[00:00:05]
>> WELL, WE'RE ALL HERE, AND WE'RE A LITTLE BIT EARLY, BUT I'M SURE WE'LL BE FINE.
JUST TO KEEP THINGS MOVING, WE ARE AT THE 2025 PROPOSED BUDGET.
>> DO I NEED TO DO ROLL CALL AND PUBLIC COMMENT? THEN I AM READY TO JUMP IN WHENEVER YOU ARE.
>> LET'S FOLLOW AN AGENDA. THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
I DON'T HAVE AN AGENDA, BUT WE CAN WING IT.
MADAM CLERK, THIS MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER.
[1. Call to Order]
WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?>> ALL RIGHT. THE COMMENTS COMING.
[INAUDIBLE] THAT'S INTERESTING.
THE FIRST ITEM WE HAVE IS GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[2. General Public Comments]
WE WILL BE OPENING PUBLIC COMMENT NOW.IF YOU WOULD PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM, YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS DEVONA BELL, AND MY ADDRESS IS 38 FULLER WOOD DRIVE.
I AM VERY PLEASED TO BE HERE AND TALK TO YOU ALL.
I'VE SENT MOST OF YOU AN EMAIL AND GOT RESPONSES FROM A COUPLE OF YOU AND ACTUALLY TALKED TO A COUPLE OF YOU ONE IN-PERSON AND ONE ON THE PHONE, AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR TIME.
I AM HERE BECAUSE I THINK WE ALL KNOW WE HAVE EXTREMELY HIGH INFLATION IN OUR COUNTRY WE ARE DEALING WITH.
IT IS PUTTING MASSIVE PRESSURE ON THE MIDDLE CLASS.
I'M A SINGLE MOM. I'M A NON-PROFIT WORKER.
I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FINALLY MOVE BACK TO ST. AUGUSTINE AFTER LIVING HERE 20 YEARS AGO.
ABOUT 12 YEARS AGO, MY KIDS WERE BORN HERE.
I HAVE FAMILY HERE. THIS HAS BEEN HOME TO ME FOR A LONG TIME, BUT WORK TOOK ME AWAY.
I AM STRUGGLING WITH THE MASSIVE PROPERTY TAXES THAT I'M HAVING TO PAY, $9,000 THIS YEAR.
THREE AND A HALF THOUSAND DOLLARS IS FROM THE CITY.
WHEN I RECEIVED SOME INPUT, I RECEIVED INPUT THAT WE HAVEN'T RAISED OUR MILLAGE RATES.
WHILE THAT'S TECHNICALLY TRUE, ACTUALLY, THOUGH, IF YOU LOOK AT THE FACT THAT THE PANDEMIC DROVE MASSIVE MIGRATION AND REALLY HAD HOUSING PRICES SOARING, IT'S CAUSED THE BASE TO GO UP.
WHEN IN FACT, YOUR BUDGET CELEBRATES THE FACT THAT $2.3 MILLION MORE ARE COMING FROM CITIZENS' TAXES.
OUR PROPERTY TAXES HAVE GONE UP INCREDIBLY.
I'M HERE TO ASK THE CITY TO THINK ABOUT STANDING UP FOR MIDDLE CLASS AMERICANS, MIDDLE CLASS FLORIDIANS THAT WANT TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES AND NOT BE PRICED OUT.
PLEASE CONSIDER ROLLING BACK THE MILLAGE RATES.
YOU'RE MAKING QUITE A BIT MORE ON TAXES FROM US EACH YEAR, SO THEN, IN FACT, THE TAXES ARE GOING UP.
PLEASE THINK ABOUT HOW HARD IT IS FOR US TO GET BY WITH THIS TERRIBLE INFLATIONARY PRESSURE AND THE STATE OF OUR ECONOMY.
INSTEAD OF CONTINUING TO RAISE OUR TAXES, AT LEAST HOLD THEM FIRM.
CONSIDER ROLLING BACK THE MILLAGE RATE TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY AND WHERE THE CITIZENS ARE TODAY AND WHAT THEY ARE FACING.
THE PROPERTY PRICES HAVE SKYROCKETED AND WITH THAT COMES ALONG OUR TAXES.
THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO SAY. I'D LIKE FOR YOU TO CONSIDER THIS.
I'D ALSO LIKE FOR YOU TO CONSIDER THAT IT IS VERY HARD FOR US WORKING PEOPLE THAT HAVE TO TAKE OFF WORK TO COME IN TO TALK TO YOU.
IT'S NOT POSSIBLE FOR MANY PEOPLE, AND SO YOU MAY NOT GET A LOT OF INPUT BECAUSE IT'S HARD FOR US TO COME DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY.
IT'S ALSO VERY LATE IN THE PROCESS AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE EVEN ABLE TO MAKE CHANGES, BUT I COMPEL YOU TO PLEASE TRY. THANK YOU.
ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK ABOUT THE CITY BUDGET THIS MORNING? PUBLIC COMMENT IS OPEN.
[00:05:01]
>> YES. INTO THE MICROPHONE, YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE.
>> DENISE THOMAS 1340 PRINCE ROAD, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TO THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
THAT'S MY FIRST TIME HERE, SO I ONLY HAVE THREE MINUTES.
ABOUT THIS RED COX LIGHTHOUSE.
WE USUALLY CALL IT TENNIS CENTRE LIGHTHOUSE.
IT'S A PLEASURE TO PLAY TENNIS, AND IT HAS BEEN RESURFACED.
YES, YOU'RE RIGHT, ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, WE HAD SO MANY HURRICANE.
CRACKS, LIKE I SAY, IT'S DANGEROUS.
I'M GLAD THAT THIS GENTLEMAN MENTIONED A $200,000 BUDGET. I DON'T KNOW.
I'M VERY HAPPY AFTER FOUR YEARS OF TRYING, I FINALLY GET THE CHANCE TO MEET WITH MR. SACRED AND I'M GLAD I'M HERE. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR COMING. ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK? NO ONE ELSE? ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS? SEEING NONE, HEARING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENTS IS CLOSED.
WE'LL MOVE ONTO THE 2025 BUDGET REVIEW AND DISCUSSION. MS. BRIDENSTINE.
[3. FY 2025 Budget Review & Discussion (M. Breidenstein, Assistant City Manager)]
>> YOU HAVE SOMEONE TO INTRODUCE?
>> YES. MY NAME IS MEREDITH BRIDENSTINE, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, AND I'LL BE GOING THROUGH THE BUDGET TODAY, BUT I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE SITTING NEXT TO ME, MELISSA BURNS, WHO IS OUR NEW FINANCE DIRECTOR.
SHE'S BEEN HERE ABOUT TWO WEEKS, SO I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE HER JUMP RIGHT IN AND PRESENT THE WHOLE BUDGET, BUT SHE'S HERE AND SHE'S A FACE YOU'LL BE SEEING MORE AND MORE, AND SHE HAS REALLY JUMPED RIGHT IN.
I JUST WANT TO INTRODUCE HER AND LET YOU KNOW WHY SHE'S HERE AT THE TABLE WITH US TODAY. WELCOME ABOARD.
>> WELCOME. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
>> BEFORE I BEGIN, IT LOOKS LIKE MY CASTING TO THE SCREEN IS NOT WORKING AT THE MOMENT.
YOU ALL HAVE YOUR BOOK IN FRONT OF YOU.
I WILL KEEP WORKING TO SEE IF I CAN GET THAT UP FOR THOSE IN THE ROOM.
WE DO HAVE BOOKS IN THE BACK, IF NEED BE, AND IT MAY COME BACK ON.
I WORK GREAT FOR JAMIE'S PRESENTATION, SO SURELY IT WILL RECONNECT FOR MINE.
[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.
WE'LL START WITH THE BUDGET BOOK THAT LOOKS SIMILAR TO THOSE YOU'VE SEEN IN THE PAST, STARTS WITH THE TABLE OF CONTENTS, OF COURSE, AND THEN WE HIGHLIGHT THE CITY STRATEGIC PLAN ON PAGE 1.
YOU ALL DO KNOW THAT AS WE'RE BUILDING THIS BUDGET, WE ARE ALWAYS GOING BACK TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT WHAT ITEMS ARE GOING TO GO INTO THE BUDGET.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE HAVE SEVERAL MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO GET HERE, SO THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S DONE IN ONE MEETING, ALTHOUGH THIS IS WHEN IT ALL COMES TOGETHER.
WE HAVE MET TO TALK ABOUT REVENUES.
WE TALKED ABOUT MILLAGE AT THAT TIME.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT UTILITY RATES, ALL OF THOSE ITEMS, AND THIS IS WHERE WE REALLY BRING IT ALL TOGETHER IN ONE DOCUMENT, BALANCING REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES.
THE FIRST FEW PAGES OF THE BUDGET BOOK, LOOK AT THE CITY BUDGET IN TOTAL.
THIS FIRST GRAPHIC WITH THE ARROWS ON IT ON PAGE 2 IS A QUICK SNAPSHOT OF WHAT IS CAUSING REVENUES TO GO UP OR EXPENDITURES TO GO DOWN, WHAT MAY BE UNCHANGED, AND WHAT MAY BE CAUSING EXPENDITURES TO GO UP, WHICH IS HARD ON THE BUDGET.
I'LL HIGHLIGHT A FEW THINGS, THE MILLAGE RATE IS STAYING AT 7.5 MILLS.
THAT MILLAGE RATE HAS BEEN 7.5 SINCE 2010.
THIS DOES RESULT IN 2.3 MILLION OF NET ADDITIONAL [INAUDIBLE] REVENUE.
THIS IS A COMBINATION OF NEW CONSTRUCTION AND INCREASED PROPERTY VALUES.
THAT'S NOT A NUMBER I HAVE RIGHT HERE, BUT WE CAN GET THAT FOR YOU SO Y'ALL CAN SEE THAT.
THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE BREAKS THAT OUT FOR US QUITE NICELY.
WE ARE INCREASING THE VISITOR INFORMATION FUND CENTER TRANSFER, THOSE REVENUES THAT WE HAVE BEEN CONTINUING TO USE
[00:10:02]
TO FUND OUR MOBILITY PROJECTS AND OUR MOBILITY DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT.WE PASSED RESOLUTIONS AT ONE OF OUR PREVIOUS MEETINGS FOR A 3% CPI INCREASE ON UTILITY RATES, STORMWATER RATES, SOLID WASTE RATES.
THIS BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES OUR RENTAL RATES INCREASING BY THE CPI OF 3%.
THERE ARE NO PROPOSALS FOR INCREASES IN PARKING GARAGE RATES, PARKING METER RATES, OR RESIDENT PARKING RATES.
WE IMPLEMENTED SOME PRETTY MAJOR CHANGES LAST BUDGET YEAR, AND WE REALLY WANT TO LET THAT CONTINUE SO WE CAN ANALYZE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE FOR OUR ENTIRE PARKING SYSTEM.
AS WE KNOW IN THE FUTURE, WE'LL ALSO HAVE THE BROUDY PARKING GARAGE, WHICH WILL BE PART OF THAT SYSTEM, SO WE LOOK AT IT AS A WHOLE.
SOME ITEMS IN THE RED ARROW, WE INCREASE THE PAVING BUDGET TO A TOTAL OF 850,000 THIS YEAR.
THIS BUDGET HAS 2.5 NEW POSITIONS.
THIS INCLUDES, AND I'LL EXPLAIN THE HALF FIRST BECAUSE THAT SOUNDS FUNNY, OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPECIALIST IS CURRENTLY PART-TIME.
WE'RE PROPOSING MOVING THAT POSITION TO FULL-TIME.
SHE'S BEEN DOING GREAT WORK WITH OUR DINING WITH DIGNITY AND WITH REALLY OUTREACH CONNECTING PEOPLE TO THE SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.
THE TWO OTHER NEW POSITIONS ARE A NEW CUSTODIAN.
THIS IS JUST TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND, AS YOU ALL KNOW.
ALSO A DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES, WHICH WILL BE OUR EEO OFFICER SPECIFICALLY.
THIS BUDGET INCLUDES PERSONNEL COMPENSATION, WHICH IS NOT ONLY THE 3% CPI, WHICH WE TYPICALLY USE, BUT AN ADDITIONAL 2%, SO A 5% GENERAL WAGE INCREASE ACROSS THE BOARD FOR ALL STAFF.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHAT THAT IS, IS A 5% INCREASE TO THE STARTING SALARIES OF ALL OF OUR POSITIONS, AND THAT IS WHAT WE LOOK AT WHEN WE LOOK AT WHAT IS ST. JOHNS COUNTY DOING? WHAT ARE THE SURROUNDING AREAS DOING? WE ALSO INCLUDE MERIT.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL MERIT INCREASE BASED ON PERFORMANCE.
THE AVERAGE OF THAT IS ABOUT 2%.
SOMEONE WHO IS CURRENTLY WORKING HERE COULD SEE A 7% INCREASE DEPENDING ON THEIR MERIT.
SOMEONE WHO IS BRAND NEW COMING IN IS GOING TO LOOK AT THE STARTING SALARY OF OUR POSITIONS, SEE THAT IT IS GOING UP 5% THIS YEAR.
ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS GOING UP 7.5% ON THEIR STARTING SALARIES THIS YEAR, BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT THEM AND WE TRACK THEM ACROSS RECENT YEARS, WE SEE THAT WE'RE PRETTY CLOSE.
WE'RE ONLY SLIGHTLY BEHIND WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT STARTING SALARIES ALONE.
I CAN'T SHARE IT. NO, IT'S NOT IN THE BOOK, MAYOR.
I AM SORRY. [LAUGHTER] IT'S A SEPARATE DOCUMENT.
OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, IF YOU COMBINE ALL OF THE GENERAL WAGE INCREASES AT ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE HAVE DONE OVER FIVE YEARS, THERE'S BEEN A 32% INCREASE IN GENERAL PAY GRADE INCREASES FOR STARTING SALARIES FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY, INCLUDING THEIR 7.5 PROPOSED THIS YEAR.
CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE WITH THIS PROPOSED BUDGET IS AT 26.8, WHICH MEANS WE'RE NOT FAR BEHIND.
IT MAKES SENSE: THEY HAVE A LARGER STAFF.
OUR MERIT IS WHAT HAS KEPT OUR INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES AT THE SAME LEVEL AS ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
I'M REALLY TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT THINGS WHEN I SPECIFY GENERAL WAGE INCREASE AND MERIT.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT? I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GETTING TWO IN THE WEEDS.
JUST LET ME KNOW. I LIKE GETTING IN THE WEEDS, SO PLEASE TELL ME IF YOU NEED ME TO GET OUT. [LAUGHTER]
I JUST HAVE A COMMENT THAT THIS IS WHERE WE LOSE OUR EMPLOYEES TO.
THAT'S WHY YOU'RE COMPARING US TO ST. JOHNS AND NOT TO PALM COAST OR ANOTHER CITY.
IT'S THAT WE TRAIN UP INDIVIDUALS AND SPECIFIC SKILLS AND THEY GET HIRED AWAY.
WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP THOSE GOOD EMPLOYEES.
>> AND HAVE TO GO THROUGH A CYCLE OF RETRAINING, WHICH IS EXPENSIVE FOR US.
>> ALSO, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO ADD THAT WE'VE HAD INFLATIONARY YEARS, YEAR AFTER YEAR.
I'LL JUST SAY, I KNOW PLENTY OF PEOPLE IN ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE GETTING 0% RAISES FOR TWO YEARS IN A ROW.
THEN OTHERS ARE GETTING BELOW THE CPI, AND THEY CAN'T MAKE ENDS MEET.
WE'RE TRYING TO HELP OUR EMPLOYEES STAY AHEAD OF THAT AND SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE ENDS MEET.
>> THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR LETTING ME GET INTO THE DETAIL THERE.
>> THE NEXT FEW PAGES ARE ALSO TOTAL BUDGET COMBINED.
[00:15:05]
YOU CAN SEE THIS IS A TOTAL BUDGET OF $95.3 MILLION.YOU CAN SEE THE CATEGORIES OF OUR REVENUES ON PAGE 3.
THE LARGEST CATEGORY IS TAXES THAT IS NOT JUST AD VALOREM.
IT'S ALSO WHAT WE RECEIVE FROM ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FOR OUR CRAS.
IT'S A COMBINATION OF STATE SALES TAXES THAT COME IN.
THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT CATEGORIES THAT ARE IN THIS TAX CATEGORY.
HOWEVER, AD VALOREM, OF COURSE, IS THE LARGEST.
THAT AD VALOREM TAXES ARE, AS YOU KNOW, WHAT PAY FOR OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, FOR HALF OF OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, I SHOULD SAY.
FOR OUR PLANNING DEPARTMENT, I CAN GO THROUGH ALL OF THOSE AND WE'LL SEE THAT BREAKDOWN A LITTLE BIT IN THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET.
WE ALSO HAVE CHARGES FOR SERVICES BEING A LARGE AMOUNT WHEN IT COMES TO THE TOTAL CITY BUDGET, NOT THE GENERAL FUND.
THIS IS WHERE WE CAPTURE ALL OF OUR UTILITY RATES, STORMWATER, SOLID WASTE.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT PAGE 4, YOU CAN SEE THE BREAKDOWN OF CATEGORIES FROM AN EXPENDITURE STANDPOINT, GENERAL GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY, WHICH INCLUDES POLICE, FIRE, BUILDING DEPARTMENT, CODE ENFORCEMENT.
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT. THIS INCLUDES ALL OF OUR UTILITY FUNDS, UTILITIES, STORMWATER, SOLID WASTE, ALSO OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND, OUR MAINTENANCE OF OUR BUILDINGS.
TRANSPORTATION, THIS INCLUDES OUR MOBILITY, OUR PARKING, OUR PARKING GARAGE, ANYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH TRANSPORTATION HERE.
ALSO, OUR STREET PAVING FALLS IN THIS CATEGORY OF TRANSPORTATION.
CULTURE AND RECREATION INCLUDES OUR VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER, NOT GARAGE, OUR MARINA, OUR GALLIMORE CENTER, OUR COMMUNICATIONS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS.
WE THEN HAVE A TOTAL DEBT SERVICE OF $5.2 MILLION ACROSS ALL FUNDS.
WE HAVE SOME TRANSFERS THAT WE NET.
WE HAVE SEVERAL REASONS THAT DIFFERENT FUNDS PAY THEIR SHARE OF THE USES OF THE GENERAL FUND.
EACH FUND DOESN'T HAVE ITS OWN HR DEPARTMENT, ITS OWN CITY ATTORNEY, OF COURSE, SO THEY PAY THEIR SHARE FOR THAT INTO THE GENERAL FUND.
THAT'S MAJORITY OF WHAT THOSE TRANSFERS ARE.
PAGE 5 SHOWS THE BREAKDOWN OF THE PERSONNEL ADDITIONS THAT I DESCRIBED ON THE ARROW.
THE THREE HIGHLIGHTED SECTIONS ARE THOSE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE A NEW POSITION.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS, FOR THE MOST PART, 2024, MOVES OVER TO 2025 IN THE EXACT SAME WAY, EXCEPT WE DID SHIFT AROUND DURING THE YEAR, WE COMBINED UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS.
WE ACTUALLY HAD A NET EFFECT OF A REDUCTION OF ONE POSITION.
THIS IS ON PAGE 5 OF YOUR BOOK.
I KNOW IT MIGHT BE HARD TO READ ON THE SCREEN.
EVEN THOUGH WE'RE REQUESTING TWO AND A HALF NEW POSITIONS THIS YEAR, WE'RE ACTUALLY ONLY ADDING ONE AND A HALF WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE COMBINATION AND REDUCTION OF ONE FTE DURING THE YEAR, SO FROM 406 TO 407.5.
THE NEXT PAGE DIVES INTO THE GENERAL FUND.
THERE ARE SOME SUMMARIES HERE AT FIRST.
YOU CAN SEE SUMMARY OF REVENUES BY CATEGORY.
WE TALKED ABOUT THOSE IN TOTAL.
NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT JUST THE GENERAL FUND.
WE'RE ALWAYS WORKING TO TRY TO PASS ALONG ANY EXPENDITURES THAT ARE NOT GENERAL GOVERNMENT TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE USING THOSE SERVICES.
THAT'S WHAT OUR CHARGES FOR SERVICES PIECE OF THE PIE IS.
ANY OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY TIE SOMETHING TO A USER CHARGE WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO OVER THE YEARS.
PERMITS AND FEES IS VERY SIMILAR.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CHARGING FOR THOSE PERMITS, WHAT THE TRUE COST IS OF THAT EXPENDITURE.
YOU LOOK AT GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES.
THE GOAL IS ALWAYS TO MAKE SURE THAT AS IMPORTANT AS GENERAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES ARE, THEY'RE NOT WHAT WE'RE SPENDING THE MAJORITY OF OUR DOLLARS ON.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PUBLIC SAFETY, WHICH YOU CAN SEE HERE AT 38% OF THE TOTAL GENERAL FUND BUDGET.
THE PIECE OF THE PIE FOR TRANSPORTATION HAS BEEN GROWING OVER THE YEARS AS THAT HAS BEEN A PRIORITY OF THE COMMISSION FROM THE STRATEGIC PLAN.
AGAIN, THIS INCLUDES HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
THAT PIECE OF THE PIE HAS BEEN GROWING AS WELL.
DEBT SERVICE HAS STAYED PRETTY STEADY AND THEN CULTURE AND RECREATION, WHICH IS AGAIN OUR GROUNDS BUDGET.
OUR GROUNDS BUDGET IS WHERE WE ARE PLACING GROUNDS BUDGET, WHICH IS IN CULTURE RECREATION.
THAT'S WHERE WE'VE BEEN PLACING THE FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE CONSERVATION LAND.
WHEN WE GET INTO THE NEXT PAGE AND SHOW SOME DETAILS, THE NEXT TWO PAGES,
[00:20:02]
YOU'LL SEE THAT THE GROUNDS BUDGET AND THE LAND BUDGET AS PART OF THE GROUNDS IS WHERE YOU'LL SEE THAT PRIORITY OF THE COMMISSION.THE NEXT PAGE IS A BREAKDOWN OF THAT PIE GRAPH THAT YOU SAW IN TOTAL, PAGE 8 SHOWS EVERY TYPE OF REVENUE HERE LISTED IN DETAIL.
WE CAN TALK ABOUT ANY OF THESE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO.
YOU CAN SEE THAT OUR PARKING FEES IS THE SECOND HIGHEST REVENUE COMPARED TO OUR AD VALOREM TAXES.
WE ALSO HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY, AND THAT IS SO LARGE BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE WE ACCOUNT FOR OUR FIRE ASSESSMENT FEE.
THAT'S ONE THAT OVER THE YEARS WE LOOK AT, WE TRY TO BE AT 50% OF OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET WITH THAT.
THERE WERE NO CHANGES TO THE RATES THIS YEAR, BUT WE PLAN TO LOOK AT THAT THIS YEAR SO THAT PRIOR TO THE NEXT BUDGET SESSION IF WE THINK THERE'S A NEED TO INCREASE THOSE RATES, WE WILL BRING THAT BACK TO YOU IN TIME TO NOTIFY THE PUBLIC.
>> MADAM MAYOR, CAN I INTERRUPT FOR A MOMENT? I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LINE.
I DON'T KNOW IF MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AGREE WITH ME, BUT I THINK OUR ILLEGAL PARKING FINES ARE TOO LOW, AND THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US NOT ONLY TO GET SOME ADDITIONAL REVENUE BUT TO DISCOURAGE THAT THAT'S COST OF DOING BUSINESS, I'M GOING TO PARK WHEREVER I WANT TO AS OPPOSED TO PARKING IN THE PARKING GARAGE AND ACTUALLY ADDING TO OUR MOBILITY PROBLEMS WITH PEOPLE CIRCLING AROUND UNTIL THEY CAN FIND A PARKING SPACE IN A LOADING ZONE, FOR EXAMPLE.
I'D LIKE TO SEE US INCREASE THOSE FEES CONCURRENT WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES OF OUR SIZE AND SITUATION.
>> BECAUSE OUR FEES ARE CURRENTLY $35 FOR ILLEGAL PARKING AND $25 FOR EXPIRED METER PARKING.
THE ILLEGAL PARKING, AS IT SOUNDS LIKE WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SPECIFICALLY?
>> THE EXPIRED METER PARKING, IF IT'S SOMEBODY WHO'S WAITING TABLES AND THEY HAVE TO WORK A DOUBLE SHIFT AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW THAT WHEN THEY CAME IN AND THEY DON'T HAVE TIME TO LEAVE, THEY TRIED TO PARK LEGALLY.
THIS IS WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY. I'M OKAY WITH STAYING AT THAT.
>> YOU'RE OKAY ON THE OVERTIME.
>> FOR THE OVERTIME METER. THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING.
>> I AGREE, I'D LIKE TO LOOK AND SEE WHERE WE COMPARE WITH OTHER SIMILAR CITIES AT THIS POINT.
>> THIS IS A MANAGEMENT THING, BUT I THINK WE DON'T ADVERTISE THAT SIGN ANYWHERE EITHER, DO WE? WE DON'T PUT SIGNS UP TO SAY $35 BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOING TO DISCOURAGE ANYBODY EXCEPT LOCALS, BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE THE ONES THAT KNOW.
THE TOURISTS AREN'T GOING TO KNOW WHAT THE FEE IS.
IT'S NOT GOING TO DISCOURAGE THEM.
>> IT'S STILL A REVENUE SOURCE.
>> IT'S A REVENUE SOURCE. IT'S MINIMAL, THOUGH WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BUDGET, I THINK WE OUGHT TO ADVERTISE. I'M FOR RAISING IT.
THIS IS TERRIBLE, BUT I WENT TO AN EVENT AND I FORGOT MY LITTLE STICKER.
I ACTUALLY TOLD PATTY, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.
I PAID IT. I DIDN'T ASK TO HAVE IT FORGIVEN. I PAID THE TICKET.
I TOTALLY AGREE THAT WE OUGHT TO INCREASE IT, BUT ADVERTISE IT AS WELL, SOMEHOW.
>> WELL, I'M IN FAVOR OF ANY OF THE FEES, THAT LESSEN OUR DEPENDENCY ON THE AD VALOREM.
>> WE WILL WORK ON THAT AND BRING BACK TO YOU SOME COMPARABLE CITIES AND OUR RECOMMENDATION.
>> GOOD SUGGESTION. THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE A COMMENT. IT'S ON THE MILITARY THAT THE YOUNG LADY SPOKE ABOUT.
THINKING ABOUT WHAT SHE SAID AND KNOWING LIKE MYSELF, I THINK I'M THE ONLY COMMISSIONER THAT I'M A WIDOW.
I LIVE ALONE, AND IT WOULD BE NICE FOR US TO ROLL THAT BACK FOR ALL THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE STRUGGLING TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES.
IT HASN'T BEEN DONE SINCE 2010.
WE HAVE NOT GIVEN ANYONE A BREAK.
WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL HURRICANES IN THAT WINDOW OF TIME AND EVERYTHING GOES UP BUT EVERYBODY'S INCOME.
EVERYTHING GOES UP, THE COST OF FOOD, THE COST OF EVERYDAY LIVING.
I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE AS A COMMISSION NEED TO CONSIDER GIVING THEM A BREAK FOR THE UPCOMING BUDGET BECAUSE JUST IMAGINE PEOPLE LOSING THEIR HOMES BECAUSE THEY CAN'T PAY THEIR TAXES AND IT IS HAPPENING EVERY DAY.
I KNOW BECAUSE I WORKED AT THE COURTHOUSE, PEOPLE WOULD SEARCH TO TAX CERTIFICATES TO SEE WHO DOESN'T PAY THEIR TAXES AND BUY IT FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS AND RECEIVE A TAX DEED.
