[1) CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:11]
BROWN HERE. VICE MAYOR. MILEY. PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER. WILLIAMS. PALMER. PRESENT.
COUNCIL MEMBER. DARLING. HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER. HERNANDEZ. PRESENT. THANK YOU. WE WILL HAVE INVOCATION BY MISS LINDA NICCUM. AFTERWARDS, WE'LL DO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PLEASE. IF YOU CAN STAND. THANK YOU. SO WE BOW OUR HEADS. FATHER GOD, WE COME BEFORE YOU TONIGHT TO MAKE PLANS AND DECISIONS THAT WILL HAVE LONG LASTING EFFECTS ON THE VILLAGE AND ITS RESIDENTS. WE PRAY THAT YOU, OUR LORD, WILL GIVE US A CLEAR DIRECTION IN ALL THAT WE ARE DISCUSSING AND NOT HAVE CALM AND NOT HAVE CONFUSION. LET COMMON SENSE AND CALM REIGN.
WE ASK YOU, LORD, FOR PEACE AND LOVE AMONG US, YOUR CHILDREN, AND NOT DISSENSION AND ANGER.
WE ALL RAISE THESE PLEAS TO YOU WITH A RESOUNDING AMEN. AMEN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. THANK YOU. CAN I GET A MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL
[5) APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
OF THE AGENDA? SO MOVED. SECOND. WE HAVE A FIRST AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? I ALL OPPOSED.[6a.) VILLAGE OF INDIANTOWN, FLORIDA RESOLUTION NO. 008-2026 A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF INDIANTOWN, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A FINAL MILLAGE RATE FOR THE LEVY OF AD VALOREM TAXATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE.]
AYES HAVE IT. THE REGULAR AGENDA. SO THE MIKE, ARE YOU DOING THIS ONE? THE VILLAGE OF INDIANTOWN, FLORIDA. RESOLUTION 008-2026. MAYOR, WOULD YOU LIKE TO. WELL. I'LL DEFER TO THE VILLAGE ATTORNEY IF HE'D WANT TO READ THE RESOLUTION. SURE. PLEASE. GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR AND COUNCIL. JUST TO LET EVERYONE KNOW, MY NAME IS MILTON COLLINS. I'M FILLING IN FOR JEANETTE THIS EVENING, SO PLEASURE TO MEET EVERYONE. THANK YOU. AND SO I'LL READ THE RESOLUTION TITLE OF THE VILLAGE OF INDIANTOWN, FLORIDA. RESOLUTION NUMBER 008-2026, A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF INDIAN TOWN, FLORIDA. ADOPTING A FINAL MILLAGE RATE FOR THE LEVY OF AD VALOREM TAXATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 TO 2027, AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE. AND AS YOU KNOW, MADAM MAYOR, WE'LL HANDLE THESE SEPARATELY. OKAY. SO THAT'S GOOD. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I HAVE ONE. THIS IS THE SECOND OF TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS AS REQUIRED BY FLORIDA MILLAGE RATE LAW FOR THE FISCAL YEAR OF 2026 2027.THE VILLAGE MANAGER WILL PRESENT THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE, WHICH WAS CERTIFIED TO TO THE MARTIN COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER, ON WHICH THE PROPOSED TAXES ARE BASED. AND THAT APPEARS IN THE TRUTH AND MILLAGE OR TRIM NOTICE RECEIVED BY OWNERS OF PROPERTY IN THE VILLAGE OF INDIANTOWN. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 2027 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FLORIDA STATUTE 200.0652 E ONE, THE FIRST SUBSTANTIVE ISSUE DISCUSSED SHALL BE THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN MILLAGE OVER THE ROLLBACK RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2627. THE VILLAGE OF INDIANTOWN IS CONSIDERING A LEVY OF 1.8250 MILLS, WHICH IS A 2.9 INCREASE PERCENT INCREASE OVER THE ROLLBACK RATE OF 1.7736 MILLS. THE MILLAGE RATE OF 1.8250 WILL GENERATE NET AD VALOREM TAX REVENUES OF $4,257,540, WHICH IS $149,230 MORE THAN CURRENT TAX REVENUES. WHEN APPLYING THE 95% STATUTORY CAP TO THE FINAL CERTIFIED TAXABLE VALUE, PROPERTY TAX REVENUE MAKES UP APPROXIMATELY 52.2% OF THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET. THIS WAS ADVERTISED AS A PUBLIC HEARING. AT THIS TIME. WE WILL HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE FINAL
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MILLAGE RATE. DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? NO, MA'AM. IF THERE ARE NO COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC, THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED. AT THIS TIME, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 008-2026, APPROVING THE FINAL PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATE OF 1.8250 MILLS. THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE FOR ALL GENERAL VILLAGE PURPOSES WILL BE 1.8250, WHICH REPRESENTS A 2.9% INCREASE IN THE MILLAGE RATE OVER THE ROLLBACK RATE OF 1.7736 MILLS.DO WE HAVE A DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION? THE ONLY THING I'D LIKE TO ADD, MADAM MAYOR, IS JUST TO NAME TO ANNOUNCE THE NAME OF THE TAXING AUTHORITY, WHICH IS THIS VILLAGE. THAT'S PART OF THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT. OTHER THAN THAT, I WILL DEFER TO YOU. DO WE HAVE A VOTE ON THE MOTION? SO MOVE FOR APPROVAL. SECOND. WE HAVE A FIRST AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. ALL OPPOSED? PASSED. NEXT WE'RE GOING TO SIX B OF THE AGENDA.
