HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.08.2010 Special Meeting SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - SEPT. 8 2010
CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 8, 2010
(A) CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The City Council for the City of Miami Gardens, Florida, met in Special Session on
Wednesday,September 8,2010,beginning at 5:45 p.m.,in the City Council Chambers,1515 NW 167"h
Street,Building 5, Suite 200, Miami Gardens,Florida.
The following members of the City Council were present: Mayor Shirley Gibson,Vice Mayor
Aaron Campbell Jr., and Council members Lisa C. Davis, Andre Williams, Felicia Robinson and
Sharon Pritchett.
Mayor Gibson shared that Councilman Gilbert called to advise that he was in deposition,and
asked to be excused from the Budget Meeting.
Motion offered by Vice Mayor Campbell, seconded by Councilwoman Pritchett to excuse
Councilman Gilbert's absence. This motion passed and carried by a 6-0 voice vote.
Please note Councilman Oliver G. Gilbert III arrived at 6:56 p.m.
(B) INVOCATION
Delivered by Vice Mayor Campbell.
(C) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Recited in unison.
(D) RESOLUTION(S)/PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Gibson announced "this is the first of two public hearings for the adoption of the
millage rate and budget for the city of Miami Gardens for fiscal year 2010/2011."
RESOLUTION NO. 2010-141-1323
D-1) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS,FLORIDA,
ADOPTING A PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE AT A PUBLIC
HEARING,FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1,
2010, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2011; ESTABLISHING THE
ROLLBACK RATE; SETTING A DATE AND TIME FOR A FINAL
PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE;
PROVIDING FOR DIRECTIONS TO THE CITY CLERK; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE
CITY MANAGER)
After the City Clerk read the title of this resolution into the record,Mayor Gibson stated
"the proposed millage rate for the city for fiscal year 2010/2011 is 6.2728,which is the same
amount as the roll-back rate."
Special City Council Minutes - September 8, 2010 Page 1
Manager Crew stated according to Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser the property
value for the City of Miami Gardens decreased by 17%. When you apply the state formula for
figuring the millage rate to bring in the same amount of money as last year,which is what the state
requires,the City would have to go to the millage of 6.2728.
Mayor Gibson opened the floor for this public hearing. She further announced that if
staff members are available in the back of the room to assist those residents interested in knowing
what their propose taxes would be for the City of Miami Gardens if this proposed millage rate is
adopted.
Janice Coakley 19681 NW 33`d Avenue, Miami Gardens, Florida, appeared before the
City Council in opposition to the proposed millage rate.
After there were no other interested parties to speak on this item, the public hearing
closed.
Motion offered by Councilman Williams, seconded by Vice Mayor Campbell to adopt
this item.
Motion offered by Vice Mayor Campbell,seconded by Councilman Williams to defer the
vote on the proposed millage rate until after the discussion on Item E-1. This motion passed and
carried by a 6-0 voice vote.
After a vote was taken to reconsider this item,Vice Mayor Campbell asked whether the
Council could consider reducing the millage rate now.
Manager Crew explained if the Council stayed with the present millage rate,
approximately 79 employees would lose their job. This would also close the parks, summer and
senior programs,eliminating police officers as well as eliminating one or two positions out of every
office within the City including those in the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, etc.
Vice Mayor Campbell said the reason he asked that question was so the constituents
could hear it. He opined we really are in a catch twenty-two. He said the Council can vote to keep
the same millage rate,which will mean less services. He said the residents elected the Council to
make the tough decisions,but he wanted that question answered so that the residents are aware of
what they are asking for.
Councilman Gilbert said thirty-one percent(31%)of the City's employees are residents
and pay taxes in this City. He emphasized keeping the same tax rate means some people will lose
their jobs. Some of those people who lose their jobs will be neighbors,cousins and children. There
will be people fired,and that will be done fairly quickly. In addition,the programs being enjoyed at
the various parks will cost more,or they will not be offered. He opined the reason we pay taxes is
so that we can do things collectively what cannot be done individually. He advised the City
Manager that he would be voting in favor of the rollback millage rate. However,between now and
Special City Council Minutes - September 8, 2010 Page 2
the next meeting he wanted the budget reduced to what is needed to operate,and not what is wanted
to operate. He said he did not want to see merit increases for executives,directors and department
heads. If merit increases are proposed, the increases should to be for the general employees. He
said these are hard times,so when we say to the residents these are bare bones,it really needs to be
bare bones. He reiterated that he supported this item at the maximum, but there has to be some
changes before this item comes back.
