City of Cedar Key
Budget Workshop IV
September 23, 2004 Present: Mayor Paul Oliver, Commissioners Sue Colson, Vanessa Edmunds Later
in the meeting Commissioners Heath Davis and Ken Daniel Also City Clerk
Frances Hodges
1. Call to Order Mayor Paul Oliver called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.
2. Roll Call Ms. Frances called the roll. Absent until later in the
meeting: Commissioners Heath Davis and Ken Daniel.
3. Millage Discussion The Mayor reviewed that some Commissioners wanted a
2.5 millage and several wanted 2.6 (Vanessa Edmunds, Ken Daniel and Sue
Colson). There are some reduced revenues (Housing Authority and Building
Department :$3,000). Later in the meeting Commissioner Davis agreed to the
2.6 mill budget. They did not make this a motion since they cannot increase
the millage once the motion is taken. They will wait until Tuesday¹s
meeting to vote on it. 4. Other
Paving Commissioner Edmunds asked about a budget for paving. It was not
included. The Mayor agreed Jernigan needed to be redone but it also needed a
base which takes a longer plan. He had Jimmy & Jesse survey the roads and
mark by color, the worst condition on up to minor repairs about 18 mos. ago.
It will need to be redone but can be easily.
Commissioner Colson has a spread sheet of the way the Count tracks the need
for road maintenance. Every year they reprioritize. She thought it could
work for them. Then people would know they are on the list. She thought
they could initially use CRA funds. She would like to answer their letter.
Commissioner Edmunds thought the unallocated funds would give enough to
work with. She also asked about budget for sidewalks. About $11,000 will be
carried over.
Commissioner Davis said they have large projects in town that includes
sewer. The Water District would need to work with them. The Mayor said the
Water District is coming under fire for having too much in their reserves.
Commissioner Davis thought they had to carefully look for a company that
would do one road at a time instead of shutting down a whole section of the
City.
Perhaps new sidewalks go in then as well. This will be a plan and part of
the bond. He thought Jernigan should be done before that, and when they meet
as a CRA, develop a plan using CRA funds. There are only a few roads to
do, Jernigan and some street ends. Some streets are not City roads. Roads
around Shellcrest are County and have a good base. Commissioner Colson
said it doesn¹t hurt to look at the area as a whole and then highlight which
is City, which CK Budget Wkshp IV 9/23/04 page 2 County. The Mayor said they can do the survey again. Commissioner Davis
feels many need to be redone. After that then a big project with the bond.
Commissioner Colson said without a plan residents do not know if any action
will happen.
Gulf Trail Commissioner Davis reminded them that it is essential the Trail
Committee write to the residents along the proposed Trail. Ms. Frances said
she had already given them 80 some addresses a few months ago.
Floating Dock The Mayor saw the man from Horseshoe Beach. He will get a
price and bring a barge in, put pilings in. They will be able to pull the
floating dock up on the hill for storms. Everyone was enthusiastic. They
could start on Tuesday. He did not get a price. Commissioner Davis thought
this possibly could be considered mitigation. The Mayor said Fema would pay
75% of the dock rebuilt as it was. If they improve it there was some
difference in what FEMA would pay. The Mayor thought 50% of the cost,
Commissioner Colson thought 75% plus 50% of the additional cost. Later in
the meeting Bruce Wilson who looked for a contractor for them was asked if
the bidder had insurance. Ms. Frances noted it cost the City too much when
they assume that cost.
Outside Boat Ramp can¹t be closed because of the clammers. Mickey has put
sand down to make it useable. Commissioner Davis said the area is blown in
with sand from the storms. It is extremely shallow for their boats.
Commissioner Colson has pictures for comparison.
Maintenance Do we hire 1 or 2 men? Mickey is recognized as the general
supervisor. The Mayor suggested they let Mickey choose the best person and
pay up to what is in the budget now, based on the person¹s qualifications.
That was agreeable. Commissioners Edmunds asked if 1 person is hired at $16
would they be able to contract out the mowing. Commissioner Colson and Davis
would like to explore that. The highest requested on the applications so far
was under $16. There are many places not mowed at this point. Commissioner
Davis said it wouldn¹t take long for someone motivated to get it done. The
Mayor had a story that showed motivation can be a problem for current
workers.
Originally the second person was to replace Jimmy when he retired. They
need a good job description and separate duties. Commissioner Davis thought
have two a present then hire after Jimmy retires.
Wages: Seniority versus Qualifications Commissioner Daniel was
uncomfortable hiring someone at a higher hourly rate than someone who has
been with the City a long time. Both Commissioner Colson said that is normal
in many job situations. She has experienced that herself. Some skills are
worth more than others. Getting a higher paying job involves skills. The
Mayor reminded them that they may not have to pay $16. This was a budget
limit. The Mayor added that pay was related to productivity. Commissioner
Davis thought that the issue was between the value of loyalty and skills.
If the employees in question have really developed loyalty to the City they
will understand why the job description and pay scale is changing. This is
not personal. The new job will relate to a job description with more
qualifications. Commissioner Daniel said then this will split Maintenance
into two sections of work. They were all willing to let Mickey set the
starting salary. He won¹t go beyond what is set here. Perhaps Mickey will
find someone with initiative that will be ready for more responsibility in a
few years. Or hire for skills now and train someone later.
Commissioner Edmunds asked about a budget for paving. They do not know the
costs yet. CRA will be the way to fund it. CK Budget Wkshp 9/23/04 page 3
5. Adjournment MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER HEATH DAVIS TO ADJOURN. SECONDED
BY COMMISSIONER VANESSA EDMUNDS. MOTION CARRIED. The meeting was adjourned
at 6:48 p.m. | 