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Vol. 5 No. 4
Official CiW of Sebastian Quarterly Newsletter
200,
Fiscal Year 2005' Proposed Budget
Message to Sebastian Residents
On July 30th, the Fiscal Year 2005 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 result of a relative increase in property values.over prior year. Annual.increases
in property values have averaged 7.06% over the past eight years, whereas this year, property values Increased
20.18%. General Fund expenditures continuously ~'eflects a philosophy of lesser dependence, on property, taxes,
as the City of Sebastian is currently experiencing increases m outside revenues and allocations, primarily as
a result ofbeinga growth community. For the F~scal Year 2005:Proposed Budget, Ad'Valorem taxes revenue
represents 33.67% of total General Fund proposed budget estimates.
The municipal services traditional to the residents of Sebastian are Police Services, Public Works, Recreation,
Streets, and Grounds Maintenance and are paid forprimarily from thejpreperty taxes levied. In fiscal year
2005, the: proposed property tax rate will represent 22.07% of your total tax bill. The balance of your tax bill,
or 77.93% 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:
Tnxlng Authority
Indian River County:
General Fund
Emergency Services District
Land Bonds
FY 2005
Proposed
Millage Rate
Percentage of
Total Tax Bill
3.62330 17.42%
1.98360 9.54%
0.21060 1.01%
TOTAL TO INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
School District of Indian River County:
General Fund
Bonds
5.81750 27.97%
8.01900 38.55%
0.48000 2.31%
TOTAL TO SCHOOL DISTRICT
St. John's River Water Management District
Florida Inland Navigation District
Mosquito Control District
Indian River Hospital District
Sebastian Inlet
8,49900 40.86%
.46200 2.22%
0.03850 0.19%
0.23999 1.15%
0.83433 4.01%
0.31760 1.53%
TOTAL TO SPECIAL DISTRICTS
1.89242 9.10%
CITY OF SEBASTIAN
4.59040 22.07%
TOTAL PROPERTY TAX BILL
20.79932 100.00%
The recommendation to "hold the line" on local millage will not result in a reduction in the delivery of quality
services, p~rqjects 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.
A review of the current Fiscal Year 2004 budget highlights confirms that a budget is a planning document
recommending the allocations of resources that will accomplish a municipality's goals and vision. Nearly 91%
of the budget tasks outlined in the highlights section of the current budget have been initiated, with still two
months remaining in the current fiscal year. The Proposed Fiscal Year 2005 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:
Cor~d on Page 2
· Opening and dedication of the city's first fnily functianal city hall facility,
via administration of the authorized infrastructure Sales Surtax Revenue
Bonds, Series 2003 and 2003A Program;
· Opening and dedicatian of Newly Expanded Sebastian Police Statian;
· Opening and dedicetian of Municipal Complex Park to anchor both the
New City Hall and the Sebastian Police Station, to provide additional active
and passive recreational opportunities in the community;
· Opening and dedication o f Sebastian Municipal Airport Administratian
Facility, to include the Department of Public Works and the Department
of Engineering office space and customer services areas;
· Opening and dedication af the Sebastian Police Evidence Compannd at
Sebastian Municipal Airport;
· Completian of the Louisanna Avenue Axea Improveraent Program, with
financial assistance from the State of Flarida Small Cities Neighborhood
Revitalization Category Community' Development Block Grant Program;
· Continue partnership with Waste Management, Inc. to provide municipal
solid waste collection services via an exclusive five year renewable option
franchise agreement authorized by City Coundfl in June 2003;
· Continue cepital outlay funding far maintenance and repair of city fadfllties;
· Continue implementation of the Sebastian Stormwater Utility Master
Plan Capital Improvement Program as adopted by City Council in Fiscal
Year 2003;
· Cantinuation of Citywide Parks Coustruction Program, with financial
assistance from the Parks and Recreation Impact Fee Fund and various
state grants;
· Cantinuation of Street Rasur facing Program;
· Continue successful grantsmanship program;
· Continue Riverview Park Expansion Program;
· Continue School Resource Officer Program to provide services to youth at
beth Sebastian Elementary School and Pelican Island Elementary School;
· Cantinued implementation af sidewalk lust allatian program;
· Recommend £mal updates and revisions to the Sebastian Comprehensive
Plan - per requirements of the State of Florida Department of Community
Affairs;
· Partnership with Sebastian Community Redevelopment Agency to initiate
additional projects and programs to benefit the Community Redevelopment
District;
· Implementation of Interiec Restoration Program for Old Sebastian
Elementary School/City Hall, with financial assistance from the State of
Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation Special Category Gr ~ant Program;
· Contniue implementatian of Sebastian Muhicipal 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 complete construction and reopening of Runway 9-27;
· Continue relationship with the Boys and Girls Chib of Indian River County
to initiate plans far the construction of an indoor youth recxeational facility
in Sebastian, via development of efforomantianed Sebastian Municipal
Complex Park;
· Continue Economic development pohcy formulation and marketing efforts
via services provided by Patterson-Bach, Inc.