Vice Mayor Campbell recommended giving the City Manager a specific targeted dollar
amount to look at, more particularly the 4.1 Million Dollars he had mentioned.
Councilman Williams asked the City Manager to take a look at Events and Media,and
stated he was not going to support going after merit increases for employees and spending 2 Million
Dollars for Events and Media. He said if we are going to cut,cut to what is needed to operate the
City, and not what we want to operate the City.
There being no further discussion on the proposed millage rate of 6.2728,the motion to adopt
passed and carried by a 6-1 vote.
Vice Mayor Campbell: Yes
Councilwoman Davis: Yes
Councilman Gilbert: Yes
Councilwoman Pritchett: No
Councilwoman Robinson: Yes
Councilman Williams: Yes
Mayor Gibson: Yes
After this vote was taken, a motion was offered by Councilman Gilbert, seconded by
Councilwoman Pritchett to recall the budget ordinance,for a vote.This motion passed and carried by a
7-0 voice vote.
(E) ORDINANCE(S) FOR FIRST READING/PUBLIC HEARING:
E-1) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS,FLORIDA,APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE
CITY'S BUDGET FOR THE 2010-2011 FISCAL YEAR;PROVIDING
FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS;AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS; PROVIDING FOR
CARRYOVER OF FUNDS; PROVIDING A SURCHARGE AND FEE
INCREASE FOR PERMITS; PROVIDING FOR INTERFUND
TRANSFERS; PROVIDING FOR AUTOMATIC AMENDMENT;
PROVIDING FOR ISSUANCE OF TAX ANTICIPATION BOND;
PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS;
REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE. (SPONSORED BY THE CITY MANAGER)
Special City Council Minutes - September 8, 2010 Page 3
City Manager shared without a doubt this budget has been one of the most difficult one he
has seen in his 37 years in the business. Last year the property value declined 6.5%. This year
property values declined an additional 17%. This is especially difficult for a young city like Miami
Gardens. There are no additional people to do the jobs. It is very difficult to get this budget to
become balanced. Last year the Council adopted a budget at a 6.5%property value decline. That
information had been provided to the City last July by the Property Appraiser. Approximately one
year later the Property Appraiser said the 6.5%was incorrect;the actual decline was more like 12%
decline. This resulted in approximately$800,000 lost in revenue for this current fiscal year.
Manager Crew explained the rollback provides that if a city collected 21 Million in taxes last
year,it can collect 21 Million in taxes this year using the rollback rate. This will not be considered a
tax increase. The first couple of years of this City's incorporation that meant residential taxes were
going down because property values were going up. This last two years the opposite has happened.
Since the property values have gone down,the tax rate has to go up. He shared the City did not see a
benefit either way. All of the city other revenues have also taken significant hits, due to the
economy. He shared because the building industry is down;the City has been running a deficit in
the Development Services fund,which has been supplemented by the City's General Fund.
Manager Crew said for this proposed budget approximately 4 Million Dollars in expenses has
been eliminated. Twenty-eight positions have been eliminated completed from the budget,and other
positions are only being filled,as necessary. Two Million dollars in capital expenses has also been
eliminated from this proposed budget(no money for sidewalks or streets). Approximately$800,000
in expenses has been cut throughout the budget, from every departmental line item.
Manager Crew said no employees will be laid off in this fiscal year budget. The employees
will also keep their current salary and benefits. He said the Development Services by state law
requires that that department is supposed to pay for itself. The last few years,this department has
been one million dollars short each year. Several positions have been cut from this area. It is
anticipated another million dollars will be lost. The good news is that next year with the rise of new
development within the City, it is anticipated this fund will balance out.
Manager Crew shared that construction on the New City Hall is anticipated to begin 2012.
This will not have an impact on the City's budget for at least three and a half years. There is fiscal
impact to this proposed budget as it relates to the proposed city hall complex.
Manager Crew shared Miami-Dade County has refused to give the City its share of the half
cent sales tax that the residents voted on before becoming a City (2002). All the other
municipalities receive twenty percent(20%). The Council authorized staff to file a lawsuit against
Miami-Dade County, last year. Staff has had approximately five (5) meetings. It is the City's
understanding that Miami-Dade County will include the City's payment in next year's budget. This
matter has not been approved or considered by the Miami-Dade County Commission as of yet;even
though Miami-Dade County,staff and the Transportation Trust Fund are recommending it. If those
funds were to be approved,it would generate approximately 3 Million Dollars per year to the City of
Miami Gardens to be used for transportation purposes.
