Jul 27, 2021 Special Meeting

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>> I CALLED TO ORDER DEJOY 27 2021 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FERNANDINA BEACH CITY COMMISSION. ADAM CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.

IN THE PLEDGE PLEASE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT CH IT STANDS.

ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

R ALL. >> ALL RIGHT AS I ALWAYS DO ON HOUSEKEEPING PERSONNEL, PERSONAL CES IF WE CAN PUT THEM ON AIRPLANE MODE OR SILENT THAT WOULD BE T.

GREATLY LY APPRECIATED. ONCE AGAIN WE CONDUCT OUR MEETINGS WITH RESPECT AND INTEGRITY. AND COVID-19 GUIDELINES, THANK YOU CITY ATTORNEY FOR GIVING ME THE LATEST CDC GUIDELINES. AS YOU KNOW OR DON'T KNOW ACCORDING TO COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WE HAD THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CASES. 91 PER DAY LAST WEEK.

IN THE PANHANDLE. CDC HAS A RECOMMENDATION FOR FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE TO WEAR A MASK IN PUBLIC. INDOOR SETTINGS IN AREAS FOR SUBSTANTIAL HIGH TRANSMISSION.

[4.1 TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FOR FY 2021/2022 – RESOLUTION 2021-111 SETTING A TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FOR OPERATING EXPENSES FOR THE CITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021/2022; ELIMINATING THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FOR VOTER APPROVED DEBT SERVICE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Establishes the Tentative Operating Millage Rate for FY 2021/2022 and formally eliminate the Voter Approved Debt Millage Rate.]

OKAY, WE'RE HERE TO SET THE MILLAGE RATE. WE HAVE 2 NEW COMMISSIONERS.

I HAVE MET WITH THE CITY MANAGER. WE HAVE 2 NEW CITY COMMISSIONERS, I LIKE THE CITY MANAGER TO WALK US THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU DOING TONIGHT? CAN WE CHANGE IT DOWN THE ROAD EITHER UP OR DOWN. ETC. ETC. SO, CITY MANAGER YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> THANK YOU MR. MAYOR COMMISSIONERS. WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU IS PROPOSED RESOLUTION 2021 Ã111. IT'S OPERATED THE MOST RATE AT ITS CURRENT LEVEL OF 4.863 MILLS. WHAT YOU WILL SET TONIGHT IS THE TENTATIVE MAXIMUM MILLAGE RATE. YOU CAN'T GO LOWER AND SUBSEQUENT BUDGET DISCUSSIONS.

AND THOUGH YOU TECHNICALLY CAN GO HIGHER AND IS A CUMBERSOME PROCESS TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED.I'M SURE IT HAS IN THE PAST.

THERE ARE CERTAIN STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS THAT IF YOU WANT TO GO HIGHER THAN WHATEVER LEVEL YOU SET TONIGHT THERE ARE ADDITIONAL STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS.

WHAT WERE STUDYING TONIGHT IS A MAXIMUM A. ONCE YOU SET THE MILLAGE RATE TONIGHT WE TRANSMIT TO THE COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER. THE PROPERTY APPRAISER THEN CAN PREPARE THE TRIM NOTICES WHICH GET SENT TO THE PROPERTY OWNERS.

BECAUSE YOUR NOTICE HAS 2 COLUMNS ON IT. ONE, IF YOU GO TO THE ROLLBACK RATE AND THE SECOND COLUMN IS WHATEVER YOU SET THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE.

THE PARTICIPATION FOR THE EXPECTATION IS THAT A PROPERTY TAXES WILL BE BETWEEN THOSE 2 NUMBERS. IN THEORY AIN YOU CAN SET IT HIGH GO LOWER.

YOU CAN SET IT LOW GO HIGHER. IT BECOMES MUCH MORE CUMBERSOME PROCESS.

I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY OF THE QUESTIONS? >> ANY QUESTIONS COMMISSIONERS ABOUT THAT. NO.. NO.

VICE MAYOR. >> WERE SAYING THE MILLAGE RATE WERE NOT APPROVING ANY BUDGET.

>> CORRECT. >> MOVED TO APPROVE THE CURRENT MILLAGE RATE.

>> I ECOND. >> OUT OF MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE CURRENT MILLAGE

RATE WHICH IS 5.4683. OKAY DISCUSSION? >> THIS COULD BE A REALLY LONG DISCUSSION OR REALLY SHORT T DISCUSSION. IF WE ARE FOR OVERFLOW IS TO THE CURRENT MILLAGE RATE THIS COULD BE SHORT DISCUSSION. WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET AND ALL THE BUDGET MEETINGS. IF WE DON'T HAVE 4 VOTES THAT I THINK WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT CURRENTLY WITH THE CITY MANAGER'S BUDGET WHICH WAS PREPARED WITH CITY STAFF AND THE MEETS CITY STAFF NEEDS. HERE'S THE BOOK, PURSE BREAKING OTHER ROLES.

