Budget Workshop (2024-07-25)

July 25, 20241 MINUTES, VILLAGE HALLCOUNCIL CHAMBERS 226 CYPRESS LANE VILLAGE OF PALM SPRINGS, FLORIDA JULY 25, 2024, AT 5:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Bev Smith called the Budget Workshop meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Vice Mayor Patti Waller, Council Member Joni Brinkman, Council Member Gary Ready, and Mayor Bev Smith Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Kim Schmitz, Also present: Village Manager Michael Bornstein, Village Attorney Christy Goddeau, Village Clerk Kimberly Wynn, Police Chief, Thomas Ceccarelli as Sergeant-In-Arms, Planning, Zoning & Building Director Iramis Cabrera, Director of Parks and Recreation Juan Ruiz, Director of Utilities Jimmie Johnson, Assistant Director of Utilities Paul Ward, Director of Public Works Felipe Lofaso, Assistant Director of Public Works Timothy Crespo, Utilities Billing Manager Jancy Bravo, Administrative Assistant (Utilities) Eliza Hansen, Assistant Finance Director Mariana Ortega, Records Clerk Andrea Medero, and Administrative Staff Assistant Maria Izzo. ORDER OF BUSINESS FY 24/25 Budget Highlights: The Village Manager, Mr. Bornstein will summarize the highlights of the budget. Staff: Michael Bornstein, Village Manager The Village Manager, Mr. Bornstein, discussed the Village's mission statement. He detailed the workshop agenda for the evening, explaining that it would include an overview of the budget. The Finance Director and Department Heads are available if there are individual questions as they review the budget. Mr. Bornstein explained that the new budget format is more of an industry standard and creates transparency and accountability. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can be measured as a means to evaluate what is working. Mr. Bornstein discussed budget highlights like staffing changes in several departments (HR, Administration, Utilities, Library Services, Public Works, Police Department, Finance, Parks & Recreation, and Planning, Zoning, and Building). The personnel changes were needed to meet the growth and development in the Village. Assessment of programs and services in the community continues for improvement.

July 25, 20242 Discussion of Proposed FY 24/25 Budget - All Funds Staff: Michael Bornstein, Village Manager At this point, the Village Manager introduced the Chief Finance Officer, Rebecca Morse. Ms. Morse discussed the advantages of the format for the new budget. The new format permits more of a real-time budget. Departments can attach their budget worksheets. Ms. Morse reviewed each section of the budget for the Council. The Council asked when the American Rescue Plans Act (ARPA) Funds committed to projects have to be spent. They were advised funds were to be used before the end of the calendar year (December 2024). There was a discussion about an added car allowance for the Executive Team. The Council asked who would receive the allowance. Mr. Bornstein explained that the First Team (Directors and Assistant Directors) would receive the allowance. Mayor Smith asked about the additional overtime pay for the Police Department. She questioned if it was necessary if the Police Department were fully staffed. They also asked if overtime pay included holidays worked. The Council asked Public Works about the tree assessment fee. Public Works Director, Mr. Lofaso explained that the assessment is needed to take an inventory of the trees in the Village to establish where we are and where we are going. Mayor Smith mentioned the use of the Florida League of Cities' Tree Academy. Mrs. Morse discussed the projects that included the increase in Improvement to Other Buildings Projects. Council Member Ready suggested that more grants be considered. Mrs. Morse stated that different funding sources are reviewed. There was discussion about the Tax Increment Financing (TIF for the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) districts and its breakdown. The Council appreciated the hard work of Finance, the Village Manager and the Assistant Village Manager, and the staff on the budget. They realize the level of work involved. PUBLIC COMMENT Hearing no further business, Mayor Smith adjourned the Budget Workshop Meeting at 6:42 p.m. The undersigned is the Village Clerk of Palm Springs, Florida, and the information provided herein is the Minutes of the Budget Workshop Meeting held on July 25, 2024. Which minutes were formally approved and adopted by the Village Council on September 12, 2024. Kimberly M. Wynn Village Clerk