Special City Council Minutes - September 8, 2010 Page 4
Mayor Gibson opened the floor for this public hearing.
Janice Coakley, 19681 NW 33rd Avenue,Miami Gardens,Florida,appeared before the City
Council to ask why the budget was not itemized. She questioned the allocations for"special pay",
car allowance for cell phones. She further questioned whether employees'family coverage was paid
for by the City.
Camille Park, 17310 NW 22nd Avenue, Miami Gardens, Florida, appeared before the City
Council to concur with comments made by Ms. Coakley as it relates to having a more detailed
budget. She emphasized the importance of having transparency in government. She said the citizens
put individuals in office to ask the tough questions for them, and get the answers they are seeking.
She shared that as an employee of Jackson Memorial Hospital she along with other employees had to
give back a portion of their salaries in order to save the hospital. One of the things Jackson
Memorial Hospital provided was transparency.
After there were no other interested parties to speak on this item,the public hearing closed.
Motion offered by Vice Mayor Campbell,seconded by Councilman Williams to adopt this item
on first reading.
Vice Mayor Campbell asked whether this proposed budget was based on the 6.2728 millage
rate.
Manager Crew in response to Vice Mayor Campbell's question said yes,this proposed budget is
based on the 6.2728 Rollback rate.
Councilman Williams thanked the residents for their comments. He said he too has concerns
with the Special Pay. He shared that the City Manager has prepared a document itemizing that"Special
Pay."
Manager Crew explained the bulk of the"Special Pay"is with the police department,which is
approximately$500,000. The General Employees' "Special Pay"is a little over$100,000.
Councilman Williams conveyed understanding that a good portion of the"Special Pay"goes go
the police department. He asked about the automobile allowance and the employees receiving this
benefit.
Manager Crew in response to Councilman Williams'inquiry said some department and division
heads,as well as recreation supervisors and employees.
Councilman Williams opined all would agree that for the most part, City of Miami Gardens
employees are paid well. He suggested revisiting the automobile allowance.
Vice Mayor Campbell asked what the cost would be if employees were assigned vehicles as
Special City Council Minutes - September 8, 2010 Page 5
opposed to car allowances.
Manager Crew in response to Vice Mayor Campbell's questions said the cost would be
approximately$2,000 a year just for the vehicle,plus the City would have to take care of the insurance,
and the gas. He said the cost to provide a city vehicle would be quite a bit more than providing car
allowances. There are approximately 38 employees receiving automobile allowances. The City will
also end up with the liability.
Councilman Gilbert said if the City decided to purchase vehicles for employees,there would be
pool cars as opposed to each employee being assigned a vehicle. The City would not purchase 38
vehicles.
Manager Crew said some of the employees would have to have their own vehicles,especially
the parks and recreation employees. One of the issues raised at the budget workshop was how much
would it cost to pay for mileage. Each employee currently allocated a car allowance was asked how
many miles did they travel per week. That information was provided and the cost estimate based on
mileage was provided. He further shared that it would be too time consuming a record keeping and
payroll process for 38 employees,if they were being paid for mileage.
Councilman Williams opined we are asking residents to agree with this new millage rate. They
understand the fiscal crisis and are willing to make provisions to continue to do business within the
city. He suggested that the Council ask its employees to do the same thing. He suggested that the
automobile allowance be cut in half, not eliminated. This is not cutting someone's salary; an
automobile allowance is"special pay." He further suggested the cell phone allowance be cut in half as
well.
Manager Crew in response to Councilman Williams'comments about the cell phone allowance
shared initially the City owed all the cell phones. Employees were issued cell phones for city business
only. It was determined that that was an expensive way. Furthermore,the new IRS regulations requires
that city issued cell phones be reported as part of an employee's income. Due to IRS requirements and
the public records law, the City decided to get out of the business of issuing cell phones. Instead
employees are given an allowance. More than half of the cell phone allowance is for the police
department.
Councilman Williams shared that he has a Metro PCS Cell phone and is able to access the
internet,which he pays$65.00 per month for.