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I HAVE THE MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT THAT I NEED TO DO MORE WORK RIGHT.

THIS BUDGET IS WHEN OUR STAFF HAS ASKED US TO PROVIDE FOR THEM TO DO THEIR WORK RIGHT.

IF WERE GOING TO GO TO THE ADJUSTED ROLLBACK RATE WERE GOING TO NEED TO FIND $390,000 $391,000 ESSENTIALLY OF THINGS THAT WE NEED TO TAKE OUT OF THE IF ARE GOING TO GO TO THE ROLLBACK RATE WE NEED TO FIND OVER $1 MILLION WORTH OF THINGS TO TAKE OUT.

I PREPARED AN 18 PAGE HANDOUT AND IF WE WANT TO GO TO ROLLBACK RATE OR THE ADJUSTED ROLLBACK RATE I WOULD LIKE US TO SIT HERE TONIGHT IN BROAD TERMS AND COME UP WITH HOW WERE GOING TO SAVE, HOW THE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO GO TO THAT RATE PROPOSED WE GET TO THE SAINTS.

OTHERWISE WE'VE GOT 4 VOTES. WE CAN ALL BE OUT HERE BY 6 O'CLOCK.

>> OKAY, RIGHT NOW THE MOTION IS FOR 5.4683. >> THE CURRENT MILLAGE RATE.

>> THE CURRENT MILLAGE RATE. >> WOULD ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT ONE LAST THING.

CURRENTLY, THE CITY TAXPAYERS PAY 4.863 PLUS THE .5 113 OR MILLAGE RATE OF 5236.

KEEPING THE CURRENT MILLAGE RATE WE ARE STILL DECREASING THE MILLAGE RATE FROM WHAT CITY TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING NOW. BECAUSE THE DEBT WAS PAID OFF ON THE VOTER APPROVED DEBT THIS

YEAR. >> COMMISSIONER BEING? >> THINKING.

THIS IS MY VERY FIRST RST BUDGET MEETING BUDGET CYCLE. I WAS ELECTED WITH THE GE NOT TO RAISE TAXES ON OUR CONSTITUENTS. THAT'S WHY I AM HERE.

RE. TONIGHT THE HE QUESTION TAXES. THE QUESTION IS HOW BIG OF A CHECK WILL BE TAKE FROM THE PEOPLE OF FERNANDINA BEACH. THAT'S THE QUESTION AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO ANSWER. I WANT TO TALK REAL QUICK ABOUT WHAT THE ROLLBACK RATE MEANS.

WHAT DOES THE ROLLBACK RATE MEAN IN TERMS OF MONEY? WITHOUT RAISING TAXES WE WILL COLLECT $250,000 MORE THAN WE DID THE YEAR BEFORE. THAT'S JUST DUE TO MORE PEOPLE MOVING INTO THE CITY. ANNEXATIONS THAT HAVE HAPPENED. THE COURT OF $1 MILLION MARK.

ON TOP OF THAT, AND THIS YEAR OUT OF ALL YEARS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PROVIDING $5 MILLION OVER THE NEXT 2 YEARS. IT'S 2 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

ALL THAT ADDS UP TO WITHOUT RAISING TAXES WE WILL GET IN OUR BUDGET, THIS YEAR WITHOUT RAISING TAXES BY $2.75 MILLION MORE THAN WE DID THE YEAR BEFORE.

I WANT EVERYONE WATCHING AT HOME THAT'S EVERYTHING WE DID LAST YEAR PLUS ALMOST $3 MILLION MORE WORTH OF SERVICES. THE QUESTION THAT WE NEED TO ASK IS DO WE NEED TO CHARGE, SHOULD WE CHARGE THE PEOPLE OF FERNANDINA BEACH ANY MORE THAN THAT WE PANDEMIC IS STILL FRESH IN MANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES. SOMETHING THAT IS A STARTLING FACT FOR ME IS THAT THE CITY LIMITS. THE POVERTY RATE IS HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

THAT'S JUST, THE FERNANDINA AVENUE RATE IS HIGHER THAN ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

PEOPLE LIKE TO THINK WERE IN A VERY AFFLUENT COMMUNITY. THE TRUTH IS THERE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE STRUGGLING AND NEED HELP. THE BUSINESS OWNERS, THE PANDEMIC IS STILL VERY REAL TO THEM. THERE ARE SHORTAGES OF EMPLOYEES. THERE ARE SHORTAGES OF EVERYTHING.

