[00:00:22]
THANK YOU FOR MAINTAINING SOCIAL DISTANCING AND WEARING A MASK.
I WANT TO WELCOME MR. STURGIS? ANYONE ELSE I MISSED.
THIS PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE MILLAGE RATE.
[4.1 Statement regarding the percentage increase in Millage over the rolledback 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 II. Millage rate for voter approved debt]
THIS IS ITEM 4.1. MILLAGE RATE OF THE ROLL BACK RACE NECESSARY TO FUND THE BUDGET SPECIFIC PURPOSE FORKED A VALOREM TAX REVENUES ARE BEING INCREASED.MISS CITY ATTORNEY. >> THE TRUTH AND MILLAGE STATEMENT FOR 2020-2021. PRIOR TO ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION WHICH SET THE PROPERTY TAX FOR OPERATING EXPENDITURES AND SETS THE MILLAGE RATE. CHAPTER 200.065 SUB-H FLORIDA STATUTE RAE CHOIRS THAT THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT BE PUBLICALLY ANNOUNCED. THE TAXING AUTHORITY LEVYING THIS PROPERTY TABS IS THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH. THE ROLL BACK RATE IS 5.2977MILLS PER $1,000 OF ASSESSED VALUE.
THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE IS 3.22% OVER THE ROLL BACK MILLAGE RATE.
THE OPERATING MILLAGE RATE TO BE LEVIED IS 5.463 SFAIS MILLS PER
1,000 OF ASSESS VALUE. >> THANK YOU.
[4.2 FY 2020/2021 Budget]
>> OKAY. 4.2 FISCAL YEAR 2021 BUDGET DISCUSSION I WILL VOTE ON THE FLOOR FROM COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION. THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY PUBLIC COMMENT OF WHICH I HAVE FOUR SO FAR.
VICE CHAIR. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED SIR.
>> WHEN THE MILLAGE RATE WAS PASSED.
THE COMMENTS MADE WE COULD GO LOWER.
AND AS YOU KNOW I RECOMMEND THAT WE GO THE FULL ROLL BACK RATE.
TONIGHT I LOOKED AT THE BUDGET. I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO REMOVE 468,942 TO GO TO ROLL BACK. IF WE GET THE CAP IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND FEEL THAT WITH WE REMOVE 590,000 WITHOUT ADDING NEGATIVE IMPACT ON EQUIPMENT. AND SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND INCLUDING 250,000 FOR THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY POLLS ON NORTH FRONT STREET. AS YOU REMEMBER THAT WAS IN LAST YEAR. AND IT WAS IN AS SAFETY AND REGULATORY THING. IT'S NOT SAFETY OR REGULATORY.
IT'S JUST AESTHETIC THING. MORE LIKELY BASED ON WHAT FAU IS SAYING. WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET THE PROBABLY FOR NOTHING ANYWAYS. AND IT WILL GO TO RATE PAYERS.
REMOVE 10,000 FOR IMMEDIATE TRAIL THAT'S A NONPROFIT THEY COULD RAISE THE MONEY TO DO THEIR OWN SURVEY.
WE'RE NOT SUGAR DADDY FOR EVERYBODY AROUND.
I REMOVE THE SAME EQUIPMENT FOR 30,000 WHICH WAS NEVER IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. ALL OF A SUDDEN SHOWED UP.
THAT WOULD PUT 490,000 SAVINGS FOR DEBT.
AND WE COULD GO TO FULL ROLL BACK.
I HAVE SOME OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS OF STAFF SINCE 2018, WE INCREASE STAFFING BY 33 FULL-TIME PEOPLE.
AND FIVE PART TIME PEOPLE. WE WERE KIND OF OUT GREAT DEPRESSION. I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT.
I THINK THERE'S ONLY FOUR POSITIONS.
THE ONE POSITION THAT I'M QUESTIONING AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADD CLARIFICATION THE PLANNING POSITION THE TEMPORARY
PLANNING -- WAS THAT TEMPORARY? >> THAT WAS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED TO BE IN THE CITY MANAGER'S DEPARTMENT TO OVERSEE THE PROJECT OF REDOING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. THAT WAS -- THAT'S CURRENTLY INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET. BASED UPON DISCUSSION WITH MOST OF YOU, THERE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE DIRECTION TO SUPPORT THAT POSITION BUT THAT WILL BE A DISCUSSION THAT'S HELD WITH THE PAB HOW THEY RECOMMEND PROCEEDING WITH THE PLAN.
>> THE MONEY WOULD BE ROLLED INTO THAT.
