09-29-80 v •
MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE TENTATIVE BUDGET AND
THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1980-1981
HELD BY THE ATLANTIC BEACH CITY COMMISSION AT THE CITY HALL V V
ON SEPTEMBER 29, 1980. 0 0
T T
PRESENT: William S. Howell, Mayor-Commissioner E E
Alan C. Jensen D D
James E. Mhoon
L. W. Minton, Jr.
Catherine G. Van Ness, Commissioners M S
O E
AND: Bill M. Davis, City Manager T C
Oliver C. Ball, City Attorney I 0 Y
Adelaide R. Tucker, City Clerk NAME OF ONEN
COMMRS . N D S 0
Mayor Howell announced that a Public Hearing was in session to discuss
a tentative budget and a tentative tax levy for the fiscal year 1980-81.
The Mayor advised that the percentage increase in millage over the
rolled back rate necessary to fund the proposed budget for the City of
Atlantic Beach was 65.55%. The Mayor then turned the floor over to Mr.
Bill M. Davis, City Manager, to explain to the Commission and the
audience the budget and the reasons for the expenditures and the increase.
Mr. Davis stated that the increase was due to a loss of state funds
resulting from a decrease in cigarette and gasoline tax revenues. In
addition, Mr. Davis has allocated the sum of $100,000 in the General
Fund tentative budget for construction of a new public works facility.
He explained that the city's public works building is on privately owned
land, and the owner has indicated he is ready to develop the land.
Another reason for the increase is the inflation rate, which Mr. Davis
stated is now 15 percent. Mr. Davis added that the City planned to
continue the 6 day per week garbage service as there will be a substan-
tial savings in gasoline due to the new diesel garbage truck.
Mr. Davis advised that the proposed millage for 1980-81 is 4. 1117, an
increase over last year's millage of 3. 1117. He listed the tentative
allocations by fund: General fund, $1,735,672; water fund, $188,350;
sewer fund, $217,000; sanitation fund, $202,154; employees retirement
system fund, $341,000; police court cost fund, $13,000; and the general
obligation bond fund, $61,873.
Of the 26 residents attending the public hearing, the following citizens
participated in the discussions: Bill and Karen Ray; Nancy Brown, Vincent
Gilroy, Catherine Shelley, Ralph Bell, Dan Crowley, and Mr. Walter J.
Parks, Jr. Subjects discussed were the possibility that brick roads
might be cheaper than asphalt to maintain; the utility increases,
double taxation, the streets in the new sections of Selva Marina, and
the possibility of property taxes continuing to increase. Mr. Davis
stated that home owners with a valuation of under $35,000 would have a
tax break, and over $35,000 would pay more or stay the same, if the
amendment passe on October 7th. Mayor Howell commented on the utility
question stating that the $3.00 sewer rate established in 1958 had never
changed until the current $1.00 increase, and the garbage collection
fees have not been raised since 1969. Mrs. Ray suggested a two day pick-
up instead of five which should save considerable monies.
PAGE TWO V V
MINUTES Names of
SEPTEMBER 29, 1980 Commrs. M S Y N
Mr. Davis explained that the City had recently retired a water general
obligation bond issue, and the cigarette and utility tax funds would
no longer exist in the water fund. Last year's amount was $168,547.
Mayor Howell explained that two years ago, the City of Atlantic Beac`i
and the other Beach communities, in continuing discussions with the
City of Jacksonville and the legislature, they were instrumental in
having a bill passed creating a cap on the city of Jacksonville of
10 mills. If the homestead exemption amendment passes on October 7tZ
this should reduce the city council portion by $100 for the beaches
residents. On the double taxation issue, the Mayor advised that he
is still meeting with officials from the other Beach communities
and Jacksonville and they have had some very fruitful conversations.
They have agreed on certain fundamental issues. However, even if
the double taxation issue is solved by the end of the year, Mayor
Howell said he did not think it would be possible to affect this
year's taxes because the millage has to be certified and property
assessed before the end of the year.
As no other questions were asked, the Mayor closed the Public Hearin .
Jensen x
Motion: Adopt the tentative millage rate of 4. 1117. Mhoon x
Minton x x
Van Ness x x
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Howell x
Motion: Adopt the tentative budget as so stated. Jensen x
Mhoon x
Public Hearing was set for October 16, 1980 to adopt the final Minton x x
millage rate and budget. Van Ness x x
Howell x
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayor Howell announced that the tentative budget cannot be increased
now, that it can only be decreased at the final public hearing,
There being no further business, the Mayor declared the meeting
adjourned.
/4 _ ///
Wil i m Howell
(SEAL)
ATTEST:
Adelaide R. Tucker
City Clerk -