SO I AM CALLING THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION FOR THE BUDGET WORKSHOP TO ORDER.
[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:08]
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. NANCY. SIKES-KLINE.HERE. BARBARA BLONDER. HERE. CYNTHIA GARRIS. HERE.
JIM SPRINGFIELD. HERE. JOHN DEPRETER. HERE. ALL RIGHT THEN.
[2. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS]
WE HAVE FIRST ON ORDER. WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS.GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS. I HAVE 2 SPEAKER CARDS.
AND THE FIRST UP IS THOMAS REYNOLDS, FOLLOWED BY BJ KALAIDI.
TOM REYNOLDS 1244. MILE 32084. THE FIRST THING I WANTED TO MENTION TO YOU, COMMISSIONERS, I KNOW YOU KNOW THIS ALREADY. PROBABLY, BUT YOU HAVE A GREAT CFO, MISS BURNS.
SHE REALLY IS ACCURATE WITH THE FIGURES. BUT MISS BURNS, WHEN SHE WAS OVER THERE, SHE SAVED 2000 CONDO OWNERS FROM BEING CHEATED. HOW WERE THEY? EXCUSE ME.
I APOLOGIZE FOR INTERRUPTING YOU, BUT COULD YOU SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE? WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO PICK THIS UP ON THE OKAY.
YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO PICK THIS UP ON THE MICROPHONES? THANK YOU. NANCY. SURE. ANYWAYS JUST SO YOU KNOW, IT REALLY WAS REALLY REFRESHING BECAUSE THE THEY WERE TAKEN OVER $1 MILLION WAS COMING OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND AT THE BEACH AND GOING INTO SUBS SUBSIDIZE THE WASTE DISPOSAL.
AND MISS BURNS BROUGHT THAT. AND BASICALLY BY BRINGING THAT, SAVING THE CONDO OWNERS FROM BEING CHEATED AND ALSO REALLY SAVING THE CITY BECAUSE THE CITY WAS ON A CRASH COURSE TO GO BROKE.
THE SECOND THING I WANT TO BRING UP TONIGHT, NON-AGENDA COMMENT HERE IS, THE SADNESS THAT I'M FEELING OVER 2 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND A BEACH COMMISSIONER BEING CHARGED, OTHER PEOPLE BEING CHARGED IN ELECTION FRAUD.
YOU KNOW, IT FLOORED ME BECAUSE NOT IN, YOU KNOW, 100 YEARS WITH MY MIND.
THINK OF A CRIMINAL ACT LIKE THAT. BUT THEN TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF MAJOR DECISIONS WERE NOW MADE WHEN YOU GO BACK, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, COUNTY ATTORNEY.
WELL, 2 OF THOSE VOTES WERE BY CRIMINALS. AND NO MATTER HOW WE WANT TO LOOK AT IT, I MEAN, SARAH ARNOLD BROUGHT HER CHILDREN TO THE CRIME.
THEY PARTICIPATED IN IT. CHRISTIAN WHITEHURST BRINGS HIS MOTHER TO THE CRIME STAMPING ENVELOPES.
WHEN I READ ALL THAT PAPERWORK, I'M BESIDE MYSELF, BUT IT'S RELIEVING IN A WAY.
I DON'T LIKE TO SEE THOSE PEOPLE IN TROUBLE, BUT IT'S RELIEVING TO KNOW THAT KARMA IS REAL.
BECAUSE WHAT HENRY DEAN, ROY ALIMO, SARAH ARNOLD AND CHRISTIAN WHITEHURST DID TO CHRIS TO JOSEPH WAS ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE WHAT THEY PUT HER THROUGH WHEN HER HUSBAND WAS DYING.
IT'S NOT A FORGIVABLE THING. THAT'S WHY I'M GOING OUT OF MY WAY.
THEY'RE GETTING A LOT OF CALLS TO UPGRADE THE CHARGES.
YOU KNOW, FOR BEING SOFT ON CRIME. ANYWAYS, FOLKS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING.
AND YOU KNOW, THERE'S STILL A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE IN ELECTED OFFICE.
BJ KALAIDI, WEST CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE. THE POLICE PENSION BOARD IS DISCUSSING GIVING OFFICERS WHO RETIRE COST OF LIVING RAISES EVEN AFTER LEAVING THE JOB, TAXPAYERS WHO LEAVE THEIR JOB DO NOT RECEIVE COL RAISES.
THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE MONEY. I WANT TO REPEAT THAT THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE MONEY.
TAXPAYERS IN THE CITY PAY FOR PART OF THE PENSIONS.
THE POLICE SHOULD INCREASE FINES FOR PARKING, ESPECIALLY $35 DOES NOT GET ANYBODY'S ATTENTION.
AND YOU MIGHT DO IT ON YOUR PARKING LOT AND CERTAIN TIMES RAISING $200.
BUT WE NEED TO START DOING SOMETHING ABOUT OUR LOCAL STREETS.
THERE SHOULD BE FINES FOR SIGNS THAT ARE CONSTANTLY PLACED IN CITY RIGHT OF WAY.
AND THIS IS THE CODE PEOPLE GOING OUT ALL THE TIME, TAKING THOSE THINGS DOWN.
NOTHING HAPPENS. THEY PUT THEM BACK UP. IT'S A WRITE OFF FOR THEM.
[00:05:05]
NOT THE VIOLATORS. THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND. MY QUESTION WHAT DOES JACKSONVILLE DO ABOUT THIS ORDINANCE VIOLATION ABOUT POSTING SIGNS? I THINK THERE'S SOME INFORMATION UP THERE THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT COULD HELP US NOW.I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY. THERE WE GO. VOTE YES ON 3. AND THERE WILL BE A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYING VOTE NO.
BUT I THINK ALL OF US AS TAXPAYERS NEED TO THINK ABOUT THAT AND DO OUR PART.
SO THIS IS MY ARTWORK THAT WILL BE SHOWN BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK? HEARING NO ONE. SEEING NO ONE. PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED.
WE ARE TO THE SUBSTANCE OF THE MEETING. AND THIS WILL BE MISS BURNS.
[3. FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET ASSUMPTIONS DISCUSSION]
YOU ARE WELCOME TO PRESENT.GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
TODAY I'M PRESENTING. I'M SORRY. MELISSA BURNS, FINANCE DIRECTOR.
TODAY I'M PRESENTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 REVENUE MANUAL.
THE LEGAL AUTHORITY BEHIND EACH REVENUE SOURCE AND HOW THOSE REVENUES MAY BE USED.
THE MANUAL IS ORGANIZED BY GOVERNMENTAL AND PRIVATE PROPRIETARY FUNDS AND INCLUDES HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS, CURRENT YEAR PROJECTIONS, AND 5 YEAR FORECAST FOR EACH MAJOR REVENUE SOURCE.
THIS MANUAL IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE THE COMMISSION AND RESIDENTS WITH BACKGROUND INFORMATION THAT SUPPORTS SOME OF THE REVENUE ASSUMPTIONS USED DURING DEVELOPMENT OF THE FY 2027 BUDGET. THERE ARE SOME REVENUE SOURCES THAT ARE BASED ON SERVICE USE, AND WE WILL BE REQUESTING INCREASE ON SOME OF THOSE FEES AT A LATER TIME.