[6b.) VILLAGE OF INDIANTOWN, FLORIDA RESOLUTION NO.009-2026 A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF INDIANTOWN, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE FINAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2026, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2027; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
AND I WILL READ THE TITLE JUST FOR THE RECORD. AND AS YOU KNOW, MADAM MAYOR, WE DO HAVE TO READ THIS ENTIRE RESOLUTION FOR THE RECORD, SO SOMEONE WILL DO IT. I ASSUME THE MANAGER OR SOMEONE THE VILLAGE OF INDIANTOWN, FLORIDA, RESOLUTION NUMBER 009-2026. A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF INDIANTOWN, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE FINAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE SECOND OF TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS THAT ARE REQUIRED BY THE STATE'S BUDGET LAW. IN THE FISCAL YEAR OF 2026 2027, THE VILLAGE MANAGER WILL PRESENT THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 2027 FINAL BUDGET. THIS IS THE PRESENTATION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 2027 BUDGET, PROVIDING APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS TO OPERATE THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VILLAGE OF INDIANTOWN. AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, WHICH FOCUSED ON NEEDS AND PRIORITIES OF THE VILLAGE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES. THE VILLAGE HELD ONE ADVERTISED BUDGET WORKSHOP OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON JULY 23RD, 2026 TO ESTABLISH A TENTATIVE FISCAL YEAR 2627 MILLAGE RATE. THE ALL FUND TOTAL OF THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2627 BUDGET IS $44,940,240. THIS IS AN INCREASE OF $3,037,955, OR 7.3%, FROM THE FISCAL YEAR 2526 ADOPTED BUDGET. THIS INCREASE IN THE BUDGET IS DUE TO THE INCREASE IN PLANNED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE WASTEWATER AND WATER TREATMENT PLANTS, AS WELL AS OTHER ROAD DRAINAGE AND PARKS IMPROVEMENTS. GENERAL FUND THE FISCAL YEAR 2627 GENERAL FUND BUDGET IS $8,152,040, WHICH IS SUPPORTED PRIMARILY BY THE OPERATING MILLAGE. WITH THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN AD VALOREM TAXES.THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET REPRESENTS A 2.0 INCREASE FROM THE FISCAL YEAR 2526. ADOPTED BUDGET. PROPOSED EXPENDITURES ARE BASED UPON THOROUGH ANALYSIS AND REVIEW OF PRIOR YEAR EXPENDITURES AND THE CONTINUANCE OF ANTICIPATED EXPENDITURES FOR THE NEW FISCAL YEAR. THE FINAL BUDGET INCLUDES FUNDING TO SUPPORT CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE VILLAGE. ALSO SUPPORTED IN THIS BUDGET IS A RENEWED SPONSORSHIP OF THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
$15,000 TAX INCENTIVE GRANT TO FPL $816,950 AND ANTICIPATED INFLATION COSTS FOR SALARIES, OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL DISCRETIONARY SALES TAX FUND. THE DISCRETIONARY SALES TAX FUND HAS BEEN DEVELOPED WITH A REVENUE BUDGET OF $810,000 FOR FY 2627, WHICH INCLUDES $10,000 IN ESTIMATED INTEREST INCOME. NO EXPENDITURES ARE REQUESTED TO BE APPROPRIATED AT THIS TIME.
