CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES
SPECIAL SESSION
224 S. Jefferson Street
Perry, Florida
July 30, 2002

MEMBERS PRESENT: Bill Alexander, Richard Frith, Pam Feagle, Doug Everett

MEMBER ABSENT: Shirley Scott

STAFF PRESENT: Bill Brynes, Wayne Putnal, Billy LaValle, Sarah Drawdy and Annette Anderson

Mayor Frith called the meeting to order and led those attending the meeting in prayer. Mayor Frith 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

Councilmember Alexander was not present at roll call, but arrived a few minutes later. Mayor Frith
explained that Councilmember Scott was out of town attending a funeral.

The Council first heard from citizen Michael Lynn. Mr. Lynn told the Council he is buying some
property that is on the list to be demolished by the City and would like to know if this property could
be moved to the front of the list. Mr. Lynn told the Council he has plans to build an office on this site.
Referring to discussion at the last Council meeting about stopping the demolition work for a while to
get caught up on trash pickup in the City, Councilmember Everett asked if, when the demolition work
starts up again, Mr. Lynn’s property could be done right away. Mr. Brynes answered yes. There was
some discussion that notice needs to be given to the Department of Environment Protection and since
Mr. Lynn is to close the deal on August 12th, this should work out well. Mr. Lynn asked if the City
would also remove a concrete pad at the location. Mr. Brynes answered yes.

GENERAL BUSINESS:

AGENDA ITEM 3(A)…CITY MANAGER TO PRESENT PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL

YEAR 2002-03 FOR THE CITY OF PERRY PURSUANT TO SECTION 5.02 OF THE CITY
CHARTER.

City Manager Bill Brynes presented the proposed budget for fiscal year 2002-03 for the City of Perry.

AGENDA ITEM 3(B)…CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF TO DISCUSS PROPOSED CAPITAL

OUTLAY AND PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002-03.

Mr. Brynes said, as in the past, the budget is broken down into two documents: the capital outlay items
and the proposed budget items. Mr. Brynes said two items the Council should keep in mind are the
proposed Veterans’ Park and the city pool. Mr. Brynes said the cost for these items is not known at this
time. Mr. Brynes said pool repairs have been put off for several years and need to be addressed when
the pool season is over. Mr. Brynes said there is an individual from Tallahassee who could give
Page 2, July 30, 2002, Council Minutes – Special Session
a good idea as to what exactly needs to be done. There was discussion of the possibility of having the
pool fiber glassed or putting on a new mar site surface. Councilmember Feagle requested the
individual be able to tell what needs to be done to bring the pool up to tip-top shape, getting the pool to
its best condition and then the City could get different estimates on how much it would cost.
Councilmember Feagle said, once the pool is in good condition, the Recreation Director needs to look
at what needs to be done to keep it in good shape. Councilmember Everett said there are other issues
concerning the pool and noted the condition of the tiles on the bottom of the pool. Councilmember
Everett suggested the tiles could be removed or replaced.

Mr. Brynes reviewed a budget comparison of fiscal year 2001-02 and fiscal year 2002-03, noting the
difference in the increase or decrease in all funds. The proposed budget reflects a budget of
$7,299,875 with a decrease of $367,640 from last year’s budget. Mr. Brynes next reviewed two
schedules: a comparison of fiscal year 2001-02 and fiscal year 2002-03 total operating costs and
capital outlay costs, noting the difference in the increase or decrease in schedule 2 and schedule 3. Mr.
Brynes said schedule 2 noted no increase in personnel costs, reflecting a proposed budget of
$7,299,875. Mr. Brynes said schedule 3 reflects a 3 percent increase in personnel costs, reflecting a
proposed budget of $7,393,465 (decrease of $274,050 from last year). Reviewing a budget summary
(schedule 4), Mr. Brynes noted the schedule reflects anticipated receipts of $7,332,510 and operating
expenses of $7,420,214 or $87,704 more expense than receipts prior to capital outlay of $159,705 and
any salary adjustments that may be made by the City Council.

Discussing other budget issues, Mr. Brynes told the Council the City’s (property, casualty, liability)
insurance renewal costs are not known at this time but are estimated at a 25% increase and a 3 percent
increase in personnel costs would be approximately $93,000. Councilmember Feagle asked about
salary comparisons of different cities for police officers and firefighters. Mr. Brynes said information
he received deals basically with beginning salaries. Councilmember Feagle said the City needs to be
more competitive and she would like to see if something good could be done to retain these employees.
Councilmember Everett said he is a strong advocate in supporting the police officers. Councilmember
Everett said it is not a fair and equitable way to compare the City with places such as Tallahassee
because the cost of living is more in Tallahassee and this is something that needs to be considered.
Chief of Police Wayne Putnal told the Council he has sent officers to various places to try and recruit
but salary is always an issue. Councilmember Feagle said she would like to see something significant
done for these employees this year.

Mr. Brynes then reviewed organizational requests for funding. Councilmember Feagle said, for this
budget year at least, she would like to have each of these organizations requesting funding come before
the City Council. Councilmember Feagle said she would also like to see, in writing, information as to:
what the organization has done with last year’s funding from the City; how much cash the organization
has left; what the funding will be used for in the coming year; any anticipated salary increases; and
salaries of employees in the organization.