PRELIMINARY TAXABLE VALUE ESTIMATES. WE ARE PROJECTING APPROXIMATELY AN 8% INCREASE IN AD VALOREM REVENUE FOR FY 2027, OR ABOUT $1.8 MILLION, ASSUMING THAT THE CURRENT MILLAGE RATE OF 7.5 MILLS IS MAINTAINED.
A REJECTION OF ONE HALF A MILL WOULD REDUCE THE ANNUAL REVENUES BY APPROXIMATELY 1.9 MILLION, REQUIRING EITHER ALTERNATIVE REVENUE SOURCES, EXPENDITURE REDUCTIONS OR SERVICE LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS.
THE MANUAL ALSO INCLUDES EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATING WHAT THOSE REDUCTIONS MEAN TO INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS.
FOR A HOME WITH A TAXABLE VALUE OF $350,000 AFTER EXEMPTIONS, A 1/10TH MILL REDUCTION SAVES APPROXIMATELY $35 PER YEAR, WHILE ONE HALF MILL REDUCTION SAVED ABOUT $175 ANNUALLY.
IF APPROVED BY VOTERS, THE AMENDMENT WOULD INCREASE THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR NON SCHOOL TAXES, REDUCING THE CITY'S TAXABLE VALUE AND THEREFORE AD VALOREM REVENUE.
BASED ON CURRENT ESTIMATES, THE CITY COULD EXPERIENCE APPROXIMATELY $2.1 MILLION ANNUAL REDUCTION BEGINNING IN FY 2028, WITH A CUMULATIVE IMPACT OF APPROXIMATELY 4.2 MILLION OVER THE NEXT FOLLOWING 2 FISCAL YEARS.
BECAUSE THE AMENDMENT HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY VOTERS, OUR FORECAST CONTINUES TO ASSUME CURRENT LAW.
HOWEVER, WE FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE AN ANALYSIS ILLUSTRATING THE POTENTIAL IMPACT.
SO THE COMMISSION IS AWARE OF THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS SHOULD THE AMENDMENT PASS.
AS WE DEVELOP, THE BUFFET, STAFF IS RECOMMENDING MAINTAINING THE CURRENT MILLAGE RATE BECAUSE IT PROVIDES THE FUNDING NECESSARY TO SUSTAIN EXISTING SERVICE LEVELS, PUBLIC SAFETY OPERATIONS, INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE, PERSONNEL COSTS IN ANY OTHER CORE MUNICIPAL SERVICES.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT LEGISLATION PASSED DURING THE 2026 LEGISLATING YEAR, REQUIRING THAT 2 THIRDS OF VOTE IS REQUIRED TO ADOPT A MILLAGE RATE ABOVE THE ROLLBACK RATE.
[00:10:02]
THE ROLLBACK RATE IS 7.2385 MILLS. AT THIS DISCUSSION, I'D LIKE TO GAIN CONSENSUS ON MOVING FORWARD USING THE 7.5 RATE, KEEPING IN MIND THAT WE CAN ALWAYS REDUCE IT.WE JUST CAN NEVER RAISE IT PAST THAT. WILL YOU REPEAT THAT, PLEASE? YES. THIS YEAR THE REQUIRES A 2 THIRDS VOTE TO ADOPT A MILLAGE RATE ANY ABOVE THE MILL.
THE I'M SORRY, THE ROLLBACK RATE WHICH IS 7.2385.
WHICH MEANS IF WE MAINTAIN THE 7.5 MILLS, WE REQUIRE 4 OUT OF 5 VOTES.
AND SHE'S ASKING FOR A THUMBS UP THAT WE MOVE FORWARD AT THE CURRENT RATE.
7.2385 IS A ROLLBACK RATE. WE WE ARE RECOMMENDING ASKING TO STAY AT THE ROLLBACK RATE.
NO WE'RE ASKING TO STAY AT THE CURRENT RATE OF 7.5 MILLS.
707 OKAY. GOTCHA. OKAY. COMMISSIONERS ANYONE WISH TO DISCUSS THIS OR JUST.
DO WE HAVE A HEAD NOD? I DON'T THINK IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE WE'VE CHANGED THAT.
I, I DEFINITELY SUPPORT YOUR RECOMMENDATION. I THINK WITH THE UNCERTAINTIES THAT WE HAVE AHEAD OF US, THIS ISN'T THE RIGHT TIME. WHEN I LOOK AT THE SAVINGS TO THE HOMEOWNER OF THE CITY PORTION OF THE TAXES, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THAT'S A CITY PORTION OF THE TAXES ONLY.
THE, THE SAVINGS IN PROPORTION TO OTHER COSTS WOULD BE PRETTY NEGLIGIBLE FOR MOST OF OUR HOMEOWNERS, I THINK. I WOULD LOVE TO HELP THEM, BUT THE TIMING, GIVEN ALL THE UNCERTAINTY OUT THERE WITH THE PROPERTY TAX AMENDMENT, I DON'T THINK THIS IS A TIME. SO I SUPPORT YOUR RECOMMENDATION FOR 7.5% MILLAGE RATE GOING FORWARD INTO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
WE HAVEN'T TALKED TO THE MANAGER ABOUT WHAT HIS IDEAS THAT HE HAS FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? YES. SO I'M TRYING TO QUANTIFY THIS.
THAT'S AVERAGED OVER ALL THE HOUSES. AM I RIGHT? IT'S BASED ON A $350,000 TAXABLE VALUE. UNDER THE 350.
YEAH. SO I WOULD HAVE TO. AT THIS POINT, I KNOW THAT $175.
A LOT OF MONEY. BUT OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR, IT'S MAYBE $1,011 A MONTH.
AND I HAVE TO WEIGH IN ON THE UNCERTAINTY THING FOR ME.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT YEAR.
I WOULDN'T WANT TO LOWER IT. AND THEN NEXT YEAR WE MIGHT HAVE TO RAISE IT.
SO I WOULD SAY FOR CONSISTENCY AND OUT OF CAUTION AND BEING MORE INCREMENTAL, IF THERE WAS SOME VERY LARGE SAVINGS FOR PEOPLE, I MIGHT GO FOR IT. BUT SO SO I'M, I'M IN FAVOR OF KEEPING IT.
OKAY. IS THAT ALSO FOR BUSINESSES AS WELL? IF WE DID THE ROLLBACK THING, WOULD THEY GET A LOWER PRICE? I'M SORRY. I'M NOT SURE THEY GET A SAVINGS. I'M ASKING WILL THEY GET A SAVINGS AS WELL.
BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE'RE REALLY CONCENTRATING ON THE HOMESTEAD.
BUT WHERE THE BUSINESSES GET A BREAK IN PRICING OR IS THAT JUST GEARED TO THE RESIDENTS.
THIS DISCUSSION IS GEARED TOWARDS THE RESIDENTS.
RESIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE EXEMPTION. OKAY. I DON'T SEE IT SAVING A LOT OF MONEY.