APPROPRIATION WILL BE IDENTIFIED AT A LATER DATE AND SUBJECT TO BUDGET AMENDMENT APPROVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THE HALF CENT DISCRETIONARY SALES TAX, WHICH WAS APPROVED BY COUNTY WIDE VOTER REFERENDUM IN NOVEMBER 2024, IS CODIFIED UNDER FLORIDA STATUTES. CHAPTER
[00:10:12]
212.0552. KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE SURTAX. THE SURTAX FUNDS, I.E.DISCRETIONARY SALES TAXES, ARE RESTRICTED FOR THE FINANCING, PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF INFRASTRUCTURE. THE FUNDS MAY ALSO BE USED TO ACQUIRE LAND FOR PUBLIC RECREATION, CONSERVATION OR PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES DURING FISCAL YEAR 2526, THE VILLAGE PURCHASED ONE PARCEL USING THE DISCRETIONARY SALES TAX FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $375,023.25. A SECOND PARCEL IS IN PROCESS OF BEING ACQUIRED FROM THE COUNTY, WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL ON JULY 23RD FOR A PURCHASE PRICE OF $275,000. MOBILITY FEE FUND THE MOBILITY FEE FUND HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED WITH A BUDGET OF $603,000 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2627, WHICH INCLUDES 3000 IN ESTIMATED INTEREST INCOME. MOBILITY FEES ARE RESTRICTED BY FLORIDA STATUTES. CHAPTER 163.318 FOR THE FUNDING OR ADDING CAPACITY OF FOUR MULTIMODAL INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING TRAFFIC LANES, INTERSECTIONS, BIKE LANES, SIDEWALKS, PEDESTRIAN PATHS AND OTHER USES. THERE ARE NO EXPENDITURES REQUESTED TO BE APPROPRIATED AT THIS TIME. APPROPRIATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO FUTURE BUDGET AMENDMENT APPROVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL, INDIAN TOWN TRUST FUND. THE INDIAN TOWN TRUST FUND HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED WITH A REVENUE BUDGET OF $35,000 OF ESTIMATED INTEREST INCOME. APPROPRIATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE FORMAL AWARD GRANTS TO INDIVIDUAL AWARDEES BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL AND ALSO SUBJECT TO FUTURE BUDGET AMENDMENT APPROVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. WASTE WATER FUND FISCAL YEAR 2627 FINAL BUDGET FOR THE WASTEWATER ENTERPRISE FUND, INCLUDING ALL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, IS $35,340,200, A 19.5% INCREASE OVER THE CURRENT YEAR. THE WATER AND WASTEWATER ENTERPRISE FUND IS A BUSINESS TYPE FUND, WHICH IS PRIMARILY SUPPORTED BY USER FEES, FEES CHARGED TO RATEPAYERS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ARE FUNDED BY STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS. THE BUDGET IS BASED UPON ANALYSIS OF THE PAST YEAR'S OPERATING HISTORY AND CURRENT YEAR OPERATIONS. THE WASTEWATER. THE WATER AND WASTEWATER FUND BUDGET HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO MAINTAIN CONTINUING OPERATION FOR THE PLANTS AND FIELD, AS WELL AS CONTINUATION OF THE VARIOUS WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 2027 FINAL BUDGET IS BALANCED AND IS A NEED BASED BUDGET. THIS BUDGET PROVIDES FUNDING FOR CORE OPERATIONS OF THE VILLAGE. THE FINAL BUDGET, AS APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL, WAS ADVERTISED AS REQUIRED IN A LOCAL NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2026. THE FINAL BUDGET INCLUDES STAFF STAFFING LEVEL OF 45 FULL TIME EQUIVALENTS, FTES AND INCREASE IN 1.5 FTE DUE TO THE CONVERSION OF A PART TIME PARKS RANGER POSITION TO FULL TIME, AND THE ADDITION OF A PROJECT MANAGER, SLASH PROJECT ENGINEER FOR UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS.
THIS CONCLUDES MY REPORT AND PRESENTATION. THANK YOU. THIS WAS ADVERTISED AS A PUBLIC HEARING. AT THIS TIME. WE WILL HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC REGARDING FISCAL YEAR 2026 2027 BUDGET.
DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? NO, MA'AM. IF THERE ARE NO PUBLIC COMMENTS, THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED WITH THE VILLAGE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION. YES, PLEASE.
THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. SO THANK YOU TO THE STAFF FOR PREPARING THE BUDGET. I DID WANT TO EMPHASIZE. THAT I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT WE SHOULDN'T INVEST 15000 TO THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARD. ME AS A PERSONAL AS A NEW A NEWLY ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBER. I FEEL THAT WE HAVE TO ORDER HOUSE. I'M NOT TRYING TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESS INTO INDIAN TOWN. I FEEL THAT THAT IS ON YEAR TWO. I FEEL THAT THESE $15,000 COULD
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GO HELP IN TRYING TO GET SOME TYPE OF. LIKE I SAID, RISK MANAGEMENT INSPECTOR GENERAL TYPE OF PERSON. I DID GO AND REVIEWED THE AUDIT FROM LAST YEAR FOR FY 25, AND THERE WERE A FEW THINGS THAT THEY ADDRESSED FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. THEY HAVE ADDRESSED OVERTIME. THEY HAVE ADDRESSED VENDOR CONTRACTS. THEY HAVE ADDRESSED USER. SO TECHNOLOGY IN THAT SENSE. SO I DO THINK THAT WE NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE THAT CAN, YOU KNOW, TRY TO SEE EFFICIENCY. AND THIS PERSON WOULD BE NOT LIKE A FULL TIME EMPLOYEE, NOT A PART TIME. IT WOULD BE LIKE A TEMPORARY CONTRACT. THIS IS DONE LIKE ON A YEARLY BASIS. DIFFERENT CORPORATIONS, MUNICIPALITIES DO THIS IN REGARDS OF TRYING TO BRING SOMEONE OUT FROM THE FROM, YOU KNOW, THE VILLAGE OR OUT FROM US. AND THEY WOULD REPORT STRAIGHT TO THE COUNCIL. THEY WOULDN'T REPORT TO THE MANAGER, THEY WOULDN'T REPORT TO THE ATTORNEY, THEY'D REPORT TO US.AND THIS IS HOW WE WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE HOW WE CAN MAKE SURE WE'RE EFFICIENT WITH THE TAXPAYERS MONEY. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOW, YOU KNOW, CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORMS. I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S BEING DONE. I DID HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH MR. FLORIO, AND THERE IS A FUEL.