THE PANDEMIC IS STILL REAL. WE NEED TO GIVE THE PEOPLE A BREAK.

THIS NOT RAISE TAXES. I CAN'T LOOK AT MYSELF IN THE MIRROR AND RAISE TAXES ON THE PEOPLE OF FERNANDINA BEACH. GIVEN WHAT WE KNOW. SO I'M GOOD HAVE TO VOTE NO ON

THIS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, VICE MAYOR.

>> ONE THING I WANT TO POINT OUT, I STILL BELIEVE I'M CORRECT THAT YOU HAVE LREADY ILLUMINATED ONLY DOLLARS IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN CORRECT?

>> CORRECT. >> LOOKED AT IT BUT I WANT TO GET INTO THE BUDGET AND HOPEFULLY WE WON'T GET INTO THE BUDGET. IF WERE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PROJECTS THAT WE ARE DOING AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN GIVEN A NOTE THAT RESILIENCY IS IN THERE BUT THERE'S NO DOLLARS.

ON THE 29TH OPENING OUR BUILDING WE DON'T KNOW THAT'S GONNA BE.

I FULLY BELIEVE EVER GOING TO MOVE FORWARD AND MAINTAIN THE CITY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO GO

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I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE WAY TO GO. >> ANYONE ELSE?

COMMISSIONER STURGIS. >> THINKING MANNER. MY QUESTION TO BRADLEY INSULIN INTO THE CITY MANAGER IS IF WE WERE TO GO TO THE ADJUSTED ROLLBACK RATE WHICH IS HALFWAY OR NOT EVEN HALF. IT'S A LOT DIFFERENT THAN THE FULL ROLLBACK RATE.

WHY WOULD WE CUT $390,000 OF OUR $5 BILLION OVER 2 YEARS? WHERE COULD WE TAKE THOSE FUNDS TO SUPPLY THE 390,000 DOLLARS DECREASE. WHERE THAT COME FROM? THAT'S WHERE MY QUESTION IS. JUST NOT EVEN JUMPING TO THE ROLLBACK MILLAGE RATE OF HOLD MILLION DOLLARS SHORT BEING THAT DALE HAS ONLY SUGGESTED WE HAVE AND HE HAS REMOVED $1 MILLION FROM THE BUDGET THAT EVERYONE SUBMITTED FROM STAFF AND OTHER EMPLOYEES.

HOW WOULD WE GET TO THAT RATE? THAT'S ONE STARTING POINT. THAT'S ONE POINT BELOW THE SET MILLAGE RATE TODAY. LIKE, THAT'S WHAT MY QUESTION, THAT'S MY CHARGE THE WHOLE

SITUATION. SO. >> ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER FOR THAT NOW CLICK X I AM LOOKING AT AN ANSWER OF, THE ANSWER, I APPRECIATE THE PROBE MINE. MY QUOTE WHAT I'M ASKING FOR LOOKING AT IS ABOUT $5 MILLION.

IF IT SPREAD INTO 2 DIFFERENT PARTS IS THERE DISCRETIONARY FUNDS, IS HER AVAILABILITY TO USE THAT MONEY TO GO TO THE RATE BELOW. IT'S A POSSIBILITY WITH CERTAIN THINGS YOU CAN SPEND THAT MONEY ON. THE EXACT THINGS YOU CAN SPEND THAT. EVERYBODY SEEMS TO THINK THAT THIS $5 MILLION YOU COULD JUST

WRITE IT OUT FOR ANYTHING. SO YES, THAT'S MY QUESTION. >> COMMISSIONER ROSS?

>> DO YOU WANT TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION? >> IF YOU REMEMBER WE HAVE THE CONSULTANT COME IN AND OFFER THAT THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS. WHAT YOU CAN USE THAT MONEY FOR. THERE ARE 3 PROJECTS THAT WERE PRESENTING TO YOU FOR THE WATERFRONT RESILIENCY, AREA 5, ÃSTREET DRAINAGE OF THE FIRE STATION.

THAT WAS THE DIRECTION THAT THE STAFF TOOK ON HOW TO ALLOCATE THE INITIAL PORTION OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS. IT IS SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITED IN HIS POCKET CORRECTLY.

YOU CANNOT USE IT FOR PENSION FUNDS OR LUBRICITY TAXES. YOU CAN SAY WELL THAT'S PCALCULATE WITH FARMLAND DOLLAR IN TAXES WOULD BE AND REDUCE THE MILLAGE RATE AND NOT.

