposed Percent~e of
Millage Rate Total Tax Bill
16.38%
7.17%
9.33%
1,0%
33.89%
34.91%
2.39%
37.3%
1.97%
0.16%
1.13%
4.7%
1.49%
9.22%
19.59%
100.00%
The reconunendation to "hold the line" on local millage will not result in a reduction
in the delivery of quality services, projects and programs to our residents. In fact,
numerous accomplishments are anticipated, as the Sebastian Management Team looks
forward to implementing the various goals and objectives in the upcoming fiscal year.
Budget Highlights
A review of the current Fiscal Year 2004 budget highlights confirms that a budget is a
planning document recommending the allocation of resources that will accomplish a
municipality's goals and vision. Nearly 92% percent of the budget tasks outlined in the
Highlights section of the current budget have been accomplished with still two months
remaining in the fiscal year. The Proposed Fiscal Year 2004 Budget will not depart from
the current direction of the City and we will
stay the course by undertaking the following
programs, projects and activities:
· Construction of the City's first fully
functional city hall facility, via
administration of the recently authorized
Infrastructure Sales Surtax Revenue
Bonds, Series 2003 Program;
· Implementation of Sebastian Police Station
Expansion Program;
· Construction of Municipal Complex Park
to anchor both New City Hall and the
Sebastian Police Station, as well as to
provide additional active and passive
recreational opportunities in the
community;
· Implementation of Louisiana Avenue Area
Improvement Program, with £mancial
assistance from the State of Flarida Small
Cities Neighborhood Revitalization
Category Community Development Block
Grant Program;
· Partnership with Waste Management, Inc.
to provide municipal solid waste collection
services via an exclusive five year renewable
option franchise agreement authorized by
City Council in June 2003;
· Continue capital outlay funding for
maintenance and repair of city facilities;
· Begin implementation of the Sebastian
Stormwater Utility Master Plan Capital
Improvement Program as adopted by City
Council during the current fisoai year;
· Continuation of Citywide Parks
Construction Program, with financial
assistance from the recently adopted Parks
and Recreation Impact Fee Fund and
various state grants;
· Continuation of Street Resurfacing
Program;
· Continue successful grantsmanship
program;
· Continue Riverview Park Expansion
Program;
· Continue School Resource Officer program
to provide services to youth at both
Sebastian Elementary School and Pehcan
Island Elementary School;
· Expand and further implement sidewalk
installation program;
· Recommend final revi~ons to the Sehssfian
Comprehensive Plan -- per requirements
of the State of Florida Department of
Community Affairs;
Budget Highlights (continued on pg. 2)
Budget Highlights
(continued from pg~ 1)
· Offer final blight study results and
recommendations to consider incorporation
of a community redevelopment agency for
the Sebastian Boulevard Triangle;
· Implementation of Interior Restoration
Program for Old Sebastian Elementary
School/City Hall, with financial assistance
from the State of Florida Bureau of Historic
Preservation Special Category Grant
Program;
· Continue implementation of Sebastian
Municipal Airport Master Plan;
· Continue capital improvements at
Sebastian Municipal Airport -- via
partnership with the Florida Department
of Transportation (FDOT) Aviation Section
and with the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), to include initial
and final tasks asseciated~v[th tho_
reopening of Runway 9-27;
· Continue relationship with the Boys and
Gifts Club of Indian River County to
initiate plans for the construction of an
indoor youth recreational faedity in
Sebastian, via development of
aforementioned Sebastian Municipal
Complex Park;
· Expand economic development policy
formulation and marking efforts via
services provided by Patterson-Bach, Inc.
· Work with United States Department of
Justice to secure funding from the agency's
Universal Hiring Program to help finance
additional police officer positions in the
community.
In summary, this budget reflects
community values, goals, objectives and ideas.