SHE INDICATED THAT SHE WAS A SINGLE PARENT.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE THE TAX PROPERTY APPRAISER,
[00:25:02]
THEY ONLY GIVE AN ASSESSMENT FOR $50,000 FOR YOUR LAND.THE ONLY WAY THAT PEOPLE ARE FORTUNATE IS TO GET OLD AND THEN YOU GET THE SENIOR DISCOUNT.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, YOU MIGHT GET A WIDOW DISCOUNT.
UNFORTUNATELY, FOR ME, MY HUSBAND DIED IN THAT REGARD BECAUSE I GET THE WIDOW EXEMPTION.
BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T FALL INTO THAT CRITERIA.
I THINK WE SHOULD CONSIDER MAYBE 1%, SOMETHING JUST TO ADDRESS THAT.
I DID TALK TO THAT YOUNG LADY ON THE PHONE AND SHE SAID THAT WE CAN'T DO THE TAX THAT'S DONE BY THE PROPERTY APPRAISER.
HOWEVER, SHE SAID HER NEIGHBOR SAID THAT SOMETHING THAT THE CITY CAN DO, AND THAT'S THAT.
WE HAVE THE POWER TO HELP SOMEWHAT, BUT NOT TOTALLY CHANGE THE TAXES, BUT ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN US DOING NOTHING. THANK YOU.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON THAT.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT IS.
WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN TO OUR BUDGET?
YOU HAD A SPREADSHEET THAT SHOWED WHAT A REDUCTION OF A HALF A PERCENT, 1%, 2%, WHATEVER WOULD LOOK LIKE, AND IT'S FAIRLY MINIMAL IS WHAT I REMEMBER.
>> ISN'T THAT THE $2.3 MILLION?
>> NO. THIS IS IF WE WERE TO REDUCE THE TAX.
>> ONE-TENTH OF A MILL REDUCTION, WHICH WOULD BE GOING FROM 7.5 MILLS TO 7.4 MILLS, WOULD BE A REDUCTION TO THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET OF $328,000.
EACH TENTH OF A MILL WOULD BE $328,000.
YES, I DID HAVE THAT CHART PULLED UP IF I CAN CONNECT FROM THE REVENUE MANUAL.
I'LL SEE IF I CAN GET THAT UP HERE.
>> I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT TO THIS DISCUSSION.
>> YES. BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK AT ONE TENTH OF A MILL, YOU SEE THAT IT IS QUITE MINIMAL FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.
IN TOTAL THOUGH FOR THE CITY BUDGET, IT'S $328,000.
>> HOWEVER, WE DID ANNEX A LOT OF BUILDINGS IN THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE GETTING REVENUE IN THE CAP, ALL THESE OTHER PLACES WE'RE GOING TO BE RECEIVING TAXES FROM.
IT'S GOING TO BE LIKE A CROSS OF STILL GETTING REVENUE FROM ANOTHER SOURCE IF WE DON'T GET THAT REVENUE.
>> LET'S LOOK AT IT THIS WAY. THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE PROPERTY HAS INCREASED.
IF WE HAD REMAINED AT I THINK IT WAS 6.7, THAT'S WHAT THE ROLLBACK RATE WAS 6.7, WE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY AS WE GOT LAST YEAR IN JUST THE AD VALOREM.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT A REDUCTION OF 300,000, THAT SOME OF THAT IS NEW MONEY, AND WE NEED IT.
FOR RAISES AND FOR OTHER THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DECIDE THAT.
BUT IT'S NOT JUST LOSING 300,000, IT'S LOSING 300,000 OF NEW MONEY. AM I CORRECT? IT'S NOT AS SIMPLE AS JUST LOOKING AT THAT, I'M IN FAVOR OF REALLY STUDYING IT AND LOOKING AT KNOW OF THE NUMBERS TOO.
WE'VE GOT TO REMEMBER THAT THE RESIDENTS AND THE BUSINESSES ARE BOTH IN ONE POT AS AN AD VALOREM TAX INCOME.
IF WE LOWER IT, WE'RE GOING TO LOWER IT FOR EVERYBODY THAT WOULD BE INCLUDING BUSINESSES, AND IT IS ONLY WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE GENERAL FUND WAS IT, 31% OF THE GENERAL FUND.
>> I SAY THIS EVERY YEAR THAT I'VE BEEN HERE, THAT HALF OF THAT IS FROM THE RESIDENTS.
FIFTEEN PERCENT OF THE TOTAL INCOME FOR THE GENERAL FUND IS AD VALOREM.
I REALLY THINK IT'S WORTH LOOKING AT AND GETTING THE REAL NUMBERS AND SEE IF WE CAN AFFORD IT.
>> MARON, IF I COULD ASK YOU TO PUT MY SCREEN UP THERE? I WAS ABLE TO CONNECT HERE.
THIS IS WHAT YOU SAW IN THE REVENUE BUDGET AND THIS TABLE HERE.
>> IS THERE A WAY TO MAGNIFY THAT?
>> THAT DOESN'T SHOW UP ON OUR SCREEN HERE.
>> IT'S IN A PREVIOUS PACKAGE WHEN WE WERE CONSIDERING THIS.
>> I MIGHT HAVE LOST MY CONNECTION.
[LAUGHTER] I CAN READ IT OUT TO YOU AND I'LL GO TO THE HIGHEST.
YES, I'VE LOST IT HERE, BUT HOPEFULLY, IT STAYS UP FOR A MINUTE.
[LAUGHTER] I'LL TRY ONE MORE TIME HERE.
MAYOR, IT SAYS IT MIGHT BE CONNECTED.
[00:30:02]
>> THE GRAPH THAT I SHOWED IN THE REVENUE MANUAL SHOWS THAT A HOME WITH AN ASSESSED VALUE OF $500,000 WITH A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION OF $50,000, A TAXABLE VALUE OF 450,000.
THE CURRENT MILLAGE IS $3,375 PER YEAR, 1/10 OF A MILL REDUCTION WOULD BRING THAT TO THAN $330 PER YEAR.
A 5/10 OF A MILL REDUCTION, WHICH IS 1.5, FROM 7.5-7.0 WOULD BRING THE ANNUAL TAXES TO $3,150 ON THAT SAME PIECE OF PROPERTY.
>> FOR THE INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNER.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WOULD HAVE TO GO TO ANY REAL MEANINGFUL REDUCTION, YOU WOULD HAVE TO DROP IT A LOT.
>> WE LOSE IT FROM THE COMMERCIAL. AS WELL?
>> THE ONLY ARGUMENT OPPOSED TO THAT IS THAT WE ALL HAVE AGREED THAT IT'S VERY HARD TO INCREASE THE MILLAGE RATE.
IF WE LOWER IT, WE'RE IN AGREEMENT, IT'D BE VERY HARD TO INCREASE IT.
LET'S ASSUME THAT WE DO LOWER IT TO 7.0, AND WE NEVER ARE ABLE TO RAISE IT FOR ANOTHER 10 YEARS.
THAT SAVINGS GETS MULTIPLIED BY 10 YEARS FOR THAT HOMEOWNER.
IT'S NOT JUST A ONE YEAR SAVINGS.
IT'S A 10 YEAR SAVINGS, AND JUST A THEORETICAL BECAUSE I'M JUST MAKING UP NUMBERS HERE.
>> [BACKGROUND] THAT'S, IF YOU.
THAT ISN'T 1/3 OF HER $9,000 TAX FOR ONE YEAR.
IT'S A MATH PROBLEM. YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT IT. WHAT'S THAT?
WE GET REQUEST AND COMPLAINTS FOR NEW THINGS AND FOR SERVICES THAT WE ARE NOT DOING AS WELL AS SOMEBODY IS EXPECTING.
THE ONLY WAY TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM IS TO ADD MORE PERSONNEL OR ADD MORE MONEY TO THE BUDGET FOR THOSE PROBLEMS. WE'RE IN THE BALANCING HERE BETWEEN SAVING A HOME OWNER $2,700 OVER 10 YEARS OR ANSWERING TO THE PUBLIC.
I CALLED MY BROTHER THE DAY AND SAID, WHAT ARE YOUR HRA FEES? BECAUSE HE LIVES IN A GATED COMMUNITY? IS TWICE WHAT I.
>> HOA. IS HOA AND HE DOESN'T HAVE HIS OWN SOURCE.
>> IT'S REALLY A QUALITY OF LIVING AND IT'S A CHOICE, BUT I REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT THE TAXES ARE GETTING TO THE POINT ACTUALLY DID SOME STUDY OVERNIGHT AFTER HAVING MY CONVERSATION WITH THE CITIZENS IS THAT FLORIDA IS STILL REALLY LOW IN OVERALL TAXES.
WE ARE ACTUALLY 50TH IN THE PERCENTAGE OF TAXES PAID COMPARED TO A PERCENTAGE OF INCOME.
>> THAT SHOWS UP IN OUR SCHOOLS TOO.
>> WELL, ABSOLUTELY WE ARE VERY LOVE OF SCHOOLS.
I CAME UP IN OUR CONVERSATION TOO.
BUT IF WE WANT TO INCREASE THAT, IT JUST MEANS WE PAY MORE PROPERTY TAX BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY TAXING SOURCE WE HAVE.
THE WAY THE STATE OF FLORIDA DOES OUR SALES TAX HURTS ST.
AUGUSTINE BECAUSE WE COLLECT A ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF SALES TAX.
IT GOES TO THAT TALLAHASSEE AND WE GET IT BACK COMPARED TO POPULATION.
IT'S THE REASON WE DON'T HAVE INCOME TAX BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCH A ROBUST SALES TAX.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE LOSING IN THAT CASE, BUT PLACES LIKE LAKE BUTLER AND SMALL TOWNS THAT HAVE NO TOURISM, THEY'RE GAINING FROM THAT.
WHERE FLORIDA IS A COMMUNITY IN TAXING.
WE SHARE THE SCHOOL BOARD MONEY.
WE SHARE THE TAXES, AND WE HAVE TO DEPEND ON PROPERTY TAX TO MAKE THE COUNTIES AND CITIES RUN.
>> COULD WE INTERRUPT ONE SECOND.
COULD WE GO BACK TO PAGE 3 IN OUR BOOK? WE'RE LOOKING AT IN 2024, WE HAD A BUDGET OF 87,428,403.
WE WE PROJECTED IT TO 126,000,763.
WE ENDED UP WITH A REVISED BUDGET OF 129,000,781 PLUS SOME CHANGE.
THAT'S A CHANGE OF $42 MILLION.
>> THIS INCLUDES ANY ITEM THAT WAS ENCUMBERED THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND THEN ROLLED OVER BECAUSE IT WASN'T YET COMPLETED.
WE ACTUALLY MOVED THAT BUDGET OVER TO THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.
IT'S A PREVIOUS BUDGET THAT WAS BROUGHT
[00:35:01]
OVER TO THE CURRENT YEAR BECAUSE IT HAD ALREADY BEEN COMMITTED TO.>> CAN WE EXPECT THAT TO COME TO WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT 95 MILLION, 337 [INAUDIBLE] NUMBER TO HELP US PAY FOR THESE EXTRA $200,000 FOR TENNIS COURTS, ALL THESE OTHER REQUESTS THAT WE'RE GETTING.
>> THIS INCLUDES THINGS THAT WERE ALREADY COMMITTED IN THE 2024 BUDGET.
IT ALSO INCLUDES GRANT FUNDS THAT WE RECEIVED.
IS A GRANT MONEY THAT CAME IN AND IT HAD A CORRESPONDING EXPENDITURE.
YOU WILL SEE AN INCREASE IN THE REVISED BUDGET AGAIN, BUT THOSE ARE FOR THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN ALREADY COMMITTED IN A PREVIOUS YEAR'S BUDGET AND IS ROLLING OVER.
WE ALSO WILL COME TO YOU IN OCTOBER.
WE TYPICALLY COME TO YOU IN OCTOBER OF EACH YEAR AND SAY THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT WERE COMMITTED.
WE DIDN'T GET THEM ENCUMBERED IN A FORMALIZED PURCHASE ORDER, SO WE NEED TO ASK YOU IF WE CAN MANUALLY ROLL THOSE OVER INSTEAD OF PUTTING THOSE FUNDS BACK INTO RESERVES.
IT'S USUALLY A RELATIVELY SMALL AMOUNT, BUT ANYTHING THAT HAS BEEN ENCUMBERED WITH A PURCHASE ORDER COMMITTED TO COMES OVER AUTOMATICALLY.
>> BUT I JUST I WORRY $95 MILLION FOR OUR CITY WITH THE IMPACT WE HAVE FROM SIX MILLION PEOPLE A YEAR VISITING OUR CITY.
>> I THINK IT'S MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT.
>> WELL, IT COULD BE. I DON'T KNOW.
BUT THE POINT IS, WE'VE GOT FLUSHING TOILETS AND WE'VE GOT LOTS OF STUFF WE HAVE TO PAY FOR, KEEPING OUR ROADS UP, EVERYTHING.
I DON'T KNOW. I FEEL FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE CAUGHT IN BETWEEN, TOO, BUT WE GOT TO KEEP OUR STREETS UP.
WE'VE GOT TO MAINTAIN ALL SERVICES FOR VISITORS, AND CUTTING BACK ON THE COMMERCIAL TAXES, I'M NOT UNLESS WE CAN SEPARATE THOSE TWO, COMMERCIAL DOESN'T GET CUT BACK AND RESIDENTIAL DOES, I'M NOT ON BOARD.
>> [BACKGROUND] IT'S NOT. I KEEP DOING IT WRONG BECAUSE IT'S RED INSTEAD OF GREEN.
[LAUGHTER] I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT I'M STILL CONCERNED THAT THE COUNTY SHARE OF THE IMPACT OF OUR VISITORS IS TOO LOW, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW WE FIX THAT, BUT I CERTAINLY WOULD LIKE TO ENFORCE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS THAT WE DO HAVE WITH THEM FOR COSTS THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY BEARING.