THAT'S ESPECIALLY PROHIBITED IN THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION.HOSE WERE THE 2 MAY BE MORE BUT IF YOU GO BACK THERE WAS A PRESENTATION FROM THE CHI SG GOVERNMENT SERVICES GROUP THAT WAS PART OF THE AGENDA PACKET OR I BELIEVE WE SHARED AFTER THEIR PRESENTATION.

ASK SO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THAT MONEY CANNOT BE USED FOR OPERATING EXPENSES.

MONEY CANNOT BE USED FOR THE HR DEPARTMENT. THAT MONEY HAS TO GO INTO

INFRASTRUCTURE. >> AT THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SPECIFICALLY RUSH REFERENCES

ARE WATER, SEWER AND BROADBAND. >> AND THAT'S >> THAT'S IT. >> WE CANNOT USE NOT $5 MILLION TO OFFSET THE MILLAGE RATE FOR THE ADJUSTED ROLLBACK RATE OF THE ROLLBACK RATE.

>> THAT'S EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED WITHIN THE FEDERAL STATUTES. >> WAS ONE OF THE PROJECTS ON

THAT CITY MANAGER, THE NEW FIRE STATION? >> RIGHT.

FIRE STATION, AREA 85 AND THE WATERFRONT RESILIENCY. WE INCLUDE SOME IT? AT LEAST THAT WAS UNDER CONSIDERATION BECAUSE THAT WAS PART OF THE BROADBAND AND THE CITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE. I'M NOT SURE WHERE WE STAND ABOUT FINALIZATION.

THOSE ARE THE 4 PROJECTS THAT WERE EXPRESSLY PRESENTED TO THE CITY COMMISSION.

>> VICE MAYOR? >> BEFORE HE SPENT 2 MILLION. 85 WE'VE APPROVED AND THE CONTRACT FOR REVITALIZATION. THAT'S 2 OTHER 2.5 MILLION. IT IS RESTRICTIVE.

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>> SO, IN MY ND THAT IS ONEY THAT MONEY WE SHOULD BE USING FOR EXACTLY WHAT THEY SAY, WATER PROJECTS. THERE ARE OTHER POTENTIAL THINGS YOU CAN USE.

IF WE NEED 26 MAN DOLLARS AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY OF IT SO GOOD HAVE TO COME UP WITH SOME MORE NOW THAT PLANNING AS WE MOVE FORWARD. LIKE I SAID WE CAN STOP WHAT WERE DOING BUT, DAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE TO YOUR QUESTION. TAKING THAT MONEY, ACTUALLY SAID HERE LAST YEAR AND LOOKED AT THOSE DIFFERENT THINGS. IN EACH ONE OF US WILL COME UP WITH SUBJECTIVELY WHAT WE WOULD WANT TO CUT. IF WE WERE TO CUT I KNOW THE CITY MANAGER DOESN'T LIKE TO DO IT. HE WANTS US TO CUT.

THIS WAS THE CASE I'M RELUCTANT TO SAY A PERCENTAGE. YOU KNOW WE DON'T KNOW.

WHEN OPERATORS OF THE CITY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT EFFECT THAT WOULD BE.

MY CUTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN EXTENDED TO VEHICLES. YOU CAN COME UP WITH THAT.

I THINK WE SHOULD STICK WITH IT AND MOVE FORWARD. I THINK THIS IS A CRITICAL YEAR. WE WENT THROUGH CRITICAL YEAR. I THINK THIS IS A CRITICAL YEAR

TO GET OUR STUFF IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD. >> COMMISSIONER ROSS?

>> SO ABOUT MY SOUGHT CONVERSATION GO ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THIS? >> WHO WERE YOU POSING THE QUESTION TO?

>> BOTH OF YOU. I HAVE 2 LEFT. IF YOU'RE UNWILLING TO GO THE ROLLBACK RATE WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS BEGIN TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THAT.

BECAUSE I GOT SOME IDEAS ON HOW WE CAN GET TO THE ROLLBACK RATE.

CONSEQUENTLY COLD POTENCY. >> OKAY FIRST OF ALL PROCEDURALLY.

COMMISSIONER STURGES AND MYSELF ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO UNDERGO A Q&A.

>> I UNDERSTAND. ASK ABOUT HER POSITION. PERCIVAL COMMISSION ARE NOT

COMPELLED ANSWER. >> NO. >> IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO YOU MAY DO SO. I WILL SPEAK FOR MYSELF BECAUSE I SEE THE WHEELS TURNING.

