[1 CALL TO ORDER] [00:00:13] >> CALLED TO ORDER THE SEPTEMBEL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION, WHICH IS ALSO GOING TO MORPH INTO THE REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING THERE TAKE -- I'M GOING TO EXERCISE MY FRAGMENT AND I'M GOING TO READ THE PROCLAMATION AND DO THE PRESENTATION STARTS. SO WE CAN GET THOSE OUT OF THE WAY. WE CAN HONOR THEIR TIME. ON LET'S START WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. VICE MAYOR. >> I PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE PLIGHT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> AND IS PASTOR TRANSLATED HERE. SHE IS PROBABLY WAITING UNTIL 6:50 P.M. I WILL DO THE PROCLAMATION START >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. (ROLL CALL). >> AND ALL) COME FORWARD. [Additional Item] CONGRATULATIONS. 0. GIVE THEM A HAND. THE PROCLAMATION READS AS FOLLOWS. THE PRESENCE OF MARTIAL ARTS IN CHINA EXISTED AS EARLY AS THE THIRD CENTURY A.D. BUT THEN VARIOUS STYLES DEVELOPED THROUGHOUT ASIA. THE WAY OF MARTIAL ARTS, WHETHER -- LIVE VETERAN ONE SOUNDS, TO BRING OUT THE INHERENT -- IN 2018 SEAN WATKINS OPENED UP "FERNANDINA DOJO" A SLOW FOR SOMETHING FITZPATRICK WITH THE INTENT OF CREATING A SPECIAL PLACE FOR PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE STUDY AND PRACTICE OF TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS. -- THE U.S. OPEN END OF MIAMI OFFENSE COMPETITION. COMPETING AGAINST OVER 900 ATHLETES FROM 30 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. FERNANDINA STUDENTS BROUGHT HOME A REMARKABLE 15 METAL SPARDALS.W BY THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS MAYOR BY THE CITY OF HER NINA BEACH DO CONGRATULATE "FERNANDINA DOJO" ON THEIR SUCCESS AND REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITY WITH UNWAVERING PRIDE. [00:05:08] ADULATION SPHERIC. >> THANK YOU MR. MAYOR. THIS TEAM, WE HAVE A COMPETITION TEAM THAT TRAVELS AROUND THE UNITED STATES. THIS LITTLE GROUP OF FIVE PEOPLE, DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING RIGHT REMARKABLE AND THAT WAS TO TRAVEL TO THE U.S. AND LAS VEGAS AS THE MAYOR AND SENT TO YOU ALREADY. TE FAILED TO MENTION THIS IS HELD ONCE PER YEAR. THAT MEANS THIS GROUP GAVE UP THE TIME WITH THEIR FAMILY. THEY SACRIFICED TIME, ENERGY AND MONEY TO GET TO LAS VEGAS. FOR MOST OF THEM THIS WAS THEIR FIRST SIGNATURE EVENT IN THE UNITED STATES. WE HAVE TO PER YEAR. ONE IS THE U.S. OPEN AT THE SECOND JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. SO FAR ALL OF THEM THIS IS THEIR FIRST STEP INTO A MORE ELITE LEVEL OF COMPETITION AS WE SAID THERE ARE 900 ATHLETES AND THIS ONE COMPOSITION. FOR ALL OF THEM, THEY BROUGHT HOME AN ASTOUNDING NUMBER OF METALS AND THAT IS THAT NEXT LINE THAT IS A GREAT TRIBUTE TO THEM. WE THANK EVERYONE FOR HAVING SUCH WONDERFUL TALENT AMONGST US. AND I WILL ALSO GO ON TO SAY, THEY WILL ALL PARTICIPATE IN THEIR VERY FIRST SEASIDE KARATE CLASS RIGHT HERE IN MEDINA BEACH AT THE HIGH SCHOOL ON OCTOBER 1. THINK WE HAVE THREE OTHER ATHLETES COMING ONE JUST REGISTER FROM THE COUNTRY OF GEORGIA. I GUESS YOU CAN SAY WE ARE INTERNATIONAL VAMPIRIC RIGHT HERE THERE WILL BE REPRESENTATIVES AS WELL AS NOT ONLY THE UNITED STATES BUT THEN CONSUELO, HUNGARY, ONLY THE UNITED STATES BUT VENEZUELA AND HUNGARY. IT WILL BE GREAT TO HAVE HIS EAR. IT IS REALLY SOMETHING SPECIAL. [Additional Item] >> TO MAINTAIN THEIR LIBERTIES, FREEDOMS AND UNALIENABLE RIGHTS. FOR MORE THAN TWO CENTURIES THE CONSTITUTION PRESIDED AS THE SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND. KEEPING OUR NATIONS LEADERS TRUE TO AMERICA'S HIGHEST IDEAS AND