THERE'S LIKE, I THINK 35,000 4000 IN THE BUDGET FOR FUEL. AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DIESEL.
WE HAVE TWO TWO INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE TAKE HOME VEHICLES. AND ME PERSONALLY, I, I DON'T THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, THE TAXPAYERS SHOULD BE PAYING FOR SOMEONE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE HOME. NOT EVERYONE HAS THAT PRIVILEGE. SO I WOULD LIKE TO GET, YOU KNOW, THAT LOOKED AT. SO THAT'S THE ONLY FEW THINGS I HAD TO TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET. I WOULD ASK THAT.
MR. FARIA, IF YOU COULD ADDRESS THAT, BECAUSE AT OUR LAST MEETING, THAT WAS A CONCERN THAT SHE ALSO BROUGHT UP, FOR THE RECORD, MIKE FLORIO, DID THE SPECIFIC QUESTION ABOUT FUEL COSTS OR ABOUT, I GUESS, THE POSITION, THE RISK MANAGEMENT POSITION? WELL, ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT SHE SAID. BUT IN REGARDS TO THE RISK MANAGEMENT PORTION OF IT, SHE DID ADDRESS IT. AND I TOO, BELIEVE THAT THAT IS SOMETHING IMPORTANT THAT SHOULD BE ADDED TO. YEAH, I'D BE INTERESTED IN TALKING MORE ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT THINGS YOU FEEL MAYBE ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED OR NOT BEING LOOKED AT. I THINK I I'VE SPOKEN WITH YOU, I KNOW I'VE SPOKEN WITH MR. GIORDINO AND PREVIOUS VILLAGE MANAGER ABOUT WAYS THAT WE CAN CUT COSTS TO DO MORE CONTRACT COMPETITIVE BIDDING. I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'VE DONE THIS YEAR THAT WILL BE IN THE BUDGET IS WE'RE FINALLY GOING TO GET, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SEVERAL YEARS, A REDUCTION IN OUR PROPERTY CASUALTY AND LIABILITY INSURANCE. IT'S IT'S HONESTLY, IT'S NOT COMMON TO HAVE A RISK MANAGER OR AN IG POSITION IN, IN SMALL MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT LIKE THAT. IF YOU WANTED TO HAVE AN ENGAGEMENT TO HAVE AN AUDIT FIRM OR SOMEONE TO COME OUT TO DO REVIEW OF, I GUESS, CONTROLS OR PROCESSES, I MEAN, THAT WOULD BE FINE. WE'D CERTAINLY WORK WITH THEM ON THAT. BUT HAVING SOMEONE REGULARLY EMBEDDED, YOU KNOW, WITH THE TEAM ON THAT, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT REGARDING FINDINGS WERE REALLY A FUNCTION OF LACK OF SEGREGATION OF DUTY AND LACK OF STAFF AND LACK OF RESOURCES. SO THAT'S, THAT'S A BIG PART OF WHAT WE'VE STRUGGLED WITH FOR YEARS NOW. THOSE ARE THINGS I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT WE'LL PAY SOMEONE TO COME OUT AND FIND THESE THINGS THAT WE ALREADY KNOW THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPORTED. SO, YOU KNOW, I AGAIN, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THE VILLAGE IS THE ONLY MUNICIPALITY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS THAT HAS HAD THREE OUT OF FIVE YEARS WITH PROPERTY TAX REDUCTIONS. THIS WE'RE KIND OF UP AND DOWN EVERY OTHER YEAR. SO WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO TRY TO TIGHTEN OUR BELTS AND DO WHAT WE CAN TO MINIMIZE COSTS HERE AND THERE, TO DELAY THINGS, TO NOT HIRE STAFF, TO NOT BUY EQUIPMENT. YOU KNOW, THERE'S A THERE'S A POINT WHERE IT'S GOING TO BE HARDER AND HARDER TO DO THAT. I MEAN, WE'RE LOOKING AT A GENERAL FUND BUDGET THAT'S UP 2%. IT'S LESS THAN THE RATE OF INFLATION. SO I THINK THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD RECORD, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, IN TERMS OF MAINTAINING COST CONTROL, THAT'S A FUNCTION OF ME AND THE OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS WHO WORK ON THIS. AGAIN, THE GRANTS THAT WE'RE ALSO GETTING, THERE'S A LOT OF GRANT REVENUE THAT WE BRING IN TO THE VILLAGE EVERY YEAR. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE CERTAIN LOBBYISTS AND CONSULTING PEOPLE WHO WORK REALLY HARD TO BRING FUNDS TO THE VILLAGE. FOR OVERWHELMINGLY IT'S BEEN WATER AND SEWER, BUT STUFF FOR GENERAL GOVERNMENT AS