I WILL GIVE YOU SOME RELIEF AND I'LL GIVE MY POSITION ON THIS. MY POSITION ON THIS IS YES, WERE NOT OUT OF COVID. IN FACT WE ARE DEEPLY IN COVID. HER BACK MONDAY ONE CASES PER DAY. WE STILL HAVE THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF COVID.

THAT'S NUMBER ONE. NUMBER 2 ON CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.

I BELIEVE THAT IS A BOND ISSUE. THAT'S UP TO THE VOTERS OF THE CITY WHERE THEY WANT TO INVEST IN MONEY. TO THEY WANT A NEW CITY HALL? I DON'T KNOW.

IT'S UP TO THEM TO DECIDE. DO THEY WANT A NEW REC CENTER? I DON'T KNOW.

IT'S UP FOR THEM TO DECIDE. DO YOU WANT TO PORT MORE MONEY IN ATLANTIC REC CENTER AND I'M OKAY? I DON'T KNOW. I DO KNOW THAT POURING GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD IS NOT WISE. SO, A, I THINK THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ARE GOING TO BE A BOND ISSUE. B, BUDGETS ALWAYS HAVE ANY SQUARED AWAY AND LITTLE POCKETS OF THE BUDGET. THERE'S $1 MILLION IN ADMINISTRATIVE IMPACT FEES.

$1 MILLION. AS AN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION. AND, AS A VICE MAYOR HAS REPEATEDLY SAID AND I EMBRACE THIS.HERE'S NO IMPACT FEE POLICE.

SO WE HAVE A LOT OF DISCRETION ON HOW TO USE THAT MONEY. A LOT OF DISCRETION ON HOW THAT MONEY CAN BE USED. RIGHT NOW IN THE BUDGET AND I'M NOT PICKING ON THE CITY MANAGER. RIGHT NOW IN THIS BUDGET IS $250,000 FOR ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS FOR NEW CITY HALL. AND MR. STURGES US TO ACTIVELY SAVE 300 AND $80,000 PER THERE'S 2015 GRANT THE WEEKEND OF ARGUMENT PARTIALLY WITH THOSE FUNDS.

BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON IMPACT FEES. SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUERY MR.

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I'VE BEEN ON THIS COMMISSION FOR 2 YEARS. I'VE SEEN A SPENT SOME HONEY.

NOT GREAT. ON ITEMS AND CONSULTANTS THAT I DIDN'T AGREE WITH.

THAT'S OKAY. THIS IS THE TAXPAYERS MONEY. SO, I DO NOT SUPPORT 5.4683.

AND I WON'T VOTE FOR IT. THAT'S MY POSITION. AND, I THINK TONIGHT'S DISCUSSION IS ABOUT THE MILLAGE, THE LETTER DISCUSSION IS GETTING IN THE WEEDS OF HOW DO WE ELIMINATE SOME THINGS AND PAY FOR OTHERS. I DON'T THINK TONIGHT IS THE

NIGHT TO DO THAT. I SEE THE VICE MAYOR SEEN THAT. >> I AGREE.

SO THAT'S ONE. I WILL MAKE A COMMENT. >> INSERT.

>> YEAR BEFORE SIR. >> OKAY. YOU WANT TO GO TO THE ROLLBACK RATE. YOU TALKED ABOUT, THIS IS A DIFFICULT CONVERSATION BUT I CAN HAVE IT. IF TALKED ABOUT WE HAVE TO BE FOR THE PEOPLE.

WE HAVE TO SUPPORT THEM. HOW WE HAVE TO SUPPORT OUR WORKERS AND ABOUT.

YOU KNOW WHAT, LET'S GO TO THE CITY COMMISSION BUDGET. THAT'S ON PAGE 3. LET'S LOOK AT THAT. THAT'S THE FIRST PLACE WERE WE COULD TAKE OUT THE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. AND YOU KNOW WHAT, I'M WILLING TO TAKE OUT MY SALARY IF THE REST OF YOU ARE. SO WE CANNOT ELIMINATE $65,000 FROM THE BUDGET.

I'VE ALSO NOTICED THE COMMISSIONER BEING SUBSIDIZED BY THE CITY FOR OVER VER $9000 FOR HIS HEALTH COMMISSIONER LEDNOVICH COMMISSIONER R STURGES.

WE DON'T OFFER THAT SORT OTHER PART-TIME EMPLOYEES. WHAT WE HAVE GOTTEN THE E BUDGET? I JUST DO NOT THINK THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING OUR PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR US AND PUT THEIR HEARTS AND EFFORT IN TAKING CARE OF THE PUBLICITY.