$175 DOESN'T SEEM LIKE ENOUGH FOR US TO ROLL BACK.
I THINK WE NEED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE ELECTIONS.
REALLY? OKAY. SO 7.5% IS WHAT IT'S BEEN AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER.
I, MY POSITION IS, I THINK SINCE IT'S TENTATIVE, WHAT WE SHOULD DO IS GO AHEAD AND LIKE I SAID, MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS KEEP IT AT 7.5. LET'S ASSUME IT'S GOING TO STAY AT 7.5.
AND IF WE GET DOWN THE LINE, WE LEARN MORE. WE CAN ALWAYS ROLL IT BACK.
BUT LET'S START HIGH AND THEN WE CAN EASE OFF IF WE CHANGE OUR MINDS.
HOW'S THAT SOUND? JUST TO MAKE SURE WE ANSWERED COMMISSIONER GARRISON'S QUESTION, I THINK IT WAS WHETHER THE MILLAGE RATE APPLIES TO ALL TAXED PROPERTY, AND I THINK THE ANSWER IS YES, IT DOES NOT JUST TO RESIDENTIAL.
OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. 1 COMMENT OR QUESTION 2.
SO YOU SAID ARE AT VALOREM REVENUE WENT UP 8%.
BUT A PORTION OF THAT IS FROM NEW CONSTRUCTION, RIGHT? CORRECT. YEAH. SO I THINK THAT'S WHY WE'RE SEEING LOOK, MIGHT LOOK LIKE WE'RE BRINGING A LOT MORE MONEY AND IT'S NOT COMING FROM TAXING PEOPLE HIGHER. IT'S JUST COMING FROM NEW PROPERTIES, COMING ONLINE, ADDING TO OUR REVENUE.
[00:15:04]
SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CLARIFIED THAT.OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SO I THINK DO YOU WANT TO VOTE ON THAT? YOU'VE GOT CONSENSUS. OKAY. JUST NEED CONSENSUS AT THIS TIME.
MAKE THAT ASSUMPTION MOVING FORWARD THEN. OKAY.
MOVING ON. IN ADDITION TO PROPERTY TAXES, THE GENERAL FUND IS SUPPORTED BY VARIOUS OTHER REVENUES.
SIMILARLY, THE CITY'S AGREEMENT WITH PEOPLE'S GAS, WHICH WAS RENEWED IN 2024 FOR A 15 YEAR TERM, REVENUES FLUCTUATE MUCH THE SAME LIKE ELECTRICITY, WHICH IS BASED PRIMARILY ON NATURAL GAS SALES WITHIN THE CITY.
ALSO DISCUSSED ARE THE SIGHTSEEING VEHICLE FRANCHISE FEES.
THIS RATE HAS NOT BEEN CHANGED SINCE 2018. ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT UNRESTRICTED GENERAL FUND REVENUE IS UTILITY TAXES FOR ELECTRIC, GAS AND PROPANE. THE CITY CURRENTLY LEVIES THE MAXIMUM RATE AUTHORIZED BY STATE LAW, WHICH IS 10%.
THE CITY ALSO RECEIVES SEVERAL REVENUES DISTRIBUTED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PROVIDES REVENUE ESTIMATES FOR THESE REVENUE SOURCES FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE LATER THIS SUMMER. THEREFORE, THESE REVENUES ARE CURRENTLY ESTIMATED TO BE ON A CONSERVATIVE LEVEL.
THESE REVENUE SOURCES INCLUDE THE COMMUNICATION SERVICE TAX, WHICH APPLIES TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS, CABLE, SATELLITE AND OTHER COMMUNICATION SERVICES.
THE CITY IS ALREADY AT THE MAXIMUM LOCAL RATE AUTHORIZED UNDER STATE LAW.
MUNICIPAL MUNICIPAL REVENUE SHARING IS FUNDED THROUGH STATE SALES TAXES AND FUEL TAXES, AND DISTRIBUTED USING A STATUTORY FORMULA THAT CONSIDERS POPULATION, LOCAL SALES, TAXES, TAX GENERATION AND FISCAL CAPACITY.
BECAUSE RECENT DISTRIBUTIONS HAVE BEEN GRADUALLY DECLINING, OUR 2027 FORECAST REMAINS CONSERVATIVE.
AT THIS POINT IN THE BUDGET PROCESS, WE FORECAST THIS REVENUE CONSERVATIVELY AND USING CURRENT YEAR ESTIMATES, LOCAL OPTION GAS TAX IS RESTRICTED FOR TRANSPORTATION RELATED PURPOSES ONLY, WHICH INCLUDE ROADWAY MAINTENANCE, TRAFFIC SIGNALS, STREET LIGHTING AND PAVEMENT MARKINGS.
THE MANUAL GOES ON TO DISCUSS BUILDING PERMITS.
BUILDING PERMIT FEES ARE NOT INTENDED TO GENERATE EXCESS REVENUE.
RATHER, THEY ARE DESIGNED TO RECOVER THE COST OF ENFORCING THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE.
WE HAVE NOTED THE PASSAGE OF THE HOUSE BILL 803 DURING THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WHICH WILL REQUIRE CHANGES ON HOW TO HOW THE BUILDING PERMIT FEES ARE CALCULATED. A RESOLUTION WILL BE COMING TO YOU FOR YOUR APPROVAL.
NEXT IS A FIRE ASSESSMENT FEE IS CHARGED PER SQUARE FOOT OF ASSESSABLE AREA WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.
STAFF HAS SPENT THE PAST YEAR ANALYZING AND REASSESSING THE FEE AND IT INCREASES PROPOSED FOR FY 2027 TO BRING US CLOSER TO RECOVERING THE TARGETED 50% OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S ASSESSABLE BUDGET. SHORT TERM RENTAL PERMITS HAVE BEEN ANALYZED TO ENSURE THAT FEES CHARGED TO COVER THE COSTS OF THE PROGRAM.
THE ANALYSIS THIS YEAR RECOMMENDED A 4.29% INCREASE, BRINGING THE BASE RATE TO $315.51 AND A PER BEDROOM CHARGE OF $82.85. WE HAVE ANOTHER GENERAL FUND REVENUE SOURCE NOT OUTLINED IN THIS MANUAL, AND THAT IS EVENT FEES.
[00:20:03]
THAT DEPARTMENT COMPLETED A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE EVENT MANUAL TO INCLUDE THE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH ALLOWING EVENTS ON CITY PROPERTY.NEXT, WE MOVE ON TO PROPRIETARY FUNDS, WHICH I'D LIKE TO BRIEFLY.
HOLD ON A SECOND. YOU'RE GOING REALLY FAST HERE. DID.
DID YOU ALL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS SO FAR ABOUT ALL THESE RATES THAT WE'VE GONE THROUGH? YEAH I DO. LET'S START. I GOT ONE COUPLE. I THINK VICE MAYOR HAD HER.
OKAY. BUT FIRST, I JUST WANT TO SAY I HAVE COMMENTS ON MOST OF THESE, BUT NOT NECESSARILY QUESTIONS, BUT QUESTIONS TO MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AS WE GO THROUGH BECAUSE YOU'VE MADE RECOMMENDATIONS.