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WELL. SO, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, THERE'S THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO IMPROVE UPON. WE'RE NOT PERFECT, BUT I THINK WE HAVE HAD LESS RESOURCES TO WORK WITH THAN MOST. I THINK WE'VE DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB WITH IT. MISS HERNANDEZ, WERE YOU TALKING ABOUT A FULL TIME POSITION, A PART TIME POSITION, OR JUST SOMEONE COME IN TO AUDIT, KNOW SOME, SOMEONE TEMPORARY? IT CAN BE PROBABLY MAX TWO MONTHS TO ACTUALLY SEE WHERE WE CAN DO COST EFFICIENCIES AND ALL THAT. SO, YOU KNOW, AN AUDITOR THEY DO HAVE THAT'S THE JOB, BUT IT'S NOT LIKE IT'S, IT'S GIVEN TO THE EMPLOYEES TO ACTUALLY COME BACK WITH A SOLUTION. AND ONE OF THE THINGS I DID SEE THAT THERE WERE CONSTANT, THERE HAS BEEN TWO ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN ON THE AUDIT REPORT AS, AS LIKE, WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS IT. AND IT HAS AN LIKE OVERTIME IT, THEY ASKED FOR LIKE A PLAN AND IT WAS CONSECUTIVELY IN 2024 AND 2025 REPORT. THE OVERTIME HAD WAS ON THERE TWICE. SO I WAS JUST TRYING TO YEAH, I YEAH, IT'S SOME OF THAT I THINK IS A FUNCTION OF DEFINITELY THE LACK OF STAFF THAT ARE IN THE DEPARTMENT. BUT, YOU KNOW, WE KIND OF BRIEFLY DISCUSSED THERE NEEDS TO BE, I THINK, MORE OF A COMPREHENSIVE STAFFING PLAN WITHIN PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES TO REALLY EVALUATE, YOU KNOW, WHAT THEY'RE THEY'RE TRYING TO MAINTAIN A SEVEN DAY A WEEK OPERATION ON AN 8 TO 5 SCHEDULE. THAT'S THAT AND DEAL WITH ALL THE OTHER EMERGENCIES AND UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES THAT COME UP IN BETWEEN. THAT'S THEIR BIGGEST CHALLENGE, HOW THEY MANAGE OVERTIME, HOW THEY DIVVY IT UP, HOW THEY PARSE IT OUT, WHO'S SCHEDULED FOR WHAT AND WHEN AND HOW. I THINK THOSE ARE THINGS THAT CAN BE DISCUSSED AND LOOKED AT. AND VILLAGE MANAGER WILL HAVE TO, I THINK, TAKE THE LEAD ON THAT.I'VE CERTAINLY BROUGHT UP MY OPINIONS ON THAT AND HOW WE CAN CHANGE AND IMPROVE IT. IT'S NOT MY DECISION TO CHANGE THAT. IT'S JUST MY, YOU KNOW, POSITION TO MAKE THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS. AND I THINK THERE ARE SOME VIABLE ONES. ULTIMATELY, SOME OF THIS REALLY HAS TO IMPROVE AND CHANGE BASED ON THE GROWTH OF THE UTILITY FUND AND ADDITIONAL REVENUE STREAMS AND REVENUE SOURCES. THAT'S THAT'S A BIG FACTOR. AND AGAIN, THE UTILITY FUND IS STILL NOT MUCH FURTHER AHEAD THAN IT WAS A FEW YEARS AGO WITH OVERALL REVENUES. AND, YOU KNOW, THE COST OF SYSTEMS ARE INCREASING. THERE'S MORE STUFF THEY'RE TAKING ON. THEY HAVE TO MAINTAIN. AND OF COURSE, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE BRAND NEW FACILITIES TO RUN AND OPERATE AND MAINTAIN, YOU KNOW, IN THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS TO COME. SO IT'S, IT'S, IT'S A FUNCTION OF STAFFING AND RESOURCES, WHICH, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE NOT HAD A LOT OF, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, WE TRIED TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF A CATCH UP WITH SOME RATE CHANGES IN UTILITY FUND, BUT THERE'S STILL ROOM TO GO. BUT TO YOUR POINT, YOU KNOW, I'M OPEN TO ANY ANYONE WHO WANTS TO COME IN AND, AND EVALUATE AND LOOK AT, I CAN TELL YOU THEY. AND I'M AND I DON'T MEAN TO SOUND OVERLY CONFIDENT THEY WON'T FIND ANYTHING THAT I DON'T ALREADY KNOW THAT I HAVEN'T ALREADY BROUGHT UP, THAT I'VE DISCUSSED. AND, AND WE'RE ACTIVELY ADDRESSING THOSE THINGS. WE'RE ACTIVELY ADDRESSING THOSE COSTS AND HOW TO MANAGE THOSE. SOME OF IT JUST REALLY IS, IS A FUNCTION OF, YOU KNOW, HOW DO WE MAKE IT WORK WITH, WITH THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE AT THIS TIME? I HAVE A QUESTION. SO IF WE WERE TO MOVE FORWARD, TO APPROVE, TO APPROVE THIS TONIGHT, THEN IF WE WANTED, WHAT IS THE TIME PERIOD THAT WE HAVE TO AMEND THE BUDGET? IF WE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT WE WANT TO ADD THOSE RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES, YOU MAY AMEND THE BUDGET AT ANY TIME, AT ANY TIME. SO AND I THINK TO. TO EVERYONE'S POINT THAT WE IT'S A YOUNG GOVERNMENT, NUMBER ONE, TEN YEARS COMING UP NEXT YEAR. AND NUMBER TWO IS MAYBE NOT A LOT OF SEED CORN TO GET GOING. AND WHAT I CAN TELL YOU ONLY AFTER 24 DAYS IS YOU HAVE A VERY PROFESSIONAL STAFF WHO WANTS TO DO WELL AND PERFORM. COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC TO GET TO IMPROVE, TO BE MORE EFFICIENT AND MORE EFFECTIVE. AND THAT IS WHAT I HAVE FOUND. I HAVE ONLY BEEN HERE FOR 24 DAYS, BUT I'VE BEEN AROUND AND THE THE PEOPLE THAT I'M WORKING WITH RIGHT NOW TO INCLUDE THE FIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND, AND OUR ATTORNEYS, OUR HARD WORKING PROFESSIONALS WHO WANT TO DO WELL FOR THE VILLAGE. AND WE WE CAN DO BETTER. WE CAN DO BETTER. ALL ORGANIZATIONS CAN DO BETTER.
