CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES
SPECIAL BUDGET SESSION
224 S. Jefferson Street
Perry, Florida
July 29, 2003

MEMBERS PRESENT: Bill Alexander, Pam Feagle, Doug Everett

MEMBERS ABSENT: Shirley Scott and Richard Frith

STAFF PRESENT: Bill Brynes, Barney Johnson, Wayne Putnal, Billy LaValle, Sarah Drawdy,
Rodney Lytle, Danny Lundy and Annette Anderson

Vice Mayor/Councilmember Alexander called the meeting to order. Councilmember Feagle led those
attending the meeting in prayer. Vice Mayor/Councilmember Alexander led the group in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag. The secretary then called the roll.
PRESENT ABSENT
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

It was noted that Mayor Frith had called City Hall to say he was ill and probably would not be able to
attend the meeting. It was also noted that Councilmember Scott had informed the Council at the
July 22 regular Council meeting that she would be out of town this date.

SUBJECT OF MEETING:

A. CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF TO DISCUSS PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL

YEAR 2003-04.

B. CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS AND SET THE TENTATIVE 2003 CERTIFICATION

OF TAXABLE VALUE MILLAGE RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003-04.

City Manager Bill Brynes told the Council they should consider setting the tentative millage rate this
meeting, as this information had to be given to the county property appraiser by August 4, 2003. When
asked by Councilmember Everett, Mr. Brynes explained that the tentative millage rate, once set, could
be reduced before final adoption but could not be increased. Councilmember Everett talked about the
need to cut expenses. Councilmember Everett suggested looking at each department and cutting
expenses by half to see what the savings might be. Councilmember Everett said, looking at past years
actual, some items are budgeted at three times the amount actually spent. As an example,
Councilmember Everett said in the legislative department $2,000 had been budgeted for periods of
time over the years for code codification and $4,000 had not been spent. Councilmember Everett said
he could look at saving about $40,000 by just going through the budget.
Page 2, July 29, 2003, Council Minutes – Special Budget Session

Councilmember Feagle said her concern is if the City keeps using its reserve monies each year and
doesn’t cut expenses the City could be out of reserves. Speaking of the $400,000 budget deficit,
Councilmember Feagle said that doesn’t include any salary increases the Council might approve or the
total of recent (health) insurance claims the City is paying. Mr. Brynes said the majority of the
insurance claims are in this fiscal year.

Another item Councilmember Everett discussed was the approval by the Council to spend money on
building a city garage. Councilmember Everett suggested this might be an item that could wait for
another year. Councilmember Feagle asked if the $400,000 (deficit) includes capital outlay items. Mr.
Brynes answered no and said that is a different issue.

Speaking of government in general, Councilmember Everett said it seems each time there is a shortfall
(government) wants to raise taxes. Councilmember Feagle said she isn’t saying she is for or against
raising taxes only that she is looking at where the City is now. Councilmember Feagle said she agrees
some expenses could be cut; but by the same token, each year there are increases in almost everything.
Councilmember Feagle questioned how the problem could be solved without going into reserves if the
City remains in the same spot.

Councilmember Everett commented the $466,000 (shortfall) could be taken out of the unrestricted
$5 million reserve. Councilmember Everett commented that this money belongs to the taxpayer and
not the City of Perry. Councilmember Everett then made a motion to adopt the rollback rate of 4.67
mills for the fiscal year 2003-04 in an attempt to save the taxpayers money by having the City operate
more efficiently. Before a second to the motion, Councilmember Feagle had comments.

Councilmember Feagle asked where the money comes from when there are (unbudgeted) items that
come up during the year. Mr. Brynes said money would come from cash reserves. Councilmember
Feagle said another concern of hers is the way the City looks. Councilmember Feagle commented
about grass growing over sidewalks, mowing and the city’s parks. Councilmember Feagle said part of
her job is to help make the City beautified to some extent; but, the director of Public Works says there
are not enough employees to do this job. Councilmember Everett questioned whether the taxpayers
would want to spend $1 million a year additional money (taxes) to beautify the City or leave it like it
is.

Councilmember Feagle said she would second the motion (as presented by Councilmember Everett)
but with the understanding that somewhere the Council is going to have to cut expenses.
Councilmember Feagle seconded the motion to set the City of Perry’s millage rate at the rollback rate
of 4.67 for fiscal year 2003-04. Upon roll call, vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X
Page 3, July 29, 2003, Council Minutes – Regular Session

Councilmember Everett said it was his opinion in discussing the budget that every Councilmember
should be present, as those absent would want to participate in discussing the budget. Councilmember
Alexander and Councilmember Feagle agreed and a special budget meeting was set for Tuesday,
August 5, 2003 at 5:00 p. m.

Councilmember Feagle issued a challenge for each department to go through and review their budget
and come back to the Council with a recommendation as to how the budget could be cut.
Councilmember Everett agreed.

AGENDA ITEM (7)…CITY MANAGER.

There was no discussion.

AGENDA ITEM (8)…DEPARTMENT HEADS.

Superintendent of Sewer Services, Danny Lundy, told the Council the City had some old equipment at
the plant that is of no use to the City and the company sealing the manholes in the city has requested to
have this equipment. Mr. Lundy said they would give an offer for the equipment and the company
could work out the amount in labor costs to the City. Councilmember Everett asked if they gave any
reasonable value for the equipment and asked how long since the equipment had been used. Mr.
Lundy said he thinks the company would give a fair offer. Mr. Lundy said the equipment came with
the purchase of the trucks and had never been used by the City. Mr. Brynes said if this equipment were
to be put up for auction, no one would have any use for it.

It was the consensus of the Council to allow the old equipment at the sewer plant (discussed above) to
be given in exchange for a certain amount of labor costs of the company sealing the city’s manholes.

AGENDA ITEM (10)…ADJOURNMENT.

There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting was
adjourned at approximately 5:25 p. m.

ATTEST:

_______________________________ _________________________________
William E. Brynes, City Manager Richard D. Frith, Mayor

Recorded in Official Minute Book:

___________________________ _________________________________
Annette Anderson, Secretary Date