SO HOWEVER YOU WANT TO PROCEED, MADAM. I THOUGHT WE COULD MAYBE GET TO THE END AND LOOK AT IT ALL ONCE WE HEAR THE WHOLE PRESENTATION, BUT THAT UNLESS YOU WANT TO DO IT DIFFERENTLY, THAT'S FINE, BECAUSE I'VE GOT 2 ALREADY.
YOU'VE GOT TWO. OKAY, I GOT 2, I GOT 3 OR 4. SO I THINK SHE'S ONLY ASKED FOR I'M SORRY, I WAS SAYING TO FEE INCREASE REQUESTS. OH, 2 FEE INCREASE. RIGHT.
YES. BUT YOU HAVE ITEMS, SO. SURE. LET'S GO AHEAD WITH THE QUESTIONS.
IS IT FOR ALL OF IT OR WHAT WE'VE REACHED SO FAR, WHAT WE'VE REACHED SO FAR.
OKAY, LET'S DO IT. LET'S GET INTO IT THEN. CAN I DO IT NOW? SURE. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S WHY NOT. OKAY, SO I DID LISTEN TO THE PCB DISCUSSION ON THE PERMIT RATE INCREASES.
AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I SUPPORT. THE COMMUNICATIONS TAX.
I HAD A QUESTION. DOES THAT INCLUDE ALL CELL PHONE CALLS.
YES. OKAY. THAT'S INTERESTING. OKAY. THANK YOU.
AND NOT RELATED TO THE BUDGET, BUT JUST BEING KIND OF GUY LIKES TO KNOW WHERE THINGS ARE AT.
WHERE'S THE NATURAL GAS SERVICE? IN TOWN. AT WHAT SECTION OF TOWN? I DON'T NEED TO KNOW THAT NOW, BUT WE HAVE TECO GAS UNDERGROUND IN DAVIS SHORES.
WE HAVE IT IN THE DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT AND SOME OTHER AREAS DOWNTOWN.
OH, I DIDN'T KNOW THAT. OKAY, GREAT. THANKS. I'M A YES TO THE INCREASE FOR THE TROLLEYS.
I THINK THAT MAKES SENSE. WE ARE LOOKING TO ADD MONEY AND ADDING.
ONE OF MY GOALS IS TO HAVE VISITORS PAY FOR ANY SHORTFALLS WE HAVE.
I THINK THAT'S FAIR. AND I WAS YES TO ALL THE OTHER CPI RAISES SO FAR.
WHEN I SAID $176, THAT'S FOR 0.5. BUT THE ROLLBACK RATE IS ONLY 0.25.
AM I RIGHT? BECAUSE YOU WERE WE WERE 7.5. AND THE ROLLBACK RATE 7.2.
IT WOULD BE ONLY $88 SAVINGS ON TAX BILLS BECAUSE IT WOULD BE HALF.
UNLESS I'M WRONG. RIGHT. I DIDN'T DO THOSE CALCULATIONS.
YEAH. OKAY. SO INSTEAD OF 1.28 SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN THAT.
BUT YEAH, YEAH. BUT IT'S A BETWEEN 80 AND $90 PER YEAR.
YEAH. 7.2385. RIGHT. SO I JUST ROUNDED IT TO 7.25.
MADE IT EASIER. OKAY. SO WE'RE ONLY. SO WHEN WE SAY THE RATES WOULD GO DOWN $188.
THAT'S FOR A FULL 0.5. THIS IS FOR HALF OF THAT.
OKAY. SO IT WOULD BE ROUGHLY HALF OF 176. SO IT'D BE $88.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT CLEAR AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
SO THAT'S ALL I GOT FOR THIS PORTION. ALL RIGHT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS. COMMENTS. YES. COMMISSIONER GARRIS.
RIGHT? BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE VOTE FOR BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY DID BEFORE. OKAY.
SO THAT'S NOTHING THAT'S GUARANTEED TO HAPPEN.
I KNOW WE JUST WENT UP ON THE FIRE ASSESSMENT FEES LIKE ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
IS THAT NOT CORRECT? YEAH. WE WENT UP ON THE FIRE ASSESSMENT FEES AND WE WENT UP ON A LOT OF FEES.
AND YOU'RE PROJECTING THAT WE SHOULD DO THAT AGAIN, RIGHT? OUR TARGET IS TO COLLECT AT LEAST 50% OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S ASSESSABLE BUDGET, AND WE'RE LESS THAN 40% RIGHT NOW.
OKAY. WHAT KIND OF INCREASE ARE YOU CALCULATING AT 4.29%? NO. I'M SORRY, THAT'S SHORT TERM RENTALS. I SAID 4.92% IS WHAT I WROTE FOR THE FIRE FEE.
[00:25:08]
YES. AND WHAT ABOUT THE PERMIT FEES? I CAN SEE THOSE GOING UP.BUT JUST FOR SOMEBODY JUST TRYING TO UPGRADE THEIR HOME, WHERE ARE WE PROJECTING FOR THOSE FEES? THAT'S A WHOLE ANOTHER DIFFERENT CALCULATION THAT THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT HAS TO REDO BECAUSE OF THE SENATE BILL.
OKAY. JUST AS A GENERAL RULE, PERMIT FEES TYPICALLY CAN'T MAKE MONEY.
SO FOR INSTANCE, SHORT TERM RENTALS OR DEVELOPMENT PERMIT FEES, THEY HAVE TO ONLY CHARGE WHAT IT COSTS US TO DO THAT SERVICE TO PROVIDE THOSE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, THE INSPECTORS AND SO ON.
SO WE CAN'T REALLY RAISE THEM WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO DOCUMENT WHAT IT COSTS THE CITY TO SUPPORT THOSE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT WHAT MISS BURNS IS REFERENCING WILL BE ROLLING OUT A WHOLE RESOLUTION THAT SHOWS YOU WHAT THE COSTS ARE AND HOW THAT TRANSLATES TO AN AVERAGE BUILDING PERMIT.
OKAY. AND THE REASON WHY WE WERE FIXATED ON THE NON AD VALOREM FIRE ASSESSMENT IS TO TRY TO CAPTURE THOSE TAX EXEMPT PROPERTIES, THE COST THAT THEY GENERATE FOR US, LIKE CHURCHES, FLAGLER COLLEGE SCHOOLS WHEN THEY USE THE FIRE SERVICE.
WE DON'T WANT ALL OF THAT TO BE ON THAT BURDEN TO BE HANDLED BY THE TAXPAYERS.
OKAY. THANK YOU. OKAY. A QUESTION FOR OUR ATTORNEY.
AND SHE DOESN'T KNOW THIS PROBABLY, BUT NEVER SURPRISED.
ARE THERE ANY CAVEATS IN THE FRANCHISE FEES TO GET OUT OF THE CONTRACT FOR LONG TERM WHEN THE STATE CHANGES OUR TAXING FORMULA? NO, I DON'T THERE'S NOT SPECIFIC LANGUAGE TO THAT.
NOW. THERE'S RE-UPS AND RENEWALS WHERE WE COULD ADJUST.