Manager Crew explained the individuals authorized cell phone allowances actually use them.
Councilman Gilbert opined the City has to actually pay its employees to go to the various parks.
He suggested either paying mileage or a flat rate. He said if the City stop paying for their cell phones
then the City cannot make the employee answer the phone. He shared when he receive telephone calls
from concerned residents on the weekends,the person he calls(city employee)answers the phone. He
agreed that the"special pay"should be looked at.
Special City Council Minutes - September 8, 2010 Page 6
Councilman Williams said there is no legal requirement with providing an auto allowance. City
Manager is providing auto allowances for what he feels an employee's needs are on a daily or weekly
basis. He conveyed disagreement that the auto allowances is appropriate at the numbers provided by
the City Manger especially given the fact that the city is only 20 square miles. He said he was not
suggesting that the City not pay the employees an auto or cell phone allowance. He said he was asking
the employees to dig deep just like the Council was asking the residents.
Councilman Gilbert asked whether he heard Councilman Williams said there is no legal
requirement to pay an employee mileage.
Attorney Dickens said there are two different things being discussed. She opined Councilman
Williams is saying there is no legal requirement that the mileage be paid at this level. Councilman
Gilbert is correct in that if the City is going to require people to use their personal vehicles and cell
phones,the city has to reimburse that employee.
Councilman Gilbert said when you say cut the allowance in half, you are allotting a certain
amount and if that amount does not cover the actual miles driven,and then you are saying you are not
paying the money. He concurred that the amount could be addressed. However,if the amount is less
than what the actual cost of mileage is, the City cannot expect that employee to do the work. He
emphasized the amount can be addressed and the City can reimburse at the rate that the IRS requires
(fifty-cents per mile).
Councilwoman Pritchett said other governmental agencies do have car pooling cars. She shared
that any given day you can drive by City Hall and see City vehicles parked that are not being driven.
She asked why those employees other than the police department personnel utilize the cars and or
trucks parked at city hall.
Manager Crew said since he has been here he has tried to do things as efficiently and effectively
as possible. He said pool cars are provided for those individuals who do not use their vehicles very
often. However, most of these individuals cannot rely on a pool vehicle. Parks and recreation
employees are in and out all day long. Furthermore,cars that are individually owned last several years
longer than cars that are in pools. Nobody takes responsibility for a pool car and nobody treats a pool
car like their own.
Councilwoman Pritchett opined the City of Miami Gardens employees would indeed take care
of a pool car if provided because that is the kind of employees the city has. She further agreed with
Councilmen Williams and Gilbert that the auto and cell phone allowance should be looked at. She said
the issue from both sides should be looked at so that it becomes a win-win situation. She opined all
that is required is some creativity on the part of the dais,and staff.
Councilman Williams suggested asking the City Manager to come back with a report on cost
savings associated with the auto and cell phone allowances.
Mayor Gibson inquired about the time involved with reporting and calculating the actual
mileage for reimbursement. She further asked whether the reimbursement would also be governed by
Special City Council Minutes - September 8, 2010 Page 7
IRS regulations.
Manager Crew in response to Mayor Gibson inquiry about the IRS' regulations said the
reimbursement would not be subject to IRS regulations,only the City's current system is.
Patricia Varney,Finance Director appeared before the City Council in response to Mayor
Gibson's inquiry about the time involved with reporting and calculating the reimbursement for mileage.
She said the main concern would be for auditing purposes.
Councilman Williams shared that other companies provide their employees with gas cards. He
said he did not know if this was something feasible for the City to take a look at.
Manager Crew in response to Councilman Williams'comment shared that the City provides gas
cards for use with city vehicles.
Councilwoman Pritchett for clarification purposes asked whether the City Manager would be
bringing back options for the Council to look at as it relates to the auto and cell phone allowances.\
Manager Crew affirmed that he would bring back options for the Council's consideration.
Councilman Williams inquired about allowing vendors to sell on News Year Eve and Mother's
Day. He said this could generate additional revenues for the City.
Mayor Gibson shared that prior to Councilman Williams being elected to the Council, the
residents made it very clear that they did not want mobile vending(selling on the streets)in the City of
Miami Gardens. In response to the residents' concerns,the Council adopted applicable legislation to
not allow vending on the streets. She said she would not be in favor of reverting back to that for the
sake of generating revenue.