GUARANTEEING THEIR RIGHTS TO MAKE OUR COUNTRY THE BEACON OF HOPE. TO ALL PEOPLE SEEKING FREEDOM AND JUSTICE. [00:10:03] SEPTEMBER 17, 2022, MARKS THE 235TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DRAFTING OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THE CONSTITUTION IS STRUCTURALLY PREDICATED ON GOVERNANCE BY WE THE PEOPLE. MAKING CITIZENS UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONSTITUTION AND ITS FRAMEWORK AND THE CENTRAL ELEMENT OF THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY AND THE HEALTH OF THE COUNTRY. NOW THEREFORE I THE MAYOR OF FERNANDINA BEACH, FIND IT FITTING AND PROPER TO ( INDISCERNIBLE ) THIS MAGNIFICAT DOCUMENT AND TO THE CELEBRATIONS WHICH WILL COMMEMORATE THIS OCCASION AS THE CONSTITUTION. CONGRATULATIONS. >> OKAY COMMISSIONERS, WE CAN EITHER DO THE PRESENTATIONS AMOUNT, I HAVE ONE NADA FOR YES. >> TWO KNOTS FOR YES. >> I THINK SOME PEOPLE MAY BE HERE FOR THE BUDGET, YOU SAID WE COULD DO THE BUDGET 1ST AND THEN THE PRESENTATION. BUT I AM FINE WITH ANY OPTION. >> I THINK THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE HERE FOR THE PRESENTATION THAN THE BUDGET. >> IF THAT IS THE CASE LET'S DO IT THAT WAY. >> THANK YOU. >> SO WHAT DID WE DECIDE. >> >> WE ARE PEOPLE WAITING I APOLOGIZE. COME ON UP, I WILL HANDED TO YOU. WE WILL GET A PHOTO. I'M ON THE AMELIA ISLAND CHAPTER. >> SO AS MAYOR I DECLARE SEPTEMBER 17, 2022-SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 AS CONSTITUTION WEEK. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU. >> THE AMELIA ISLAND CHAPTER OF DAR IS HONORED TO RECEIVE THIS PROCLAMATION THANK YOU MAYOR. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TELL YOU HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE WORKING WITH CAROLINE AND HOW PROUD WE ARE OF HER WRITING. THE CELEBRATION OF CONSTITUTION WAS STARTED BY THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION IN 1955 THEY COMMISSIONED CONGRESS TO HAVE THIS DAY DEDICATED TO CONSERVATION -- CONSTITUTION WEEK AND LATER ADOPTED BY CONGRESS AND SIGNED INTO PUBLIC LAW AUGUST 2, 1956 BY PRESIDENT EISENHOWER. MAYOR LEDNOVICH, I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT YOU WITH A DAR CONSTITUTION WEEK POSTER. . >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> OKAY, PAST REVIEW WILL COME FORWARD WE WILL HAVE OUR IMPLICATION. SO EVERYONE WILL RISE. >> LET US PRAY. HOLY GOD, HOLY GOD WHOSE NAME IS ABOVE EVERY NAME WE ASK YOUR BLESSINGS ON THE PEOPLE IN FERNANDINA BEACH, FLORIDA WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED TO LEAVE THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH WE LEAVE AND WORK AND WHICH WE PLAY. BLESS THE AGENDA TO BE FRUITFUL. HELP LEADERS LORD TO NOT ASK FIRST HOW DO WE FIX THIS, BUT WHAT DO WE NEED TO BRING ABOUT A POSITIVE CHANGE IN AND TO THOSE [00:15:03] IN NEED. REMIND US ALL GOD BECAUSE WE FORGET FROM TIME TO TIME THAT THEY ARE NOT ONLY LEADERS BUT SERVANTS, AND THAT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO SERVE THE COMMON GOOD FOR ALL. REMIND US THAT NO MATTER WHERE WE LIVE, EVERYONE IS OUR NEIGHBOR AND THROUGHOUT THE AGES PROFITS HAVE CALLED TO PROTECT THOSE AMONGST US. GRANT THEM AND US THE WISDOM AND COURAGE TO KNOW AND TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND GOOD AND TRUE. WHEAT SPEAK OUT WHEN WE SEE THINGS NOT DONE PROPERLY. MAY WE LISTEN PATIENTLY AND RECEPTIVE. MAY WE ALWAYS BE GUIDED BY THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY, JUSTICE AND THE SPIRIT OF LOVE. THIS WE PRAY IN THE NAME WE HOLD SO SACRED AND SO GOOD AND THAT WE HOLD SO TRUE, IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY, AMEN. [3.1 