>> THAT EXPENDITURE. BY THE TIME YOU FACTOR IN SALARY RATE AND THE OTHER RELATED BENEFITS SUCH AS SOCIAL SECURITY, WORKERS COMP AND ALL THAT IT'S APPROXIMATELY $90,000.
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WHAT WE CALL ON THE DEPUTY MANAGER IS UTULLITY MANAGER.>> THAT'S REPLACEMENT AS CITY ENGINEER WHO LEADS THE UTILITY
DEPARTMENT. >> THAT'S MY COMMENTS, SIR.
>> THANK YOU. >> FROM THE OUTSET AND AS FAR BACK A AT THE BEGINNING OFCOID. I HAVE BEEN PREACHING ABOUT NONESSENTIAL SPENDING BECAUSE OF THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC. WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT FINANCIAL IMPACT IN THREE WEEKS. TWO MAJOR AIRLINES COMBINED ARE GOING TO LAY OFF 35,000 PEOPLE. 35,000.
THE LAST CITY COMMISSION MEETING I TALKED MGM INTERNATIONAL.
WHO ANNOUNCED THEY WILL LAY OFF 18,000.
THAT'S 53,000 PEOPLE, THREE COMPANIES.
IN THREE WEEKS. THINK OF ALL THESE OTHER MAJOR COMPANIES AND WHAT THEY WILL DO WHEN THE FEDERAL FUNDING EXPIRES. AND BECAUSE OF THAT, EYE BEEN PREACHING TO BE PRUDENT WITH TAX PAYER ASSETS.
I SUPPORT THE ROLL BACK RATE. THAT'S WHY AND ALL AGREE WITH VICE MAYOR KEGLER WE CAN SAVE 250,000 ON THAT UTILITY POLE RELOCATIONS. WE CAN SAVE 225,000 FROM THIS FEE. THE REALITY OF ADDITIONAL MORING FIELD WHEN THIS CAME UP AT ADVISORY BOARD FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS AGO. YOUR RATE -- YOUR RETURN ON INVESTMENT ON THAT WOULD BE 15 TO 20 YEARS TO GET YOUR MONEY BACK. 15 TO 20 YEARS ON A $225,000 INVESTMENT. WHY DO THAT? BETWEEN THE UTILITY POLES AND THE MORING FEELS THAT'S THE GAP THAT KREGER REFERRED TO. AND I BEG ANYONE TO ARGUE THAT THOSE ARE BOTH ESSENTIAL ITEMS TO THIS CITY RUNNING PROPERLY.
THEY ARE NONESSENTIAL. 85,000 FOR THE COLUMBARIUM.
1.2 MILLION PROJECT PHASE ONE IS $283,000.
WHY SPEND THAT $85,000? BETWEEN THOSE ITEMS YOU CAN EASILY GO TO THE ROLL BACK RATE SO WE KNOW WHERE WE ARE WHEN THIS FEDERAL FUNDING ENDS AND WE HIT THIS FINANCIAL PRECIPACE.
THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO GO TO ROLL BACK RATE.
NONE OF THIS OTHER BUSINESS. LET'S GET REAL HERE.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> SEEING NO FURTHER LIGHT I WILL CALL ON THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS.
MISS VICKI TURNER. >> I WILL GIVE YOU TIME TO GET UP FRONT. VICKI TURNER 211 SOUTH WOLF
BEACH FERNANDINA FLORIDA. >>IST HERE LAST YEAR ASKING YOU NOT TO RAISE OUR TAXES. MY PERSONAL TAXES ARE UP FOR DISCUSSION. PUBLIC DISCUSSION.
THEY ARE NOT. I'M JUST HERE TO SAY AS I'VE BEEN READING IN THE PAPER OUR SILENCE MEANS YOU THINK WE ACCEPT EVERYTHING YOU ALL DO. AND THAT WE'RE OKAY WITH YOU ALL RAISING TAXES. I'M HERE TO SAY I AM NOT OKAY WITH THAT. AND I WOULD ASK YOU TO DO THE ROLL BACK RATE AND TAKE OUT THE NONESSENTIAL ITEMS AND BE CONSIDERATE OF OUR SMALL CITY TAX PAYING BASE.
IT'S NOT BIG. AND YOU CAN'T KEEP GETTING OUT OF TARNUP. OUR CITY TAX BASE CAN'T SUPPORT THE ISLAND. BECAUSE THE WHOLE ILANT DOES NOT PAY CITY TAXES. I ASK ONCE AGAIN PLEASE DO THE ROLL BACK ATE. WE'RE IN PANDEMIC.