SO THAT'S THE WAY WE WOULD DO IT, BUT I DON'T RECALL ANYTHING IN THE PROPOSED LANGUAGE THAT MR. FRANKLIN WILL BRING TO YOU THE NEXT MEETING TONIGHT.
THAT AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTS BASED ON THE POSSIBILITY OF PROPERTY TAX REFORM.
THAT'S IN THE AND EACH HAS AN AGREEMENT. RIGHT.
NO, NOT THAT I RECALL. OKAY. WE OUGHT TO CONSIDER THAT THE STATE SALES TAX SHARE WAS 600 000 AND A HALF CENT. SALES TAX WAS 1.5 MILLION.
SO THAT'S ABOUT 2.1 MILLION THAT WE GET FOR SALES TAX.
AND THAT'S ALL BASED ON THE PERCENTAGE OF OUR POPULATION VERSUS THE COUNTY.
CORRECT. SO IN YEARS PAST WE USED TO GET 50% OF THAT MONEY GENERATED BY THE CITY BECAUSE WE WERE 50% OF THE POPULATION OF THIS COUNTY. NOW WE ARE 50,000.
I MEAN, WE HAVE WE'RE A 10TH. SO JUST SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS THAT SALES TAX NUMBER IS TOURISM MONEY THAT THE COUNTY GETS BECAUSE OF THE CITY'S SUCCESS AND DRAW FOR TOURISM, BECAUSE WE ONLY GET 1/10TH OF THE SALES TAX GENERATED.
WHEN WE PROBABLY GENERATE AT LEAST 50% COUNTY WIDE.
AND I SEE THAT NUMBER GOING DOWN AS THE COUNTY CONTINUES TO GROW.
SO I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE FRUSTRATING FOR US.
I HAD ONE MORE, BUT NOW I CAN'T THINK OF IT WAS I'LL GET IT LATER.
OKAY. FAIR ENOUGH. ALL RIGHT, VICE MAYOR. THANK YOU.
AND I AGREE WITH A COUPLE OF MY COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS AND I'LL REFERENCE THOSE.
I'M GOING TO GO KIND OF IN ORDER OF THE PRESENTATION.
[00:30:01]
BUT I WON'T START WITH THE PROPERTY TAX AMENDMENT.I'LL FINISH WITH THAT BECAUSE I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT COUPLE OF POINTS TO MAKE.
DID I SEE THAT RIGHT? ON PAGE 11 OF THE OF THE MANUAL.
THE FEE NOT CONTINUE TO DECLINE BUT HAVE DECLINED BETWEEN 2023 AND 2026 BY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT, ALMOST $200,000 OR $200,000. AND I'M WONDERING, IS THAT A REDUCTION IN IN THE IN THE TICKET SALES, WHICH IS WHAT THIS IS BASED ON? I DIDN'T FIND A REASON FOR THE REDUCTION OTHER THAN MAYBE IT'S LESS COLLECTED, I DON'T KNOW.
OKAY. DIDN'T LOOK LIKE IT, BUT. I KNOW, AND I WOULD LIKE AN ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.
AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND I AM DEFINITELY IN SUPPORT OF INCREASING THAT PERCENTAGE OF OF THAT, OF THAT OF THAT FEE THE FRANCHISE FEE SINCE WE HAVE NOT INCREASED IT RIGHT SINCE 2018.
SO IT'S BEEN SOME TIME SINCE WE'VE INCREASED IT.
SO IT'S TIME TO DO THAT. ESPECIALLY AS WE LOOK FOR POTENTIAL REVENUE SOURCES TO MAKE UP ANY SHORTFALLS THAT WE MIGHT VERY WELL BE FACING AFTER THIS COMING ELECTION. OKAY. SO THAT'S 1. NUMBER 2 WOULD BE JUST RIFFING OFF OF WHERE COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD WAS GOING. THE, THAT PROPORTION OF THE CITY'S POPULATION ON WHICH A COUPLE OF THESE REVENUE STREAMS FROM THE STATE.
THAT'S A VERY CONCERNING ISSUE. AND HALF A POINT 6 MILLION OR HALF $1 MILLION IS NOT AN INSIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OUR SHARE THAT KEEPS GETTING DWINDLED AWAY. AND I WANT TO MAKE THAT POINT.
IT'S A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT, AND WE CAN PROJECT THAT THAT WILL CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE AS THE COUNTY'S POPULATION GROWS AND OUR POPULATION CAN'T BECAUSE WE'RE LANDLOCKED PRETTY MUCH. THIRDLY WE HAVE RENTAL INCOME THAT WE I'M JUST LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL REVENUE SOURCES AS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD AND LOOK AT DECREASING REVENUES AND POTENTIALLY DECREASING REVENUES.
AS WE GO INTO PAGE 20, I THINK IT IS RENTS AND ROYALTIES.
IT SEEMS TO ME AND THIS WOULD BE AN ATTORNEY QUESTION, CAN WE INCREASE OUR RENTAL INCOME? CAN WE RAISE RENTS LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE DOES. YES WE COULD.
THE CHALLENGE THERE IS OUR EXISTING AGREEMENTS, LANDLORD TENANT AGREEMENTS NOW HAVE A BUILT IN CPI TO, I THINK IT'S SMALL SOUTHERN CITIES. SO IT DOES INCREASE AUTOMATICALLY.
LIKE BY 4.2% FOR THIS YEAR, WHATEVER THAT HAPPENS TO BE.
OKAY. I'D LIKE THAT AS A PLACEHOLDER FOR CONVERSATION IN AN UPCOMING MEETING.
THANK YOU. AND THEN I HAVE SO WHEN COMMISSIONER SPRINGFIELD BROUGHT UP THE SHORT, WAS IT YOU WERE COMMISSIONER DEPRETER BROUGHT UP SHORT TERM RENTAL PERMIT FEES SOME, I THINK IT WAS YOU.
THE REAL COSTS OF OF STRS INCLUDE THINGS LIKE COMPLIANCE, LIKE ARE THOSE HOURS THAT WE HAVE TO SEND OUT CODE ENFORCEMENT, ARE THOSE ACCOUNTED FOR IN THOSE PERMIT FEES? YES, THEORETICALLY THEY ARE OKAY. BECAUSE THOSE ARE THOSE VARY, I WOULD IMAGINE.
I GUESS YOU COULD AVERAGE THEM OUT, BUT YOU KNOW, THE VIOLATIONS.
AND THEN THERE'S THE INFRASTRUCTURE FEES, LIKE THE, THE WEAR AND TEAR ON OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AS A RESULT OF THIS CHURN IN PEOPLE COMING INTO THESE HOUSES THAT ARE IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS.
SO I WISH THERE WERE A WAY THAT WE COULD, THAT WE COULD MAKE OURSELVES AND OTHER MUNICIPALITIES ELIGIBLE FOR OUR TRUE, THE TRUE, FAIR SHARE OF THE COSTS OF THINGS LIKE STRS.
AND IT WAS A STARK REMINDER OF HOW GOOD WE HAVE IT HERE.
[00:35:01]
MUCH OF THE WORLD WHERE THE SO MUCH OF THE POPULATION LIVES.WE CAN CLEAN WITH IT, WE CAN TAKE SHOWERS WITH IT.
