Final Public Hearing on Proposed Budget and Millage Rate (2024-09-24)

1 MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING FINAL PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED BUDGET AND MILLAGE RATE FY 2024/2025 Tuesday, September 24, 2024 6:30 PM – COMMISSION CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER Mayor Scott Newton called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Newton led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Assistant City Clerk Patricia Staples called the roll. Present were Mayor Scott Newton, Vice Mayor Mike Bracchi, Commissioner Chris Caputo, Commissioner Don D’Arminio, and Commissioner Paul Rolli. Also in attendance were City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson and City Attorney Kerry Ezrol. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC At this time Mayor Newton opened public comment. Greg Coffelt, 615 NE 22 Drive, member of the City’s Financial Advisory Board, suggested that the timing of the City’s budget process be amended in order to allow greater public involvement. He recommended, that if ad valorem tax information was not available from Broward County during this timeline, the City could estimate those values and prepare a budget based on that estimate. Mr. Coffelt also suggested that the City Commission provide policy guidance to City Staff with respect to the preparation of next year’s budget, establishing a millage rate or budget threshold that could not be exceeded. He concluded that his final proposal was to focus closely on cost reductions and savings. With no other individuals wishing to speak at this time, Mayor Newton closed public comment.

2 PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolution No. 2024-111: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF WILTON MANORS ADOPTING A FINAL OPERATING MILLAGE RATE OF 6.4196 FOR GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET PURPOSES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024/25; ADOPTING A FINAL MILLAGE LEVY FOR VOTED DEBT SERVICE OF 0.1782 FOR THE 2008 CITY HALL BOND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024/25; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Assistant City Clerk Staples read the Resolution by title only. Mayor Newton advised that the final millage rate for fiscal year (FY) 2024/2025 is 6.4196. The rolled-back rate for this fiscal year would be 5.3352. This results in a 20.33% increase in the millage rate over the rolled-back rate. Commissioner Caputo made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-111. Commissioner D’Arminio seconded the motion. At this time Mayor Newton opened the public hearing. Mike Sansevero, 1425 NE 23 Street, stated that he opposed the budget and millage rate process and felt tonight’s public hearing was moot, as the City has already published its proposed millage rate. He felt the existing process should be reformed to ensure that the City does not end up with an unacceptable increase in its tax rate. With no other individuals wishing to speak at this time, Mayor Newton closed the public hearing. The motion prevailed by unanimous roll call vote (5-0). Resolution No. 2024-112: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF WILTON MANORS, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE FINAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2024, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2025; DETERMINING AND FIXING THE AMOUNTS NECESSARY TO CARRY ON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY FOR THE ENSUING YEAR; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Assistant City Clerk Staples read the Resolution by title only. Commissioner Caputo made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-112. Commissioner D’Arminio seconded the motion. At this time Mayor Newton opened the public hearing. Mike Sansevero, 1425 NE 23 Street, stated again that he felt the process by which the City’s budget was determined was flawed. He was not certain that the budget had been amended since the first public hearing to reflect suggestions from the Commission or the public. He felt there are items

which should not be included in the budget, and hoped the budget would be amended in the near future. With no other individuals wishing to speak at this time, Mayor Newton closed the public hearing. Commissioner Caputo thanked City staff for their efforts in preparing the budget, noting that many of the suggestions made at the previous public hearing by both the Commission and residents were implemented into the document. Some items, while outstanding, do not delay approval of the budget. He cited LED lighting as one example, explaining that the Commission is awaiting additional information about this expense. Commissioner 0 ' Arminio also thanked staff for their work. He pointed out that while he would vote to approve the budget, there are some items within it that he did not feel the City should spend money on, and advised that if they are brought forward at a later date, he would not support them . Mayor Newton commented that the Commission holds several budget workshops throughout the year which provide opportunities for the public to offer their input. He agreed that the process is flawed , which is in part due to the County's process and timeline. City staff is asked by the City Manager to provide information on what is necessary for individual Departments to operate for the next year, and the Commission reviews this information and determines what can be cut back to save money. All the items remaining in the budget are intended to help the greater community. Mayor Newton continued that City insurance has increased, including both health and property insurance. He emphasized the importance of keeping good City employees and advised that Wilton Manor s' pay is lower than the pay available in many other nearby municipalities. This is also the case with employees of the City's Police Department. Mayor Newton concluded that there are no "frills" within the proposed budget, and he felt it was sufficient for the needs of staff and the community. He hoped the budget could be prepared more easily next year, but cautioned that property value increases can be difficult to predict. It may be possible to adjust the City's timeline so budget meetings can begin in August and finish at an earlier date in September. He strongly encouraged members of the public to attend the Commission's earlier budget workshops which begin in June of each year. Commissioner 0 ' Arminio recognized members of the Financial Advisory Board who were present at tonight ' s meeting and thanked them for their assistance during the budget process. The motion prevailed by unanimous roll call vote (5-0). ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:51 p.m. These minutes we~by the City Commission on Tuesday, - c2;? '2024. 3

Date Signed 4