CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES
SPECIAL BUDGET SESSION
224 S. Jefferson Street
Perry, Florida
September 3, 2002

MEMBERS PRESENT: Shirley Scott, Richard Frith, Pam Feagle, Doug Everett

MEMBER ABSENT: William Alexander

STAFF PRESENT: Bill Brynes, Barney Johnson, Vern Clark, Billy LaValle, Sarah Drawdy, Glenn
Ratliff, Stephen Hollowell, Rodney Lytle, Wayne English, Bobby Counce, Bill Blue and Annette
Anderson.

Mayor Frith called the meeting to order and led those attending the meeting in prayer. Mayor Frith led
the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The secretary noted those present as follows:
PRESENT ABSENT
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

AGENDA ITEM: CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF TO DISCUSS FISCAL YEAR 2002-03 BUDGET
FOR THE CITY OF PERRY.

Mayor Frith began by stating the City will hold its first public hearing on the budget Tuesday,
September 10, 2002 and a tentative budget will have to be prepared. Mayor Frith noted that changes
could still be made after that hearing. To begin discussion, Mr. Brynes said not in the proposed budget
is a $1,300.00 increase in dues to the Florida Redevelopment Association. When asked what the
Association does for the City, Mr. Brynes explained that by being a member, the City could get an
additional five points towards its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications. Mr.
Brynes said this is a relatively small price to pay to be able to get the five points towards a CDBG
application. When asked, Mr. Brynes said the dues in the past have been $200.00. Councilmembers
questioned the Association’s justification for increasing the dues. Councilmember Everett said the
Florida League of Cities should fight this issue. Councilmember Feagle suggested each
Councilmember should call the Association about the increased dues.

Continuing discussion, Mayor Frith said the Council had already been through the capital outlay
portion of the budget but additional items need to be discussed. This included $85,000 for a trash truck
in the solid waste budget, $1,400.00 for a computer and software in the inventory (warehouse) budget,
and an increase of $1,300.00 in the dues for the Florida Redevelopment Association. Councilmembers
reviewed discussion last week about the possible need for another trash truck for help in cleaning up
the City. Councilmember Everett said it would help justify the purchase of the truck if the City could
get inmate labor to help with the cleanup of the City. Director of Public Works said it had been
discussed that the City could possibly get an inmate crew from the Mayo Correctional Institute if not
from the Taylor Correctional Institute. Councilmember Everett asked city manager Bill Brynes if it
was his recommendation that the City go ahead and purchase this trash truck. Mr. Brynes answered
Page 2, September 3, 2002, Council Minutes – Special Session

yes but said it would probably take about six months to get the truck. It was the consensus of the
Council that the trash truck, computer, and the increase for dues to the Florida Redevelopment
Association be included in the proposed capital outlay.

Mayor Frith said other items to be discussed were pay raises for employees and the funding amount to
local organizations. Mayor Frith said it had been discussed at the last meeting about trying to bring the
City’s police officers and firefighters up to a competitive salary level. Mayor Frith said it was the
consensus of the Council that salary increases for police officers, firefighters and wastewater operators
could be done in annual increments as had been recommended by Councilmember Feagle. Mr. Brynes
said he would be skeptical about committing any future years. Councilmember Feagle asked why.
Mayor Frith explained that future Councilmembers may not agree with doing that. Councilmember
Feagle said her proposal is that the increases be given over a two-year period. Councilmember Everett
said last year these employees were given a flat rate increase and suggested this could be done on a
year-to-year basis. Councilmember Everett said giving a cost of living allowance (COLA) is a raise
but would certainly not get the City close to a competitive starting salary.

Councilmember Feagle said the City is already in the hole $87,000 just for operating expenses and she
would challenge each department to research ways to try and cut expenses so the City could give
employees a raise. Councilmember Feagle said next year she would like to review the budget process
before voting on the millage rate. Councilmember Scott said she would be in favor of a (utility) rate
increase over a period of years.