THIS IS ABOUT TAXPAYERS ONLY. TAXPAYERS HEAR ABOUT SERVICES. NONE OF THE TAXPAYERS TELL ME.

I'VE HAD HUNDREDS OF CONVERSATION, QUALITY OF LIFE. THEY WANT RECREATION.

THEY WILL THESE THINGS. BUT THEN YOU DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR THEM AND YOU DON'T WANT TO PAY THE PEOPLE WHO TAKE CARE OF THOSE THINGS A LIVING WAGE. ORGAN HAVE TO CUT THEIR RATES AS COMPARED AND IF YOU GO TO THIS BUDGET AND THE RESULT 18 PAGES HERE YOU CAN SEE MOST OF IT IS PEOPLE. SO WHAT PEOPLE ARE YOU GOING TO CUT? WHOSE PRINCIPAL ARE YOU GOING TO BREAK? YOU DON'T WANT TO GIVE THEM RANGES. 3 IF YOU GET A BENEFIT THAT WE DON'T GIVE OUR PART-TIME WORKERS. I MEAN, I FIND IT REALLY AMAZING THAT YOU TALK ABOUT THE TAXPAYER IN THIS BUT YOU DON'T TALK ABOUT OUR WORKERS AND THE PEOPLE OF THE SERVICES.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S 4 VOTES. I THINK THAT'S AN APPROPRIATE BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS.

YOU HAVE TO VOTE ON YOUR CONS CIENCE.

>> I COULD GO THROUGH THIS WHOLE BUDGET HERE. I SPENT HOURS LOOKING AT IT.

I WILL ALSO POINT OUT TO REVIEW TO EVEN PICK UP YOUR BUDGET LOOKS.

WHICH REALLY I FIND AMAZING. WE DON'T TALK ABOUT, YOU WERE FOCUSED ON WHAT PEOPLE PAY.

NOT FOCUSED ON WHAT WE DELIVER. IF YOU WANT TO DELIVER SERVICES TO THIS COMMUNITY HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM. YOU HAVE TO GIVE PEOPLE A LIVING WAGE.

ON THE PEOPLE WERE WORKING FOR US WE CAN GET PEOPLE TO WORK FOR THE CITY BECAUSE WE CAN'T PAY THEM ENOUGH. THEY WANT TO COME IN LATE. BUT THEY CAN'T PAY THEM OFF.

ALL THESE THINGS ARE COMING UP. WE GET POLITICAL SPEECHES FOR THE WORKERS.

WE GET POLITICAL SPEECHES ABOUT RIGHTS. I'VE GOT TO KEEP THE RENT.

TO BE FRUGAL. I GOT ONE WILLING TO PAIR WORKERS.

IF YOU GO THROUGH THIS BUDGET MOST OF THESE PEOPLE BECAUSE THAT'S WHO DELIVERS THE SERVICES. THAT'S WHO MAKES A TOILET/PRINT.THIS MAKES THE ROADS WORK. HAVE WORKERS WHO WORK FOR US. I NEVER HEAR US TALK ABOUT THOSE PEOPLE.HOSE ARE THE BACKBONE OF WHITE WE HAVE A CITY GOVERNMENT.

THEY TAKE CARE OF THESE DECISIONS. I'LL GET OFF MY SOAPBOX.

>> MR. BEING QUICK. >> THANK YOU MR. MERRITT. I HAVE CHRIS ON HER BUT SOME OF US ARE ARE ON MEDICARE. I CAN'T CHARGE THAT. ON TOP OF I HAD TO PICK UP MY

BUDGET BUT BECAUSE IT IS AN ELECTRONIC COPY. >> FAIR ENOUGH.

WITHOUT A CALL ESTION. >> ANNULAR MMENTS COMMISSIONER RONALD ROSS.

[00:25:06]

>> DIFFLEY ÑPULLED THE GLOVES ES OFF. I DID THE SAME HING I DID USE HEALTH INSURANCE. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT. IT'S BETTER THAN THEN.

FIRST MANY HOURS I SPENT A AY TAKING CALLS AND EMAILS AND I DON'T THINK REQUESTING A SERVICE HERE BUT ULTIMATELY I THINK IT'S PORTANT THAT WE LEARN TO WORK WITHIN OUR BUDGET AND I AGREED TO THAT AND DON'T NECESSARILY THINK WE NEED TO COME ALL THE WAY BACK.

I DON'T AGREE WITH THE CURRENT MILLAGE RATE. THAT'S BASICALLY IT.

