The Final Public Hearing on the Budget

Lake Park Town Commission, Florida Final Public Budget Hearing Minutes Commission Chamber, Town Hall, 535 Park Avenue, Lake Park, FL 33403 September 18, 2024 6:30 P.M. Roger Michaud __ Mayor Kimberly Glas Castro __ Vice Mayor Michael Hensley __ Commissioner Mary Beth Taylor __ Commissioner Judith Thomas __ Commissioner John D’Agostino __ 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. CIVILITY AND DECORUM The Town of Lake Park is committed to civility and decorum to be applied and observed by its elected officials, advisory board members, employees and members of the public who attend Town meetings. The following rules are hereby established to govern the decorum to be observed by all persons attending public meetings of the Commission and its advisory boards: • Those persons addressing the Commission or its advisory boards who wish to speak shall first be recognized by the presiding officer. No person shall interrupt a speaker once the speaker has been recognized by the presiding officer. Those persons addressing the Commission or its advisory boards shall be respectful and shall obey all directions from the presiding officer. • Public comment shall be addressed to the Commission or its advisory board and not to the audience or to any individual member on the dais. • Displays of disorderly conduct or personal derogatory or slanderous attacks of anyone in the assembly is discouraged. Any individual who does so may be removed from the meeting. • Unauthorized remarks from the audience, stomping of feet, clapping, whistles, yells or any other type of demonstrations are discouraged. • A member of the public who engages in debate with an individual member of the Commission or an advisory board is discouraged. Those individuals who do so may be removed from the meeting. • All cell phones and/or other electronic devices shall be turned off or silenced prior to the start of the public meeting. An individual who fails to do so may be removed from the meeting. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL 6:34 P.M. PRESENT Mayor Roger Michaud Vice-Mayor Kimberly Glas-Castro Commissioner Mary-Beth Taylor Commissioner Judith Thomas Commissioner Michael Hensley PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Town Manager John D'Agostino 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. John Linden expressed his concerned regarding funding the PBSO Service Aid. TOWN ATTORNEY, TOWN MANAGER, COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: CONSENT AGENDA: All matters listed under this item are considered routine and action will be taken by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner or person so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the general order of business and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. Any person wishing to speak on an agenda item is asked to complete a public comment card located on either side of the Chambers and given to the Town Clerk. Cards must be submitted before the item is discussed. NEW BUSINESS: Town Manager D'Agostino explained the changes reflected in the revised budget (see Exhibit “A”). Commissioner Taylor expressed concerns regarding the ongoing issues with the sanitation position openings. In her opinion, safety and sanitation are the most important services. Town Manager D’Agostino explained that the Commercial Sanitation has been contracted out when sanitation pick-up are delayed. She asked what was planned to ensure the level of service appropriate for the Town. She expressed that she could not support the budget. She suggested increasing the salary for sanitation workers. Town Manager D'Agostino stated that salary increase will not assist in this situation. He explained that there was a manpower shortage. Commissioner Taylor disagrees that money does not matter. Vice-Mayor Glas-Castro agreed with Commissioner Taylor that the Town has not been providing the level of service appropriate due to being short staffed. Vice-Mayor Glas-Castro referred to the memo provided this evening from the Town Attorney regarding a suggestion for additional litigation funding (see Exhibit “B”). She agreed with adding $50,000 for this purpose. Town Manager D’Agostino stated that there was enough money in contingency to cover any additional funding needed in the budget for any purpose. Town Manager D’Agostino explained that additional tax relief was possible to reduce the millage rate to 5.1 mills from 5.18 mills. The Commission agreed to lower the millage rate to 5.1 mills. Commissioner Taylor agreed with two (2) Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) deputies. Town Manager D’Agostino explained the 4% increase would be charged if the Town decides not to move forward with the officers & aid. Captain Goudreau explained the increases versus the amount of personnel. Commissioner Thomas commented and agreed with the PBSO contract and the budget. She expressed concern with the ongoing opening of sanitation position. She reflected on how much the budget has improved since Town Manager John D’Agostino began employment. She thanked the residents and commissioners. Commissioner Hensley felt that the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) marketing events went extremely well and resulted in safety being the largest concern. Therefore, he agreed with the PBSO contract. Mayor Michaud commented that the budget process was not easy. He thanked staff for all their efforts in presenting a balanced budget. He thanked the Commission for working together to find solutions for the budget. He thanked Town Manager D’Agostino for all he did over the years. 1. Resolution 68-09-24 To Adopt A Final Millage Rate For The Next Fiscal Year. Motion made to approve Resolution 68-09-24 by setting the final Millage rate at 5.100 mills by Commissioner Hensley, Seconded by Commissioner Taylor. Voting Yea: Mayor Michaud, Vice-Mayor Glas-Castro, Commissioner Taylor, Commissioner Thomas, Commissioner Hensley 2. Resolution 69-09-24 To Adopt The Final Budget For The Next Fiscal Year. Motion made to approve Resolution 69-09-24 adopting the budget for fiscal year 2024/2025 based on the discussions held previously, outlined by the Town Manager, including the revision of the Commission contingency reduced to $200,000 with $50,000 for planning services in the Park Avenue Downtown District (PADD), and the other adjustments outlined for Haitian Flag Day, Multicultural Festival, driveway grants, and everything outlined in the change tracking sheet by Vice-Mayor Glas-Castro, Seconded by Commissioner Thomas. Commissioner Thomas asked if the request to include additional funding for litigation was included in the final budget. Town Manager D’Agostino stated yes. Attorney Brett Lashley clarified that the request for $50,000 was for planning services. He stated that what was placed in contingency would cover the litigation expense. The amount was unknown at this time. Voting Yea: Mayor Michaud, Vice-Mayor Glas-Castro, Commissioner Thomas, Commissioner Hensley Voting Nay: Commissioner Taylor REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: NONE Exhibit A Exhibit B