ALSO THAT OUR BUDGET, OUR REVENUES ARE HELPED TREMENDOUSLY BY THE QUALITY OF OUR STAFF AND THEIR GRANT WRITING ABILITY AND THE CONTACTS THAT THEY HAVE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN, WE WOULD BE NOWHERE WITH RESILIENCY IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THE STAFF THAT WE HAVE, WE'VE GOT TO KEEP THEM.
WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW THAT THEY'RE APPRECIATED, AND OUR BUDGET IS HIGHLY DEPENDENT ON THAT GRANT INCOME.
>> TO THAT POINT, MARY AND, IF YOU COULD BRING UP THE SCREEN, I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT YOU SAID AND ALSO IT TOUCHES ON YOUR COMMENT BY SIMAR.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE STORMWATER FUND, AND HOPEFULLY, IT'S GOING TO SHARE UP THERE. MAYBE NOT.
WELL, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT PAGE IT'S ON IN THE BOOK IN FRONT OF YOU.
I'M GOING OFF TRACK A LITTLE BIT, BUT THIS IS EXACTLY THE POINT THAT YOU ALL ARE SAYING RIGHT NOW ON A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT ITEMS. IF YOU LOOK AT PAGE 17 OF YOUR BOOK.
>> ARE WE NOT MATCHING? IT DOES SHOW AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE ON THERE.
>> YES. IT MAY BE PAGE 15 OF THE PDF.
>> THAT POINT, IT'S PAGE 20. ON OUR TABLETS.
>> BUT IT'S STILL MARKED AT THE BOTTOM, SO YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND, IT'S NOT AS EASY TO FIND THEN. GOT YOU.
>> YOU CAN SEE THAT THE ORIGINAL BUDGET FOR REVENUE.
TOTAL STORMWATER FUND REVENUE IS $1.5 MILLION.
THE REVISED BUDGET IS $8.8 MILLION, $7.25 MILLION IS GRANT REVENUE THAT WE ARE CARRYING FORWARD EACH YEAR FOR SO MANY GRANTS THAT HAVE BEEN WRITTEN, AND YOU CAN SEE THE CORRESPONDING EXPENDITURE WHEN YOU LOOK AT CAPITAL OUTLAY.
IT'S YES, SOME OF OUR OWN BUDGET, BUT THE MAJORITY OF IT IS THE GRANT REVENUE AND THAT'S HOW THESE PROJECTS ARE GETTING DONE.
THAT SPEAKS TO YOUR POINT ON GRANT WRITING AND IT ALSO SHOWS A LITTLE BIT OF HOW THAT REVISED BUDGET NUMBER CAN BE SO DIFFERENT THAN THE ORIGINAL.
>> THIS WOULD OTHERWISE COME FROM AD VALOREM TAXES, AM I RIGHT? I'D HAVE TO [BACKGROUND] OR NOT GET DONE. YOU WOULDN'T GET IT DONE.
>> SEVEN MILLION IS TOUGH TO FIND ANYWHERE ELSE OTHER THAN GRANTS.
[00:40:03]
>> THERE'S NO DOUBT STAFF IS AGGRESSIVE ABOUT GRANT SEEKING AND BEEN SO, WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE AND TO YOUR POINT.
>> IN FAVOR OF THE STATE, MOST OF THAT MONEY COMES FROM STATE FUNDS, CORRECT?
>> IT IS A WAY FOR THEM TO GIVE BACK SOME OF OUR SALES TAX.
WE ARE GETTING SOME OF THAT MONEY BACK IN THE WAY OF TAXES.
>> WE ARE ALSO TO THE COUNTY'S POINT, YOU WILL SEE IN THIS BUDGET INCREASE NUMBERS FROM THE TDC THIS YEAR, HELPING TO OFFSET MORE OF OUR EXPENSES FOR THE FIREWORKS, FOR LIGHT UP NIGHT, FOR SHUTTLING, FOR OUR STAR CIRCULATOR, AND ALSO FOR OUR VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER FUND AND THE VISITOR CENTER.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. WE'VE BEEN WORKING AND IT'S INVOLVED SOME CHANGES TO THEIR ORDINANCE TO REMOVE SOME CAPS.
THEY'VE CAPPED THEIR SPENDING ON THOSE CATEGORIES THAT SHE MENTIONED.
BUT WE'RE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ON THAT.
WE'VE HAD THE FULL COOPERATION AND SUPPORT OF THE TDC BOARD.
MOVING FORWARD, AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH HAS BEEN A VERY STRONG PARTNER IN TAKING THAT INITIATIVE AND GETTING MORE INCOME WHERE WE REALLY DO OUT OF THOSE TDC DOLLARS.
EQUALIZING WHAT WE REALLY DESERVE.
BECAUSE WE REALLY ARE A BIG POLE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR YOUR HARD WORK ON THAT.
>> I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE THE AD VALOREM DISCUSSION UNTIL YOU ALL ARE READY TO MOVE ON TO GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES.
>> WELL, NOW. I THINK WE'VE REQUESTED TO SEE THE DOLLAR, WE SAID 300,000.
ARE WE AT A STANDSTILL WITH TIMING TO SEE A MODIFIED BUDGET TO.
>> NO, WE CAN CONTINUE OUR MEETING TOMORROW.
WE WOULD GIVE TIME TO STAFF TO BRING THOSE NUMBERS FORWARD OVERNIGHT.
WE HAVE A SCHEDULED MEETING FOR 9:00 AM.
IF YOU WISH TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION.
I THINK THAT AT THIS LATE DATE, THAT MIGHT BE WHAT IT TAKES IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS CONSIDERATION AND REALLY ARE TAKING A ROLLBACK UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION AT THIS LATE DATE.
>> I'M ACTUALLY NOT IN FAVOR OF THAT.
I DON'T THINK THAT THE ROLLBACK AS SYMPATHETIC AS I AM TO THE PLIGHT OF FOLKS WHO ARE COMING INTO OUR COMMUNITY FAIRLY NEW AND PAYING THOSE HIGH PRICES.
I DON'T THINK YOU GET ENOUGH THE COST BENEFIT FOR DOING THE ROLLBACK, THE COST TO THE FUNCTION OF THE CITY AT THE LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT WE ARE DEMANDED TO PROVIDE IS THE COST, AND WE WILL SEE A REAL COST IN THAT.
THE BENEFIT TO THE INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNERS IS VERY SMALL AS A PERCENTAGE OF THEIR TOTAL TAX BILL.
I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF LOOKING AT A REVISED BUDGET FOR THOSE REASONS. I'M NOT.
>> ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT I HAVE IS THAT THE TAX BILL COMES OUT AFTER WE'VE HAD ALL THOSE DISCUSSIONS.
WE'VE HAD SEVERAL MEETINGS AND TALKED ABOUT THE BUDGET.
BUT UNTIL SOMEBODY GETS THE TAX BILL AND SAYS, OH, MY GOSH, I NEED TO GO TO THE CITY, IT'S TOO LATE.
IF WE DON'T CONSIDER IT TODAY. THAT'S JUST MY THOUGHT.
>> IT STILL DOESN'T CHANGE THE COST BENEFIT RATIO AT ALL.
AGAIN, I AM STRONGLY OPPOSED TO REVISING THE BUDGET.
WE'RE KEEPING THE MILLAGE RATE THE SAME AS IT HAS BEEN FOR SINCE 2010.
BUT SO DOES INFLATION AFFECTS EVERY ASPECT OF THE CITY'S WORK TOO.
>> WELL, I HAVE TO SAY, I SEE LOOKS LIKE TWO IN FAVOR AND TWO OPPOSE, AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT I THINK THAT I SWING MORE TO IT'S LATE IN THE GAME TO DO THIS.
I'D LOVE TO LOOK AT IT FOR NEXT YEAR, MORE SERIOUSLY AND MORE DEEPLY AND GIVE IT THE CONSIDERATION, NOT THIS HURRY UP, AND LET'S DO IT TO ME BECAUSE WE HAVE LEGAL DEADLINES THAT WE HAVE TO PASS OUR BUDGET.
SAYING THAT, WE'VE ALWAYS SAID THAT WE HAVE SET THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE HIGHER WITH THE OPTION OF LOWERING IT, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT AT THIS TIME, I THINK THAT WE SHOULD PROCEED.
OUR BUDGET IS SET. WE START WORKING ON THE BUDGET WHEN IN FEBRUARY.
>> AS EARLY AS MARCH, WHEN WE GET THOSE AD VALOREM TAX ESTIMATES AND STUFF, IT'S FULL BORE AHEAD.
[00:45:02]
REALLY I'M SYMPATHETIC TO THE CITIZENS THAT ARE UNDER THE PINCH, HOW DIFFICULT IT IS.I UNDERSTAND THERE'S EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES WITH MISS BELL, AND HER [BACKGROUND] HOMESTEADING.
>> BUT I'M ALSO SYMPATHETIC TO COMMISSIONER GARRIS AND HER SITUATION AS WELL.
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A SUGGESTION THAT NEXT MARCH, MAYBE WE COULD HAVE THE MODIFIED INCOME, BUT ALSO CHOICES OF BUDGETS.
>> YOU MEAN THE BREAKOUT SHE JUST SAID?
>> FOR INSTANCE, THEY'D SAY, WELL, THIS IS OUR BUDGET IF WE KEEP IT AT 7.5, AND THIS IS WHAT WE WOULD CUT OUT IF YOU MOVE IT 7.0.
>> THAT WOULD BE VERY EYE-OPENING.
>> RIGHT. THAT WOULD BE EYE-OPENING TO SAY [OVERLAPPING] WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET RID OF THREE POLICEMEN OR WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET RID OF THIS, AND THAT GIVES US A CHANCE AND THE PUBLIC A CHANCE TO REALLY SEE WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AHEAD OF TIME.
>> CAN I CLARIFY FOR THAT? ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOMETHING WITH A 10TH OF A MILL, A HALF A MILE, THE ROLLBACK RATE, ALL OF THE ABOVE? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GETTING YOUR WANT FOR NEXT YEAR.
>> I DON'T THINK. WE PROBABLY NEED THREE OR FOUR PEOPLE IN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT TO GET THAT DONE.
I THINK MAYBE AT HALF A MILL. THAT'S MY OPINION.
>> REALLY LOOK AT THE LONG-TERM IMPACTS, BECAUSE I SEE HOW THE COUNTY STRUGGLED.
THEY ARE IN A DEEP DARK HOLE BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T RAISED THEIR TAXES.
THEY'VE KEPT THE ROLLBACKS AND THOSE SORTS OF THINGS, AND IT'S BEEN DEVASTATING TO THEM, AND I THINK THAT'S THE ROOT CAUSE OF WHERE THEY ARE NOW TODAY.
I'D LIKE TO LOOK AT THE LONG-TERM IMPACT.
THAT'S PROBABLY THE THING THAT WORRIES ME THE MOST, BUT IT'S COMPLEX AND HARD TO ARTICULATE TODAY IN THIS MEETING.
>> THEN CAN YOU BREAK IT OUT WHERE IT'S RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL SO WE CAN SEE WHAT THOSE TWO NUMBERS ARE?
>> ALSO THE NEW CONSTRUCTION VERSUS EXISTING, I THINK IS SOMETHING WE COULD HAVE.
>> [OVERLAPPING] ALSO WITH THAT SAID, IT'S 11:06.
>> CAN I MAKE ONE MORE POINT BEFORE WE MOVE?
>> I'M SORRY. JUST A QUICK ONE.
SPEAKING TO GINA BURRELL'S COMMENT ABOUT IMPACT FEES, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S FEASIBLE, BUT I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT EXPLORED AS WELL AS POTENTIAL REVENUE FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT.
>> THE ADDITION OF THE MOBILITY FEE, WHICH YOU'LL SEE IN HERE, IS ONE THAT WE FEEL LIKE HAS BEEN VERY BENEFICIAL AND IS REALLY HELPING IN SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT YOU'LL SEE HERE.
>> I LOOK AT THAT AS AN IMPACT FEE, NOT WITH OUR CONNECTION FEES.
>> WHEN YOU ADD OUR CONNECTION CHARGES AND OUR MOBILITY FEES, WE'RE CLOSE TO WHAT THE COUNTY CHARGES IN IMPACT FEE.
>> THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW. THANK YOU.
>> WITH THAT SAID, WE ARE AT 11:05, 11:06, AND A LOT TO COVER, AND GOOD DISCUSSIONS AHEAD OF US.
THAT IS REALLY LESS THAN AN HOUR THAT WE'RE SCHEDULED.
I BELIEVE WE'RE SCHEDULED TILL NOON.
IS EVERYBODY ABLE TO STAY AFTER A LUNCH BREAK OR A VERY BRIEF LUNCH BREAK?
>> I HAVE TWO APPOINTMENTS RIGHT AFTER STARTING AT NOON.
>> WELL, MAYBE WE CAN GET YOUR STUFF ON RECORD.
>> COULD WE GO AHEAD AND HAVE THE MEETING FOR TOMORROW MORNING THAT IS ON THE CALENDAR ALREADY BECAUSE [OVERLAPPING] PUBLIC DOESN'T KNOW THAT WE WOULD BE GOING INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE DAY.
>> WELL, THAT'S TRUE. YOU'RE GOOD FOR TOMORROW MORNING.
>> I KNOW WE'RE SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW MORNING.
THIS WILL BE PRECEDENT SETTING.
[LAUGHTER] IN ALL MY YEARS, I DON'T THINK WE'VE EVER GONE OVER [INAUDIBLE].
>> I THINK THIS IS A VERY HEALTHY DISCUSSION, AND IT'S IMPORTANT.
YES, EVERYBODY GOOD FOR TOMORROW MORNING? BUT THAT'LL PUT US UNDER THE GUN. HOW'S THAT?
>> WE WERE HERE AT FOUR O'CLOCK TODAY.
>> IT'S TYPICALLY MORNING, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF WE ALLOCATE THE AFTERNOON IF NEEDED. I JUST DON'T KNOW.
>> [OVERLAPPING] IT'S TWO MORNINGS.
>> IT'S TWO MORNINGS, AS I RECALL.
MAYBE WE CAN PUSH AND GET THROUGH A LOT.
