City Commission

City of Delray Beach 100 NW 1st Avenue - Delray Beach, Florida 33444 Phone: (561) 243-7000 www.delraybeachfl.gov Minutes - Final Monday, September 15, 2025 4:00 PM Workshop Meeting at 4:00 PM Delray Beach City Hall or Watch On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc2j0JhnR8Hx0Hj13RhCJag/s treams City Commission Mayor Thomas F. Carney, Jr. Vice Mayor Rob Long Deputy Vice Mayor Angela Burns Commissioner Tom Markert Commissioner Juli Casale City Commission Minutes - Final September 15, 2025 Pursuant to Section 3.12 of the Charter of the City of Delray Beach, the Mayor has instructed me to announce a Workshop Meeting of the City Commission to be held for the following purposes: The September 15, 2025, Workshop Meeting was called to order at 4:03 p.m. Alexis Givings, City Clerk, called the roll, and the following were present: Terrence Moore, City Manager Kelly Brandon, Assistant City Attorney Alexis Givings, City Clerk Present: 4- Commissioner Tom Markert , Mayor Thomas F. Carney Jr., Deputy Vice Mayor Angela Burns, and Commissioner Juli Casale Absent: 1- Vice-Mayor Rob Long WS.2. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Carney opened the floor to anyone who wished to provide public comment. Mark Ronald, 722 NE 2nd Street, Delray Beach Discussed his calculations regarding the tax rate residents would pay based on the proposed millage rate from the Commission. Additionally, he provided a handout to the Commission through the City Clerk. Seeing no one else present, Mayor Carney closed public comment. WS.1. Finalization of Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Proposed Operating Budget Considerations. Sponsors: City Manager Department and Finance Department Mr. Moore stated that the City Manager's Office, in collaboration with Henry Dachowitz, Chief Financial Officer, had been working closely with all departments that were heavily reliant on general funds to identify potential efficiencies before adopting the proposed final budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026, as discussed during the Commission Meeting on September 3, 2025. He stated that they had identified $507,000 in potential savings from the general fund account. Additionally, he noted that the Public Library’s request for an additional $55,000 contribution from the City would be discussed that evening in response to their presentation on July 15, 2025. Mr. Dachowitz provided a presentation of the individual departments and their adjusted budget considerations. The Commission engaged in a discussion on the presentation and some expressed their concerns that cutting specific line items could negatively City of Delray Beach Page 2 Printed on 10/22/2025 City Commission Minutes - Final September 15, 2025 affect the efficiency of particular departments and the City overall. Mr. Moore stated that the proposed budget cuts would not compromise the City’s departments and would expand the City’s fund balance account from 21.1 percent to 21.4 percent. Commissioner Casale noted that the City had fixed contractual obligations that renew annually and consume a large portion of the budget, including payroll, insurance, and public safety services like Police and Fire. She pointed out that Delray’s taxes are comparable to those of neighboring municipalities and stressed that the City’s long-term financial health should be a top priority. Additionally, she mentioned that letters sent to residents by Mayor Carney reflect his personal viewpoint rather than the perspective of the entire Commission. She suggested that his letters be fact-checked before distribution. Mayor Carney expressed his support for continuing to investigate the budget to identify additional cost-cutting measures. Amy Alarez, Assistant Development Services Director, and Jeri Pryor, Neighborhood and Community Services Director, were present to address the proposed budget efficiencies and its impact on their departments. Ms. Alvarez stated that the budget funds cut would affect professional studies, consultant fees, and directives issued by the Commission. She mentioned that there was also a minimum reduction in training services. Ms. Pryor stated that the Florida Association for Code Enforcement Officers does not currently offer free training for Code Officers, and the cost for sending an officer for training is $800. She explained that there were four levels of training, and presently, only nine code enforcement officers have completed training at various levels. Additionally, she mentioned that pressure cleaning is conducted twice a month, under the Department of Clean and Safe, and also covers the Community Redevelopment District. She suggested that the frequency of pressure cleaning could be reduced if the Commission wished. Ms. Pryor noted that Laura Simon, Executive Director of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), has offered to help cover some of the costs associated with pressure cleaning the downtown area. Discussion ensued regarding the reduction of cuts in critical departments, the importance of having a cushion in the fund balance account to cover unexpected costs. Additionally, the 3% difference (City’s fund balance account from 21.1% to 21.4%) wouldn’t be worth the services that would be compromised, and that the City had fixed costs, which had significantly City of Delray Beach Page 3 Printed on 10/22/2025 City Commission Minutes - Final September 15, 2025 increased over the past few years. Mr. Moore stated that, based on concerns expressed by the Commission, he would reinstate the $75,000 for pressure cleaning to the Neighborhood and Community Services Department. Additionally, he recognized that this would tweak the fund balance to an additional $425,000, rather than the $507,000 that had previously been identified. Jay Stacy, Chief Technology Officer, was present in the audience and stated that he would be fine with eliminating the $75,000 request for his department's additional software. Mr. Dachowitz was thanked for his hard work. There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Carney adjourned the meeting at 5:06 p.m. and requested a five-minute break before the next meeting. The City shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of a service, program, or activity conducted by the City. Please contact the Human Resources Department at (561) 243-7125 at least 24 hours prior to the program or activity for the City to reasonably accommodate your request. Adaptive listening devices are available for meetings in the Commission Chambers. City of Delray Beach Page 4 Printed on 10/22/2025