[00:25:08]
SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO THESE DISCUSSIONS AND MAYBE BUDGET AMENDMENTS OR MAYBE CHANGES AND STAFFING PLANS. AND I THINK IT GOES TO THE POINT OF HAVING A STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION OR MULTIPLE STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSIONS SO THAT WE CAN GET THE STUFF ON PAPER AND GET GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. NOT THAT IT HASN'T BEEN GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT IT CAN BE, YOU KNOW, GETTING TO WHERE WE WANT TO GET TO SOONER, FASTER, BETTER. ANY OTHER DISCUSSIONS FROM THE COUNCIL, PLEASE, SIR? YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. IF WE WANTED TO, BECAUSE I. I KIND OF TAKE AGREEANCE WITH WHAT THE PREVIOUS TWO HAD ALREADY SAID. SINCE WE ARE ON A TIGHT BUDGET, WE DEFINITELY SHOULD RE LOOK AT THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARD. GRANT. AND I WANT TO PUT FORTH A MOTION THAT WE CAN MOVE THAT MONEY TONIGHT. SO THAT'S THE FIRST THING. I THINK. THE SECOND THING IS THERE'S TWO THINGS. PARKS AND REC. THERE'S A LINE ITEM FOR $85,000 FENCE IN BROOKWOOD PARK. CAN YOU TELL ME APPROXIMATELY WHERE THAT FENCE IS? I BELIEVE IT'S SURROUNDING THE PERIMETER OF THE OF THE SPORTS FIELD. THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING. I COULDN'T REALLY GIVE YOU THE DIMENSIONS ON THAT. I THINK THE PARKS DIRECTOR HAD GOTTEN AN ESTIMATE TO, I DON'T KNOW THE DESIGN IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, ACCESS GATE ENTRY OR WHAT HAVE YOU. BUT THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE FENCE THAT SPORTS FIELD IN. YEAH. SO THAT'S ANOTHER THING. AND I THINK WE SHOULD MAYBE HAVE THAT DISCUSSION. I, I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF PUTTING A FENCE AROUND THE PARK. THAT'S JUST ME. I THINK IF ANYBODY WANT TO COME AND BUILD ON THAT PROPERTY, THEY CAN PUT THE FENCE UP AT THEIR COST. SO THAT'S, THAT'S ANOTHER THING. AND I, AND I WOULD HOPE THAT WE CAN VOTE ON THESE IN THIS SESSION. THE LAST THING IS THE $250 CONCESSION REMODELING. AND THAT'S DIFFERENT FROM THE THE 250,000 FROM FPNL. YES. CORRECT. CORRECT. CORRECT. AND DO WE HAVE A PLAN FOR THIS CONCESSION STAND, LIKE THE STATE OF IT OR WHAT WE WANT TO DO? BECAUSE IF THIS IS 250,000, WE CAN DO SOMETHING, IN MY OPINION, A LITTLE BIT MORE AGGRESSIVE LIKE, YOU KNOW, SCOREBOARD. SURE. OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE. MY UNDERSTANDING, I THINK THERE WERE FACILITY BATHROOM RENOVATIONS AND I DON'T REALLY KNOW THE THE STRUCTURAL PLANS FOR IT. I THINK THE CONTRACTOR HAS BEEN OUT TO LOOK AT THAT. THOSE WERE ESTIMATED COSTS. AGAIN, I THINK THE PARKS DIRECTOR WOULD HAVE TO SPEAK TO THE TO THE TOTAL CONCEPT THAT SHE HAD IN PLACE FOR THAT.AGAIN, CERTAINLY YOUR DISCRETION ON, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU WANT WANT TO DO WITH THAT.
BUT THAT WAS WHAT THE PROPOSAL WAS. AND I REALLY, I CAN'T I REALLY CAN'T SPEAK TO THE TOTAL SCOPE OF WHAT, WHAT ALL THAT WOULD BE NEEDED THERE. YEAH. AND, AND THAT'S WHY I WANT TO I FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD DEFINITELY PUT A PAUSE SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHERE ALL OF THIS MONEY IS GOING SINCE WE ARE ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET. MADAM MAYOR, I'LL I'LL COME BACK, GIVE SPACE, BUT I DO I DO HAVE A MOTION. OKAY. AND I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION. HOLD ON, HOLD ON.