Statement regarding the percentage increase in Millage over the rolled-back rate necessary to fund the budget and the specific purpose for which ad valorem tax revenues are being increased. I. Millage rate for operation expenditures (Part 1 of 2)] >> THANK YOU, PASTOR. ALL RIGHT, I AM GOING TO RETURN TO THE ORDER IN WHICH IT WAS PUBLISHED AND WE WILL GO INTO THE BUDGET. THREE-POINT ONE STATEMENT OVER THE ROLLBACK RATE NECESSARY TO FIND THE BUDGET AND THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH TAX REVENUES ARE BEING INCREASED. >> MR. MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, AND CITIZENS, THE TRUTH IN MILL'S STATEMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 PRIOR TO ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION WHICH SETS THE PROPERTY TAX FOR OPERATING EXPENDITURES AND SET THE MILITARY FOR VOTER APPROVAL THAT CHAPTER 200-POINT 65 FLORIDA STATUTES REQUIRES THAT THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT BE PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED. THE TAXING AUTHORITY LIVING THIS TAX AND THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH, THE ROLLBACK RATE IS 4.7709 MILL PER $1,000 OF THE ASSESSED VALUE. THE INCREASE IS 11.87% OVER THE ROLLBACK. THE OPERATING TO THE -- IS 5.3330 MILS PER $1,000 OF THE [Additional Item] ASSESSED VALUE. >> THANK YOU. SO, I AM GOING TO CHANGE GEARS. I SEE THE DOG OF THE MONTH IS HERE. LET'S NOT KEEP THE DOG WAITING. THE BUDGET DISCUSSION MAY GO ON FOR A WHILE. WHY DON'T YOU COME UP AND INTRODUCE THE PUPPY. FUNDRAISING. SHE WOBBLES. WE ARE NOT SURE WHY. SO WE NEED TO DO AN MRI TO RULE OUT WHETHER IT MAY BE TRAUMA OR A BRAIN ISSUE. WE ARE TRYING TO RULE THAT OUT. SHE'S ONLY 2-YEARS-OLD. SHE HAS A LONG, HAPPY LIFE AHEAD OF HER. SHE IS SUPER SWEET AND CALM. MEDICATION HAS NOT HELPED. IT HASN'T MADE HER WORSE OR ANY BETTER. WE FIGURE,. TEN SHE HAS 0 VISIBILITY'S. SHE IS CUTE. OTHER THAN THAT SHE'S VERY SWEET. >> REMIND PEOPLE HOW THEY WOULD ADOPT A PET. >> [3.1 Statement regarding the percentage increase in Millage over the rolled-back rate necessary to fund the budget and the specific purpose for which ad valorem tax revenues are being increased. I. Millage rate for operation expenditures (Part 2 of 2)] >> OKAY, TOO I HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE BUDGET. I HAVE NO FORMS THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED. [00:20:05] WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO COMMENT ON THE BUDGET? I SEE NONE. WE WILL MOVED TO COMMISSIONER DISCUSSION. COMMISSIONER BEAN YOUR OF THE FLOOR. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION. IF I COULD ASK YOU AT THE PODIUM , SO THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING THE LIST FOR EVERYTHING THAT HAS CHANGED SINCE THE WORKSHOP. BUT ONE THING THAT IS TOO BIG TO BE DECIDED OUT OF THE WORKSHOP, AND TOO BIG TO BE DECIDED BY STAFF AND THAT IS THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING I DON'T THINK SHOULD BE DONE OUTSIDE OF THE WORKSHOP. I WILL ASSUME THAT IS AN ERROR. I WANT TO PUT IT WHERE IT SHOULD BE. IS THAT SOMETHING WE SHOULD DO. >> THE BUDGET IS PRESENTED BY A VOTE OF AT THE NEXT MEETING. >> BUT THERE WAS NO BOAT TO MOVE THAT AWAY. I WOULD ASSUME IT IS STILL THERE. WHEN I SEE THE BUDGET AT THE NEXT MEETING WILL IT BE BACK IN THEIR? >> WE HAVE THE DONATION AND THAT IS THE DUPLICATE APPROPRIATION, BECAUSE WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING IS TO ACCEPT THE DONATION, SO THAT BECOMES A MUTE POINT. >> THERE ARE SEVERAL ISSUES WE HAD WITH THIS. I DON'T THINK ANY OF US, AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG I DON'T THINK ANYONE AUTHORIZE THE REMOVAL OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. DID ANYONE -- >> IT IS A REDUNDANT EXPENDITURE. IT WAS FOR PURCHASE OF THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. THAT WILL HAPPEN THIS YEAR WITH THE DONATION AND STAFF SAID WE DON'T HAVE TO BUDGET $300,000 MORE FOR A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. >> UNDERSTAND, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER DISCUSSION. THE DISCUSSION I'M ASKED RIGHT NOW IF NONE OF US AUTHORIZED IT AND THE BUDGET HAS NOT BEEN VOTED ON, I AM WONDERING HOW IT CHANGED AND I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO VOTE AGAIN TO PUT IT BACK. HERE IS THE OTHER ISSUE, ARE WE GOING TO ACCEPT A DONATION TO ENHANCE THE PLAYGROUND AND MOVE THAT MONEY TO CONTINGENCY. THIS IS ESSENTIALLY GOING INTO CONTINGENCY. THERE IS A LOT OF DISCUSSION TO BE HAD BUT THAT IS FOR A DIFFERENT TIME. BUT RIGHT NOW, I SEE A BUDGET THAT IS NOT WHAT WE HAD CONSENSUS ON AT THE WORKSHOP. I WOULD JUST ASK THAT WE GET THE BUDGET BACK THAT WE HAD CONSENSUS ON. >> I NEVER TOOK IT OUT WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PUT IT BACK IN, THAT IS MY QUESTION. >> MY PURCHASE FOR WHAT THE MONEY WAS ALLOCATED FOR IS FOR A PIECE OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT THAT WILL BE PURCHASED THIS YEAR SO IT BECOMES A REDUNDANT PURCHASE. >> THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED YET SO I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT IT IS BACK IN THE BUDGET. IT FEELS LIKE WE ARE GOING IN CIRCLES. I WOULD GO TO THE COMMISSION. WE ALL UNDERSTAND THE MOTION ON THE TABLE. BUT WE ARE LOOKING AT A PIECE OF PAPER. >> THERE IS A DISCUSSION, LET'S HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT. GENTLEMEN. >> WELL I SEE LIGHTS ARE ON. I ASSUME, ARE THEY PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE? >> MY LIGHT IS. >> AND COMMISSIONER ROSS. >> MIND IS NOT. >> SO COMMISSIONER STURGIS. >> VERY BRIEFLY, IN MY OPINION WHEN I SEE THIS DONATION FOR THE [00:25:02] PLAYGROUND, I ENVISION WE CAN REDUCE THE ( INDISCERNIBLE ) FROM THE BUDGET. I FEEL THERE IS A PLACE TO CUT. UNLESS THERE IS SOMETHING THAT I AM MISSING IT IS SIMPLE TO ME, THAT IT SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE BUDGET COMPLETELY AND START GOING TO THE ADJUSTABLE RATE OR WE GET HALF OF THAT. I FEEL THERE IS ROOM TO MOVE AND THINGS THAT CAN BE CUT. THAT IS JUST MY OPINION. THERE IS A LITTLE FACT HERE AND THERE, AND I UNDERSTAND THE CITY IS BEHIND, AS FAR AS PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT RIGHT THIS SECOND, I FEEL IT SHOULD BE REDUCED. >> COMMISSIONER ROSS? >> I WOULD AGREE, SPENDING $500,000 TO COVER THE EXPENSE, I WOULD TAKE THE $300,000 AND MOVE IT INTO CONTINGENCY. IT IS TRUE STAFF DID THAT ON THEIR OWN VOLITION I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. IF WE DON'T VOTE TONIGHT TO ACCEPT THE DONATION, TO STAY ON THE BUDGET AND IF WE DO ACCEPT THE DONATION WHICH I THINK WE WILL, THEN IT SHOULD COME OUT OF THE BUDGET. I DON'T UNDERSTAND, THE MONEY FOR PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. THAT IS JUST THE WAY I WOULD FEEL. >> I WILL REPEAT WHAT I SAID. PART OF THIS IS A PROCEDURE THAT STAFF TOOK OUT OF THE FUDGY. WE DID NOT AGREED TO DO THAT. IT IS A FAIR ASSUMPTION THAT IF YOU GET A DONATION YOU DON'T NEED THIS MONEY. I CAN SEE WHY, BUT WAS IT DOTTING I'S AND CROSSING TEASE. >> COMMISSIONERS, WE MUST CONSIDER WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW WHICH IS THE FACT THAT A GENEROUS MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE WILL REVEAL THIS TO THE PUBLIC, WHO THIS PERSON IS, WHAT THEY ARE DOING, WHY THEY ARE DOING IT. COMING UP LATER TONIGHT. SO HOPEFULLY YOU WILL STICK AROUND AND WE CAN SEE THAT. BUT CONSIDER THIS, A DONOR, WE HAVE IN THE BUDGET MONEY THAT WILL GO TOWARDS PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT THIS DONOR, AND FOR MANY REASONS SHE IS ADAMANT ABOUT THE CHILDREN HAVING A PLACE TO PLAY. SO SHE HAS COME FORWARD AND IS GENEROUSLY GIVING THE CITY HALF OF A MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP WITH THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. OUR ACTION IS TO THEN REDUCE THE BUDGET, BY THAT SAME AMOUNT AND PUT IT INTO CONTINGENCY FUN, YOU ARE MAKING HER GIVE A CONTINGENCY FUND. EVEN SO IF YOU REDUCE TAXES YOU ARE MAKING HER FUN THE TAXPAYER AS I HAVE STATED THROUGHOUT THE WORKSHOP, I BROUGHT THINGS THAT COULD BE STREAMLINED OR CUT, BUT THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM. THIS IS ENHANCING OUR PARKS AND BUDGET. OUR ACTION SIMPLY CANNOT BE TO REDUCE THE BUDGET BY THE SAME AMOUNT BECAUSE YOU ARE NULLIFYING THE GIFT. I CAN'T IN GOOD CONSCIENCE DO THIS AND I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD , THAT IS SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER. AND WE ARE IN A VERY GENEROUS COMMUNITY. THERE ARE PEOPLE, WHY DON'T WE GO ON AND LOOK FOR SPONSORS FOR DIFFERENT THINGS, WHEN WE RECEIVE A DONATION IS TO REDUCE THE BUDGET BUT THAT AMOUNT AND PUTTING IT WHERE WE WANT TO PUT IT WHY WOULD ANYONE EVER CONSIDER DOING BUSINESS WITH US. I CANNOT GUARANTEE THIS DONATION WILL BE THERE IF WE CUT THE BUDGET RIGHT AFTER SHE GIVES IT. THIS IS THE WRONG COURSE OF ACTION. IF WE WANTED TO LOOK AT THIS I AM ALL ABOUT THAT. I BROUGHT FORTH A LIST OF THINGS TO LOOK AT, THINGS WE CAN REDUCE, THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM. [00:30:05] THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE HELD SACRED. >> I'M NOT SAYING THAT WE PUT IT IN CONTINGENCY I'M SAYING WE WOULD JUST REMOVE IT FROM THE LINEUP BECAUSE IT FILLED THE NEED, LAST YEAR YOU WERE WILLING TO TAKE THE MONEY TO FUND THIS, $140,000. NOT DON'T DOUBT WE CAN SPEND ALL OF THE MONEY I THINK THAT IS A GREAT THING I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE BECAUSE I WANT TO DO IT RIGHT BUT I THINK $800,000,. >> THE $300,000 OUR FOURTH THE 500,000-DOLLAR DONATIONS. VERY GENEROUS AND THOUGHTFUL DONATION. SO IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT AND DO SOMETHING ELSE, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT SO WE KEEP IT THE SAME, AND WE TAKE THE $300,000 AND WE COME UP WITH WHAT WE WILL SPEND IT ON LATER. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. 0 PROBLEM. THAT IS A GREAT IDEA. I LIKE THAT IDEA, THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME UNDERSTAND THAT. >> IF I COULD JUST RESPOND. >> IN THIS CASE, THAT IS WHAT I AM SAYING. HE NEEDS TO STAY WITHIN THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT. WE NEED TO KEEP IT IN THERE. IN FACT, IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE BECAUSE THREE OR FOUR MONTHS FROM NOW, WHEN WE NEED X, Y OR Z IT WOULD BE A GREAT TRANSFER AND WE COULD. THIS. THERE ARE PLACES TO CUT TAXES, BUT THIS IS NOT THE PLACE TO CUT TAXES. THIS IS THE PLACE TO KEEP IT THERE. >> COMMISSIONER ROSS. >> I HAVE NO PROBLEM KEEPING IT FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT. A LONG LIST OF THINGS THAT NEED HELP. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT, NOR DID I EVER. THE $300,000 WASN'T REALLY TAKEN OUT OF THE BUDGET, I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO KEEP IT PARKS AND REC. AND I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT. WE HAVE A LONG LIST OF THINGS THAT NEED FIXING, A LONG LIST. SO WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT THING ON THE LIST. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT. >> SO IF I CAN WRAP THIS UP. WOULD YOU PLEASE RETURN THE $300,000 BACK INTO THE BUDGET. WE CAN DISCUSS IT WHEN WE FINALIZE THE BUDGET. >> THAT IS GOOD. >> VICE MAYOR. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE A BUDGET STATEMENT. MIGHT TAXES ARE GOING DOWN $3 NEXT YEAR. WHICH IS KIND OF INTERESTING. MY ASSUMPTION OF THIS BUDGET, THIS IS THE BUDGET THAT THE CITY MANAGER DEVELOP THAT IS PART OF THE CITY'S OPERATION. AND THAT SUPPORT, INCLUDES ALL OF THE VARIOUS FUNCTIONS OF CODE ENFORCEMENT, CODE COMPLIANCE, ET CETERA. THAT BEING SAID, I WOULD LIKE IF IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THESE BE PUT ON THE CHANNEL BECAUSE THEY ARE IMPORTANT ESPECIALLY THIS ONE AND THE NEXT ONE. I WASN'T GOING TO COMMENT ON THE $300,000 BUT I WILL BECAUSE IF YOU REMEMBER, WE PUSH BACK. THERE WAS AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR SOMETHING WE AGREED TO DO THROUGH THE VARIOUS FUNCTIONS IF THAT IS WHERE HE GOES. THAT IS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT WHICH WE SHOULD NOT HAVE PUSH BACK ON ANYWAYS. THAT BEING SAID, I SUPPORT THE BUDGET THE WAY IT IS AND THE SAPS RECOMMENDATION, AND LIKE I SAID MY TAXES HAVE GONE DOWN $3, THAT IS PRETTY GOOD. >> THANK YOU SIR. COMMISSIONER STURGIS. >> I AM SURE ALL OF YOU KNOW THIS EXISTS BUT I FEEL AS I'M IN [00:35:05] THIS POSITION EVEN THOUGH HAVE ONLY BEEN HERE TWO YEARS, I FEEL VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT ALBERT CITY. AS A LIFELONG RESIDENT I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT THE CITY AND THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH. I.E., SLEEP AND BREATHE IT AND LOVE IT. BUT ONE THING NO ONE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT STRIPPING HEALTH INSURANCE FROM THE CITY COMMISSIONERS. MIKE YOU HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, I CURRENTLY HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE. WITH THAT BUSINESS, IT IS EIGHT $10,000 BENEFIT TO THE CITY COMMISSIONERS SALARY. YOU ADD THAT IN AND IT MAKES THIS POSITION WORTH $22,000 PER YEAR. BECAUSE OF INSURANCE REASONS AND THEY SAY WE ARE NOT FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES, WE ARE NOW STRIPPING THAT OUT. NOBODY ELSE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT IT BUT ME. I WILL MAKE MY STATEMENT IF I'M THE LONE ISLAND, THAT IS FINE. I THINK IT IS A TRAGEDY WE ARE STRIPPING THIS DOWN TO $12,000 IT WILL MAKE WHILE BECOMING FLUENT PEOPLE ARE RETIREES, THE ABILITY TO HOLD THIS POSITION WITH NO PROBLEMS. I TRULY FEEL WE SHOULD PUT 4-$6,000 BACK INTO THE BUDGET. THAT MAKES PRETTY SIMPLE MATH TO ME. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF CANDIDATES WHO ARE WORKING FOLKS THAT ARE RUNNING FOR THIS POSITION AND I AM SURE THEY WOULD LIKE THE MONEY. AND I PROMISE YOU WHEN I GO INTO PUBLIX GROCERY STORE, AND I TAKE 5-10 E-MAILS PER DAY, AND ANYWHERE THAT I GO, I AM ALL ABOUT THE CITY OF FERNANDINA. MY STATEMENT IS I THINK IT IS A TRAVESTY AND IF WE ARE NOT GOING TO ENTERTAIN IT IN THIS BUDGETS SESSION WE SHOULD IN THE NEXT. I FEEL, I'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK AND I HAVE FOR BUSINESSES, I DO KNOW HOW MUCH TIME AND EFFORT IT REQUIRES I THINK WE SHOULD CONSIDER IT IF NOT NOW BUT IN THE FUTURE TO PUT MONEY BACK INTO THIS POSITION IF WERE TAKING HEALTH INSURANCE AWAY. IT HAS BEEN IN THIS POSITION 15-20 YEARS. I