The Proposed Fiscal Year 2004 Budget
represents the character of a city whose
tmAque identity distinguishes itself from other
geographic areas of beth Indian River County
and throughout the Treasure Coast. Total
local millage will remain constant. Total
~ppr~pr~a~on f~r o~l ~rnds is ~eeommende~
to be $18,218,837. As such, the overall Fiscal
Year 2004 Proposed Budget is financially
sound and delivers services our residents
have come to expect. The Sebastian
Management Team looks forward to working
with the City Council during the upcoming
budget workshops and welcomes the
opportur~ty to address questions and concerns
accordinglg In summary, the Fiscal Year 2004
Proposed Budget outlines and supports the
City's good financial position; further expands
city-wide beautification; continues attention
to preserving and enhancing our community's
small town atmosphere; encourages
conservation initiatives; supportive of
expanding private/public partnerships and
economic development.
To learn more about the City of Sebastian
Fiscal Year 2004 Proposed Budget, feel free
to visit the City Manager's Office in City Hall,
as more information can be provided
regarding comparative trends, analyses and
departmental programs and functions.
Engineering Projects
By: City Engineer, O. Fisher
The City is currently engaged in a number of capital improvement and maintenance projects.
Some of that activity within the next two months includes the following:
The Renovation of Lontsiana Avenue --
The horizontal geometry for the Louisiana
Avenue renovation if conceptually approved
and continuing engineering design by WCG,
Inc., is scheduled to be complete by the end of
September. The current schedule calls for
permitting to be complete and construction to __
begin approximately April 2004 with project
completion scheduled for the end of 2004.
There will be a meeting af Lonisiana Avenue
property owners on Tuesday evening, August
26th, to discuss the City's acquisition ofregnired
easements and rights-of-way that will be needed to facilitate the planned improvements.
This project is partially funded by a Community Development Block Grant from the Florida
Department of Community Affairs. (Photo Above)
Satellite Parking Area for the Barber
Street Sports Complex -- Construction is
satellite parking for the Barber Street Sports
Complex at the corner of Fairfield and Albatross.
Construction is scheduled to be complete by the
end of Augnst with additional landscaping to
be added around the perimeter for a visual
barrier. The general contractor for the project
is Dickersen Florida, Inc., of Stuart. This project
is partially funded by a grant from Florida
Department of Environment Protection,
Recreation Division (FRDAP). (Photo Left)
New Piers emd Shoreline Renovation of
Riverview Park -- Construction for two new
piers and shoreline renovation at Riverview
Park is scheduled to begin by Monday, August
11, and to be complete by the end of September.
The general contractor is Summerlin Seven
Seas, Inc., of Ft. Pierce. This project is being
funded via a grant agreement with the Florida
Inland Navigation District Waterways
Assistance Program. (Photo Right)
Recycling and Repaying of Streets --
Beginning August 13th, the City's contractor
for asphalt pavement recycling, Asphalt
Recycling, Inc., of Melbourne Beach will return to work on Ceohdge, Cleveland, and Washington
streets between US 1 and Indian River Drive.
__~n e~rly Septe~mb~er_. tthe Cit2~a~ng c~ont_ra~tor, Dickerson Florida~_In~nInc., of Stuart will do
the overlay paving on Coolidge, Cleveland, and Washington streets between US-1 and Indian
River Drive as well as on Truman Street, Layport Drive, Dot Circle, Taylor Street, Frink
Street, Drawdy Way, and Robin Lane in Point of Woods.
Traffic and Signage Work -- The City's Traffic and Signage Division is continually engaged
in ongoing traffic studies. They are done on a weekly basis at selected locations to determine
appropriate traffic signage and to assist the City Police Department in gauging traffic flow
and speed in selected areas. Recent studies include those done at the ane-lane section of
Laconia Street, Main Street at Louisiana Avenue, the new section of South Easy Street, Vocelle
Avenue, and the north end of Indian River Drive. Studies to be done in the coming weeks
include the intersection of Barber S~reet at George and Rolling Hill, Barber Street at Sebastian
Boulevard (CR-512), and on Schumann Drive.