>> THANK YOU SIR. FINALLY I WILL I TAKE EXCEPTION TO PERSONAL ATTACKS.

I THINK TALKING ABOUT CUTTING PEOPLE'S PAY AND RICE BALLS IS FEAR MONGERING.

I THINK WE CAN CUT OTHER ITEMS IN THIS BUDGET THAT DOES NOT AFFECT THE SERVICE THAT OUR FIND PEOPLE WORK FOR THE CITY DELIVER TO TAXPAYERS AND CITIZENS.

I COULD GO THROUGH THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND GO CHAPTER AND VERSE THROUGH THAT.

WITH THAT HE QUESTIONS PLEASE. >>.

>> MOVE WE GO TO THE ADJUSTER ROLLBACK RATE. QUICK SECOND THAT.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE ADJUSTED ROLLBACK RATE.

A 5.333 ZERO. DISCUSSION? >> THE ADJUSTED ROLLBACK RATE.

>> LEITRIM GILLETTE OFFICER TO. >> YOUR RECOGNIZER. >> ADJUSTED ROLLBACK RATE TAKES CARE OF INFLATION. GO TO THE ROLLBACK RATE WERE IN THE WHOLE.

WE GOT $285,000 FOR " NEW GROWTH " NO250. IF YOU DON'T GO TO THE ADJUSTER R ROLLBACK RATES WERE FOR THE WHOLE BECAUSE NOW YOU DON'T EVEN TAKE CARE OF THE INFLATION. BY CONTRACT WE HAVE TO GIVE THE POLICE A 5 PERCENT RAISE.

BY CONTRACT WE HAVE TO GIVE EMS A 4 OR 5 PERCENT? I THINK IT'S 5 PERCENT.

WE CAN'T EVEN AFFORD THAT. IF YOU GO TO THE ROLLBACK RATE. I WOULD HOPE WE WOULD GO TO THE ADDRESS ROLLBACK RATE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL TAX BY THE WAY.HOSE ARE SIMPLY FACTS ABOUT WHAT'S IN THE BUDGET AND WHO GETS WHAT. I'M ON MEDICARE TO PAY FOR MY

MEDICARE AND I PAY FOR THAT. I EXPECT B&. >> 5? I THINK THE ADJUSTABLE BACK RATE WOULD BE FINE. WE COULD FIND 395,000 DOLLARS SOMEWHERE OUT OF THE E BUDGET. I WANT TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AN.

I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE BOND BOND ISSUE IN THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

MANY OF THOSE THINGS THE BOND ISSUE. I DON'T WANT TO GET US IN A SITUATION WHERE WE CONTINUE TO DEFER. WE HAVE TO WORK THAT OUT.

WE CAN FIGURE THAT OUT. WE ARE SMART GUYS. WELL, THEY ARE SMART.

>> MR. MAYOR JUST CLARIFY. THE CUTS TO THE BUDGET WILL COME FROM THE 5 OF YOU.

THIS IS NOW YOUR BUDGET. SO I ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK OVER THE BUDGET OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT WEEK BEFORE THE NEXT WORKSHOP AND BE PREPARED TO RECOMMEND CUTS AT YOUR FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AND TAKING IT TO WHATEVER RATE YOU SENT. TO THE ROLLBACK RATE OR ADJUSTABLE BACK RATE OR WHATEVER. I'M AVAILABLE FOR STAFF TO

ANSWER QUESTIONS. >> YOUR LIGHT IS STILL ON. >> I CALL A QUESTION.

>> I HAVE ONE COMMENT ON THIS. I WANT TO MAKE MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AWARE.

THERE ARE SEVERAL ÃIN THE YARD THAT ARE NOT CONCERTED IN THE BUDGET.NE OF HIS DREDGING.

THERE'S NOT ANY FUNDING FOR DREDGING ON THE MARINA IN THIS BUDGET.

NUMBER 2, IS A POSSIBILITY OF HAVING DEMOLITION OF BREXIT BUILDING.

IF THAT SHOULD COME TO FRUITION. WE DON'T WANT, IS THAT BUILDING BECOMES A RESPONSIBILITY WE DON'T WANT VACANT BUILDING JUST SITTING AND THAT'S A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF PLANNING. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THOSE 2 THINGS.

SO I'M SITTING IN THE MIDDLE GROUND BETWEEN THE ROLLBACK AND THE ORIGINAL PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE. I WILL SUPPORT THE ROLLBACK RATE.