UNDERSTAND THE LEGALITY OF IT. I UNDERSTAND ALL OF IT. I JUST WANT TO SAY I THINK IT IS A TRAVESTY THAT WE ARE STRIPPING THIS POSITION DOWN TO $12,000 PER YEAR END MAKING IT ONLY FOR AFFLUENT, WEALTHY PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO HOLD THIS POSITION BECAUSE THEY WILL HAVE THE TIME, ENERGY AND THE EFFORT. THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY. >> I'M SORRY VICE MAYOR. >> I AM JUST FINISHING MY SEVENTH YEAR. PRIOR TO THAT I DID SIX YEARS WITH PLANNED ADVISORY PUTTING IN TIME AND HOURS. I DON'T DISAGREE THAT HEALTH INSURANCE MIGHT BE BENEFICIAL. I ALWAYS THOUGHT IF YOU WANTED HEALTH INSURANCE BECAME OUT OF YOUR $12,000 BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE. I WILL TELL YOU, IF YOU WANT TO SERVE YOU SERVE. WE HAVE SEVEN CANDIDATES WHO DID STEP UP, I AM NOT OPPOSED TO THAT. $1,000 PER MONTH FOR CITY COMMISSIONER IF YOU LOOK AROUND THE REAL WORLD, THAT IS REALLY PENNIES. I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT, THE SALARIES AND INSURANCE. I DON'T THINK IT HINDERS CANDIDATES STEPPING FORWARD EVERYONE WHO SERVE DON'T SERVE BECAUSE THEY ARE AFFLUENT THEY SERVE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SERVE. >> YOU THINK THE SALARY SHOULD BE INCREASED I SAY THAT SHOULD BE BROUGHT UP IN THE FOLLOWING MONTHS AT THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE. BACK WHERE YOU ARE NOT GIVING YOURSELF A RAISE, WHICH, WE ALL KNEW THE DEAL GETTING INTO THIS I ASSUME EVERYONE DO THE DEAL. [00:40:17] >> MR. STURGIS. >> IT'S NOT A SALARY INCREASE IT IS A DECREASE. YOU'RE TAKING IT FROM $22,000 THROUGH SPECTRAL VALVES ALSO. ITS NOT A SALARY. I DID NOT ACCEPT IT. I DON'T NEED THE MONEY I'M THINK YOU ARE STRIPPING THIS POSITION. EVERYONE ELSE RECEIVES RAISES. I DON'T NEED THE MONEY. I'M EXPLAINING TO YOU THE POSITION NEEDS THE MONEY, AND I FEEL ADAMANT THAT IT DOES NEED THE MONEY. IF YOU ARE GOING TO STRIP $10,000 OUT, PUT SOMETHING BACK, PUT 4-$6,000 BACK SO THE PERSON WHO DOES THIS POSITION WILL GET COMPENSATED SOMETHING FOR THEIR TIME. THAT IS ALL I AM SAYING. >> TWO OF US ARE COMPENSATED $12,000 AND WE ALL AGREED TO SERVE, AND THAT -- I'M NOT GOING TO TALK ANYMORE ABOUT THIS. WE CAN CERTAILY BRING IT UP AT CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS WE CAN CERTAINLY DISCUSS IT. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR DISCUSSION ON THE BUDGET? >> COMMISSIONER ROSS. >> I RECENTLY INTERVIEWED A CANDIDATE ON YOUR WEBSITE AND I THINK YOU HAVE A GREAT WEBSITE. AND THEY HE HAS NEVER VOTED FOR A TAX INCREASE AND HE WAS THE ONLY VOTE AGAINST THE INCREASE IN YOUR TAXES FOR FOR ONE. HE COMES WITH SOLUTIONS ON HOW TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. SEEK HELP ME UNDERSTAND, WHERE, AS THE VICE MAYOR POINTED OUT, -- HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAME UP WITH THE NUMBER OF 12%. >> NOW YOU ARE INTO NON- BUDGET DISCUSSIONS. YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT COMMISSIONER STATEMENTS. >> WELL I CAN PHRASE IT DIFFERENTLY. OUR WE INCREASING THE BUDGET BY 12%. >> IT WAS ANNOUNCED, IT IS 11.8%. >> WHAT WASN'T IT, WHAT DOES THAT REALLY MEAN? I WILL EXPLAIN IT. >> >> THIS IS RELATED STRICTLY TO THE MILITARY NOT REVENUES. THE ROLLBACK RATE WAS 4.7 AND SOME CHANGE, THIS IS AN 11.7% INCREASE OVER THE ROLLBACK AND A CLASSIFIEDS IT'S A TAX INCREASE BECAUSE IT IS 11% HIGHER. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE -- >> IN THE POLITICAL WORLD YOU COULD SAY TAXES WENT UP 12%. >> I WOULD DISAGREE AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT. I WOULD AGREE THERE IS A TAX INCREASE BUT ALL TAX INCREASES ARE TAXED. WHEN THEY ARE APPLIED, AND NONE -- I THINK IT IS DISINGENUOUS TO THINK THERE WAS A 12% INCREASE. MINE WENT UP FOR A NAP PERCENT. HIS WENT DOWN $3. ONE THERE TAX RATE STAYED THE SAME ANOTHER ONE, IT WENT $147, SO, IT IS DISINGENUOUS TO SAY ACROSS THE BOARD THERE WAS A 12% TAX INCREASE, THAT WAS MY ONLY POINT. >> I FAILED TO RECOGNIZE HOW [00:45:03] THIS MOVES FORWARD WHAT WE WILL ADAPT. >> IT'S NOT THE WORLD OF POLITICS, IT IS DEFINED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA THAT IT IS A TAX INCREASE. IT IS -- THAT IS THE DEFINITION. FRANKLY, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU WE POINT OUT ALL OF THESE ARE CAP. WHEN I STARTED THE BUDGET WORKSHOP I BROUGHT UP THE FACT THAT YOU CAN CHECK THE SENSES ON THIS. THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE WITHIN FERNANDINA BEACH THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. >> IS NOT ME THAT MADE UP THE NUMBER MY BUDGET IS FAST-TRACK THAT IS THE TAX INCREASE, AND THAT IS WHAT WE PASS ALONG TO THE PEOPLE. AND IF YOU HAVE ANY. >> 'S I'M NOT DISPUTING THE TAXES WENT UP. BUT I WILL.OUT TO YOU, THAT WE ALL AGREE WE HAVE TO GROW AND ENHANCE OUR PARKS AND RECREATIONAL SPACES. WE HAVE TO KEEP THE AREA CLEAN AND WE HAVE TO PROTECT THE TREES AND ENVIRONMENT. EVERYONE OF US VOTED AND AGREE WE NEED TO INCREASE THE WAGES OF THE WORKERS IN THE CITY. THAT IS ABOUT EIGHT TO MILLION DOLLAR BILL. I WILL INSIST TO YOU IF WE GO BACK TO THE ROLLBACK RATE WHICH IS NO TAX INCREASE WHICH IS WHAT YOU ARE ADVOCATING ON ME UP TO PUT UP WITH A BUDGET CUT. NOT ONE OF YOU HAVE COME UP WITH $1.8 MILLION IN BUDGET CUTS. IF YOU COME UP WITH 148 MAIN DOLLARS WORTH OF BUDGET CUTS THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO PUT ON THE LINE THEN I WILL CONSIDER GOING BACK TO THE ROLLBACK RATE. >> I DON'T AGREED EVENT. >> IT WAS OVER $1 MILLION WORTH OF ITEMS ON THE LIST, I DID BRING THIS I HAVE QUESTIONS ON THINGS THAT CAN BE STREAMLINED, SO I HAVE TO BRING WOULD YOU AGREE WITH. THAT IS THE KICKER. THAT IS THE KEY. IT IS NOT ABOUT ME FINDING SOMETHING I AM WILLIN TO DO IT IS SOMETHING YOU WILL AGREE TO. I'M OKAY. >> A VERY BRIEFLY MAYOR, I WAS WILLING TO, AND WE WERE WILLING EARLIER TO DEDUCT BUT YOU WANT TO KEEP THE $300,000. I WILL JUST SAY THIS, I WAS WILLING TO CUT BACK AND LOOK AT CUTTING A COUPLE OF HUNDRED THOUSAND SOMEWHERE ELSE. THAT WAY I COULD GO CAP OF A MILLION, INSTEAD OF GOING TO BE ADJUSTED ROLLBACK RATE. BUT THE FACT THAT YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO BUDGE ON THE $300,000 MAKES ME FEEL I NEED TO STAY WITH WHAT WE GOT. THAT IS HOW I HAVE TO FEEL WITH THIS ONE. I WAS WILLING TO MAKE SACRIFICES BUT WE DID GO OVER, SOME OF THEM I DID NOT AGREE WITH. [00:50:07] SOME I THOUGHT WE COULD HAVE TAKEN MONEY WITH. THAT IS IT, THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY. >> THIS IS BOOK FIRST YEAR THAT WE HAD A LEGITIMATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN WHICH INCLUDED A LOT OF COSTS THAT WERE DEFERRED. THAT WAS MY DECISION TO MOVE WITH THE WAY TO MOVE FORWARD. WE DON'T NEED TO CONTINUALLY CUT AND DEFER MAINTENANCE. WE ARE ALREADY A LITTLE BIT BEHIND. WHEN YOU BRING IN THE ISSUE OF THE PAY RAISES WHICH WERE DESERVED AND NECESSARY TO KEEP STAFF, I THINK THIS IS WHERE WE NEED TO DO -- BE BASED ON THE BUDGET SUBMITTED. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? WE AGREED TO PUT THE 300 DOLLARS BACK IN THE PARK AND REC BUDGET. WE WILL VOTE IN TWO WEEKS, IS THAT CORRECT? >> ANY OTHER BUDGET ISSUES? I SEE NONE. THE BUDGET WORKSHOP IS ADJOURNED. THE REGULAR MEETI * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.