City Council Budget Workshop (2025-08-11)

City Council Budget Workshop August 11,2025 4:00 p.m. Council Chambers

1. Call to Order

The Budget Workshop of the Crestview City Council was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Mayor JB Whitten. Council members present: Ryan Bullard, Brandon Frost, Dusty Allison, and Shannon Hayes. Also present: City Manager Jessica Leavins, City Clerk Maryanne Girard, City Attorney Jonathan Holloway, and various staff members. Mayor Pro-Tem Doug Capps was excused.

2. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Peters.

3. Open Workshop Mayor JB Whitten opened the workshop and announced a quorum was present.

4. Approve Agenda Mayor JB Whitten called for action.

Motion by Councilmember S. Hayes and seconded by Councilmember B. Frost to approve the agenda, as presented.

5. Presentation

5.1. Draft Budget Presentation

City Manager J. Leavins stated that the purpose of the workshop is to present the FY2026 draft budget to the City Council, so they can provide input and ask questions. Additionally, requests for year-end purchases from residual funds will be presented and discussed.

Councilmember S. Hayes asked about the total revenue for the millage calculation, and City Manager J. Leavins said the largest difference is in the utility fund. Financial Management Analyst Wendy Tarpley added the additional revenue is SRF and bond proceeds. City Manager J. Leavins said the money has not been drawn down and spent, but it is included to show where the funds come from for the projects.

City Manager J. Leavins replied that they are not all are new positions, as a couple have been reclassified. We have three positions out of five in the budget, as two will be in the Academy. She added the positions are specialty, such as the traffic units Chief S. McCosker said we need the four positions, as we sponsor our cadets. It takes about a year, since they attend the academy.

Councilmember R. Bullard asked whether we are adding seven new police positions whether the police department is fully staffed, and if the funds can be used elsewhere.

* * *

Councilmember S. Hayes asked about the increase in the capital outlay in Parks and Recreation on page 30, and City Manager J. Leavins responded that were irrigation expenses, shade sales, batting cages, new cameras, the parking lot at Senior Center, the bridge repair at Twin Hills, the nets at the golf course, and the design of the Sports facilities. Since we have brought in Mr. Peters, we have assessed our facilities, as the direction of the Council has been to support the children. Financial Management Analyst Wendy Tarpley clarified that we have received TDC money.

Councilmember S. Hayes asked about the jump in workmen's compensation on page 39, the contractual service on page 42, operating expenses for contractual services on page 50,the 21% increase in life and health insurance on page 65, the Library operating supplies on page 83, 191% increase Special Events on page 87, adding he wants to ensure we are spending the city's money wisely and have the funds to cover the expenses.

City Manager J. Leavins said we will correct the workmen's compensation calculations on page 39. She explained that the contractual service on page 42 is for EAP and the fire fighter physicals. On page 50, the calculations are for change orders, stating the funds were reclassified between engineering and contractual services. On page 65, the calculations are based on employee selection, which will vary depending on whether the employee chooses an insurance option, such as family coverage.

City Manager J. Leavins said the expense on page 83 is related to the Library RFID system that is the hardware, tags and digital book lending. Our rental rate has gone up substantially. This is the HOOPLA subscription increase.

City Manager J. Leavins explained on page 87 that events such as Food Truck Friday and Mardi Gras are well attended. We intend to bring in sponsorship based on what we have provided so far. These events were not calculated in the budget before. The majority will be encapsulated into sponsorship.

City Manager J. Leavins said we have presented a balanced budget. She said we will get the numbers corrected and get it back to the City Council.

Discussion ensued regarding economics and the plan benefits. The consensus of the Council was to proceed.

* * *

City Manager J. Leavins said there is no increase for dental or vision, but we have a 3.5% increase, and both the city and the employees will see the increase across the board.

City Manager J. Leavins went over the fee schedule. She explained we will look at the study for our impact fee, which we have to do per statute. We are also doing our stormwater impact fee, as we have placed a cap on fees. We plan to study the ERU's to ensure the fee is accurate. The proposal will come back next year. The fund is not self-sufficient now. We would like to plan for our future. She added she does not have the estimate on how long the survey will take to be compiled, so she may not have the information before the budget cycle. This will be strictly commercial.

City Manager J. Leavins mentioned CRA and the Arts and Learning Center, as well as the Christmas lights over Main Street. We are also looking at improving the lights at Twin Hills Park and possibly leaving lights up year-round in the downtown area. She spoke on the grants and the tiered system. She said the downtown banners have been already placed on Main Street.

Discussion ensued on the ambiance created by the overhanging string lights.

Councilmember S. Hayes gave kudos to Jessica and the staff for presenting a balanced budget. City Manager J. Leavins added that this is the first year the city has been certified as GFOA.

Councilmember D. Allison also voiced her appreciation to the staff for being responsible for what we are spending, and Mayor Whitten added his gratitude, as well.

6. Comments from the Audience Mayor JB Whitten called for comment from the public.

7. Comments from the Mayor and Council Mayor JB Whitten called for comment from the Council.

8. Adjournment Mayor JB Whitten adjourned the meeting at 4:53 p.m.

Maryanne Girard Proper Notice have

City Clerk ing been duly given

Minutes approved this $ 25^{\\mathrm{th}} $ day of August 2025.

JB Whitten, Mayor

25^{\\mathrm{t h}}

CITY OF CRESS CORPOR ORGA

STVIEW ATE AL NIZED APRIL 1916