Also, in addition to ongoing street sign replacement throughout the City, the Traffic and
Signage Division in the coming weeks will be installing a new pedestrian crosswalk on North
Indian River Drive (at Fin's Restaurant) and over 600 new STOP bar pavement markings at
various STOP sign locations throughout the City
Sebastian Stormwater Park -- Saint John's River Management District continues their
work on the Sebastian Stormwater Park (off of Englar Drive). The District is responsible for
construction and interim management of the property while the stormwater system becomes
functional. That interim time period may take up to two years. Once this period is passed, the
City of Sebastian will assume primary management responsibihties.
There is no public access to the project while construction is underway. Once construction is
complete and the stermwater system is functioning, the City can begin to develop passive on-
site recreation. There is a 17.2 acre site in the northeast corner of the property set aside for
Florida Scrub Jay management.
Stormwater News
By: Ke. |o.es, Stor~water E~lgineer
On October 1, 2002 the Stormwater Division of the Engineering Department officially
took over the operation of the City Stormwater system. Operationally the division has been
busy mowing and regrading the main stermwater conveyances (37,840 ft.), mowing swales
and ditches, replacing deteriorated road crossings (30) and rehabilitating swales (21,000 ft.)
to improve the drainage.
comments which were then
presented and approved by
the City Council on July
23rd. CDM is presently
refining the Stormwatar
System 'M~det to estimate
the impact of the stermwater
water quality discharged
Properly Maintained Swale from the City's watershed
associated with converting
the present swale drainage system to a Miami curb drainage
system. This model estimate includes the additional treatment
associated with the conversion of the primary canal system to
a wet detention system. The model refinements will be appended
to the master Stormwater Management Plan.
On July 7, 2003, the Stermwater Division submitted
applications for two (2) 319 EPA grants for stormwater projects.
If the applications are approved, two major projects in the
Master Stormwater Management Plan can be implemented.
One of the projects is the conversion of the Main Street]Twin
The City of Sebastian Master Starmwater Management
Plan was completed, presented to City Council and
approved on March 12, 2003. It was then submitted to
St. John's River Water Management District for comments
and approval. Representatives from the City and Camp
Dresser McKee, Inc., the City's stormwater consultant,
met with St. John's River Water Management District
personnel to address the District's initial comments to
-- the Master Plan. A number of changes were made to the
MSMP to address the
Clean Water Channel
Ditches to a wet detention treatment system and the other would be the construction of a
wet detention treatment area on a City owned property located at Periwinkle Drive, Ocean
Breeze Street and Seashore Avenue.
Pride in Sebastian
Community Beautifica~on Awards
Amidst the recent flourish of construction activity within our community, two standouts were recognized and honored at a recent City
Council meeting with the City's bi-annual beautification award. The property owners and their respective contractors received public
acknowledgement from the mayor in the form of cartificates, which were inscribed as follows:
"The Pride of Sebastian Award presented this 25th day of June, 2003, to 1013 Indian River
Drive -- Mr. and Mrs. Willard Siebert & MGB Construction, and Wisner Controls -- Mr.
Rick Wizner & Capp Custom Builders in appreciation for the significant and valuable
contribution to the City's appearance and heritage and in acknowledgement of the recipient's
ability to harmonize the City's vision." signed Walter V~ Barnes, Mayor.
Mr. and Mrs. Siebert's residence, built by MGB Construction, Inc., on Indian River Drive
was recognized as the £~rst recipient in the !'new home construction" category for its compatible
waterfront design constructed amongst the beautiful Oak hammock. The residence has an
inviting wrap-around front terrace, columns, arched windows, metal roofing, and a rear
yard garage. The Siebert's have been residents of Indian River County and the Sebastian
area for over 50 years. They have seen many changes throughout the years and appreciate
the beautiful community Sebastian is growing into. The City recognized their efforts as
their design exemplifies the design principles
the community desires and appreciates.
1204 Main Street, immediately across the
street from City Hall, recently experienced a metamorphosis as the property benefited from
the addition of an architecturally appealing structure. Mr. Rick Wisher, owner of Wisnar
Controls, coordinated his efforts with local builder Capp Custom Builders in designing this
significant addition of the Main Street corridor. Challenges were present during construction
however as the new building was first constructed around the existing structure, which
was eventually demolished to accommodate completion of the new structure. The new building
with its metal-hip roof, grand columns, native landscaping, and inviting brick paver sidewalk,
captures the attention of those driving down Main Street or visiting City Hall.
