First Public Hearing on the Budget

Lake Park Town Commission, Florida First Public Budget Hearing Minutes Commission Chamber, Town Hall, 535 Park Avenue, Lake Park, FL 33403 September 08, 2025 Immediately Following the Special Called Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Roger Michaud __ Mayor Michael Hensley __ Vice Mayor John Linden __ Commissioner Michael O’Rourke __ Commissioner Judith Thomas __ Commissioner Richard J. Reade __ Town Manager Thomas J. Baird __ Town Attorney Vivian Mendez, MMC __ Town Clerk PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED, that if any interested person desires to appeal any decision of the Town Commission, with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, such interested person will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate in the meeting should contract the Town Clerk’s office by calling 881-3311 at least 48 hours in advance to request accommodations. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL 6:30 P.M. PRESENT Mayor Roger Michaud Vice Mayor Michael Hensley Commissioner Judith Thomas Commissioner John Linden ABSENT Commissioner Michael O'Rourke PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Conducted at the CRA Meeting First Public Budget Hearing September 08, 2025 Page 1 SPECIAL PRESENTATION/REPORT: NONE PUBLIC COMMENT: This time is provided for addressing items that do not appear on the Agenda. Please complete a comment card and provide it to the Town Clerk so speakers may be announced. Please remember comments are limited to a TOTAL of three minutes. - Michael Steinhauer provided his comments via exhibit A. - Pablo Perhacs provided his comments via exhibit B. NEW BUSINESS: OPEN PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Resolution 63-09-25 - Establish Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Millage Rates - Operating (FIRST READING). Finance Director Barbara Gould presented the millage rate as 5.1 mills. The Commission discussed reducing the millage rate to 5.0 mills. Finance Director Gould distributed the attached (Exhibit C) showing what the reduction would reflect. Commissioner Linden felt the Town was broke and should not lower the millage rate. Public Comment: - Pablo Perhacs agreed with the millage rate and suggested getting the $750,000 back from Forest Development for the expense of additional law enforcement services, even though they have not occupied the building. Motion to approve Resolution 63-09-25; Seconded by Commissioner Linden. Voting Aye: All 2. Resolution 64-09-25 – Fiscal Year 2026 Budget – All Funds - Town of Lake Park. Finance Director Gould presented the budget and explained changes made to clarify the detail (Exhibit D). Town Manager Reade explained all the positions that would not be filled during this fiscal year and the current spending freeze. Commissioner Linden suggested additional reductions in each department budget. Commissioner Thomas suggested filling the Assistant Finance Director and Procurement Specialist and freezing First Public Budget Hearing September 08, 2025 Page 2  the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). She asked Public Works Director Jaime Morales how many positions were open in Public Works. Public Works Director Morales stated that there were two Stormwater positions, one in Streets & Roads, one Sanitation position, which are Enterprise Fund positions and would not impact the General Fund. There was one position in the Facility Maintenance, which would impact the General Fund. Town Manager Reade recapped the positions that would not be filled, assisting in the cost of the reducing the budget. Commissioner Thomas suggested reviewing the COLA versus merit increases and eliminating one of the two. Town Manager Reade stated that removing the COLA would produce $32,000 for the .5% increase or $96,000 for the year. He discussed the changes he would be making to the Employee Evaluation Form. Vice Mayor Hensley expressed concern with the next budget and suggested that everyone proceed carefully to prevent major reduction in the 2026/2027 budget. He stated for the record that if the Town were not better off this