Councilman Williams said he was referring to Special Events,where a building permit(erecting
a tent)would be required.
Councilwoman Pritchett made reference to a four year computer coding error. She asked why it
took so long to discover this coding error. She further asked if there was a cost associated with that
error.
Manager Crew said the wrong code was placed for overtime. The error was never detected
because the overtime cost was not significant. However,when the police department came on board
the error really showed up.
Councilwoman Pritchett made reference to the suggestion made by residents to have a line item
budget,and asked the City Manager to explain why the City did not have such a document.
Manager Crew made reference to page 277 of the agenda package and shared this is the start of
what is called a line item budget. He said the budget document would be four times ticker if
Special City Council Minutes - September 8, 2010 Page 8
everything was itemized.
Councilwoman Pritchett emphasized the importance of sharing the information with the
residents,which creates transparency.
Manager Crew said he could have that additional information by the next budget hearing.
Councilman Gilbert suggested having the IT Department development a program where this
additional information can be viewed by the residents, on-line. He shared from the residents he has
spoken with the bigger the document the more intimidating it may be,and the less likely they might be
to look at it. He said he wanted to information to be available to those residents who really want to see
it.
Councilwoman Pritchett urged the City Manager to create a win-win situation whether the
residents feel they matter, the employees feel they are important and they matter, and the dais is
delivering the kind of government that is closest to the people, and everyone feels good about.
Attorney Dickens clarified the Council can direct the City Manager to do whatever the Council
deems appropriate. She asked whether Councilwoman Pritchett was asking to have the budget
amended in an itemized format.
Councilwoman Pritchett said she liked Councilman Gilbert's suggestion of having the ID
Department make this information available through the computer so that residents can look at before
the second reading of this item. She asked the City Manager to make a good faith effort to get started
with providing some information to the residents.
Councilwoman Pritchett made referenced to the intergovernmental service charges that
appeared in the 2009-2010 budget and asked why are not those charges outlined in this fiscal year's
budget.
Manager Crew explained all of those department(IT, Purchasing, City Hall rental, etc.) are
being serviced by the General Fund.
Councilwoman Pritchett asked if this information could be provided as a footnote so that people
will know where these intergovernmental service charges are now located in the budget document.
Councilwoman Pritchett asked about the Office of the City Clerk's budget and the salary item,
which has doubled.
Manager Crew explained the Council's staff has been moved to the Office of the City Clerk.
Councilwoman Pritchett asked that a footnote be provided for this change as well. She further
referenced the Parks and Recreation Departmental Budget;more particular the Senior Citizen program
and asked is there no money budgeted for this program.
Special City Council Minutes - September 8, 2010 Page 9
Manager Crew said that particular line item has been deleted,the funds for the senior citizens
has been transferred to other line items.
Councilwoman Pritchett asked if a footnote could also be added explaining this change.
Manager Crew said he would make those footnotes.
Councilman Williams asked for the City Manager to provide a cost analysis of how much
money the Building Department made issuing permits for special events on News Years and Mother's
Day prior to the Council adopting legislation prohibiting such events.
Manager Crew said that would have occurred before the City was incorporated.
Councilman Williams stated no money was allocated in this proposed budget for Bunche Park
Pool. This is an issue that he along with many of the residents in his district feels very strongly about.
He opined there is still a lot of fat in this budget,and he is going to have a hard time supporting it,when
moneys are not being allocated to provide for a pool in this particular neighborhood.
Councilman Gilbert shared that many of the residents he spoke with during his campaign
understood the rollback rate. However,they had a problem with providing for merit increases when
other municipalities are laying off individuals and cutting salaries. The residents wanted to know why
the City would expect them to pay more taxes because of the rollback rate, and at the same time the
City is providing for merit increases.He said last year the departmental budgets were cut by ten percent,
yet merit increases were given.He said he was not against merit increases he just needed to understand
exactly how much it is going to cost. The Council also directed the City Manager to provide an across
the board COLA in the proposed budget. He said he understand having a cost of living increase
because this is a necessity for employees. However,in the very difficult times he did not know that it is
proper to ask the residents for more in taxes and then give raises.
Manager Crew said there are employees who put in forty, fifty, seventy hours a week; a city
engineer that puts in sixty to seventy hours every single week and does not get paid for those hours.