>> I'M GOING TO HIGHLIGHT JUST A FEW THINGS IN THE GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES PAGE.
THE BOTTOM OF YOUR BOOK IS PAGE 9.
I CAN GO FASTER OR SLOWER AT ANY POINT, SO YOU GUIDE ME ON THAT.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE DETAIL OPERATING EXPENDITURES BY DEPARTMENT, I WANT TO JUMP TO BUILDING AND CODE ENFORCEMENT AND LET YOU KNOW THAT INCLUDED HERE IS
[00:50:04]
$100,000 TO PUT TOWARDS OUR HOMELESS DROP-IN CENTER CONTINUED DESIGN, MOVING DINING WITH DIGNITY TO THE PICNIC AREA, SO I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT ITEM THAT IS INCLUDED HERE.OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION BUDGET INCLUDES SOME CONTRACTUAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP WITH OUR ARCHAEOLOGISTS.
AS YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR, WE ADDED ANOTHER POSITION IN ARCHAEOLOGY.
OUR VIC TRANSFER HELPS TO OFFSET THESE COSTS.
I WANT TO GO TO THE GROUNDS BUDGET HERE AND HIGHLIGHT THAT WE DO HAVE, IN THE GROUNDS BUDGET, NOT ONLY OUR $15,000 TREE CANOPY ENHANCEMENT FOR RESIDENCES, BUT ALSO ANOTHER 30,000 FOR CITYWIDE TREE CANOPY, SO THAT IS AN INCREASE THERE TO YOUR POINT.
>> WE HAVE LANDSCAPE RENDERINGS FOR LANDSCAPING DOWNTOWN INCLUDED HERE.
WE HAVE REMOVAL OF INVASIVE SPECIES INCLUDED IN THIS GROUNDS BUDGET.
>> CAN I SPEAK TO THAT FOR A MOMENT?
[LAUGHTER] I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY AN ESSENTIAL EXPENDITURE.
WE HAVE A LAND ACQUISITION AND CONSERVATION PROGRAM THAT IS SEVERELY JEOPARDIZED IF WE LET THE INVASIVE SPECIES TAKE OVER THESE NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS. DONE. IS THAT GOOD?
>> YEAH, IT'S PERFECT. THAT'S REALLY GOOD.
I DON'T WANT TO CUT THE DISCUSSION, BUT I THINK THAT'S [OVERLAPPING].
>> SOME OF THOSE FUNDS COME FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO MITIGATE TREE REMOVAL.
>> YES. IF WE EVER HAVE TREE MITIGATION, IT'S RELATIVELY SMALL.
WE DO MAKE SURE THAT THAT INCREASES THE EXPENDITURE BUDGET HERE.
ALSO INCLUDED IN GROUNDS ARE IMPROVEMENTS TO CONNOR PARK.
WE WILL CARRY FORWARD, WE'LL PROBABLY BRING THAT TO YOU IN OCTOBER, $30,000 FOR CONTINUED LOOK AT THE ZORA NEALE HURSTON PARK.
I KNOW WE STARTED THAT, SO THE BUDGET IS IN 2024.
WE WILL CARRY THAT FORWARD. THERE'S NO NEW MONEY, BUT WE WILL BRING THAT BACK TO YOU FOR A CARRY FORWARD.
>> I'M SORRY. CAN I INTERRUPT FOR JUST A SECOND? WHERE WOULD THIS TENNIS COURT RESURFACING COME INTO THIS? WOULD IT COME INTO THIS PAGE OR SOMEWHERE ELSE?
>> THAT WOULD BE IN THE FACILITIES MAINTENANCE BUDGET, ACTUALLY, WHICH IF YOU LOOK HIGHER UP ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE PAGE, GENERAL FACILITIES/FACILITIES OPS, THAT IS WHERE WE WOULD ADD A BUDGET FOR TENNIS COURTS.
THIS IS WHERE WE MAINTAIN MOST OF OUR FACILITIES.
>> SO $200,000 IS A HUGE PERCENTAGE ADDITION, AND I'M GOING TO SAY, I REALLY WANT STAFF TO REACH OUT TO THE COUNTY AND MAKE THEM PAY FOR THIS.
WE HAVE A MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT, BUT I DON'T THINK GIVEN THE TIGHTNESS OF OUR BUDGET, THAT WE CAN ABSORB THAT $200,000 AT THIS TIME.
>> WE'LL WORK THROUGH THAT. ONE OTHER ITEM I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IN THE GROUNDS BUDGET IS THE CONVERSATION WE HAD EARLIER DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS ABOUT FRANCIS FIELD.
WE DO HAVE FUNDS INCLUDED IN GROUNDS TO LOOK AT IMPROVED IRRIGATION, IMPROVED ELECTRICAL AND LIGHTING, AS WELL AS A TOP DRESSING AND SEEDING OF THAT.
THAT TOTALS $200,000 THAT WE DO HAVE PROGRAMMED INTO FISCAL YEAR 2025.
I WANT TO GET YOU ALL'S FEEDBACK ON THAT IN MEETING WITH OUR GROUNDS MANAGER.
WE CAN SPEND $800,000 AND SORT IT AND HOPE IT LASTS, OR WE CAN DO A TOP DRESSING, SEED IT, GIVE IT A BREAK IN THE TIME WHERE THERE'S A BREAK BETWEEN EVENTS.
LET THAT GRAB HOLD AND WITH IMPROVED IRRIGATION AND ELECTRICAL REALLY MAINTAIN IT.
THEN THE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE IS JUST PATCHING WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE FILLED IN AND NOT A FULL REDO EACH YEAR.
THE MAINTENANCE COSTS WE WILL LOOK AT PASSING ALONG TO THE USERS OF THE FIELD, BUT THE ONE-TIME IMPROVEMENT THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS NOT SOMETHING WE WOULD BE ABLE TO PASS ALONG TO THOSE EVENTS.
WE HEARD YOU AT THAT MEETING AND TRIED TO COME UP WITH A WAY TO IMPROVE THAT FIELD.
>> MY QUESTION WAS, COMMISSIONER GARRIS ASKED ABOUT THE FENCING, DOES THAT INCLUDE THE FENCING?
>> WE PURCHASED NEW FENCING IN 2024 DURING THE SING OUT LOUD EVENT.
THE PREVIOUS ONE HAD BEEN OVER 10 YEARS AND WAS IN DIRE NEED OF REPAIR, THE GATES AND THE FENCING, SO THAT WAS DONE.
WE SPLIT THAT 50/50 WITH THE AMPHITHEATER AT THE TIME OF SING OUT LOUD.
>> PERFECT. THAT'S OFF MY MIND.
>> THOSE ARE THE QUICK HIGHLIGHTS OUT OF THAT.
I'M HAPPY TO GO TO ANYTHING ELSE.
THE NEXT PAGE, I'LL POINT YOU TO OUR LAND, BUILDINGS, INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, MACHINERY, AND EQUIPMENT.
WE GROUP THOSE ALL TOGETHER REGARDLESS OF WHICH DEPARTMENT THEY'RE ACTUALLY IN JUST SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT OUR CAPITAL SPENDING IS BUDGETED FOR.
THE 100,000 THAT YOU SEE IN LAND IS THE OPERATING BUDGET THAT WE ARE PUTTING TOWARDS THE CONSERVATION EFFORT.
LAST YEAR, YOU ALL AUTHORIZED PULLING
[00:55:02]
A MILLION DOLLARS OUT OF RESERVES TO REALLY START THAT PROGRAM, SO THAT'S WHY YOU SEE 2024, ORIGINAL BUDGET ONE MILLION DOLLARS.WE THEN MOVE FORWARD WITH THE FLORIDA AVENUE PURCHASE, SO THAT BUDGET INCREASED.
THIS YEAR, WE HAVE 100,000 IN REGULAR OPERATING BUDGET.
THAT 100,000 IS NOT COMING FROM RESERVES, IT IS INCLUDED AS PART OF THE BUDGET.
WE SPOKE ABOUT WHAT THAT RUNNING BALANCE WAS WHEN WE MET TO TALK ABOUT THAT FUND LAST TIME. I DON'T HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME.
THE 654,000 IN BUILDINGS IS AN INCREASE THAT INCLUDES IMPROVEMENTS FOR OUR SERVER ROOM FOR IT, RENOVATION OF 50 BRIDGE STREET, WHICH IS NEEDED, SEVERAL ROOF IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE LIGHTNER MUSEUM, FLORIDA CRACKER, AND 50 BRIDGE STREET AS WELL.
WE ALSO HAVE THE COPPER DOWNSPOUTS.
SOME OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONIES FROM THE VIC ARE HELPING TO OFFSET SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THIS BUILDING ITSELF.
IT INCLUDES IMPROVEMENTS TO THE [INAUDIBLE] LOT, WHICH WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IN REGARDS TO SPANISH STREET.
IT INCLUDES SEVILLA STREET PROJECT.
YOU ALL HAD SHOWN YOUR INTEREST IN TRYING TO GET BOTH OF THOSE IN THERE.
NOW, WE'RE ALSO USING MOBILITY FEES TO MAKE THE FULL BUDGET THERE BECAUSE IT IS HIGHER THAN WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT ALL WORK, BUT WE THINK BETWEEN MOBILITY FEES AND THE OPERATING BUDGET, WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO BOTH OF THOSE PROJECTS.
>> WHEN YOU SAY SEVILLA STREET, YOU MEAN THE BRICKING? LET'S HEAR ABOUT THAT.
>> YES. IT'S THE FULL ROAD REBUILD, I BELIEVE, RIGHT RUBEN OR STEPHEN?
>> YEAH. IT'S A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE ROADWAY FOR SEVILLA, WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE REBRICKING.
>> THIS BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES THE $850,000 IN OUR PAVING PROGRAM.
DAVENPORT PARK RESTROOMS WAS AN ITEM WE KNOW AS A PRIORITY.
THAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS AMOUNT.
THEN THE TRAINING CENTER FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT AT THE SITE OF THE OLD WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT, WE TALKED ONCE WE MADE THAT SPACE.
I CAN'T REMEMBER THE DESIGNATION, BUT WE KNOW THAT THE OLD WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AREA IS SOMETHING THAT WE WANTED TO TURN INTO A TRAINING CENTER FOR POLICE AND FIRE.
WE HAVE 500,000, AND TO HOPEFULLY START THAT, IT MAY NOT BE ENOUGH FOR EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED, BUT WE CAN PHASE THAT IN.
>> YOU SAID DAVENPORT BATHROOMS AND THE TRAINING CENTER?
>> MADAM MAYOR, I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT ST. GEORGE STREET, THE SMALL SECTION FROM KING STREET, I THINK IT'S THE BRICK.
IS THAT ON SCHEDULE? I HAVEN'T SEEN IT ON THE LIST.
REALLY, IT'S GOTTEN AS BAD AS SEVILLA STREET OR WORSE.
THE BRICK FROM KING STREET ON ST. GEORGE GOING SOUTH.
>> WE CAN HAVE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR [INAUDIBLE].
>> LET'S HEAR ABOUT THAT. WE NEED TO PUT THAT IN THE QUEUE.
>> THIS IS THE SECTION FROM KING STREET SOUTH TO 50 BRIDGE, ST. FRANCIS.
YES. THAT PROJECT HAS BEEN TAKING A LESSER PRIORITY THAN SOME OF THE OTHER ONES.
WE CAN HAVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT BUMPING THAT UP IN PRIORITY, IF NECESSARY.
>> I DON'T TRAVEL THAT MUCH, BUT I HAPPENED TO GO DOWN THERE THE DAY AND IT WAS A VERY SLOW GOING.
>> WE HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH BRICKS DISAPPEARING AND US MAINTAINING THAT.
WE ARE WORKING TO RESOLVE THAT, THAT CAN INCLUDE USING CEMENTITIOUS, LAYING IT DOWN, BUT THEN YOU LOSE A LITTLE BIT OF THAT IMPERVIOUSNESS.
THERE ARE SOME IDEAS AS FAR AS MAINTENANCE GOES, INCLUDING A FULL STREETSCAPE PROJECT.
>> IT GETS A LOT OF TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE SCHOOL IS DOWN THERE [OVERLAPPING] AND THE CHURCH.
>> IT IS A TRAFFIC CALMING FEATURE, HOWEVER.
>> BUT THE LOSS OF THE BRICKS, I THINK IT'S BEEN POINTED OUT TO US ABOUT THE TEMPORARY ASPHALTING YOU WENT IN AND DID TO TRY TO STOP THAT EROSION OF BRICKS.
IT IS NOTICED WHEN THAT HAPPENS, PEOPLE SAYING, NO, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO PUT THE BRICKS BACK.
THEY'RE JUST GOING TO KEEP ASPHALT PATCHING IT.
>> WE WILL BE BRINGING THE BRICKS BACK, YES.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD QUESTION. LET'S PROCEED.
>> THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN IN FULL IS ATTACHED TO YOUR PACKET.
WE ARE NOT PLANNING TO GO THROUGH THAT TODAY, BUT ALL OF THE DETAIL IN THIS BUDGET, YOU CAN SEE THERE.
I'VE BEEN TRYING TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT I KNOW HAVE COME UP DURING OUR PREVIOUS MEETINGS ON THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
I WILL JUMP DOWN TO OUR TRANSFERS VERY QUICKLY AND JUST HIGHLIGHT OUR DEBT SERVICE TRANSFERS.
WE HAVE NOT HAD ISSUED ANY NEW DEBT, AND SO THAT DEBT SERVICE PAYMENT DOES CONTINUE TO GO DOWN.
[01:00:01]
HOWEVER, IT ACTUALLY WOULD HAVE GONE DOWN FURTHER EXCEPT WE HAVE INCLUDED, IN THIS BUDGET AN INTER-FUND LOAN FOR A NEW FIRE TRUCK.THE GENERAL FUND WILL BE BORROWING FROM THE UTILITY FUNDS RESERVES AND PAYING THEM BACK WITH INTEREST AND THAT DEBT SERVICE PAYMENT IS INCLUDED HERE.