DON'T. SECOND YET. OH, DON'T. SECOND YET. YEAH YEAH, YEAH. WE DIDN'T MAKE IT. ALRIGHT. SO YEAH, WE DO WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE COINS ARE GOING, ESPECIALLY FOR $85,000 FENCE. SO WE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THAT AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS CONCERNING THE CONCESSION STANDS, THE BATHROOM, ALL THE REMODELING. RIGHT. WHAT IS THE ACTUAL PRICE FOR ALL OF THAT? I MEAN, THOSE ARE THE ESTIMATES THAT THE PARKS DIRECTOR PUT TOGETHER. YOU KNOW, SO BEYOND THAT, I DON'T I DON'T KNOW. YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT THE BUDGET REQUEST WAS. OKAY. CAN WE PUT A PAUSE ON THE PARK AND STUFF UNTIL MISS RIZZO IS HERE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION? BECAUSE HE'S GUESSING AT WHAT IT IS.
YEAH. AND SHE'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT DEPARTMENT. GOTCHA. SO LET HER ANSWER HER OWN DEPARTMENT.
YES. SO SHE DIDN'T GIVE YOU A A ITEMIZED ANYTHING? IN TERMS OF LIKE A LIKE A PROJECT PLAN? NO, I DON'T HAVE A PROJECT PLAN FOR IT. I, I, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST BASICALLY A BUDGETARY DESCRIPTION OF REHABILITATION UPGRADES, RENOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THAT. I THINK BUILDING FOR, I KNOW, FOR BATHROOMS, CONCESSION USE. AGAIN, THE SAME THING WITH THE FENCING. I, IT WAS, I BELIEVE, DESIGNED TO ENCIRCLE THE, THE SPORTS FIELD, THE PARK. HOW HIGH WITH STYLE FENCING, I DON'T I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT BECAUSE I THINK ONE TIME, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, THERE WAS SOMEONE IN, IN, IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WOULD HAVE DONE THE THAT WORK, THE FENCING AND I MIGHT BE MISTAKEN. OKAY. BUT I, I RECALL SOMEONE IT WAS BEING, IT WAS SAID THAT SOMEONE WAS ABLE TO DO THAT, BUT THEY WASN'T GIVEN A CONTRACT. OH, I
[00:30:06]
DON'T, I DON'T, I HAVEN'T HEARD THAT. I'M NOT SURE. ALRIGHT, BUT I UNDERSTAND MISS RIZZO.SHE, SHE HAS TO COME AND SAY, YEAH, OKAY. ABSOLUTELY. ARE YOU COMPLETE? YEAH. VILLAGE MANAGER PLEASE. SO THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS IN PLAY HERE BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT A MILLAGE THAT YOU PASSED, AND THEN YOU'VE GOT AN AGGREGATE SUM. AND SOME OF THESE FUNDS MAY NOT BE IN THE GENERAL FUND. AND I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY APPLY. AND SOME OF THIS IS CAPITAL. JUST TO MAKE IT CLEAR, ALL OF THESE PROJECTS, ALL OF THIS FUNDING WILL COME BACK TO YOU, NO DOUBT, WHEN THE CONTRACTS ARE LET OR TO BE LET. SO THERE WILL BE A PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND A TEAM THAT WILL SELECT IF IT'S A BID CONTRACT, IT'LL BE LOW BID KIND OF LIKE THAT, BUT IT'LL COME BACK BEFORE THE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL AND TO ACTUALLY MAKE THESE EXPENDITURES. I DON'T KNOW HOW THE AGGREGATE SUM. SO I WOULD I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THESE MONIES, IF THEY'RE PULLED FROM A CERTAIN PROJECT THAT WE MIKE'S GOT TO GO BACK AND DO ANOTHER CALCULATION. IT AFFECTS THE MILLAGE. ET-CETERA MAY OR MAY NOT, AND THAT WE EITHER APPROPRIATE THE FUNDS, BUT THEY WOULD BE SEGREGATED IN A PLACE WHERE NOTHING IS GOING TO BE SPENT UNTIL THIS BOARD APPROVES IT, JUST FOR THE SAKE OF WHAT WHAT THE PURPOSE OF THIS HEARING WAS ALL ABOUT. SO I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT, THAT NOTHING WILL BE SPENT WITHOUT THIS BOARD'S APPROVAL. AND THIS IS THE IDEAL I HAD. TONIGHT. WE PAUSE ON THE 85 AND THE 250 UNTIL DEBBIE RIZZO CAN COME BACK AND AND SHARE. AND THEN, YOU KNOW, FOR THIS FY 2627, WE'LL OMIT SPONSORING THE THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARD. WELL, I GOT A QUESTION ABOUT THAT. SO I THINK ON YOUR MIC, PLEASE. OKAY. COUNCILWOMAN HERNANDEZ, CAN YOU EXPLAIN AGAIN WHY YOU WANT TO PUT A HOLD ON THAT? BECAUSE WE CURRENTLY AS A NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WHAT WE HAVE WHAT WE DON'T HAVE. LIKE I, I, I WOULDN'T BE COMFORTABLE SPENDING $15,000 WHEN I NEED TO MAKE SURE MY HOUSE IS IN ORDER. LIKE IT'S LIKE EVERY OTHER PERSON, IF THEY MOVE INTO A NEW HOUSE, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GO SPEND ON, ON LIKE A NEW CAR. YOU GOT TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING FOR YOUR HOUSE FIRST SO YOU CAN MOVE IN, BUT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GO AHEAD AND SPEND THAT MONEY FOR A NEW CAR. YOU PROBABLY WILL DO IT LATER. ONCE YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, YOU YOU DO YOUR FINANCES AND, AND YOU HAVE AND YOU HAVE EVERYTHING IN ORDER. SO THAT'S MY PERSONAL VIEW IN REGARDS OF THAT. BUT IT'S THE PLEASURE OF THE COUNCIL. SO MY, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF, OF CAN YOU EXPRESS THAT AGAIN? WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE OF THE BUSINESS? WELL, THEY, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE A FUNCTION, YOU KNOW, WHERE THEY'RE RECRUITING BUSINESSES OUTSIDE THE COUNTY TO, TO COME TO THE COUNTY TO EXPAND AND GROW AND TO ALSO HELP FOSTER BUSINESSES WITHIN, WITHIN THE COUNTY ALREADY TO GROW, ADD JOBS, ADD COMMERCE TO THE AREA. SO, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, YOU KNOW, TOOL. AND I THINK THEY'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, HAVE A GOOD TRACK RECORD OVER THE YEARS. ULTIMATELY, IT REALLY DETERMINES. IT'S REALLY ALL DEPENDS ON, I SHOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE YOU ALL AWARE OF AS FAR AS WHAT THEY HAVE DONE? AND DO YOU FEEL THAT WHAT THEY'VE DONE HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON ANY TOWN? YOU KNOW, AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT OR YOU'RE NOT SURE, THEN THEN I GUESS THAT'S, THAT'S UP TO YOU ALL TO, TO DECIDE IF YOU WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY ON THAT. BUT THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT I WOULD, THAT'S WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST. YOU KNOW, AGAIN, WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE TO DO, THAT WOULD BE YOUR CALL.
YEAH. NO QUESTION. THANK YOU. AND TO YOUR POINT, WE DEFINITELY NEED TO AND I'LL SHOW YOU WHY. THE REASON WHY I SAY WE SHOULD OMIT THIS YEAR DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE CAN'T REVISIT NEXT YEAR, BUT WE'RE TAKING A VALUATION OF EVERYTHING, COUNTING OUR COINS, IF YOU WILL. AND YOU KNOW, I, I THINK THIS MONEY CAN BEST BE USED ELSEWHERE, RIGHT? YES. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALL UNDERSTAND. YES, MA'AM. YOU KNOW. SO. OKAY. YES, MA'AM.
AND AND ON THAT NOTE, I'LL MOVE FOR THE TO OMIT THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FOR THIS YEAR. AND THEN COUPLED WITH THAT, TO PAUSE THE $85,000 FENCE AND THE $250,000
[00:35:03]
CONCESSION STAND UNTIL WE'RE ABLE TO TALK WITH PARKS AND RECS. ANY OTHER DISCUSSIONS? DO WE HAVE A SECOND ON THE MOTION? SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? I ALL OPPOSED, I OPPOSED. THANK YOU.SO IT WAS 2 TO 3. VILLAGE CLERK. IT WAS OKAY. WE ARE GOING TO MADAM MAYOR. WE STILL DEALING WITH THE BUDGET AND PASSING A MOTION FOR THE BUDGET. THE ADOPTED BUDGET? OKAY. DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS AGAIN FOR THE BUDGET? NO, MA'AM. OKAY. ANYONE WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE BUDGET? IF WE DIDN'T, WE JUST PAUSE IT? I THOUGHT WE DID. YEAH. SO WHAT? WE MOTION AND ONLY WE PAUSE. MOTION WAS TO APPROVE THE BUDGET WITH THE RECOMMENDATION TO REMOVE THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARD SPONSORSHIP, AND TO PUT A PLACEHOLDER PAUSE ON THE 85,000 AND THE 250,000 IN THE PARKS BUDGET. OKAY. AND THANK YOU, MADAM, JUST TO BE SURE, THAT NEEDS TO BE SORRY. JUST TO BE SURE, WITH THE ATTORNEY'S OPINION THAT THAT THIS SIMPLE MAJORITY OF 3 TO 2 WOULD SUFFICE. I BELIEVE THE MILLAGE MAY HAVE BEEN NEEDED A, A A SUPERMAJORITY BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE ABOVE THE. CORRECT. OKAY. BUT THE THE AGGREGATE SUM, THE TOP LINE BUDGET, THE THE VOTE IS APPROPRIATE. YES. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE, JUST FOR THE RECORD, THAT YOU ARE ADOPTING THE BUDGET AGAIN, IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHAT THE CLERK SAID. THAT WASN'T VERY CLEAR FROM WHAT WAS SAID. SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MINUTES REFLECT THAT THE ACTUAL BUDGET WAS A WAS ADOPTED WITH THAT. WITH THAT AMENDMENT. SO YEAH. LET'S
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.