Councilman Gilbert said he is aware the city has employees that work very diligently and very
hard. He opined the City has the best municipal employees in the County. However,that is not the
point. The point is the City Manager says he has to reward that,but when you reward that it is done by
raising taxes. He said this is a completely different concept. He conveyed understanding that we do
need to keep the morale up. It is going to be tight, and employees know that it is going to be tight
because they read the newspapers and see the television just like all of our residents do. He stated he
has to explain to the residents about raising their taxes and giving merit increases to employees. He
stated that he is not necessarily in favor of giving merit raises to department heads. He asked the City
Manger to provide information for the next hearing on the cost associated with the merit increases.
Councilman Williams thanked his colleagues for their comments. He said he did not agree with
eliminating merit increases, and did agree with the City Manager that it is important to are reward
employees and encourage them to continue to do good work. He said he was not going to look these
Special City Council Minutes - September 8, 2010 Page 10
employees in the eye and tell them that he was going to reduce their merit pay when he know there is
other fat in this budget that can be cut. He said the City spent Two Million Dollars for Media and
Events. He commented we can say what we want about Jazz in the Gardens,and all the other things
that we do, but that is a luxury. That is not a basis service that a City is generally in the business of
providing. If we are going to start talking about cutting fat,that is where we need to start cutting the
fat.
Vice Mayor Campbell commented he did not have a lot of discussion on the details of the
budget. He said the reason he did not have a lot of questions is because it is his intent to vote no on the
budget and no on the millage rate. He shared when they started this budget process several months
there was discussion about the fact that property values for this city as well as for the county have gone
down. He shared that he purposely took the initiative to speak with the various groups within the City
about raising the millage rate based on the fact that property values were going down,and in order to
maintain the same level of service there could be a one mill increase. The proposed tax notice that
went out showed that although the property values went down 17%,the Property Appraiser raised the
assessed values. Considering that, if we are asking the taxpayers to not only raise their millage,but
also because their assessed values were going up,to him amounted to a significant tax increase. The
bottom line this is a tax increase.
Manager Crew concurred with Vice Mayor Campbell's assessment of the proposed tax bills and
the fact that even though the property value decreased, the assessed values increased especially for
those individuals who have been in their homes for more than fifteen years. People who have been in
their homes for less than fifteen years are seeing a significant tax decrease. He said this is due to the
Same Our Home Initiative passed by the voters last year.
Councilwoman Pritchett shared that she brought in her tax bill and it indicates that the rollback
rate is a tax increase. She stated when the vote is taken she plans to vote no.
Councilman Gilbert shared that his taxes went down with this proposed millage rate. He opined
the budget should be looked at to find out what is actually needed to operate and not what is wanted to
operate.
Vice Mayor Campbell said maybe most of the people he talked to have lived in this area for
more than fifty(50)years. He shared when he looked at the proposed tax bills of the individuals he had
spoken with,all of them will get a tax increase whether the City raise the millage rate or not. Either
way their taxes are going to go up.
Mayor Gibson shared unfortunately what residents are dealing with is the result of legislation
passed in Tallahassee some years ago. That legislation (Save Our Homes) provides that newer
homeowners pay less taxes than those homeowners who have owned their homes for a long time. She
reminded everyone to be mindful of what they ask for because when it is provided,it is not going to be
free. She said if the Council does not approve this millage rate,the residents can rest assured there will
be a lot of things that they have had,that they will not have,or you will be paying for it,if you have it.
At the conclusion of this discussion,a motion was offered by Vice Mayor Campbell,seconded
Special City Council Minutes - September 8, 2010 Page 11
by Councilwoman Pritchett to defer this item until after the adoption of the tentative millage rate. This
motion passed and carried by a 7-0 voice vote.
Motion offered by Councilwoman Pritchett,seconded by Vice Mayor Campbell to recall Item
D-1) for consideration. This motion passed and carried by a 7-0 voice vote.
There being no further discussion after this item was reconsidered,the motion to adopt on first
reading passed and carried by a 6-1 vote.
Vice Mayor Campbell: Yes
Councilwoman Davis: Yes
Councilman Gilbert: Yes
Councilwoman Pritchett: Yes
Councilwoman Robinson: Yes
Councilman Williams: Yes
Mayor Gibson: Yes
(F) ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further business to come before this Body,and upon a motion being duly made
and seconded the meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
S i on,Mayor
Ronetta Taylor, MNV, City Clerk
Special City Council Minutes - September 8, 2010 Page 12