Page 3, July 30, 2002, Council Minutes – Special Session

Councilmember Everett commented he would still like to see some consolidation within some of these
organizations. Councilmember Feagle asked for what purpose. Councilmember Everett said it would
reduce the amount of bureaucracy. Mr. Brynes suggested, because of the amount being requested, that
the Historical Society and Civil Air Patrol could be excluded. Councilmember Everett said he did have
some issue concerning the Civil Air Patrol that he would like to discuss with them. Mr. Brynes said
letters would be sent to the other organizations requesting the information and informing them a
meeting date would be set later.

AGENDA ITEM 3(C)…THE CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS 2002 CERTIFICATION OF TAXABLE

VALUE MILLAGE RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002-03.

Mr. Brynes said the roll back rate is 4.79 and the City’s current millage rate is at 4.73 mills. Mr.
Brynes informed the Council a decision needs to be made on the millage rate because the City is
required to notify the property appraiser this week. Mr. Brynes explained the millage rate could be set
high and then be lowered; but if it is set at a certain rate it cannot be increased. Councilmember
Everett said if the Council adopts the existing rate this would be a reduction in taxes of approximately
$6,600. Councilmember Everett noted he had made a motion at the last Council meeting to keep the
millage rate at 4.73 so there would not be a tax increase, but the motion died for lack of a second.
Councilmember Everett said adopting the roll back rate of 4.79 would be a tax increase and he is
against any tax increase. Councilmember Everett made a motion that the City adopt a millage rate of
4.73 (same as last year) millage rate for the fiscal year 2002-03.

Before a second to the motion, Councilmember Feagle said she had a question. Councilmember
Feagle asked Mr. Brynes his opinion on the millage rate in relation to the City’s financial situation.
Mr. Brynes said it has been his experience that people would rather have a small increase each year
than to have a large increase at some point in time. Councilmember Feagle asked about budget
concerns and projecting where the City is going to be in the future in relation to the millage rate. Mr.
Brynes when you are looking at a shortfall, your hope is there will be somewhere you won’t have to
use so much and will break even. Mr. Brynes said this is maybe the fifth year the budget has been
balanced with cash reserves.

Councilmember Everett mentioned the Veterans’ Park project. Councilmember Everett said this could
be budgeted for now but you don’t really know the real cost. Councilmember Feagle said she doesn’t
think the Veterans’ Park will be totally funded by the City. Councilmember Feagle said some portion
could be budgeted this year and some more next year being careful of what is spent.
Page 4, July 30, 2002, Council Minutes – Special Session

Councilmember Feagle then seconded Councilmember Everett’s motion that the City’ fiscal year 2002-
03 millage rate be set at 4.73 mills. Upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott ABSENT
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

On another budget matter, Chief Putnal told the Council the school system has requested the City fund
two crossing guards for the new elementary school. Chief Putnal said the Sheriff’s Department and the
County have both declined. There was discussion that the two entrances to the school are located in
the county. Mr. Brynes said he thought the School Board was going to fund this. Chief Putnal said
that is not what he was asked. Mr. Brynes suggested the City wait for a request letter from the
Superintendent of Schools. Councilmembers agreed.

Mr. Brynes told the Council the City would have to have two public hearings regarding the budget and
millage, but the dates are not yet known as the City falls in line behind the County and the School
Board for setting these public hearings. Mr. Brynes said Council and staff should have additional
budget workshops before this time. The Council agreed to set a workshop meeting date for Monday,
August 26, 2002. Mayor Frith suggested the Council and staff could also discuss the budget at the
regular meeting Tuesday, August 13, 2002, if the agenda is not too long.

Councilmember Everett requested that city attorney Bill Blue have the draft ordinance pertaining to
entities receiving public monies operate totally under the Florida Sunshine Law ready for the August
13 meeting.

Mayor Frith told Councilmembers the City has the opportunity to acquire (at no cost) the old Gladys
Morse Elementary School from the School Board. Mayor Frith said if Councilmembers would like to
pursue this opportunity it would be a good idea to address the School Board at their next meeting.

Councilmember Everett said the Council should look at and consider the taxes and possible asbestos
concerns. Mayor Frith noted there are approximately 15 acres that could be used. Councilmember
Everett commented the area could be considered for use as a city cemetery. Mayor Frith commented
the City had received a letter from a local funeral home saying there had been an agreement that once
the current city cemetery was full, the City would not maintain another cemetery. Councilmember
Everett said this should be checked into. Referring to use of the old school building, Mayor Frith
noted several organizations have expressed interest in needing additional office and storage space and
would pay for separate utility meters and be responsible for maintenance.
Page 5, July 30, 2002, Council Minutes – Special Session

AGENDA ITEM (10)…ADJOURNMENT.

There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting was
adjourned at approximately 7:10 p. m.

ATTEST:

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

Recorded in Official Minute Book:

___________________________ _________________________________
Annette Anderson, Secretary Date