ECONOMIC DOWNTURN AND THINGS ARE NOT LOOKING GOOD FOR THE FUTURE.
AND WE NEED SOME RELIEF AS TAX PAYERS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.
[00:10:01]
>> MR. DAVID STURGIS. >> GOOD EVENING.
DAVID STURGIS. I THINK VICKI EXPLAINED IT PRETTY WELL. I'M JUST GOING TO SECOND HER COMMENTS AND SAY WE REALLY NEED TO GO TO ROLL BACK RATE.
I THINK LYNN HAS SOME GREAT IDEAS.
MIKE DOES AS WELL. ISN'T HAVEN'T HEARD EVERYBODY'S IDEAS. I'VE SPOKEN TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.
I TALK MORE THAN I NORMALLY TALK WHEN I'M DOING THINGS I'M DOING.
WHEN I'M OUT THERE TALKING TO PEOPLE.
THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE ON FIXED INCOME AND THEY TOOK ON A GREAT POINT. WE HAVE A LOW OF AMENITY.
WE'RE COUNTY AND CITY. UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE NOT GETTING ALL THOSE TAX DOLLARS IN THE CITY.
BUT PLEASE GO BACK TO ROLL BACK RATE AND STAY THERE BECAUSE THE EFFECTS OF COVID ARE YET TO COME.
WE HAVEN'T SEEN THEM. BUT WE WILL.
IN MY BUSINESS, THINGS HAVE ALMOST DOUBLED.
IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS. SO HOLD ON IF YOU EVER WANT TO BUILD OR DO NEW CONSTRUCTION OR REMODEL.
DOESN'T REALLY MATTER WHAT IT, IF YOU TOUCH IT, IT WILL COST A LOT MORE. THANK YOU.
AND PLEASED TO GO TO THE ROLL BACK RATE.
>> THANK YOU. >> MR. PAUL MORING.
>> HIS GOOD AFTERNOON. 2794 LAURA DRIVE, FERNANDINA BEACH, FLORIDA. I HOPE THIS IS APPROPRIATE CONVERSATION. MINE IS REALLY MORE AS A BUDGET ITEM. I HAVE TWO THINGS I ADVOCATE FOR. STANDING HERE AT THE PO YUM TODAY A CASE WE APPLIED FOR THROUGH THE HOME TEAM.
IT'S ALL VETERAN OCEAN ROW TEAM. I DEFINITELY UNDERSTAND THE SENSITIVITY THAT I WILL TELL YOU THAT YOU ALL ABOUT COVID.
AND ASKING FOR MONEY DURING THE TIME WHERE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CUTTING BACK MONEY DURING NONESSENTIAL TIME.
I WOULD ASK EACH COMMISSION AND THE STAFF AND WHY WE ROW ACROSS THE OCEAN THAT'S TO RAISE AWARENESS AND DENATIONS TO ELIMINATE VETERAN SUICIDE. IT'S A HUGE PANDEMIC.
NOT ONLY IN OUR STATE. BUT OVERALL IN THE NATION.
AND I THINK WE'RE TAKING ON A PRETTY HUGE TASK AND REPRESENTING THE CITY. ANOTHER KEY POINT IF YOU WOULD IN CONSIDER IMAGE THE PROPOSALS. THE FOUR FROM HOME TEAM.
WE OFFICIAL POSITION WHERE WE PARTNERED NOW WITH COST ALIGN YOUNG NONPROFIT HERE RIGHT IN THE CITY OF FERNANDINA.
MYSELF AND MY FRIEND STARTED THAT NONPROFIT.
OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS WE RAISED OVER 24,000 IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. WE'VE PARTNERED WITH CANINE FOYERS. AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT TIMES OF LIMITED RESOURCES, THEY ARE REALLY HELPING VETERAN OUT PARING UP DOGS. THEY HAVE 99% SUCCESS RATE IN SAVING LIVES AND PARING CANINES WITH VETERANS.
THAT'S WHERE WE ARE ROOTING FOR. THE LAST ONE IS ACTUALLY ORGANIZATION THAT STARTED THROUGH MULTIPLE COUNTIES CLAY COUNTY IS CALLED THE FIRE WATCH. THEY ARE A GROUP THAT ARE JUST NOW SETTING PEER VETERANS UP WITH OUR COUNTY AND OTHER COUNTIES TO RUN PEER-TO-PEER COUNSELING AND PEER-TO-PEER RESOURCES. THAT'S WHO WE DUMP THE BOAT IN THE OCEAN FOR. WE'RE ROWING FOR VETERANS NATIONWIDE. I WOULD ASK ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS WHEN YOU ARE REVIEWING GRANTS, DURING THE TIME OF COVID I HAVE THAT BUSINESSES.
THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO HAVE DURING A TIME LIKE THIS.
BUT WE HAVE CHOSEN TO KEEP PUSHING FOR WE'REED I -- BACK.
WE WILL GO BACK TO SINCE OF NORMALCY.
WE WILL GO BACK. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND
RECONSIDERATION. >> MISS PATTY CLIFFORD.
>> PATTY CLIFFORD 1747 AZALEA STREET.
JACK CAN'T BE HERE. HE HAS A FAMILY EMERGENCY.
[00:15:02]
I'M HERE TO LET YOU KNOW PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THE BUDGET AND HOW THE CITY CONDUCTS BUSINESS. MANY OF MY NEIGHBORS HAVE COME UP TO ME AND THANKED ME FOR CHALLENGING CITY TAXES AND SPENDING. I ALSO HAVE THE SUPPORT FROM MORE THAN 30 COMMITTED MEMBER OF COMMON SENSE AND FACEBOOK FOLLOWER. DISAPPOINTED DOESN'T BEGIN WHAT I SEE THE REVISED 2021 BUDGET PROPOSAL AND CITY COMMISSIONER ERESPONSES. NO BUN WHEN THE CITY MANAGER REPORTED MISSING STATE SHARED REVENUE ESTIMATES BY ALMOST $9HUNDRED,000. >> TO ME THIS DEMONSTRATES THE ZERO YOUNESS ON OUR STATE AND LOCAL ECONOMY.
INSTEAD -- CLOSELY EXAMINING PERSONAL FOR EXAMPLE THE NEW PROPOSED BUDGET EATS AWAY AT GENERAL FUND RESERVES ALL THE WHILE MAINTAINING SPEND, SPEND, SPEND.
THIS IS UNSUSTAINABLE. IT'S NOT IN THE SPIRIT OF THE ROLL BACK RATE LIVING WITHIN YOUR MEANS.
BY USING UP RESERVES THE CITY IS EATING OFF THE SHELVES.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT YEAR WHEN THE REVENUE AND RESERVES AREN'T ENOUGH TO SUPPORT SPEND SPEND SPEND.
I KNOW YOU WILL IMPROVE THE BUDGET.
I HAVE NO SENSE IN ATTENDING THE SECOND BUDGET HEARING.
THANK YOU. >> THAT INCLUDES SPEAKERS.
IF YOU COULD SPEAK AND ATTEND GIVE THE SHEET TO BETH.
RON BOREL, 2735 OCEAN OAKS DRIVE NORTH.
BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THE MORE VOICES YOU HEAR, PERHAPS THAT CHANGES VIEWPOINTS. I JUST WANT TO ECHO WHAT MR. STURGIS, WHAT PATTY AND OTHERS HAVE SAID.
I SUPPORT THE ROLL BACK RATE THE FULL ROLL BACK RATE.
I DO -- IF YOU HAVE IT A LITTLE BIT TO GIVE TO THE ROWING ACROSS THE OCEAN. I THINK THAT'S A GREAT CAUSE AS WELL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> ANYONE ELSE? YES MA'AM. IF YOU COULD GIVE THE SHEET.
>> I AM HERE TO SUPPORT PATTY AND THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE COMPLAINING VEHEMENTLY ABOUT THE IDEA THAT WE CANNOT LIVE WITHIN OUR BUDGET ALTERNATE THIS ISLAND AT A TIME LIKE THIS.
I LIVE WITH WITHIN MY BUDGET. I ACTUALLY LIVE UNDER MY MEANS.
AND I THINK IT'S APPALLING AT A TIME LIKE THIS THAT THIS CITY COMMISSIONER THESE GROUP OF CITY COMMISSIONERS, WOULD IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM JEOPARDIZE THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THIS ISLAND. I'M SORRY GENTLEMEN.
I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD ONE MINUTE EXTRA.
WE SHOULD SAVE MONEY FOR RAINY DADE.
WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE NEAR FUTURE MORE THAN LIKELY FOR ISSUES THAT WE HAD NOT SEEN COMING.
AND WE NEED TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR. IF WE HAVE MONEY NEXT YEAR TO DO ALL THESE PROJECTS THAT EVERYBODY WOULD LOVE TO HAVE DONE. LET'S GO AND VISIT THEM NEXT YEAR. BUT LET'S PULL OUR BELTS IN.
AND LIVE FRUGILEY. >> ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. ANYBODY ELSE?
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.