THIS PROPERTY TAX AMENDMENT IS GOING TO IMPACT THOSE SERVICES, NOT TO THE DEGREE THAT WE'RE SEEING IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, BUT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME HARD CHOICES.
AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO MESSAGE THAT IN VERY SPECIFIC WAYS TO WHAT EXTENT WILL WE NEED TO DECREASE CERTAIN SERVICES? AND WHAT THINGS ARE GOING TO COST MORE AS A RESULT OF THE FACT THAT WE ARE POTENTIALLY GOING TO LOSE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF REVENUE THAT WE HAVE. SO THAT'S WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE IN A FACT SHEET.
IF YOU ALL CAN HELP ME WITH THAT, IF STAFF CAN HELP US WITH THAT THAT WOULD I THINK THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB WE HAVE ON THE CITY COMMISSION AT THIS POINT IN TIME IS TO BE ABLE TO EDUCATE OUR VOTERS, NOT TELL THEM HOW TO VOTE, BUT TELL THEM WHAT THEIR CHOICES, THEIR WHAT CHOICE THEY MAKE, WHAT IMPACT THAT MAY HAVE. COMMISSIONER CITY MANAGER HAVE A DRAFT FAQ SHEET THAT WE HAVE PRODUCED.
OKAY IT'S GOING FROM DEPARTMENT TO DEPARTMENT TO GET COMMENTS AND WE HAVE MADE IT AVAILABLE TO THE, TO THE MAYOR IS STILL IN DRAFT FORM. WE ANTICIPATE THAT THAT WILL BE READY FOR PUBLICATION VERY, VERY SHORTLY. WE'RE GOING TO PUT IT ON OUR WEBSITE.
YOU'LL BE ABLE TO DOWNLOAD IT, USE IT HOWEVER YOU WANT.
OKAY. HOPEFULLY THAT'S ON ITS WAY. OKAY. SO AND JUST IN CLOSING WITH THAT PROPERTY TAX AMENDMENT, IF IT DOES PASS JUST FOR THIS FIRST YEAR, WE'D HAVE A 2.2% IF I DID MY MATH RIGHT.
BUDGET IMPACT RIGHT AWAY. WITH THAT, WHATEVER THAT NUMBER WAS, $2.1 MILLION.
OKAY. SO THAT THAT'S THAT, THAT COMES OUT OF SOMEWHERE.
YEAH, IT'S NOT INSIGNIFICANT. ALL RIGHT. THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PATIENCE. ALL RIGHT.
SO I WOULD JUST WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE MOVING FORWARD, PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE.
RENTS AND ROYALTIES. I KNOW YOU'VE GIVEN US SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT THESE AGREEMENTS ARE.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE CASA DEL HIDALGO AND THOSE I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT MORE THAN WHAT'S ON THE LIST.
AND IT JUST CAME TO MIND THAT IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR US MAYBE TO KNOW WHAT ALL OF THOSE ARE.
I MEAN, I CAN THINK OF YOU KNOW, WE HERE'S AN EXAMPLE FOR LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL REVENUE.
WE'VE ALWAYS TRIED TO RENT THE COURTYARD OUT FOR LOWER RATE AND THE PLAZA FOR A LOWER RATE.
BUT JUST BECAUSE WE WANT LOCALS TO HAVE A PLACE TO HAVE THEIR WEDDINGS IN THE CITY THAT THEY LOVE.
THAT COULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER AND BE MORE COMPETITIVE BECAUSE IT'S NOT COMPETITIVE NOW.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE RENTS ARE AT CRACKER CAFE AND SAVANNAH SUITES AND ALL THAT, BUT WHAT I, WHAT I'M SHOOTING AT HERE, SHOOTING FOR HERE IS A, A FULL LIST OF ALL THE DIFFERENT.
WHERE ARE THOSE? I MEAN, I KNOW THAT WE HAVE A SHOP DOWN ON THE VIC, VIC THAT'S EARNING INCOME.
WHERE ARE POTENTIAL PLACES THAT WE COULD. WHAT WE CAN DO IS WE, WE JUST HAD AN APPRAISAL DONE OF OUR RENTAL RATES A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE CHARGING THE MARKET RATE, WHICH WE DID AT THAT TIME.
AND WE ADDED A CPI LIKE THE CITY ATTORNEY JUST MENTIONED.
BUT THOSE SPECIFIC RENTAL RATES PER SQUARE FOOTAGE FOR THOSE USES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR MANUAL.
THAT'D BE, I THINK THAT'D BE HELPFUL FOR THE COMMISSIONERS MOVING FORWARD AND HOW THEY MAKE THEIR.
AND WE'LL THERE WILL BE POLICY CHANGES WHERE WE WE'RE COULD AFFORD TO BE GENEROUS WITH SOME AREAS.
WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO BE GENEROUS.
FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE I SAID, THE WEDDINGS IN THE COURTYARD.
OKAY. SO. ALL RIGHT, WHERE ARE WE, MISS BURNS? WE ARE AT PROPRIETARY FUNDS. OKAY, LET'S GET BACK TO THAT.
OKAY. UNLIKE THE GENERAL FUND, WHICH IS SUPPORTED BY TAXES AND OTHER GENERAL REVENUES.
ENTERPRISE FUNDS OPERATE MUCH LIKE A BUSINESS.
[00:40:02]
THE UTILITIES FUND IS THE LARGEST ENTERPRISE OPERATION, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING DRINKING WATER, WASTEWATER COLLECTION AND TREATMENT TO THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS.FOR 2027, STAFF IS RECOMMENDING A 3.5% RATE ADJUSTMENT.
THIS RECOMMENDATION IS BELOW THE CURRENT RATE OF INFLATION AND IS INTENDED TO ADDRESS INCREASES IN OPERATING COSTS, INCLUDING PERSONNEL, CHEMICALS, UTILITIES, EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE AND CAPITAL REPLACEMENT, WHILE PRESERVING THE LONG TERM FINANCIAL HEALTH OF THE UTILITY.
THIS REFLECTS THE COMMISSION'S PREVIOUS POLICY DIRECTION AND REPRESENTS ANOTHER STEP TOWARD THE EVENTUAL ELIMINATION OF THE SURCHARGE WHILE ALLOWING THE CITY UTILITY ADEQUATE TIME TO ADJUST FINANCIALLY. AND I FOUND OUT RECENTLY THAT THE SURCHARGE GOES AWAY IN 2029.
STAFF IS RECOMMENDING AN INCREASE OF 4.2% BASED ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.
THE SOLID WASTE FUND SUPPORTS RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL GARBAGE COLLECTION, RECYCLING SERVICE, YARD WASTE COLLECTION, DISPOSAL, DISPOSAL COSTS.
LIKE MOST MUNICIPALITIES, THE CITY CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE INCREASING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH LABOR, EQUIPMENT, FUEL, VEHICLE REPLACEMENT AND LANDFILL TIPPING FEES TO MAINTAIN A FINANCIAL STABILITY OF THE FUND AND ENSURE CONTINUED SERVICE RELIABILITY.