All residents are welcome to submit suggestions in acknowledgement of a new development,
or a redevelopment project, which exemplifies Pride in Sebastian. Please send your suggestions
to the Growth Management Department, City of Sebastian, 1225 Main Street, Sebastian,
Florida, 32958.
Police Department News Back to School Safety Tips
By: ]ames A. Davis, Chief of Poi|ce School bus transportation is safe. In fact,
Community Oriented Policing buses are safer than cars! Even so, l~st year,
nationwide approximately 26 students were
The Sebastian Police Department is in the beginning stoges of adopting an agency commitment killed and another 9,000 were injured in
to Community Oriented Palic~ng. We have been operating with the basic concept for the past incidents involving school buses. More often
few years by assigning one officer to handle conflicts and reoccurring neighborhood problems· than not, these deaths and injuries did not
Recently, all of our officers received 16 hours of Community Oriented Policing training. Our occur in a crash, but as the pupils were
next stop is to follow this up with more specialized training and organized neighborhood entering and exiting the bus. Remember
meetings, these safety tips:
· Have a safe place to walt for your bus,
The plan is to have neighborhood police off~cers that will become acquainted with the citizens away from traffic and the street.
in their assigned zones. The neighborhood officers will be the contact person for those citizens · Stay away from the bus until it comes to
needing information or attention on a special matter, a complete stop and the driver signals you
We will keep you updated as we progress toward our total commitment. If you have any to enter
questions about Community Oriented Policing, please call Chief Davis or Officer Paul Graves. · When being dropped off, exit the bus and
The Police Department accepted delivery of the new police boat on July 2nd. The vessel is walk ten giant steps away from the bus.
Keep a safe distance between you and the
an Edgewater 21 foot center console powered by a Yamaha
200 2--cleen-:nA--~:--;- ~ ' -~ ~ "~ ~"- eus.~uso, remember that the bus dnver
, ~y r~v miu ~ mccoy ~oUaltPiPseam~n~f~rle~./ne can see you best when you are back away
oo oy from the bus.
Edgewator Power Boats · Use the handrail to enter and exit the bus.
~ located in Edgewator, FL · Stay away from the bus ..m}til the driver
~ ~dgewater has photos of gives his/her signal that it s okay to
~ the Sebastian Police boat ~ · approach.
on its acceptance cruise Be aware of the street traffic around you.
di~yla~ - --- Driver~arcrequired4~followc..-~.~..n.~-qtles-
wchsito of the road concerning school buses,
~~'~ ~ ! Cewcnmhnatscom~ ~ however, notalldo Protect yourself and
j'us'~-c~li'~o-n ~he ~' ~ ~ a ~ w~tch out!
photos to enlarge the ~ [ [ ~ Walkin9 and Biktn. to School
images. Officer Tom ~ ~ Even if you don't ride in a motor vehicle,
Pooce, Officer Mark ~ you st~ll have to protect yourself. Because
Fisher and Volunteer Mick Booth have been assigned of'minimal supervision young pedestrians
to the marine unit. Mick Booth retired as a 4 stripe face a wide variety of decision making
Officer from the British Merchant Marine New marine situations and dangers while walking to and
· ' ~ from school. Here are a few basic safe ti
uniforms have been selected and purchased and the ; : .... ty ps
Sebastian Police Department is anxious to get the ~o renew:
boater education and safety campaign under way, and · Mind all traffic signals and/or the crossing
guard -- never cross the street against a
serve the boating public. Officers received some rescue training with the U.S. Coast Guard and light., even if you don't see any traffic
other local law enforcement marine units on July 23rd. commg.
This vessel was 50% funded by a much appreciated Grant from the Florida Inland Navigation · Walk your bike through intersections.
District EI.N.D. · Walk with a buddy.
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