year than next year, then he would be in favor of no salary increases. Mayor Michaud does not want to put fear in employees that drastic changes are expected. He felt that the budget should not be based on upcoming projects because there was too many unknown factors to take into consideration. He felt the manager and staff would pull together to get through this budget cycle. Town Manager Reade would work with staff to cut smaller items from the budget right away and there was very little of the operating budget to reduce. He would work with staff during the upcoming year to make additional reductions to the budget. The Commission came to consensus to conduct a salary survey in-house and save the $10,000 allocated in the budget for a survey. Commissioner Linden suggested removing events that do not offer much to our residents and save the Town funds. Town Manager Reade asked direction from the Commission because the programs that are in the proposed budget were the programs that the Commission wanted included in the budget. Public Comment: - Michael Steinhauer expressed confusion about the September 18, 2025 Final Public Budget Hearing if the Commission was making changes to the budget during this meeting. He struggled with the conversation taking place on the Dias this evening regarding the Town being broke. He agreed with taxpayer savings. First Public Budget Hearing September 08, 2025 Page 3  Motion to approve Resolution 64-09-25 made by Commissioner Thomas, Seconded by Vice Mayor Hensley. Vice Mayor Hensley asked Commissioner Linden what he does not support in the proposed budget. Commissioner Linden stated that some of the department budgets have unnecessary expenses that could be reduced. He stated that if the budget were presented the same on September 18, 2025 he would vote against it. He suggested that the departments make more cuts. Vice Mayor Hensley suggested that the Commission give direction to the manager on what to remove or reduce from the budget, so staff could work on reducing the budget and not guessing on the reductions. Commissioner Thomas stated for the record that she agrees with freezing positons that are currently in the budget; continue to fund the Sanitation and Stormwater Enterprise Funds; and wanted the COLA to remain in the budget. Town Manager Reade pointed out that the Collective Bargaining Agreement includes a merit increase. He suggested doing the same for all employees. Mayor Michaud stated for the record that he agreed with freezing positions, agreed with making adjustments during the year. He was in agreement with some of Commissioner Thomas’ suggestions. Voting Yea: Mayor Michaud, Vice Mayor Hensley, Commissioner Thomas Voting Nay: Commissioner Linden Close Public Hearing. TOWN ATTORNEY, TOWN MANAGER, COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Town Attorney Baird asked if the Commission was still in favor of filing a Complaint against 1100 2nd Court. The Commission agreed. Attorney Baird announced that he would not be in attendance at the September 17th Commission meeting because he would be attending a conference. He asked that the Commission change his contract fees to a lump sum for the administrative cost and separate litigation or special projects on an hourly basis. He requested approval to work with the Finance Director on the Enterprise Funds because he felt that they have not billed efficiently into the Enterprise Funds. He felt they were lumped together with the General Funds. Town Manager had no comments. Commissioner Linden said that the Dolly Parton Book Event was well attended. First Public Budget Hearing September 08, 2025 Page 4 Exhibit A Exhibit B  Exhibit C CURRENT MILLAGE ROLLED-BACK MILLAGE RATE MILLAGE RATE MILLAGE RATE MILLAGE RATE RATE 5.1 RATE 4.1768 OF 4.5 OF 4.8 OF 4.9 OF 5 1,294,041,142 2025/26 Taxable Value 1,294,041,142 1,294,041,142 1,294,041,142 1,294,041,142 1,294,041,142 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 5.1000 Millage 4.1768 4.5000 4.8000 4.9000 5.0000 95.0% 95.0% 95.0% 95.0% 95.0% 95.0% 6,269,629 5,134,703 5,532,026 5,900,828 6,023,762 6,146,695 (2,012,287) (1,793,990) (1,870,413) (1,941,350) (1,964,996) (1,988,641) 