Director of Public Works Barney Johnson addressed the Council and told them police officers and
firefighters are not the only employees subject to leave city employment. Mr. Johnson said he has had
at least four employees leave to go to work for the prison. Councilmember Feagle said the City can’t
do (provide such increases) for every employee this year but before budget time next year a salary
survey for other employees could be done. Mr. Johnson said there are a lot of underpaid employees in
the City. Councilmember Feagle agreed this needs to be addressed. Councilmember Feagle
commended Mr. Johnson for taking up for his employees. Mr. Johnson said the Council has asked
department heads to try to cut expenses but has the Council asked the local organizations to cut their
expenses. Councilmember Feagle said she intends to discuss organizational funding this meeting.
Councilmember Feagle said her proposal would be to keep total funding to organizations at $90,000.

Councilmember Everett said he thinks the Council should keep the issues separated. Councilmember
Everett said a priority was set with police officers and firefighters and Council should stick to it.
Councilmember Everett agreed Council could look at other employees in next year’s budget and focus
on the worse and immediate need now. Mayor Frith asked Mr. Brynes for clarification that, at one
time, there were police officer positions budgeted for but there were no police officers for those
positions. Mr. Brynes said this was true but these positions have not been budgeted. Councilmember
Scott asked if the City is still paying the additional cost for employee insurance. Mr. Brynes said yes,
Page 3, September 3, 2002, Council Minutes – Special Budget Session

but this was already figured into the budget. There was discussion of what raise percentage could be
given to all other employees. Councilmembers heard from several department heads and supervisors
regarding concerns in their departments and their thoughts on the proposed salary increases.
Reviewing information from the city manager, the Council discussed the option of a proposed budget
with the original proposal, plus the additional capital outlay items discussed and the following salary
adjustments for police except police chief and lieutenant at $2,569.00 each; Fire except Fire Chief at
$2,824.00; Water and Wastewater plant operators at $2,213.00 each and all other employees a 3 percent
increase. Mr. Brynes said this proposal included funding to the organizations. Councilmembers agreed
they did not want to include the amount of organization funding requests with this option. After some
discussion, Councilmember Everett made a motion to approve the option providing for the original
budget proposal, plus additional capital outlay items and salary adjustments for police except police
chief and lieutenant at $2,569.00 each; Fire except Fire Chief at $2,824.00; Water and Wastewater
plant operators at $2,213.00 each and all other employees a 3 percent increase but excluding the
organization funding requests. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Feagle and upon roll call
vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander ABSENT
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

The Council then moved on to discussion of organization funding requests. Mr. Brynes noted that the
Taylor County Leadership Council had not provided the information requested from the Council nor
did they attend a recent Council meeting to discuss their request. Councilmember Feagle commented
that, in considering these requests for funding, organizations have to understand that the City is
operating out of its cash reserves and the Council wishes to give its employees more of what they
deserve (raises). Councilmember Feagle said the organizations perform important functions within the
City but she doesn’t feel the City can give all they are requesting. Councilmember Feagle said she
would hope the organizations would look at their own expenses and to seek funds aggressively from
other sources.

The first funding request discussed was from the Taylor County Development Authority (TCDA).
Councilmember Feagle said the request is for $31,000 and said she would suggest giving TCDA
$25,000, as they had money left in their budget. Mr. Buddy Humphries, TCDA, explained the amount
provided in TCDA’s budget was through July and noted that approximately $7,000 to $8,000 per
month is needed for operating expenses and monies are transferred for capital projects.
Councilmember Everett suggested funding the $31,000 requested because of the potential TCDA has
to help create new businesses and revenue. Mayor Frith agreed. Councilmember Scott said she was
unsure at this point. Councilmembers briefly discussed each organization’s requests and then voted on
Page 4, September 3, 2002, Council Minutes – Special Budget Session

each. Councilmember Everett made a motion that the City give $30,000 to the Taylor County
Development Authority. Mayor Frith called for a second. Hearing none, Mayor Frith passed the gavel
to senior Councilmember Scott and seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander ABSENT
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

After some discussion about the TCDA’s role in growth and development for the community,
Councilmember Scott made a motion to give $29,500 to TCDA. The motion was seconded by
Councilmember Everett and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander ABSENT
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

The next funding request was $10,000 from Main Street. Councilmember Everett said his position is
the same as last year in that he feels Main Street had never accomplished anything for the community
and he suggested providing no funding to Main Street. Councilmember Everett said the only way he
would consider any funding would be if the organization was eliminated and consolidated with the
Chamber. Councilmember Everett made a motion that the City provides no funding to Main Street.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Feagle and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander ABSENT
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