[00:30:03]

COMMISSIONER BEING YOUR LIGHT SO LONG. >> THANK YOU MR. MERRITT REGISTERED IT ON. I'M CALLING THE QUESTION. I AM DELIGHTED TO COME NEXT MEETING PREPARED WITH CUTS TO E BUDGET. THIS IMPORTANT EXISTING AND IMPORTANT THINGS TO CUT WE WILL FOUND THAT AMOUNT MOVE FORWARD. I'M GOING FORWARD WITH

ROLLBACK. >> OKAY THANK YOU SIR. WITHOUT WILL YOU PLEASE CALL

THE POPE METAL CLERK. >> HOLD HOLD ON. YOU'RE IN SUPPORT OF THE

ROLLBACK RATE IS UP WHAT YOU SENT? >> ADJUSTED ROLLBACK.

>> >> BECAUSE OF THE NKNOWNS. >> IN SUPPORT OF THE ADJUSTED ROLLBACK RATE I THINK THAT WE NEED TO CUT I THINK THAT WILL STILL BE ABLE TO OPERATE STAFF AND FUNCTION. BUT CUT A LITTLE BIT OUT OF THE BUDGET AND I THINK WITH ALL THE NEW TRANSITIONS SOME OF THE COVID THINGS ARE GOING ON I THINK WE WILL STILL BE FINE.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SIR. ADAM CLERK I THINK WE ARE READY.

THAT'S ADOPTED. >> JUST FOR THE RECORD LET ME CLARIFY THAT THE ADJUSTED ROLLBACK RATE IS PRESENTED IN YOUR BUDGET BOOK IS 5.3330 HILLS.

>> CORRECT. >> THE RESOLUTION OF 2021 Ã111 WILL BE REVISED TO REFLECT THAT MILLAGE RATE INSTEAD OF THE MILLAGE RATE THAT INDICATED IN THE RESOLUTION THAT WAS IN THE

PACKET. >> INSERT. >> OKAY.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS? >> COMMISSIONER ER ? >> I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT IT BUT WE HAVE A FEW EW MINUTES THE OCEAN HIGHWAY PORT AUTHORITY PAST.

I FOLLOWED A PUBLIC RECORD REQUEST AND FINALLY GOT THE RAISED GRANT THAT WE SUPPORTED 3 WEEKS AGO. IF YOU LOOK THROUGH THIS AND SAID THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE OVER J STREET AND CLOSE IT DOWN TURN IT INTO B THERE, CLOSE FRONT STREET.

I WAS WONDERING IF WE COULD BUDGET THE FUTURE TO REVISE ABOUT WHETHER YOU WANT TO CONSIDER GOING BACK WITHOUT LETTER OF SUPPORT. MAYBE SUPPORT ALL THOSE THINGS.

THAT LETTER OF SUPPORT THAT WE GAVE BECAUSE IT APPEARS THAT GRANT APPLICATION THAT WE SUPPORTED ALL THOSE THINGS. IT ABSOLUTELY, I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE DID I SUPPOSE? NO MOTION HOW WE PORT AUTHORITY COMMISSIONERS DID NOT AGREE TO THAT. THEY NEVER SAW THAT.

IF WE CAN EITHER WORKSHOP OR THE NEAR FUTURE, CITY AGENDA PUT THAT ON OUR DISCUSSION OF

WHETHER WE WANT TO REVISE THAT LETTER OR NOT. >> THIS IS NOT ON THE AGENDA.

>> WAIT A MINUTE VICE MANAGER LIGHT IS OUT. >> I THINK I REMEMBER DISCUSSION SPECIFICALLY WHERE WE WOULD BE INVOLVED IN ANY DECISION AND THERE WAS NO DISCUSSION. I DON'T THINK THEY COULD TAKE OVER THE STREETS BUT THEY HAVE EMINENT DOMAIN POWER. I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER ROSS. WE NEED TO PUT IT ON ANOTHER

AND DISCUSS IT AND IT WOULD BE DONE ON III. >> IT'S TO LATE FOR III.

>> WELL, IT BECOMES A TIME FACTOR ISSUE. >> THAT GRANT HAS BEEN COMING

FOR A WHILE. >> I THINK WE SHOULD PUT IT BACK ON.

WE WERE MISLED SOMEHOW. >> PROCEDURALLY ANY COMMISSIONER COULD PUT A SUBJECT OF THE WORKSHOP THAT THEY WISH.SO COMMISSIONER ROSS IF YOU WISH TO HAVE THE ON

THE AGENDA AND WORKSHOP JUST NOTIFY THE CITY CLERK AND. >> IF WE CAN HAVE IT ON THE

WORKSHOP ON 17 AUGUST. >> COMMISSIONER B DID YOU WANT

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.