STAFF IS RECOMMENDING A 4.2% CPI BASED ADJUSTMENT TO RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL COLLECTION RATES.
THE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER FUND SUPPORTS OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CITY'S VISITOR INFORMATION CENTERS, GIFT SHOP AND PARKING GARAGE. NO CHANGES TO THE PARKING FEES ARE SUGGESTED AT THIS TIME.
NOT MENTIONED. ANOTHER FUND NOT MENTIONED HERE IS THE MARINA MUNICIPAL MARINA FUND.
THE REVENUE MANUAL IS INTENDED TO EXPLAIN NOT ONLY WHERE THOSE REVENUES COME FROM, BUT ALSO THE ASSUMPTIONS, LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND FINANCIAL POLICIES THAT GUIDE OUR REVENUE FORECASTS AND ULTIMATELY SUPPORT THE COMMISSION BUDGET DECISIONS.
WITH THAT, I AM COMPLETE AND I WILL TAKE ANY MORE QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.
OUR ATTORNEY SAID GENERALLY WE DON'T CHARGE FOR PROFIT FOR SERVICE FEES AND PROPRIETARY FUNDS.
THAT'S WHAT THAT WAS YOUR WORD. CAN WE. PERMITTING FOR PERMITTING.
WE CANNOT CHARGE IN EXCESS OF THE COST FOR PERMITS.
OKAY. SO WE COULD CHARGE FOR A PROFIT FOR THE MARINA? YES. FOR THE PARKING GARAGE. I BELIEVE WE DO.
YES. RIGHT, RIGHT RIGHT, RIGHT. A FIGURE THAT MIGHT BE GOOD FOR US TO KNOW IS TO TAKE THE AVERAGE $350,000 HOUSE AND MAKE SOME ASSUMPTIONS ON WATER USAGE AND SEWER.
AND THE GROUNDWATER CHARGE IS A FIGURE OF WHAT WE ARE GOING TO APPROVE AS AN INCREASE IN TOTAL.
AND I KNOW THOSE ARE SERVICE FEES. SO EVERYBODY'S WATER BILL GOES UP, BUT IT'D BE NICE FOR US TO UNDERSTAND THE TOTAL COST THAT WE ARE INCREASING AN AVERAGE HOME IN SAINT AUGUSTINE BY ALL OF THESE FEES ADDED TOGETHER.
SO I'M JUST ASKING THAT WE GET A GOOD FIGURE ON THAT.
SO WE KNOW YOU PUT THEM ALL SEPARATELY LIKE THIS.
AND WE'RE ABOUT TO END THIS MEETING, RIGHT. I'M RUNNING OUT OF CHANCES TO TALK.
NO TALK. ONE OF, ONE OF THE THINGS I ASKED THE MANAGER AND MS. BREIDENSTEIN ABOUT TODAY WAS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE EXEMPT UP TO $50,000 PER HOUSEHOLD BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE.
IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I COUNTED THE HOUSES. I KNOW THE PEOPLE.
THERE WERE 14 OUT OF 31 THAT ARE ALREADY GETTING THE 50,000.
[00:45:02]
HER ORIGINAL MS. BREIDENSTEIN BECAUSE I DIDN'T WRITE HER UNTIL LIKE 3:00 TODAY.WELL, 2:00 TODAY. HER ESTIMATE IS THAT IT'S ABOUT 10% OF THE 2900 HOMES THAT GET HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION ONLY GET GET THE EXTRA 25,000. AND SO WHAT I MAY PROPOSE IN THE FUTURE WHILE WE HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS IS EXEMPTING EVERYONE HOMESTEADED UP TO 50,000, BUT I NEED TO KNOW THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE IN A PRETTY ACCURATE NUMBER OF HOW MANY.
I MEAN, I LOOK AROUND THE ROOM AND I THINK ABOUT IT AND I WONDER WHAT IS THE ACTUAL NUMBER? BUT I THINK THAT'S AN OPTION FOR US TO BE ABLE TO OFFER SOME RELIEF TO OUR MOST DEDICATED RESIDENTS THAT ARE HOMESTEADED.
AND IT WOULD NOT BE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR OUR BUDGET.
OKAY. CAN I RESPOND TO THAT REAL QUICKLY? I LOOKED THIS UP WHEN I SAW YOUR DESCRIPTION OF IT, AND THERE IS AN INCOME TEST TO THAT. AN ADDITIONAL EXEMPTION, AM I RIGHT? CITY ATTORNEY SO THAT I THINK THAT MAY LIMIT HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE BECAUSE OF THAT INCOME TEST.
AND I THINK IT WAS LIKE $38,000. IT'S PRETTY LOW.
REALLY, REALLY LOW. YEAH. YEAH. SO ANYWAY, I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT IN.
ALL RIGHT. HE'S READY. OKAY. DO YOU WANT TO GO? NO. I'M OKAY. I JUST HAVE I JUST HAVE SOME GENERAL GOALS I WOULD LIKE TO SAY.
SO MY GENERAL GOALS AS WE GO INTO THIS BUDGET CYCLE IN LIGHT OF POSSIBLE PROPERTY TAX REFORM, WOULD BE GOAL 1 WOULD BE PROBABLY FOREMOST IS TO STRATEGIZE TO MAXIMIZE THE ADDITIONAL INCOME FOR TOURISTS.
SO ANY WAY WE CAN RAISE MORE REVENUE FROM TOURISTS WOULD BE A GOAL OF MINE.
SECOND ONE IS IF WE INCREASE FEES, WE SHOULD NOT DECREASE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF WE ARE DECREASING THE FEES THAT WE ARE STILL PROVIDING.
WE'RE NOT CUTTING BACK ON THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PART, WHICH MEANS THAT THE PERMITTING GOES THROUGH, THAT WE'RE NOT CUTTING STAFF AND MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO DO THE PERMITTING THAT THEY NEED.
AND I THINK WE CAN DO THAT. I JUST WANTED TO GET IT OUT AS A GOAL.
AND THE THIRD ONE IS MAYBE I DON'T KNOW THE MATH ON THIS.
SO I'M JUST THROWING IT OUT THERE. BUT IF WE HAVE A GOAL OF SPLITTING BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A COMBINATION OF REVENUES INCREASING REVENUES AND BUDGET COSTS.
SO IF WE COULD DO THAT 5050, WE COULD FIND SOME WAY TO SEE HOW THAT WORKS SO THAT WE CAN SHOW OUR COMMUNITY, IF WE ARE RAISING REVENUES, THAT WE ARE CUTTING THE BUDGET SOMEWHERE.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S ATTAINABLE BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE INFORMATION IN FRONT OF ME TO RUN IT.
SO THAT'S IT. ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONER GARRIS.
YEAH, I HAVE SOME STUFF. THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS.
THE CELL PHONE FEES INCREASE. HOW IS THAT DONE? HOW IS THAT PREPARED? I MEAN, IF YOU LIVE IN THE CITY, YOU HAVE A HIGHER FEE.
NO, NO, WE WEREN'T PROPOSING THAT. THAT'S THROUGH THE COMMUNICATION SERVICES TAX.
OKAY. AND THAT INCLUDES CELL PHONE WHICH IS PASSED EVERYBODY'S CELL PHONE.