THERE IS A NEW FIRE TRUCK IN THE BUDGET, BUT NOT AT THAT FULL COST.
WE WILL PAY THAT BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND WILL PAY IT BACK TO THE UTILITY FUND OVER FIVE YEARS.
JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT ITEMS.
>> I HOPE YOU GOT A GOOD RATE.
>> WHATEVER THE SBA RATE IS THAT WE EARN, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE CHARGE.
>> THIS WILL BE A GOOD TIME TO MENTION THAT ALL THE FUNDS THAT WE GET FOR UTILITIES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO BE USED TO PAVE STREETS OR TO BUY POLICEMAN.
THEY'RE SEGREGATED COMPLETELY.
EVEN THOUGH IT LOOKS LIKE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THE BUDGET, WHICH IS 50% OR MORE, WE CAN'T SPEND IT ON ANYTHING BUT THOSE FUNDS.
>> ABSOLUTELY. WHEN WE DO SPEND IT ON SOMETHING ELSE LIKE THIS LOAN, IT IS LITERALLY A BORROWING AND WE HAVE A PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND THERE IS AN INTEREST RATE.
IT'S NOT JUST EVERYBODY TRADING OFF THE MONEY IF THEY HAVE IT AVAILABLE.
I'M TRYING TO MOVE THROUGH REALLY QUICKLY.
IF YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO ANYTHING, PLEASE STOP ME NOW AND WE CAN GO THERE.
THE UTILITY FUND IS WHAT I'LL MOVE TO NEXT.
YOU ALL AUTHORIZE A RESOLUTION OF A 3% CPI INCREASE WHICH OF COURSE HELPS WITH, AS WE TALKED ABOUT STAFFING, REALLY THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS.
YOU WILL SEE OUR OPERATING REVENUES OF 23.6 MILLION, WHICH INCLUDES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.
EVEN THOUGH THE 3% CPI WENT ACROSS ALL FUNDS, WE HAVE ALSO REDUCED BY AN ADDITIONAL PERCENT THE OUTSIDE SERVICE SURCHARGE.
>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NON-OPERATING REVENUES, THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE OUR CONNECTION FEES, WHICH MR. BURCHAM MENTIONED ARE LIKE IMPACT FEES.
THERE ARE THREE ITEMS LISTED IN THE 2025 BUDGET FOR $500,000, WATER CONNECTION, SEWER CONNECTION, AND FORCE MAIN OVERLAY CHARGES.
AS THOSE REVENUES COME IN, WE DO NOT USE THOSE FOR OPERATIONS.
THE CONNECTION CHARGES, SOMEONE IS RESERVING THEIR SPACE IN THE TREATMENT PLANTS.
WE ARE SETTING THOSE FUNDS ASIDE WHEN THE DAY COMES THAT WE HAVE TO EXPAND THE PLANT THOSE PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY RESERVED THEIR SPACE ESSENTIALLY.
WE SHOULD NOT BE RAISING RATES BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BORROW MONEY TO GO AND EXPAND THAT PLANT, BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN SETTING ASIDE ALL THESE FUNDS THAT THE CUSTOMERS ARE PAYING US AT THE TIME OF THEIR RESERVATION OF CONNECTION.
FORCE MAIN OVERLAY CHARGES IS SIMILAR.
WE BORROWED MONEY, WE DID MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS AS PEOPLE ARE CONNECTING THEY'RE PAYING US BACK SO WE'RE ESSENTIALLY PAYING BACK THAT DEBT BORROWING THAT WE DID SO WE'RE SETTING THAT ASIDE TO RESERVES.
WE DON'T WANT TO THINK, WE SHOULD LOWER RATES BECAUSE WE HAVE THESE FUNDS COMING IN TO HELP US WITH OPERATIONS WHEN THEY ARE NOT.
THAT'S A LITTLE BIT WHY WE BREAK OUT OPERATING REVENUES VERSUS NON-OPERATING.
TAKE YOU TO THE NEXT PAGE AND YOU'LL SEE HOW THAT WORKS IN THE BUDGET, AND IT'S WITH THE TRANSFERS OUT.
OUR OTHER TRANSFERS AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE PAGE SHOW ALL THAT MONEY THAT WE'RE BUDGETING TO COME IN, WE'RE TRANSFERRING IT OUT TO RESERVES, BUT WE'RE TRANSFERRING IT OUT AND WE CAN'T USE IT FOR OPERATING EXPENDITURES.
OPERATING EXPENDITURES, INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.
THAT IS WHAT OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN THE MAJORITY OF THAT IS, UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS.
IT'S FORCE MAIN, IT'S REBUILDING. I'LL LET MR. SLAUGHTER TALK ABOUT ALL THAT IF YOU WANT HIM TO, BUT THIS IS WHERE YOU'LL SEE THE MAJORITY OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN IS FOR OUR UTILITY FUND AND IT'S RECOGNIZED RIGHT HERE.
WE TALK ABOUT OUR DEBT SERVICE, WHICH IS NOT INCREASED.
WE THEN GO INTO THE TRANSFERS ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATING AND OTHER.
YOU LOOK AT THE 2024 PROJECTED, WE ARE PROJECTING ABOUT A 1.2 MILLION DOLLAR ADDITION TO THE UTILITY RESERVES THIS YEAR, MOSTLY FROM SAVINGS ON EXPENDITURES, TYPICALLY FROM STAFF TURNOVER AND VACANCIES.
I'LL JUMP TO STORMWATER, WHICH WE LOOKED AT A LITTLE BIT ALREADY.
I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT GRANT YOU CAN SEE OF $7.2 MILLION.
IT'S A COMBINATION OF SEVERAL GRANTS.
MOST OF THEM FROM FLORIDA RESILIENT FUNDS, I BELIEVE, AND THAT'S THANKS TO MISS BEACH.
YOU CAN SEE THAT OPERATING REVENUE IS PRETTY STEADY, OF COURSE, THE 3% CPI.
YOU WILL SEE THAT OUR OPERATING EXPENSES DO LOOK LOWER.
THAT IS MOSTLY BECAUSE MISS BEACH'S SALARY AND HER OPERATIONS HAVE BEEN MOVED TO THE GENERAL FUND AS HER POSITION CHANGED.
THERE ARE FEWER STAFF IN THIS ACTUAL SMALL FUND.
I BELIEVE THERE ARE THREE OR FOUR POSITIONS IN THIS FUND.
YOU CAN SEE TRANSFERS THERE AND OTHER THAN THAT, THAT IS STORMWATER.
[01:05:03]
A LOT OF GOOD WORK, MAINTAINING THE STORMWATER SYSTEM IS BUDGETED HERE, AND THEN ALSO ALL OF THOSE GRANT PROJECTS.SOLID WASTE WE'LL MOVE TO, FORTUNATELY.
WE DO OUR OWN SOLID WASTE, AND THE BUDGET LOOKS GOOD.
OUR SOLID WASTE TEAM DOES A GREAT JOB FOR THE RESIDENTS.
>> WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE WE'RE NOT IN THE POSITION THAT OUR NEIGHBORS IN THE COUNTY ARE IN.
>> THAT'S FOR SURE. I'D ALSO LIKE TO ASK I SHOULD HAVE ASKED THIS EARLIER.
>> WE HAVE THAT BUILT IN. THAT IS INCLUDED IN THE SOLID WASTE BUDGET.
>> MORE THAN WHAT WE'VE GIVEN BEFORE.
>> WE HAVE $8,000 THAT WE JUST ENCUMBERED AND ORDERED OUT OF THE 2024 BUDGET.
WE DO HAVE ANOTHER 8,000, SO IT'S THE SAME AMOUNT, BUT ANOTHER ROUND THAT WE WILL ENCUMBER IN 2025.
WE WILL THEN LOOK AT MID-YEAR, WHAT WE HAVE.
I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT MAYBE SOME INTEREST EARNINGS THAT WERE A LITTLE HIGHER THAN WE THOUGHT.
HOW WE CAN USE ANY OF THOSE FUNDS THAT COME IN MID-YEAR AFTER WE DO THAT SECOND ORDER, THE ONE WE JUST DID, WE'LL DO ONE EARLY 2025 WE'LL LOOK AT THE NEED, THE POTENTIAL WAIT LIST, AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO MID-YEAR WITH ANY EXCESS.
>> AT SOME POINT, THE DEMAND WILL FALL OFF, BUT FOR NOW, I'D LIKE TO MEET THAT DEMAND. THANK YOU.
>> YES, 8,000 IS PROGRAMMED IN HERE THE SAME, BUT $16,000 REALLY WILL BE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS ON COMP EXPENSE.
REVENUES WE TALKED ABOUT ALREADY WITH A 3% INCREASE.
OUR EXPENSES, USUALLY THOSE INCREASES ARE TIPPING FEES, AND WE ARE ALWAYS EXPECTING A SLIGHT INCREASE IN TIPPING FEES.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR TRANSFERS, OUR OPERATING TRANSFER DOES INCLUDE JUST LIKE I MENTIONED WITH THE FIRE TRUCK, THE PURCHASE OF TWO NEW SOLID WASTE VEHICLES THAT WILL BE AN INTERFUND LOAN AS WELL SO WE'RE PAYING THAT OVER TIME.
YOU DON'T SEE THAT IN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, BUT YOU SEE IT REFLECTED HERE IN OUR TRANSFER.
ANY QUESTIONS SO FAR? WE WANT TO MOVE ON TO THE MARINA.
THEY'RE JUST THE EASIEST BUDGET FOR ME TO BALANCE.
THEY ARE ON IT. THEY DO GREAT WORK.
THEY ALSO HAD SOME GRANT MONEY COME IN.
I DIDN'T HAVE A GRANT LINE IN THEIR OTHER REVENUE, SO I PUT IT IN MISCELLANEOUS BECAUSE THEY DON'T GET A WHOLE LOT OF GRANTS, BUT THEY HAD GRANT REVENUE FROM FEMA TO REBUILD.
THAT $4.7 MILLION LINE ITEM THAT YOU SEE IN THEIR REVISED BUDGET IS GRANT REVENUE AND IN THEIR CAPITAL OUTLAY, YOU SEE $4.7 MILLION THAT'S THE SPENDING FOR THAT IMPROVEMENT.
THAT'S A PRETTY BIG DIFFERENCE FOR A BUDGET THIS SIZE.
I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT. EVERYTHING ELSE AGAIN, THEY'RE LOOKING GREAT.
WE DO HAVE PLANS, SOME OTHER TRANSFERS, WHICH IS REALLY TWO RESERVES FOR THEMSELVES.
THEY HAVE SOME DEBT SERVICE THAT IS GOING TO INCREASE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS SO WE WANT TO SET A LITTLE SINKING FUND JUST BACK TO THEIR OWN RESERVE ACCOUNT, SO THAT'S NOT SHOCKING WHEN THAT DEBT SERVICE AMOUNT CHANGES.
IT'S NOT NEW DEBT, IT'S JUST HOW THE DEBT SCHEDULE IS SET UP.
WE TRY TO PREPARE FOR THOSE THINGS COMING ON.
JUMP TO THE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER.
OBVIOUSLY, THE MAJORITY OF THIS IS THE PARKING GARAGE, BUT IT DOES INCLUDE THE CENTER ITSELF, THE GIFT SHOP, AND THE PARKING GARAGE.
IF WE LOOK AT THE DETAIL HERE, YOU CAN SEE WE'RE PROJECTING A PRETTY EVEN AMOUNT ON REVENUE COMPARED TO THE CURRENT YEAR.
I HAVE TO SAY THE LAST FEW REPORTS FROM THE GARAGE HAVE BEEN PRETTY EVEN.
WE'RE NOT CONTINUING TO SHOOT LIKE A COMET INTO THE SKY.
>> WE'RE DOING GOOD BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE HEARING IS THAT TOURISM IS OFF.
IF WE'RE HOLDING OUR OWN, THEN WE'RE GREAT.
>> I DO KNOW THAT A LOT MORE LOCALS ARE USING THE GARAGE.
>> PARTLY PROBABLY BECAUSE OF THE BUS.
>> CIRCULATOR THE RESIDENT DISCOUNT PROGRAM IS DOING A GREAT JOB.
THE TDC INCREASE, YOU CAN SEE HERE UNDER THE STATE COUNTY TDC FUNDING FROM 250,000-400,000.
THAT'S FOR THE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER ITSELF.
WE ARE A COUNTY VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER.
WE SUPPORT THE ENTIRE COUNTY, OF COURSE.
YOU CAN SEE OPERATING EXPENDITURES, INCLUDING DEBT HERE AND A REMINDER THAT THIS DEBT, THERE'S A TRANSFER IN FROM THE HACRA TO COVER THIS DEBT SERVICE.
THAT'S INCLUDED AS OTHER TRANSFERS IN.
WE ALSO HAVE ON OUR OTHER TRANSFERS OUT, YOU CAN SEE A LONG LIST.
NOW IN ALL THE OTHER FUNDS, WE GROUP THINGS TOGETHER IN ADMINISTRATIVE,
[01:10:02]
OPERATING, AND OTHER.I BROKE THE OTHER OUT SO YOU ALL COULD REALLY SEE WHAT'S GOING TO MOBILITY, WHAT'S GOING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION, WHAT IS GOING TO THE GARAGE SINKING FUND TO HELP MAINTAIN, TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS REVENUE SOURCE IS STAYING WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE.
WHAT WE HAVE UNDER OTHER TRANSFERS IS AN AMOUNT THAT IS CURRENTLY UNALLOCATED.
OR THE CURRENT YEAR, IF REVENUES COME IN AS EXPECTED AND ALL OF THESE OTHER THINGS HAPPEN, WE EXPECT THAT AN ADDITIONAL $504,000 WILL BE AVAILABLE.
THAT IS WHERE I WANT TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION WITH YOU ALL ON IS IT SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO JUST CONTINUE TO INCREASE THE RESERVES OF THE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER, OR DO YOU WANT TO INCREASE ONE OF THESE TRANSFER ALLOCATIONS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, MOBILITY, THINGS LIKE THAT? THAT'S WHY I LEAVE IT HERE AS A STANDALONE AND OTHER.