In summary, this budget reflects community values, goals, objectives and
ideas. The Proposed Fiscal Year 2005 Budget represents the character of a city
whose unique identity distinguishes itself from other geographic areas of both
Indian River County and throughout the Treasure Coast. Total local millage
will remain constant. Total appropriation for all funds is recommend'ed to be
$21,728,956. As such, the overall Fiscal Year 2005 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 opportunity, to address questions
and concerns accordingly. The Fiscal Year 2005 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 initiative; supportive of expandin, g
private/public partnerships and economic development. '
To learn more about the City of Sebastian Fiscal Year 2005 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.
Airport Improvements
Well, it's finally
happening! Runway 9-27 is
officially under
construction. Our residents
living under the flight
tracks for Runway 13-31
will soon experience a
significant permanent
reduc~don of low altitude overflights. As construction
progresses to the runway intersection, Runway 13-
31 will be permanently closed.
It has been over ten years since the plan was
formulated to alter the configuration of Sebastian
Municipal Affport. Over the last three years, after
the adoption of our most recent master plan, staff
has been working diligently to make this become a
reality. I'm very pleased to armounce that our efforts
have paid off and work is now underway. The
reconfiguration of our airport makes the facility far
more compatible with the surrounding cemmuhity
as well as offers a substantial increase in the amount
of property available for
economic development.
In addition .to the new
runway, work has also
begun on the new
Adminstration Building
and Police Evidence
Compound for our Airport,
Engineering, Public Works
and Police Departments. This necessary facility will
make some much needed space available to city staff
in order to better serve our residents. Furthermore,
this project also includes the extension of three-
phase power, water and sewer utilities into the east
side of the airport. This will also go a long way to
help us increase the economic viability of our city
and assist us in our goal of attracting new jobs to
our community. Construction on this project is
anticipated to be complete during the spring ef 2005.
As always, we'll be sure to keep you updated as
improvements to our airport continue.
Jason Milewski, C.M.
Airport Director
Boating and
Our Environment
~ Pride In Sebastian ~
Community Beaul~lcation Awards
With the continuum of development activity in our community, it is rewarding
to recognize new construction activity consistent with established beauiification
goals within the community. Two such awards were presented at a recent City Council
meeting honoring the City's bi-annual beauUfficatian award. The proper~y owners
received public acknowledgement from Mayor Nathan McCollum in the form of
certificates, which were inscribed as follows: "The Pride in Sebastian Award presented
this 14th day of July, 2004, at 805 Indian River Drive - Mr. Joe Graham for the Bait
Shop addition to the Angler Inn Bed & Breakfast, and 433 Sebastian Boulevard - Dr.
George Jutras for construction of the new Highlands Animal Hospital - in appreciation
for the significant and valuable contribution to the City's ~ppearance and heritage
and in acknowledgement of the recipient's ability to harmonize the City's vision."
These fine developments are the latest example of property owners taking pride
in ownership and developing projects that fully embrace the architectural and thematic
style embodied by the City's design guidelines. The City encourages others to take
note of these projects and fo[low their lead in furthering the beauti/icatian of Sebastian.