4,257,342 3,340,713 3,661,613 3,959,478 4,058,766 4,158,054 248,902,189 2024/25 LP Increment 248,902,189 248,902,189 248,902,189 248,902,189 248,902,189 245,451,571 2024/25 County Increment 245,451,571 245,451,571 245,451,571 245,451,571 245,451,571 4.5000 Palm Beach County Millage 4.5000 4.5000 4.5000 4.5000 4.5000 3.4581 Palm Beach Fire/Rescue 3.4581 3.4581 3.4581 3.4581 3.4581 CRA 1,205,931 Town Millage 987,634 1,064,057 1,134,994 1,158,640 1,182,285 806,356 Palm Beach County Fire/Rescue Millage 806,356 806,356 806,356 806,356 806,356 2,012,287 SUB-TOTAL 1,793,990 1,870,413 1,941,350 1,964,996 1,988,641 1,049,305 Palm Beach County Millage 1,049,305 1,049,305 1,049,305 1,049,305 1,049,305 3,061,592 TOTAL 2,843,295 2,919,718 2,990,655 3,014,301 3,037,946 Town Reduction 916,629 595,729 297,864 198,576 99,288 CRA Reduction 218,297 141,874 70,937 47,291 23,646 Town of Lake Park Exhibit D Payroll Data FY 2026 FTE's excluding Town Fund Commission COLA 1.5% COLA 1.0% COLA .5% General Fund 52.95 $ 58,294 $ 38,863 $ 19,431 Streets & Roads 1 $ 608 $ 405 $ 203 Marina 7 $ 6,281 $ 4,187 $ 2,094 Stormwater 4 $ 3,198 $ 2,132 $ 1,066 Sanitation 9 $ 6,824 $ 4,549 $ 2,275 CRA 2.75 $ 3,720 $ 2,480 $ 1,240 COLA Cost 76.7 $ 78,925 $ 52,616 $ 26,309 FICA Cost $ 6,038 $ 4,025 $ 2,013 FRS Cost $ 11,050 $ 7,366 $ 3,683 Total COLA Costs $ 96,012 $ 64,007 $ 32,005 Savings over 1.5% COLA $ 32,005 $ 64,007  Town of Lake Park Please mark your choice clearly Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget - Additional Cuts with a large "X" to indicate your choice to Maintain or Remove the Listed Cuts from the Budget All Funds Position Job Title Description of Change Savings Maintain Remove in FY from FY 2026 2026 Budget Budget All Funds All Job Titles COLA Adjustment - Reduce to $0 General Fund All Job Titles $ 63,543 All Savings Frozen Streets & Road Fund All Job Titles $ 740 No Vote Needed Marina Fund All Job Titles $ 7,641 Stormwater Fund All Job Titles $ 3,890 Sanitation Fund All Job Titles $ 8,301 CRA All Job Titles $ 4,525 Total Reserve Expense - Personnel Savings (includes FICA & FRS costs) $ 88,641 001- General Fund Position Job Title Description of Change Savings Maintain Remove Cost Center in FY from FY 2026 2026 Budget Budget 104 - Town Manager Assistant Town Manager Frozen for FY 2025/26 (additional savings of $33,182 from $ 192,393 repurpose of position) All Savings Frozen 150 - Finance Procurement Specialist Frozen for FY 2025/26 (additional savings of $23,053 from $ 82,572 repurpose of position) No Vote Needed 150 - Finance Assistant Finance Director Frozen for FY 2025/26 - 1st 6 months $ 88,413 500 - Community Develop Community Development Frozen for FY 2025/26 $ 66,667 Technician 700 - Library Accounting Technician Frozen for FY 2025/26 $ 70,107 Total Reserve Expense - Personnel Savings (includes salary and all benefit costs) $ 500,152  001- General Fund Account Name Description of Change Savings Maintain Remove Cost Center in FY from FY Town Commission 2026 2026 Budget Budget 001-511-100-48001 Town of Lake Park Grants Reduce Budget to $10,000 from $25,000 $ 15,000 Total Reserve Expense - Operating Savings $ 15,000 001- General Fund Account Name Description of Change Savings Maintain Remove Cost Center in FY from FY Town Manager 2026 2026 Budget Budget 001-512-104-40000 Travel & Training Remove Assistant Town Manager Trainings $ 2,037 001-512-104-48000 Promotional Activity Reduce Gift Cards to Current Employee & Commission Count $ 1,800 001-512-104-49400 Uniforms & Clothing Reduce Uniforms to $200 from $600 $ 400 001-512-104-51000 Office Supplies Reduce Office Supply Budget to $400 from $584 $ 184 Total Reserve Expense - Operating Savings $ 4,421 001- General Fund Account Name Description of Change Savings Maintain Remove Cost Center in FY from FY Human Resources 2026 2026 Budget Budget 001-512-105-31000 Professional Services Remove Proposed Salary Study $ 10,000 Total Reserve Expense - Operating Savings $ 10,000 Maintain Remove 001- General Fund in FY from FY Cost Center 2026 2026 Town Clerk Account Name Description of Change Savings Budget Budget 001-512-106-47000 Printing