The next organization was the Taylor County Historical Society. It was noted the Council had agreed
this organization, because of the small funding request, did not have to submit a detailed list of
information. Councilmember Feagle made a motion that the City gives $500.00 in funding to the
Historical Society. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Scott and upon roll call vote was as
follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander ABSENT
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X
Page 5, September 3, 2002, Council Minutes – Special Budget Session

The next organization was the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Councilmember Scott said since Main Street
funding was cut she had no problem giving CAP the $2,500.00 they requested. Councilmember Feagle
suggested $2,000.00 and made a motion that the City give the CAP $2,000 because of the service they
provide. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Everett and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander ABSENT
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

The next organization discussed was the Chamber of Commerce. Councilmember Everett said he
would like the Council to make a clear and very precise charge to the Board members to pass some
resolution to protect their members. Councilmember Everett then spoke briefly about the possibility of
a large company looking to build a proposed company in the community and the effect it could have on
local businesses and the role the Chamber should play in supporting it’s local community businesses.
Councilmember Everett made reference to the loss of small businesses in another community when a
particular company opened for business there. Councilmember Everett commented if the Chamber
wants $12,000 next year they need to take issue with this. Councilmember Everett made a motion to
give $12,000 to the Chamber. Mayor Frith called for a second. Hearing none, Mayor Frith passed the
gavel to senior Councilmember Scott and seconded the motion. Upon roll call the vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander ABSENT
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

Councilmember Feagle said looking at the Chamber’s proposal, their 2002 budget was $145,502 and
the 2003 proposed budget is $131,362. Councilmember Feagle noted this is $14,000 less than last
year. Councilmember Feagle said she took this into consideration and suggests reducing the amount to
$8,000 because of the differential for what was budgeted for this year and what was last year.
Councilmember Feagle questioned why they would need $12,000. Mr. Buddy Humphries, TCDA, said
that difference was a grant pass-through and was not included in this year’s budget. Councilmember
Scott made a motion to give the Chamber $8,000. The motion was seconded by Councilmember
Feagle and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander ABSENT
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

Page 6, September 3, 2002, Council Minutes – Special Budget Session

Mayor Frith passed the gavel to senior Councilmember Scott and made a motion to give the Chamber
$10,000. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Everett and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander ABSENT
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

At this time, Councilmembers moved on to the next organization, which was the Boys and Girls Club.
Mayor Frith suggested leaving the amount the same as last year at $60,000. Councilmember Everett
agreed and made a motion to give the Boys and Girls Club $60,000. The motion was seconded by
Councilmember Scott and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander ABSENT
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

The next organization was Refuge House, which had requested $10,000. Councilmember Everett
made a motion to give Refuge House $5,000. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Feagle
and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander ABSENT
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

After some discussion, Councilmember Feagle made a motion to give Refuge House $7,500. The
motion was seconded by Councilmember Scott and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander ABSENT
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

Commenting on the need for a tentative budget for the hearing on Tuesday, September 10, 2002, Mr.
Brynes said the Council needs to make a decision on some amount for the Chamber. Coming back to
Page 7, September 3, 2002, Council Minutes-Special Budget Session

discuss the amount of funding to the Chamber, Mayor Frith passed the gavel to senior Councilmember
Scott and made a motion to give the Chamber $9,000. The motion was seconded by Councilmember
Feagle and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander ABSENT
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

In discussing the funding request of $15,000 for Taylor County Senior Services, Mayor Frith asked if
the School Board could give the old Gladys Morse school building directly to Senior Services. City
Attorney Bill Blue said he believes it can do so but could not say definitively. Mr. Blue said he
believes they would have to offer it to a governmental agency first. It was noted that they have already
done this and neither the County nor the City is interested. There was discussion that this had been
done before and the building could be worth about $25,000. Councilmember Everett made a motion to
give Taylor County Senior Services $5,500 with the prospect of obtaining the Gladys Morse School
building for the organization. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Scott and upon roll call
vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander ABSENT
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

AGENDA ITEM (10)…ADJOURNMENT.

There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting was
adjourned at approximately 8:00 p. m.

ATTEST:

_______________________________ _________________________________
William E. Brynes, City Manager Richard D. Frith, Mayor

Recorded in Official Minute Book:

___________________________ _________________________________
Annette Anderson, Secretary Date