YOU CAN SEE THAT PROJECTED FOR 2024.
THE FUND IS EXPECTED TO PUT ANOTHER 924,000 BACK INTO RESERVES.
IF Y'ALL REMEMBER YEARS AND YEARS AGO WHEN WE STARTED THIS GARAGE, IT TOOK A WHILE.
WE'VE BEEN IN THE HOLE A LITTLE BIT ON AVAILABLE RESERVES TO SPEND.
WE'VE BEEN BUILDING THAT OVER TIME AS THE GARAGE HAS DONE BETTER.
JUST A QUICK REMINDER ON THAT.
>> TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.
>> LAST YEAR, WE HAD THIS $700,000 BUDGETED IN THAT OTHER TRANSFER LINE AND AT THE TIME, WE THOUGHT, WELL, SHOULD IT BE FOR THIS HOMELESS PROJECT, THIS DROP-IN CENTER THAT WE DON'T KNOW A WHOLE LOT ABOUT YET BUT TYPICALLY OUR VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER FUND WE USE THOSE FUNDS FOR OBVIOUSLY VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER, TRANSPORTATION.
WE HAVE COMMITTED TO USING IT FOR MOBILITY FUNDS, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE IN THE GENERAL FUND, A TRANSFER BECAUSE THAT MAKES SENSE THAT IT'S TRANSPORTATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION BECAUSE THE IDEA IS THE VISITORS COMING HERE FOR THE HISTORY.
THEY'RE PARKING IN THE GARAGE.
THEY'RE HELPING TO FUND THAT HISTORIC PRESERVATION ITEM IN OUR STRATEGIC PLAN.
THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE HAVE SPENT THESE VIC DOLLARS ON BECAUSE AS YOU MENTIONED BEFORE, WE CAN'T SPEND THESE DOLLARS ON WHATEVER WE WANT.
THEY WERE EARNED IN THE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER FUND.
I'M BRINGING IT TO YOU WITH THIS LINE ITEM SAYING WE CAN INCREASE ANY OF THESE EXISTING TRANSFERS.
IT CAN INCREASE OUR SINKING FUND BUILDING, IT CAN INCREASE RESERVES, BUT I WANTED YOU ALL TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
I KNOW THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMPONENT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT THIS MAY BE A ONE-TIME USE FOR.
>> FILL IN THE BLANKS A LITTLE BIT.
WHAT DOES THAT HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONEY GO TOWARDS NOW?
>> CURRENTLY, IT OFFSETS THE ADDITION OF NOW TWO ARCHAEOLOGISTS.
THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET HAD BEEN PAYING FOR ONE OVER TIME, AND WHEN WE ADDED AN ADDITIONAL ONE, WE USED VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER DOLLARS FOR THAT AND THEN A SECOND ONE.
IT ALSO GOES TO WELL, IF YOU TURN THE PAGE, I DON'T NEED TO HAVE IT MEMORIZED.
I'VE GOT IT ALL HERE FOR YOU. I FORGOT. IT'S ALL RIGHT HERE.
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET, ARCHAEOLOGY STAFFING THAT I JUST TALKED ABOUT, AND ALSO INCREASE IN THEIR OPERATIONS.
THE CONTRACTUAL SERVICES THAT I TALKED ABOUT, HELP WITH SOME OF THESE REALLY SPECIALIZED ITEMS THAT THEY WORK ON.
WE HAVE SOME INTERNS AT THE MOMENT THAT ARE HELPING THEM TO GET THE WORK DONE.
WE ALSO ARE USING IT FOR SOME OF THE BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE FOR OUR HISTORIC PROPERTIES, THIS BUILDING BEING ONE OF THEM.
THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION IS A NEW ITEM IN THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BUDGET THIS YEAR SO IT'S HELPING TO OFFSET THAT SO THAT THE GENERAL FUND DOESN'T HAVE TO DO THAT.
WE ALSO HAVE ANNUALLY OUR CONTRIBUTION TO UF PRESERVATION INSTITUTE, PISA, TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA FOR THE LA FLORIDA PROGRAM, AND THEN THERE WAS A NEW REQUEST FROM THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
EACH OF THOSE ITEMS ARE ALSO PAID FOR WITH THE TRANSFER FROM THE VISIT INFORMATION CENTER.
>> THROUGH THE COURSE OF OUR DISCUSSIONS EARLIER, THE COMMISSION WAS INTERESTED IN CREATING AN EXPANDED HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND OR A NEW HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND TO FUND THE ACQUISITION, THE POTENTIAL MOVING THESE POTENTIAL RESTORATION OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES.
COULD THIS ADDITIONAL $500,000 THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT GO TOWARDS THAT INITIATIVE?
>> IT COULD DO THAT. I KNOW WE TALKED EARLIER IN THE CRA PORTION ABOUT HOW MANY OF THOSE FUNDS THAT'S A PRIORITY FOR THE TWO CRAS, AND THOSE FUNDS CAN BE USED FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION OF BUILDINGS.
FOR THINGS THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF THE CRA, THIS 500,000 CAN BE USED FOR THAT.
WHAT I WOULD CAUTION IS, I WOULD CAUTION MAKING IT A RECURRING PLAN TO FUND SOMETHING.
WE DO KNOW THAT THE BROUDY GARAGE WILL COME ON AND WE ARE ANTICIPATING THAT THE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER,
[01:15:02]
THE GENERAL FUND PARKING, AND THE BROUDY THAT WE WILL NEED TO LOOK AT AS A FULL SYSTEM AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE OPERATING REVENUES, THE COMMITTED REVENUES ARE COMING IN TO MEET THOSE EXPENDITURES.BECAUSE THAT GARAGE IS NOT HERE YET, THAT'S WHY I SAY IT'S A ONE TIME.
I THINK THAT IT COULD BE USED FOR THAT THIS YEAR.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. WHERE DO WE HAVE THE MONEY THAT WE NEED TO REPAIR THE FLOOR, THE VIC, THE WINDOW REPLACEMENT? WHERE IS THAT MONEY?
>> MUCH OF THAT WAS FROM GRANT REVENUE, AND IF MR. SACRED IS HERE IF HE WANTS TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT, BUT IF YOU LOOK BACK TO THE PREVIOUS PAGE, VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER, MAYBE WE DON'T HAVE IT IN HERE.
>> YOU HAVE 2024 ACTUAL 315,000 FOR THE VIC RESTORATION THAT'S THIS BUDGET YEAR.
>> I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S ALL BEEN SPENT YET, BUT IT'S A BUDGET THAT WILL COME OVER INTO 2025 AS A REVISED BUDGET ITEM.
>> WE HAD SOME FROM HERE. I BELIEVE WE ALSO RECEIVED SOME GRANT DOLLARS FOR THAT.
>> WELL, TALKING ABOUT $500,000, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT SPENT OR SET ASIDE, JUST LIKE WE DID WITH THE LAND ACQUISITION FOR CONSERVATION LAND, SET ASIDE FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
WE'VE HAD A COUPLE OF DEMOLITIONS THAT WE DIDN'T WANT TO SEE HAPPEN AND WHAT I ENVISIONED WAS THAT THIS FUND COULD POTENTIALLY SET US UP FOR EITHER EMERGENCY PURCHASES POSSIBLY, RELOCATIONS.
I CAN THINK OF A PROJECT THAT'S COMING FORWARD TO US SOON THAT WE MAY BE ASKED TO OFFER TO RELOCATE.
HISTORIC BUILDING THAT'S STANDING IN THE WAY OF A HOTEL. I HAD TO MENTION THAT.
I SAID, PURCHASE, RELOCATION OR STABILIZATION IN SOME CASES, WHERE WE MAY BE ABLE TO COME IN AND STABILIZE A BUILDING SO THAT THERE IS NOT A JUSTIFICATION TO DEMOLISH IT, TRYING TO REMOVE THAT OR PREEMPT THAT ABILITY TO SAY, IT'S A DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT.
I THINK IT NEEDS TO START WITH A MILLION AT THE MINIMUM BUT YOU'RE SAYING THAT THIS 504,000 IS AVAILABLE TO DO THAT.
>> IT IS. IT MEETS THE CRITERIA OF THE THINGS THAT YOU ALL HAVE AUTHORIZED VIC FUNDS TO BE USED FOR BECAUSE IT IS FOCUSED ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
>> I HAVE A THOUGHT. WHAT WE AGREED TO ON THE CONSERVATION LAND ACQUISITION PROGRAM FOR EVERY YEAR IS $100,000, BUT THEN WE WERE ABLE TO GO INTO RESERVES AND SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THAT.
WHAT IF WE WERE TO GO AHEAD AND USE THIS 500 TO START THIS FUND, BUT NOT ENCUMBER 500,000 OR MORE UNTIL WE HAVE A BETTER SENSE OF WHAT THE WHOLE PICTURE LOOKS LIKE.
>> ALSO, I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED FOUR OR FIVE YEARS FROM NOW WHEN THE CIRCULATOR IS NOT FUNDED BY THE STATE, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE BY THAT TIME, WE'LL NEED ANOTHER ONE COMING FROM BROUDY.
WHAT ARE WE DOING TO PREPARE FOR THOSE ADDED EXPENSES DOWN THE LINE?
>> WE DID HAVE THAT INCLUDED IN THE POTENTIAL PRO FORMA.
OF COURSE, IT'S HARD TO PREDICT AND THE GARAGE ISN'T EVEN BUILT YET, BUT WERE PLANNING FOR INCREASED EXPENDITURES THERE.
THAT'S WHY I KEEP SAYING THIS SYSTEM, WE DON'T EXPECT THAT THAT BROUDY GARAGE, ESPECIALLY IN THE FIRST FEW YEARS, IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR ITSELF.
IT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE SAW WITH OUR CURRENT GARAGE.
IT TOOK MANY YEARS BEFORE IT WAS ABLE TO FUND ITS OWN OPERATION.
WE WOULD LIKE TO USE VISA INFORMATION CENTER EXCESS REVENUES, HOPEFULLY AT THE END OF EACH YEAR, ONCE BROUDY IS ONLINE TO HELP ALL GARAGES MEET THEIR EXPENSES WITHOUT THE GENERAL FUND HAVING TO COME IN AND ASSIST.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED WITH THE CURRENT GARAGE IS THEY STARTED OUT WITH A CIRCULATOR.
I WAS WORKING AT THE SCHOOL BOARD AND WROTE IT ALL THE TIME BY MYSELF.
I DIDN'T FUND IT. I WAS THE ONLY ONE WRITING IT. IT WAS GREAT.
WE GOT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THAT'S GOING TO HAVE TO HAPPEN AT BROUDY EVEN MORE, AND WE MAY HAVE TO COME UP WITH SOME FUNDS TO HELP IT GET STARTED BECAUSE IF YOU KNOW YOU CAN PARK THERE AND GET A SHUTTLE AND IT'S COMING ALL THE TIME, IT MAY TAKE A COUPLE OF YEARS FOR THAT TO HAPPEN FOR PEOPLE TO GET TO KNOW THAT.
>> I HEAR CONSENSUS, I THINK, TO USE THAT 500,000 AND PROGRAM THAT INTO SETTING UP AN ACCOUNT SIMILAR TO THE LAND ACQUISITION ACCOUNT TO MOVE FORWARD AND BUILT.
[01:20:04]
>> WE HAVE NOT DECIDED ON ANY RECURRING FUNDING TO THAT.
WE'LL HAVE TO GO ON THAT CASE-BY-CASE BASIS MOVING FORWARD.
>> CORRECT. NOW, WE WILL NOT, I KNOW WE TALKED AGAIN ABOUT THE CRAS, WE WOULD NOT COMINGLE THE TWO IF A PROJECT IS IN A CRA AND IT DOES MEET THAT CRITERIA FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
>> THIS WOULD APPLY TO ANY WORK OUTSIDE THE CRAS. GOOD.
>> IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'VE PUT SOMETHING A PROPOSAL TOGETHER THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE AND THEN IT WORKS FOR YOU AND THEN IT WORKS FOR US, TOO. THANK YOU.
>> WE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THE NEXT PAGE WITH THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION DETAIL, AND THEN I'M GOING TO JUMP RIGHT OVER THE TWO CRAS. THANK YOU.
>> CAN I JUST MAKE ONE COMMENT.
BEFORE WE GO ON, I DID WANT TO NOTE THAT UNDER THIS BUDGET FOR THE VIC, THERE IS $25,000 FOR THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
YOU DID MENTION THAT, BUT I WANTED TO JUST GET DOWN INTO THE DETAILS A LITTLE BIT.
THIS IS BECAUSE, MAYBE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS, BUT THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AS LLAMBAS HOUSE, THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY TAKES CARE OF IT AND USES IT.
BUT WE DO FEEL THAT WE SHOULD BE CONTRIBUTING TO ITS MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP.
THAT'S WHAT THE 25,000 IS FOR, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. IT IS FOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE.
WE DO HAVE AN UNUSUAL TRUST DEED ON THE PROPERTY WHERE WE DO OWN THE PROPERTY, BUT WE'RE NOT THE TRUSTEE.
IT'S A JOINT EFFORT TO MAINTAIN THE LLAMBIAS HOUSE, WHICH IS A VERY EXPENSIVE ORIGINAL COLONIAL BUILDING.
>> YEAH. IT'S ONE OF OUR COLONIAL STONE.
>> IT'S A PRETTY BIG BURDEN ON THEM.
>> YES. IT SEEMS FAIR, TO ME ITS SOMETHING NEW.
>> THANK YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF THAT.
>> CITY MANAGER ARRANGED THAT AND MADE THAT AGREEMENT, SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS VERY GOOD.
>> NOW, I'LL JUST HIGHLIGHT ON EACH OF THOSE.
WE HAVE ASKED EACH OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE US WHAT THE FUNDS WOULD BE USED FOR.
WE'RE NOT JUST SENDING A CHECK.
WE'RE ASKING FOR DETAIL ON THAT EACH YEAR.
THAT'S GOOD. I WILL JUMP TO PAGE 32.
WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT ALREADY, JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT YOU'LL SEE ON THE NEXT FEW PAGES.
IT'S REALLY JUST TRYING TO TIE TOGETHER IN EVEN MORE DETAIL OUR STRATEGIC PLAN TO SOME OF OUR STRATEGIC ITEMS. I MAY NOT HAVE LISTED EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, BUT IT'S REALLY JUST A WORKSHEET FOR YOU ALL TO TAKE A LOOK IN TOTAL AT WHAT WE'RE DOING CITYWIDE.
PAGE 32 SHOWS A PAVING RESURFACING MAP.
THEN THE FOLLOWING PAGES, BULLET OUT SOME OF THOSE HIGH LEVEL PROJECTS, MOST OF WHICH WE HAVE EITHER DISCUSSED TODAY, OR YOU CAN FIND MORE DETAIL IN YOUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN BOOK THAT IS BEHIND THIS BUDGET BOOK.
>> IF I COULD JUST SAY, WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING BOTH SEVILLA AND TOLMATO LT IN THIS BUDGET, WHICH GREAT. YES, FINALLY
>> NOW IT'S UP TO YOU ALL. WHAT DID I MISS?
>> I WANTED TO ADD TO, SO IF YOU'RE FINISHED WITH THAT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE DISCUSSED, I HAD A LATE REQUEST COME IN FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
DAVID SHORES IS TURNING 100-YEARS-OLD NEXT YEAR.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, FULL DISCLOSURE, THIS IS MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
I'VE LIVED THERE FOR MANY YEARS.
I'M NOT GOING TO NAME THEM ALL.
YOU MIGHT DATE ME, NOT 100. THAT'S FOR SURE.
BUT THEY DID HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING AND THEY HAD QUITE A LONG LIST OF $106,000 WORTH OF REQUESTS FOR THEIR CELEBRATION, WHICH WE THOUGHT WAS VERY INTERESTING.
BUT CITY MANAGER AND I HAVE DISCUSSED IT, AND I THINK HE HAS A PROPOSAL THAT'S MORE ACCEPTABLE.
>> YES. THEY DID ASK FOR $106,600 FOR THEIR CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
IT WAS BROKEN DOWN INTO, I'LL CALL THEM PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH WE BELIEVE WE HAVE FUNDING FOR.
THE OTHER ITEMS THAT WERE RELATED TO THE ACTUAL PARTY OR CELEBRATION ITSELF, WE PREFER NOT TO FUND AND THAT WE DON'T PROVIDE FUNDING FOR OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTIES IN THAT MANNER.
BUT WHAT WE CAN DO IS WE CAN PROVIDE A NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT TO PAY FOR PLAQUE FOR THE 10 ORIGINAL DAVID SHORES HOMES.
>> THEY'RE FREE TO APPLY TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT FOR THOSE.
THOSE ARE THE STREET SIGNS THAT WE HAVE IN DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS OR DAVID SHORES OVER THE ACTUAL STREET SIGN.
WE HAVE THOSE IN LINCOLNVILLE AND MODELING COMPANY.
>> WHEN THEY REQUEST, WE DO THAT FOR THEM.
>> WE CAN PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THAT.
LANDSCAPING BEAUTIFICATION WAS ALSO A REQUEST.
WE CAN DO SOME LANDSCAPING BEAUTIFICATION.
[01:25:03]
THEY WERE PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN THE MEDIANS ON ANASTASIA BOULEVARD.THAT'S A LITTLE TRICKY BECAUSE DOT DOES HAVE VERY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR LANDSCAPING IN THE HIGHWAY.
BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY SPEND THAT MONEY INTERIOR INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS ON OGLETHORPE BOULEVARD OR OTHER BOULEVARDS.
THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE ALSO HAVE FUNDING FOR.
WE CAN ALSO APPLY FOR A GRANT TO LIST THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC PLACES.
DISTRICT LISTING IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO.
AS YOU KNOW, WE'VE ALREADY SURVEYED THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THAT WOULD BE THE NEXT STEP AND THAT WOULD BE A LONG LASTING CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> I THINK THAT MAKES MY HEART SO HAPPY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS TO SEE DAVID SHORES RECOGNIZED AS A HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD, AND WHATEVER THE CRITERIA IS OR A PERIOD AREA OF SIGNIFICANCE IT IS, I DON'T KNOW YET.
BUT I THINK IT'S VERY FAIR USE OF OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION STAFF TO DO APPLY FOR THE GRANT AND IF SUCCESSFUL DO A NATIONAL REGISTER DISTRICT.
THAT'S SOMETHING A VERY LONG TERM GOAL OF MINE THAT MAKES ME VERY HAPPY TO SEE.
I HOPE FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THAT, AND I THINK THAT THERE'S ROOM IN THE BUDGET TO SLIDE THESE IN.
IT'S NOT A SEPARATE LINE ITEM, BUT I WANTED YOU TO BE AWARE BECAUSE YOU WILL BE APPROACHED BY THE NEIGHBORHOOD ABOUT THAT.
>> IF YOU COULD JUST SEND AROUND A SUMMARY OF WHAT THAT STRATEGY IS, SO WHEN WE GET APPROACH, WE CAN SPEAK.
THAT WOULD BE GREAT. I AGREE WITH THE STRATEGY. I SUPPORT IT.
IT DOESN'T OPEN THE DOOR ANY FURTHER THAN, IF WE OPEN THE DOOR WITH SOME OF THESE REQUESTS, IT WOULD BE EVERY ORGANIZED NEIGHBOR IN THE CITY WOULD SAY, WELL, WE WANT THIS, BUT I THINK THESE ARE FAIR.
THANK YOU. SOUNDS LIKE WE'VE GOT OUR THINGS.
WE'VE GOT FEW MINUTES BEFORE YOU HAVE TO GET TO YOUR MEETING, BUT I WANTED TO SAY ONE OTHER THING.
I THINK THE LANDSCAPING IS REALLY A GREAT IDEA ON THE DAVID SHORES.
THE LANDSCAPING IS A GREAT IDEA BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD A REQUEST FOR FURTHER LANDSCAPING AROUND THE LIFT STATIONS THAT WE DID ON OUR RESILIENCY EFFORT.
THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF INVESTMENT THERE, BUT THEY'RE NOT BEAUTIFUL.
[LAUGHTER] I'M NOT SAYING THEY EVEN HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE THEY'RE JUST CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT I THINK WE COULD DO A LITTLE BETTER JOB MAYBE SCREENING OR ENHANCING IN SOME WAY.
THAT MAY BE SOMETHING THAT COULD BE USED FOR THAT AS WELL.
>> I THINK THIS IS A GREAT BUDGET.
APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK OF STAFF.
I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE CITY MANAGER ON ANOTHER ISSUE ONCE WE CLOSE THIS PART OF THE DISCUSSION.
[4. Items by Mayor and Commissioner]
DO WE NEED TO GO AROUND, ARE WE ALL GOOD? WE'VE HAD OUR CHANCE TO BRING OUR ITEMS FORWARD.OTHER THAN THAT, THEN, MR. BACH, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR ACCORDING TO COMMISSIONER BLONDER'S RECOMMENDATIONS.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR US? COMMISSIONER BLONDER?
>> I'M SURE, BEEN RECEIVING LOTS AND LOTS OF E MAILS AND TEXTS ABOUT THE ANASTASIA STATE PARK AND EIGHT OTHER STATE PARKS PROPOSAL THAT JUST LANDED.
I JUST WOULD LIKE THE CITY MANAGER TO SPEAK TO THAT FOR A MOMENT.
>> ALTHOUGH THAT'S NOT PART OF OUR REGULAR AGENDA, I'M CERTAINLY WILLING TO DISCUSS.
>> IT'S TIME SENSITIVE. [OVERLAPPING]
IT'S JUST NOT AN ADVERTISED AGENDA, AND I DON'T EXPECT ANY ACTION, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY DISCUSS IT.
>> IT'S CERTAINLY ON EVERYONE'S MIND.
THE STATE OF FLORIDA UNVEILED AN INITIATIVE YESTERDAY THAT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A LODGE, AS WELL AS PICKLEBALL COURTS AND A DISC GOLF COURSE TO ANASTASIA STATE PARK.
>> 350 ROOM LODGE, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY A HOTEL RESORT INSIDE THE STATE PARK.
WE ARE ONLY ONE OF NINE DIFFERENT STATE PARKS THAT ARE RECEIVING SIMILAR REQUESTS AND SOME OF THOSE ARE GOLF COURSES.
WE WERE MADE AWARE OF IT YESTERDAY, AND THE COMMUNITY HAS GRAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THAT ON ANASTASIA STATE PARK.
THE CITY GOVERNMENT HAS REGULATORY AUTHORITY OVER THE STATE PARK BECAUSE IT'S INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS.
THAT EXTENDS TOWARDS OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND OUR LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE,
[01:30:03]
WHICH IS OUR ZONING CODE, AS WELL AS OUR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CODE.IF THIS DEVELOPMENT REQUIRES ANY KIND OF LOCAL ACTION, FOR EXAMPLE, THE PLANNING BOARD'S TREE REMOVAL, AN AMENDMENT TO THE FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORY FOR THE PROPERTY OR A REZONING OF THE PROPERTY OR ANY OTHER FORMAL ACTION, THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY OUR PLANNING BOARD AND OR OUR CITY COMMISSION.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE NOT PRE JUDGE THAT IN ANTICIPATION OF THE REVIEW BECAUSE IT COULD TAINT THE PROCESS.
I WOULD ASK THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE PATIENCE WITH US, BECAUSE WE DO NOT EXPECT TO HAVE STRONG PUBLIC OPINIONS OF THE PROCESS IN ADVANCE OF THE REVIEW PROCESS THAT WE HAVE FOR ALL PUBLIC MEETINGS.
IN OTHER WORDS, WHEN SOMETHING HAS TO GO TO OUR PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD IT'S APPEALABLE TO OUR CITY COMMISSION.
OUR CITY COMMISSIONERS OR THE CITY ITSELF SHOULD NOT PRE JUDGE THE APPLICATION BEFORE IT COMES BEFORE THEM.
THAT COULD TAINT THE PROCESS FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE.
I'M NOT SURE IF I'M EXPLAINING THAT VERY WELL.
>> TO SUMMARIZE THAT, WE'RE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.
THIS PROJECT, WE'RE MONITORING THE PROJECT, AND WE'RE OPEN TO ANY FEEDBACK.
THERE IS A PUBLIC MEETING ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON AT THE THE TECHNICAL CENTER, ST. JOHNS COMMUNITY TECHNICAL COLLEGE.
WE'RE INTERESTED IN GOING TO THAT MEETING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT, AND WE'RE MONITORING THE SITUATION. THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE ASKED YOU TO PREPARE A POSITION IN THIS IN WRITING.
>> WE'LL PREPARE A POSITION IN WRITING.
IT'LL BE SIMILAR TO WHAT I JUST ARTICULATED, ESSENTIALLY ASKING FOR PEOPLE'S PATIENCE AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS.
>> ONCE YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE REVIEW, WE'D ALSO LIKE SOMETHING FORMALLY, AT LEAST I WOULD.
AS LONG AS WE DON'T PUT OURSELVES IN JEOPARDY OF BEING KNOCKED OUT OF HAVING OUR SAY IN IT, FINALLY, PREEMPTING OURSELVES, SO TO SPEAK.
I PROBABLY SPEAK FOR ALL OF YOU, WE DEFINITELY HAVE PASSIONATE VIEWS ON THIS ISSUE.
BUT WE JUST HAVE TO BE PATIENT AND BE CAREFUL RIGHT NOW.
MY HOPE IS THAT THE COMMUNITY COMES OUT IN FORCE AND PREEMPTS ANYTHING DOWN THE ROAD FROM US BEING THE POSITION OF BEING IN THAT POSITION DOWN THE ROAD.
>> YOU'RE SAYING ITS TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC USE THEIR VOICE.
>> I AM SAYING THAT THE PUBLIC REALLY NEEDS TO COME OUT AND FORCE AND WRITING AND EMAILS AND EVERY WAY THEY CAN TO REACH OUT TO THEIR STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS, THE GOVERNOR, DP STAFF, EVERYBODY THAT THEY CAN REACH.
I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A PETITION ONLINE NOW FOR THAT AND MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD SO THAT IT DOESN'T EVER GET TO THE POSITION OF HAVING TO REVIEW A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT. THANK YOU.
>> DO WE KNOW THAT THIS IS THE ONLY MEETING THEY'RE HAVING, OR ARE THEY GOING TO BE APPROACHING THE COUNTY IN?
>> WE DO NOT KNOW. WE WERE JUST MADE AWARE OF THIS A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, AND THEY HAVE ONLY SCHEDULED AS FAR AS WE KNOW ONE PUBLIC MEETING.
>> ALSO THE CITY STAFF AND NONE OF US HAVE BEEN FORMALLY NOTIFIED EITHER FOR THAT MATTER.
THIS CAME THROUGH THE SPECIAL MEETING.
>> THEY HAVE NEVER GONE THROUGH A REVIEW WITH OUR CITY STAFF ON THIS DEVELOPMENT.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. THAT'S UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE THIS ENTIRE PROJECT IS LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
>> YES. THANK YOU, GREAT PRESENTATION.
>> LIKE MELISSA. THANK YOU FOR JOINING TEAM. [OVERLAPPING]
THANK YOU, STAFF IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM.
THANK YOU FOR PUBLIC COMING IN. WE APPRECIATE IT.
>> NO, IT'S NOT AN ITEM. JUST FOR CLARITY.
WE HAD TALKED EARLIER ABOUT HAVING TO CONTINUE THIS UNTIL TOMORROW MORNING.
>> I DON'T THINK SO. I THINK EVERYBODY GOT OTHER QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
[01:35:02]
I THINK WE'RE GOOD AND YOU HAVE SIX MINUTES TO GET TO YOUR MEETING AT NOON, SO WE'RE GOOD.WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE A MEETING TOMORROW.
WITH THAT, WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.