Reduce Purchase of Commission & Board Nameplates $ 282 001-512-106-47100 Photocopying Reduce Copy Cost to $100 from $722 $ 622 001-512-106-49400 Uniforms & Clothing Cut Uniform Allowance to $0 from $136 $ 136 001-512-106-54200 Memberships, Dues & Reduce Participation in Professional Associations to $680 from $ 190 Subscriptions $870 Total Reserve Expense - Operating Savings $ 1,230 001- General Fund Account Name Description of Change Savings Maintain Remove Cost Center in FY from FY Legal 2026 2026 Budget Budget 001-514-108-31101 Professional Svc - Other Remove SB180 Lawsuit Costs, Proposed Bill Glitch (Resolve $ 10,000 Legal Concerns in 2026 Legislative Session) Total Reserve Expense - Operating Savings $ 10,000  001- General Fund Account Name Description of Change Savings Maintain Remove Cost Center in FY from FY Communications & 2026 2026 Grants Budget Budget 001-512-109-31000 Professional Services Remove New Town Website Development & Maintenance $ 34,958 Total Reserve Expense - Operating Savings $ 34,958 001- General Fund Account Name Description of Change Savings Maintain Remove Cost Center in FY from FY Information Technology 2026 2026 Budget Budget 001-512-110-31000 Professional Services Reduce Consulting IT Vendor Costs Due to New Intern Position $ 5,000 001-512-110-52000 Operating Supplies Reduce Operating Supplies to $15,250 from $18,250 $ 3,000 Total Reserve Expense - Operating Savings $ 8,000 001- General Fund Account Name Description of Change Savings Maintain Remove Cost Center in FY from FY Finance 2026 2026 Budget Budget 001-513-150-40000 Travel & Training Reduce Training to $ $2,965 from $4,730 $ 1,765 001-513-150-44200 Equipment Leases Remove Copier/Scanner & Fold, Stuff & Seal Rental (Finance to $ 5,299 Share with Community Development) 001-513-150-49400 Uniforms & Clothing Cut Uniform Allowance to $200 from $600 $ 400 001-513-150-51000 Office Supplies Reduce Budget Book Costs (move to electronic versions for $ 155 Commissioner & staff) Total Reserve Expense - Operating Savings $ 7,619 001- General Fund Account Name Description of Change Savings Maintain Remove Cost Center in FY from FY Emergency 2026 2026 Management Budget Budget 001-525-250-34050 Other Contract Services Revised DI Recovery, LLC Agreement (Emergency Mgmt. $ 1,976 Services)Vendor to $1,976 from $3,952 Total Reserve Expense - Operating Savings $ 1,976 001- General Fund Account Name Description of Change Savings Maintain Remove Cost Center in FY from FY Public Works 2026 2026 Administration Budget Budget 001-534-400-52000 Operating Supplies Reduce Public Notice Costs (i.e., flyers, mailings, etc.) $ 2,000 001-534-400-54200 Memberships, Dues & Reduce Professional Association Memberships to $455 from $ 1,373 Subscriptions $1,828 Total Reserve Expense - Operating Savings $ 3,373  001- General Fund Account Name Description of Change Savings Maintain Remove Cost Center in FY from FY Public Works Grounds 2026 2026 Budget Budget 001-572-406-34000 Contractual Services Eliminate Landscape Maintenance of Various Town Rights of Way $ 26,320 & Lawn Treatment Service at Evergreen House (to be completed by Public Works Grounds Maintenance) 001-572-406-40000 Travel & Training Reduce Training to $ 1,400 from $1,500 $ 100 Total Reserve Expense - Operating Savings $ 26,420 001- General Fund Account Name Description of Change Savings Maintain Remove Cost Center in FY from FY Public Works Facilities 2026 2026 Budget Budget 001-597-408-34000 Contractual Services Eliminate Iguana Pest Control Service $ 5,880 001-597-408-40000 Travel & Training Reduce Professional Certification & Renewal Costs to $0 from $ 500 $500 001-597-408-46000 Repair & Maintenance Reduce Town Facilities Lock Repairs, Key Duplication and $ 6,000 Planned Rekeying Project Total Reserve Expense - Operating Savings $ 12,380 001- General Fund Account Name Description of Change Savings Maintain Remove Cost Center in FY from FY Public Works Vehicle 2026 2026 Maintenance Budget Budget 001-591-410-40000 Travel & Training Eliminate Professional Training & Certifications (ASC) $ 1,250 001-591-410-46300 Vehicle Parts & Supplies Reduce Vehicle Parts Costs (i.e., windshield