While area residents were voting in county election primaries at City Hall, the Cedar Key City Commission met at the Community Center on Tuesday, August 14, 2012, for its third budget workshop which began at 6PM and adjourned shortly after 8PM. Budgets for the following areas were deliberated: Public Works, Building, Garbage, Cemetery, Parks, Recreation, and the Marina. The Public Works budget was completed in the absence of manager Josh Wilson, who officially leaves his post on August 21, 2012. Police Chief Virgil Sandlin was assigned Wilson`s tasks of: directing the daily operations of the Public Works staff; soliciting quotes for a replacement lawn mower and backhoe; reviewing other small equipment needs; contacting authorities about possible prison labor. Replacement of the public works manager, hiring a city manager in his stead, and advertising now for a part-time, possibly retired and experienced public works director were discussed. Last week`s request to staff to gather the job descriptions of the current public works manager, the past Community Development Agency (CRA) director, and the last city manager was not acted upon; tonight the commissioners requested that again. Should the three job descriptions be combined successfully and a city manager hired, funding would come from the following accounts and mirror the amount of time spent on each job: CRA, 10%; public works, 50%; administration, 40%. The approximate salary would be $45,000 to $55,000. Commissioners Scott Dennison and Dale Register spoke positively about the expenditure. The issue of compensatory time was revisited. Chief Sandlin and Fire Chief Robert Robinson believe that comp time is legal if the employer and employee agree to the concept in writing. City Attorney Norm Fugate has been directed to research the matter for the next commission meeting. The issue of current building permits not necessitating a fire inspection and consequent approval was discussed and designated for a future commission agenda. Chief Robinson has someone looking into the Library`s roof leaks. Inadequate maintenance of the Cedar Key Cemetery concerned Commissioner Sue Colson. Dennison announced that FEMA representatives met with Sandlin, Robinson, Wilson, and himself on Thursday, August 9, regarding the floating dock. Correspondence affirming the decision to fund the dock is being processed. Additional budget workshops and hearings are scheduled for:
* 6PM, Tuesday, August 28, in City Hall;
* 6PM, Tuesday, September 11, in City Hall;
* 6PM, Thursday, September 13, First Budget Hearing, in City Hall;
* 6PM, Monday, September 24, Final Budget Hearing in City Hall. The two upcoming workshops should address the Commissioners section of the budget and finalize the Police and Fire Departments` budgets. |