All residents are welcome to submit suggestions in acknowledgement of a new
development, or 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.
The boating season in Florida is in full swing
but how many of us think of our boating habits
and how they affect the environment? According
to NASA. small incremental discharges of
petroleum products associated with boating
contribute 137 million gallons of oil pollution to
the waterways world wide, significantly hnpacting
water quality
How can I help, you ask? Spills most often
occur during the fueling and maintenance of
boats and their engines. And most can be
prevented threugh common sense, thought and
knowiedge such as:
Fill portable fuel containers over land or above
a dockside containment system.
Use the correct fuel to oil ratio for 2-cycle
outboard engines. Too rich a mix~ure results in
unburned oil being
discharged into
the waterways.
Oil absorbing
materials should
be used in the bilge
of all boats with
inboard engines to
collect drips and
leaks. These
should be examined at least once per year and
replaced as n~eded.
Properly dispose of used oil, oil fdters, and
fuel filters at an authorized collection center.
Don't tess them in the waste receptacle at the
boat ramp.
If you trailer your boat, wait to remove the
drain plug until you get home or over a grassy
area. If you remove the plug at the ramp the
fouled bilge water will po[lute the water you just
enjoyed.
Wash your trailered boat over the land away
from the water. If the boat must be cleaned while
in the water, use phosphate-free and bio-
degradable products rather than conventional
cleaners.
Check your
trailer/boat motor
after each use for
exotic plants (Water
Hyacinth, Hydrilla,
etc.) and sea life (zebra
mussels) that may
have become attached while boating on affected
waterways. They can be easily and accidentally
introduced to your favorite waterbedy and become
difficult to control.
Have a happy and safe boating season and
keep these f~w simple thoughts in mind the nex~
time you go out for a day on the water. Remember,
we are visitors on the water, but the fish and
other wildlife live there.
Do You Have a
Champion Tree in Your
Yard?
The Sebastian Tree Advisory
Board will be conducting a survey
to locate such trees throughout the
community starting October, 2004.
To learn how the trees in your yard
measure up, feel free to attend a
Tree Advisory Board Meeting, held
on the frost Monday of each month
in the Sebastian City Council
Chambers, located at 1225 Main
Street, Sebastian, FL.
Welcome Aboard
On August 2, 2004, Mr. Wayne Eseltine, Building Department Director, began
his career with the City of Sebastian. Mr. Eseltine brings nearly twenty-one (21)
years of private and pubilc sector building and construction review, inspection and
administrative experience. A State of Florida Certified Chief Building Official, Mi:
Eseltine has served the City of Hollywood in a Plans Examiner capacity for nine
years, including a promotion to Chief Structural PIans Examiner last yea~: He also
possesses a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management frem Florida
International University. Welcome aboard! -
The Sebastian Clambake
Lagoon Festival
The Sebastian Clambake Lagoon
Festival is back for it's third year in
Sebastian's Riverview Park (corner of
US Hwy 1 and County Road 512) from
2 p.m. Friday, September 10th thru
Sunday evening September 12th. Fresh
seafood booths featuring Indian River
clams, live music, historic re-enactments,
boat show, carnival rides, boat races,
children's activities, volleyball
tournament, kayak poker run, boat rides,
craft show and more! Free admission
and parking. For info call (772) 589-5969.
ATTENTION WASTE
MANAGEMENT
CUSTOMERS
Holiday Schedule for Labor Day
There will be no yard waste pick up
on Wednesday, September 8, 2004. Yard
Waste Service will resume on Wednesday,
September 15, 2004. Regular Monday,
September 6th solid waste residential
pick up will be Tuesday, September 7,
2004 and regular Tuesday, September
7th solid waste residential pick up will
be Wednesday, September 8, 2004.
Recycling customers ~ be serviced on
their next schedule day, beginning the
week of Monday, September 13, 2004
PRSRT STD
ECRWSS
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
~ERO BEACH, FI_
PERMIT NO. 218
POSTAL PATRON
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