YEAH. OKAY. SO HOW HOW DO WE GO ABOUT DOING THAT? IS THAT SOMETHING YOU DO OR SOMETHING THAT'S VOTED ON? HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN? THAT'S THROUGH THE STATE. AND WE'RE AT THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE.
OKAY. SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE STATE GENERATES NOT SOMETHING THAT THE CITY GENERATES.
CORRECT. OKAY. OKAY, GOOD. BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THEM COMING FOR US FOR THAT.
THE PARKING GARAGE FEES. I HEARD YOU SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT AN INCREASE IN THAT.
NO, THERE IS NO INCREASE. OKAY. BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO SAY WE JUST DOUBLED THAT LAST YEAR, SO I DIDN'T THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA. AND WE TALKED ABOUT ONE TIME DOING A BEVERAGE TAX.
AND I THINK WE NEED TO VISIT THAT BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE COME HERE, THEY'RE OUT DRINKING SODA, THEY'RE DRINKING ALCOHOL. I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE MIGHT NEED TO TALK TO OUR BUSINESSES ABOUT.
JUST A REMINDER, WE AREN'T LEGALLY ALLOWED TO DO THAT.
I THOUGHT THAT BY STATUTE WE CAN'T MIAMI DADE DOES.
AND IT HAS A CARVE OUT IN STATE LAW. SO WE CAN'T JUST ADOPT A CITY BEVERAGE TAX.
[00:50:06]
WE JUST LEGALLY CAN'T. OKAY. THE LEGISLATURE WOULD HAVE TO GIVE IT THAT.RIGHT. OKAY. SO THAT'S SO IT'S NOT THAT IT'S NOT ILLEGAL.
IT'S NOT ILLEGAL FOR US NOW. AND I'VE, I'VE BROUGHT THIS UP SEVERAL TIMES AND IT'S GOT NO FOOTAGE.
THE BUSINESSES ARE OKAY WITH IT. I'VE ALREADY SURVEYED THE ONES THAT I KNOW.
THANK YOU. OKAY. SO WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE, SINCE I'VE GOT AN ARRAY OF SUGGESTIONS, I'VE GOT ONE REDUCTION, BUT I'VE GOT A LOT OF SUGGESTIONS FOR INCREASES.
IF YOU COULD LIST THOSE TO US FOR US IN I GUESS WE, I GUESS OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE MAKING DECISIONS. WHAT IS IT? WHAT IS IT THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING NEXT? BECAUSE TODAY WE'RE JUST KIND OF GETTING AN INFORMAL READOUT OF WHERE WE STAND AND WHAT YOU'RE GOING, WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ARE. BUT AT THE END OF AUGUST, WHEN WE HAVE OUR BUDGET WORKSHOPS, WE'LL HAVE ALL THAT INFORMATION FOR YOU.
OKAY. ALL RIGHT. GOOD. THANK YOU. SO WE'LL HAVE A PRETTY GOOD IDEA OF WHAT WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR IN THE WAY OF WHICH FUNDS YOU WANT TO INCREASE, AND THAT SORT OF THING. YEAH. TODAY'S JUST THE REVENUES.
YEAH. WE'RE JUST SHOWING YOU A SNAPSHOT OF THE REVENUES.
AND YOU WOULD LIKE A LIST OF. CAN YOU FLESH THAT OUT A LITTLE BIT? A LIST OF. WELL I HAD 4.5% FRANCHISE FEE INCREASE.
OKAY. SO ALL THE INCREASES. YES. I'D LIKE TO I'D LIKE TO SEE HOW, WHAT THE INCREASES ARE THAT ARE BEING REQUESTED AND ALSO THE REDUCTION AND THEN WHAT THEY ARE JUST SO THAT WE CAN SEE IT ALL IN ONE PLACE.
OKAY, OKAY. THAT'S ALL. SURE. THAT'S FINE. THAT'S A SUMMARY.
OKAY. I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR US. MADAM MAYOR, DO YOU.
I HAD A COUPLE THINGS TOO. OH. YOU DID? I'M SORRY.
WE SKIP YOU. OKAY. IT'S OKAY. IT'S JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK THINGS.
EVERYBODY GETS TO HAVE A CHANCE FIRST, AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK TO YOU.
COMMISSIONER. DEPRETER. I HAD 2 THINGS. 1, THE PROPRIETARY FUNDS.
THE SURCHARGE FOR OUTSIDE OF THE CITY FOR WATER AND SEWER.
GETTING US TO NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE BY 2029.
THAT IS A MAJOR REDUCTION FOR THOSE PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS.
IT'S A 5% REDUCTION. SO BINGO. AND THEN I WANTED TO SEGUE OFF OF ONE OF OUR PUBLIC SPEAKERS TODAY.
WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE YOU, MISS BURNS.
YOU DO A GREAT JOB. AND I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW YOU'RE APPRECIATED.
THANK YOU. YES. DITTO. OKAY. ON THE LIST FOR THE REVENUE INCREASE.
ARE YOU ARE YOU ASKING FOR ALL THE CPI INCREASES TOO, OR JUST THE ONES THAT ARE ABOVE THE ALL OF THEM? OKAY. WE NEED TO KNOW. THAT'S FINE. I JUST I JUST WANTED TO KNOW.
THAT'S A PICTURE OF. YEAH. WHAT? WE'RE OKAY. I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF THEY WERE THE ONES WOULD BE UP BEYOND THAT, BUT NOW I KNOW. THANKS. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO ASK QUESTIONS? I WAS BEING RUDE ON MY PHONE, BUT I WAS LOOKING UP MY TAXES, AND I WAS LOOKING UP OTHER PEOPLE'S TAXES ON THIS BOARD.
AND WE MAKE MORE THAN 38,000, AND WE ARE ALL GETTING $50,000 EXEMPTION.
WHOEVER. I JUST HAVE A QUICK QUESTION AND AND I CAN WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT TIME.
BUT YOU'VE RECOMMENDED FOR THE WATER AND SEWER OUTSIDE THE CITY.
OH, I GUESS THE CPI IS 4.2%. AND YOU'RE RECOMMENDING AN INCREASE OF 3.5%.
IS THAT SO? IT STOOD OUT AS THE ONLY ONE THAT ISN'T TAGGED TO THE CPI.
SO IS THAT TO HELP GET US DOWN IN IN THAT SURCHARGE.
THAT'S WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR. SO INSIDE. YEAH.
BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE, I SEE IT, YEAH. WE'RE ASKING FOR A 3.5 NOT FOR THE 4.2.
THANK YOU. THAT'S FOR THE RATE ADJUSTMENT. YEAH.
OKAY. ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS. COMMENTS.
ALL RIGHT. WELL I GUESS WE'LL SEE YOU IN AUGUST THEN.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOUR HARD WORK.
[00:55:01]
GOOD INFO. IT'S A LOT. WE'LL SEE YOU IN AUGUST.THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONERS THE COMMENTS BY MAYORS AND MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
I HAVE NONE.OKAY. COMMENTS. ANY COMMENTS? COMMENTS. OKAY, I HAVE NONE.
WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.