wipers, relay $ 3,795 switches, fuses, etc.) 001-591-410-52000 Operating Supplies Reduce Mechanic Shop Consumables (Extend Maintenance $ 3,176 Schedule to Less Often) Total Reserve Expense - Operating Savings $ 8,221 001- General Fund Account Name Description of Change Savings Maintain Remove Cost Center in FY from FY Community 2026 2026 Development Budget Budget 001-524-500-40000 Travel & Training Eliminate Professional Training & Certifications (i.e., Code $ 11,133 Enforcement, Planning, etc.) 001-524-500-44200 Equipment Leases Reduce Copier/Scanner Costs (Finance to Share with Community $ 1,556 Development) Total Reserve Expense - Operating Savings $ 12,689  001- General Fund Account Name Description of Change Savings Maintain Remove Cost Center in FY from FY Special Events 2026 2026 Budget Budget 001-572-600-40000 Travel & Training Eliminate Professional Training & Certifications $ 1,312 001-572-600-44100 Rentals Move to Plastic Tablecloths from Cloth for Employee Appreciation $ 300 Events 001-572-600-47000 Printing Eliminate Holiday Calendar, Public Notice Mailer to All Properties $ 4,850 in Town 001-572-600-48000 Promotional Activity Eliminate Participation in Riviera Beach MLK Parade $ 2,555 001-572-600-48010 MLK Day Celebration Reduce Planned Event Costs to $10,000 from $20,000 $ 10,000 001-572-600-48045 Red, White & Blue Sunset Reduce Fireworks Planned Event Costs to $49,898 from $53,898 $ 4,000 Celebration 001-572-600-48057 Veteran's Day Event Eliminate Participation in PBC Veteran's Day Parade $ 2,555 001-572-600-52100 Gasoline & Diesel Fuel Cancel Summer Camp (only 3 campers out of 20 are Town $ 500 residents) 001-572-600-57220 Program Exp - Summer Cancel Summer Camp (only 3 campers out of 20 are Town $ (4,890) Camp residents) Costs $8,700 Less Lost Revenues $13,590) 001-572-600-57235 Sponsored Event Expense Eliminate Lake Park Elementary Caroling Event (Light Towers) $ 1,000 001-572-600-57235 Sponsored Event Expense Eliminate Tour de Lake Park (i.e., Banners, Beverages, Snacks $ 1,140 etc.) 001-572-600-57235 Sponsored Event Expense Reduce Jet Set Summer Soccer Camp to $5,000 from $10,000 $ 5,000 001-572-600-57235 Sponsored Event Expense Reduce Haitian Flag Day to $5,000 from $10,000 $ 5,000 001-572-600-57235 Sponsored Event Expense Eliminate Santa's Mailbox Event $ 200 001-572-600-57236 Santa's Magic Sleigh Ride Eliminate Event $ 3,200 001-572-600-57237 Holiday Decorating Contest Eliminate Event $ 600 001-572-600-13000 Other & Part Time Salaries Cancel Summer Camp (only 3 campers out of 20 are Town $ 21,920 residents) Total Reserve Expense - Operating Savings $ 59,242 001- General Fund Account Name Description of Change Savings Maintain Remove Cost Center in FY from FY Library 2026 2026 Budget Budget 001-571-700-34000 Contractual Services Eliminate Panic Alarm Monitoring $ 300 001-571-700-40000 Travel & Training Reduce Professional Training & Certifications $ 1,153 001-571-700-48000 Promotional Activity Reduce Public Library Outreach Materials (i.e., books, materials, $ 5,866 crafts, etc.) & Promotional Materials (i.e., pens, pencils, magnets, coloring books, etc.) 001-571-700-49400 Uniforms & Clothing Cut Uniform Allowance to $0 from $1,002 $ 1,002 001-571-700-52000 Operating Supplies Reduce Programs Offered $ 1,400 001-571-700-54200 Memberships, Dues, & Reduce Professional Memberships & Other Public $ 1,894 Subscription Material/Subscriptions (i.e., New York Times, Wall Street Journal, etc.) Total Reserve Expense - Operating Savings $ 11,615  Town of Lake Park Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget - Summary of Additional Cuts Total Proposed General Fund Budget Cuts - Personnel (Freeze $ 563,695 Salaries, No COLA) Total Proposed General Fund Budget Cuts - Operating $ 227,144 Total Proposed Streets & Roads Fund Budget Cuts - $ 740 Personnel COLA Only Total Proposed Marina Fund Budget Cuts - Personnel COLA $ 7,641 Only Total Proposed Stormwater Fund Budget Cuts - Personnel $ 3,890 COLA Only Total Proposed Sanitation Fund Budget Cuts - Personnel $ 8,301 COLA Only Total Proposed CRA Fund Budget Cuts - Personnel COLA Only $ 4,525 Total Proposed Town Budget Cuts $ 815,937