08-30-93 v MINUTES OF THE BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING OF ATLANTIC BEACH CITY
COMMISSION HELD IN CITY HALL, 800 SEMINOLE ROAD, AT 7:30 PM ON
MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 1993.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gulliford. Present in
addition to the Mayor, were Commissioners Edwards, Fletcher, Tucker
and Waters. Also present were City Manager Leinbach, Deputy City
Manager Jarboe, Finance Director Wendland, and City Clerk King, and
other department heads and city employees.
Before commencing discussions on the proposed budget candidates for
election were given an opportunity to introduce themselves to the
audience.
Mayor Gulliford indicated the meeting was being held for the
purpose of discussing the proposed operating budget for fiscal year
1993/94. He reminded the audience that this was not a public
hearing but that two public hearings would be held prior to final
adoption of the budget and public input would be welcomed at that
time.
The Mayor provided each commissioner with a handout listing areas
where he felt the budget could be reduced. If adopted, the
recommendations would reduce the proposed increase by approximately
50%. A copy of the Mayor ' s recommendations is attached hereto and
made a part hereof. Following discussion of the Mayor' s
recommendations, Commissioner Tucker indicated she felt city
commissioners should not be included in the city' s pension plan.
Also it was felt that most commissioners had health insurance
through their business or other employment and did not need the
health insurance provided by the city.
Discussion ensued and Mayor Gulliford indicated his recommended
budget cuts had included several personal computers and printers.
Commissioner Fletcher indicated he, also, was concerned with the
amount of computer equipment which had been requested and suggested
a freeze on the purchase of computers and printers.
Discussion ensued regarding the city' s quarterly newsletter. Mayor
Gulliford had indicated he felt the newsletter should either be
self supporting or the frequency of publication reduced. Other
commissioners felt the newsletter provided a good method of
communication with the citizens and felt it should be continued.
Mayor Gulliford indicated he would meet with Joanne Morrisseau and
request that she suggest ways to attract advertising to subsidize
the cost of publication.
Commissioner waters felt funds should be retained for pest control .
Commissioner Edwards moved to adopt the Mayor ' s recommendations for
budget adjustments as presented. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Tucker.
Commissioner Fletcher offered a substitute motion to budget an
amount of $2, 000 for publication of the newsletter, and to adopt
the Mayor's recommendations for budget adjustments as amended. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Waters and was unanimously
approved.
Commissioner Tucker moved to delete the $1,599.00 which had been
budgeted in the Legislative Account (No. 511) to provide for
pension benefits. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher
and was unanimously approved.
The above reductions amounted to a reduction of $107, 864.00 in the
budget.
With reference to the personal computers and similar equipment
which had been requested, the Mayor wished the Commission to go on
record indicating that should the requesting departments be able to
hold down their budgets, 50% of the savings would be applied to the
acquisition of a personal computer or other desired equipment. The
City Manager was instructed to provide an inventory of computer
equipment and printers for the commission meeting on September 13,
1993, when the matter would be discussed further.
The Mayor indicated other matters to be discussed that evening
included compensation for the City Manager, a full-time Deputy City
Manager/Utilities Director position and compensation therefor, pay
scale adjustments, and pension benefits.
CITY MANAGER
The Mayor reported a review of the salaries of city managers in
cities comparable to Atlantic Beach had indicated that our City
Manager ranked next to last of the sixty cities surveyed. He said
that the City Manager had been passed over for an increase in the
past and he recommended approval of the figure which had been
budgeted. The City Commission concurred.
DEPUTY CITY MANAGER/UTILITIES DIRECTOR
The Mayor indicated a survey of comparable cities had revealed that
other cities the size of Atlantic Beach had either assistant city
managers or utility directors. He outlined the responsibilities
which would be allocated to this position. The Mayor reported Jim
Jarboe was currently employed as a part-time Deputy City Manager.
The Mayor indicated that in addition to his work with the city in
connection with the interlocal agreement with Jacksonville, Mr.
Jarboe had saved the city a considerable amount of money by
implementing cost-saving techniques. The Mayor reported the
compensation for the Deputy City Manager/Utilities Director would
be funded partly from the general fund and partly from enterprise
funds. The other commissioners complimented Mr. Jarboe for the
work he had done with the city and concurred with his being hired
in a full time capacity and agreed with the compensation budgeted.
PAY PLAN ADJUSTMENTS
Captain Campbell reported on the work he had done in connection
with the recommendations for adjustments to the city' s pay plan.
He indicated he had surveyed sixteen cities and asked them to
compare the job descriptions of Atlantic Beach employees with those
of employees of their cities and provide the minimum and maximum
pay for the various positions. This data had then been used within
the parameters of the budget to determine what adjustments were
necessary to bring the various job classifications in line with
other communities. Captain Campbell indicated these adjustments
would not bring all classifications up to the desired level.
Commissioner Waters felt the recommended adjustments would still
not bring some of the lower paid employees up to acceptable
standards and following further discussion, Commissioners Fletcher
and Waters and Jim Jarboe were directed to meet and review the
proposed changes in the pay scale and present their findings at the
next budget workshop which was scheduled for Wednesday, September
8, 1993.
PENSION PLAN ADJUSTMENTS
Mayor Gulliford reported about two years ago the Pension Board had
made recommendations regarding pension benefit enhancements. The
various proposals had been discussed and approved in concept by the
City Commission and funding had now been provided in the budget to
implement the changes. Don Ford, Pension Board Member representing
General Employees, reported the average pension currently being
paid to Atlantic Beach retirees was about $6, 100.00. The employees
hoped pension benefits would eventually be increased to a level
that would provide a decent pension and they were prepared to pay
increased contributions to accomplish this. Following further
discussion the funding for pension benefits remained as presented.
At this time Mayor Gulliford called a brief recess.
The meeting reconvened and Mayor Gulliford opened the floor to
public comments and the Mayor and Commissioners responded to
questions and comments from the audience for about an hour.
There being no further business, the Mayor declared the meeting
adjourned at 10:00 PM.
Maur en Kiva, C ' y ¢'perk