First Reading 2015/2016 Budget and Legislative Update on Sept 10
Posted by PBG Watch on September 5, 2015 · Leave a Comment
The next City Council meeting will be on Thursday September 10, 2015 at 7pm. This is the first of two City Council meetings in September due to 2015/2016 Budget Hearings. The second reading of the budget will be held on September 17, 2015. I have heard from multiple sources that Fire/Rescue employees plan to attend the Sept. 10th meeting to object to the impasse on contract negotiations – so expect a ‘packed house’.
Announcements/Presentations include a Legislative Update by Senator Abruzzo.
The Consent Agenda includes:
- Resolution 39, 2015 – which is a collective bargaining agreement with SEIU. In accordance with the current three- (3) year contract effective October 1, 2014, through September 30, 2017, between the City and the SEIU/Florida Public Services Union, Article 28, Salary Plan, was open to negotiation for Fiscal Year 2015-2016. The City’s negotiating team met with representatives of the SEIU/Fiorida Public Services Union on June 17, 2015, and successfully reached a Tentative Agreement to provide all bargaining unit members a 3% salary increase effective October 1, 2015.
- Resolution 40, 2015 – approving the plat for the new Fire Station #2
- Purchase award/Independent Contract Agreement for a Tennis Professional worth $65K
- Purchase award for Mowing and Landscaping Services for roughly $1.7 million for 3 years, competitively bid
- Purchase award/contract for Medical Director for EMS, for $135K for 3 years.
- Purchase award for Public Art – Repairs, Maintenance and Conservation for around $300K, for 3 years, competitively bid
The Regular Agenda is comprised of Ordinance 12, 2015 – Public Hearing for First Reading of Ordinance 12, 2015 Adopting the Fiscal Year 2015/2016 Budget with a proposed operating millage rate of 5.55 and a debt millage rate of .1371 for a total tentative millage rate of 5.6871 mills for Fiscal Year 2015/2016. This is a decrease from last year’s millage; the proposed operating millage represents an increase over the roll-back rate (which would be the same revenue as last year) by 4.02%. While homesteaded properties will see a slight decrease or little impact – those with commercial and rental properties and second homes will be seeing a tax increase.
See the proposed budget here and read the Memorandum to Mayor and the City Council. The Budget Oversight Committee report can be read here; it is in support of the proposed budget and millage.
The agenda (with links to full detail) can be found here. Check the agenda to see if any additional items have been added before the meeting.