Draft Min Special Called Meeting 9-17-07MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE ATLANTIC BEACH CITY
COMMISSION HELD IN THE CITY COMMISSION CHAMBER AT 6:30 PM ON
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2007
PRESENT: Mayor Donald M. Wolfson
Mayor Pro Tem J. Dezmond Waters, III
Commissioner Mike Borno
Commissioner Jamie Fletcher
Commissioner Sylvia Simmons
ALSO: Jim Hanson, City Manager
Alan Jensen; City Attorney
Donna Bussey, City Clerk
The meeting, which was held for the purpose of discussing the following items, was called to
order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Wolfson.
1. Public Hearings on adopting a Tentative Millage Rate and adopting Ordinance No.
20-07-87 establishing the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2007/2008. AN ORDINANCE
ADOPTING THE FINAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA
FOR FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2007 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
2008.
Mayor Wolfson stated the first item to be considered is adoption of a Tentative Millage Rate.
The millage rate is 2.9974, the tentative millage rate is 2.9974, and the rollback rate is 2.7523.
The tentative millage rate is 8.91 % higher than the rollback rate. The purpose of the increase in
ad valorem tax revenue is to maintain adequate funding for the existing level of services at
anticipated increased costs and to maintain the City's infrastructure.
Motion: Adoation of the tentative millage rate for operating purposes of 2 9974
Moved by Borno, Seconded by Waters
Mayor Wolfson opened the floor to the public hearing.
Norman Ray Brown, 523 Clippership Lane, spoke in opposition to the proposed millage rate
referring to figures published in the Times Union in June which indicated for the five year period
ending in 2006 that Atlantic Beach increased property tax collections by 65%. He stated during
the same period inflation increased 13%, therefore, Atlantic Beach has increased taxes five times
the rate of inflation.
Charlie Stambaugh, 1178 Ocean Blvd., spoke in opposition to the decision by the Commission
to override the roll back of the property taxes and asked them to reconsider.
Jamie Fletcher left the meeting at 6:39. Jamie Fletcher returned at 6:40.
September 17 2007 SPECL~L, CALLED COMMISSION MEETING page 2
No one else from the audience spoke so Mayor Wolfson. closed the floor to the public hearing.
Mayor Wolfson explained the reasons for the Commission's decision to not roll back the
property taxes. He further explained the Commission approached this in a way that would help
the citizens of Atlantic Beach the most stating they wanted to make sure the citizens would have
the maximum benefit of being able to take deductions for their income tax. He stated the way
this is set up, the millage and property taxes can be deducted from income taxes, whereas if the
Commission had assessed fees against the citizens, as the City of Jacksonville is doing, that is
not tax deductible.
Commissioner Borno stated this proposal by the legislature to roll back the taxes doesn't relieve
anybody coming into the market right now. He also stated if the referendum goes through,
within 10 years homeowners will be paying anywhere from $50,000 to $75,000 more taxes than
they would have under Save our Homes, which they are currently under. He believes the
legislature failed their job and also took away home rule, allowing the cities to determine what
they need to be able to run their city.
Commissioner Waters explained Atlantic Beach is not raising the millage. He stated Atlantic
Beach charges 2.9 mills, Jacksonville charges 7 or 8 mills, and the School Board charges 10
mills. The fact that taxes on homes in Atlantic Beach are extravagant has very little to do with
what Atlantic Beach takes in, it has to do with what Jacksonville and the School Board take in.
The bulk of the millage goes to support Jacksonville as our County and the Duval County School
Board. He believes the next Commission will be able to go below 2.9 mills, if Tallahassee is fair
and just about this, because we do cream a little bit more off when property values keep
increasing. He stated, however, there is some indication that property values are not going up
any further, that they are actually starting to drop, even in Atlantic Beach. He agreed with
Mayor Wolfson that the Commission acted responsibly in their decision about the millage rates.
Commissioner Simmons stated we do not know what our tax picture is going to be like if this
referendum passes in January. She stated the 65% property tax increase Mr. Brown mentioned is
only for non-homesteaded properties. She stated for those that are homesteaded, the most taxes
could increase each year was 3%. She agreed the Commission's decision is fiscally responsible
and is looking at the long term of what the City wants for Atlantic Beach.
Commissioner Fletcher stated he strongly concurs with his fellow Commissioners.
Mayor Wolfson agreed that we do not know what is going to happen as a result of the
referendum. He stated until the elected officials and staff know what the final vote is and can
come up with a projected budget that can factor in the results of the referendum, the best strategy
this commission can undertake is to allow the next commission and staff to calculate what our
budget will be in the coming year.
Votes:
Aye: 5 - Borno, Fletcher, Simmons, Waters, Wolfson
Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED
September 17, 2007 SPECIAL CALLED COMMISSION MEETING Page 3
Mayor Wolfson opened the public hearing for the second item to be considered, Ordinance 20-
07-87 establishing the Operating Budget for fiscal year 2007/2008. No one from the audience
spoke so he closed the public hearing
Motion: Adopt Ordinance No. 20-07-87 establishing the O erating Budget for Fiscal Year
2007/2008
Moved by Borno, Seconded by Fletcher
Votes:
Aye: 5 -Borno, Fletcher, Simmons, Waters, Wolfson
Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED
2. Ordinance No. 33-07-14, Public Hearing and Final Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING
ORDINANCES NOS. 33-07-12 AND 33-07-13 TO CHANGE BALLOT TITLE AND BALLOT
SUMMARY LANGUAGE, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
Mayor Wolfson read Ordinance No. 33-07-14 by title only
Mayor Wolfson opened the floor to the public hearing. No one from the audience spoke so
Mayor Wolfson closed the public hearing.
Motion: Approve Ordinance No 33-07-14, as read
Moved by Borno, Seconded by Fletcher
Commissioner Borno explained this Ordinance is to change the summary language to meet the
requirements of State law on how many words can be on the ballot summary.
Votes:
Aye: 5 -Borno, Fletcher, Simmons, Waters, Wolfson
Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED
Adjournment
Mayor Wolfson adjourned the Special Called meeting at 7:00 p.m.
ATTEST:
Donald M. Wolfson
Mayor/Presiding Officer
Donna L. Bussey
City Clerk