MALABAR TOWN COUNCIL TOWN COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES June 24th, 2023, 7:00 PM  This meeting of the Malabar Town Council was held at Town Hall at 2725 Malabar Road. Council Chair Mayor Patrick T. Reilly called meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Mayor Reilly led P&P.  1. 2. ROLL CALL: CHAIR: VICE CHAIR: COUNCIL MEMBERS: TOWN MANAGER: TOWN CLERK: 3.  CALL TO ORDER:  MAYOR PATRICK T. REILLY DAVID SCARDINO MARISA. ACQUAVIVA BRIAN VAIL JIM CLEVENGER MARY HOFMEISTER LISA MORRELL RICHARD KOHLER  WORKSHOP ACTION:  a. Budget Workshop #1, Before the Numbers  TM Morrell began by stating that tonight's goal is to hear Council's goals, and to determine the proposed millage rate. The 100-day TRIM process has begun, and she provided a brief overview of the schedule. Her goal is to provide Council a budget document before the September Public Hearings. She also provides Council with a background of GFOA account numbers. She then discussed the revenues of the Town, including Ad Valorem Taxes, State Revenue Sharing, and assorted smaller revenue streams. The roll back rate for this year is 4.2313. Mayor Reilly asks if 5.000 is the maximum millage rate the Town could use. TM Morrell states that is correct. CM Acquaviva asks if we will advertise the maximum millage higher than our expected rate? TM Morrell states that is the plan. CM Scardino notates that property values are high, is that trend expected to continue? TM Morrell states it is beginning to level out, but future trends are undetermined at this time. All Town properties appraised at about $414 Million. With these estimates and a4.5millage The Town currently has three expense funds, General, Building, and Stormwater. In the general fund, we are hoping to include Code Enforcement in 515, and Special Events in TMI Morrell provides al background on GFOA expense account numbers. Mayor Reilly asks if the Town has received any grants in the last few years. TM Morrell states the Fire Department has been awarded several grants. Town Hall has applied for additional grants and has been denied. Mayor Reilly asks if thati is an avenue we should address. TMI Morrell states an issue is having funds or services to match. She utilized ECivics to see locally offered grants and provides the information to the appropriate Department Heads. CM Acquaviva asks if the Town could apply for grants geared towards our Town Hall build. She remembers the past agreements to build Town Hall as a nature center, and asks if there are any grants we could use to that end? TM Morrell states most of the grants for that type TM Morrell next discusses the Town's existing debt, including the Fire Engine, the State Revolving Loan, the road repaving loan, and the new Fire Tanker. These together come to $678k for the coming Fiscal Year. Included in that is being short $278k for the new Truck. She then reviewed the contractual expense needs. Things to consider when looking ahead are the 4-7% cost of service increase, increased contractual agreements, COLAS, TM Morrell then reviewed the Capital Improvement Plan adopted last year. She is working towards getting road paving accomplished next month. Briar Creek and Corey Road are her current priority. CM Acquaviva asks for clarification about lane paving VS road  rate, the Town would bring in about $150k over last year.  572.  of project would bei for a shelter facility.  department upgrades and replacement of equipment.    Minutes of the Town Council Budget Workshop of 06/24/2024  Page 2  resurfacing. TMI Morrell states that the Town received a loan to repave roads. These are TMI Morrell then provides Council with the Board and Committee recommendations. Trails and Greenways request improvements for the Eagles Nest Trailhead. TM Morrell states that in the last 3 years, that Committee has been budgeted $10k per year to complete the fence at ENT. It is still underway. CM Acquaviva states she would support providing all boards with funds, as long as there is Council oversight. CM' Vail asks ift the road base has come from the Trails and Greenways budget. TMI Morrell statesi itl has come from the Public Works Department budget. She then provided the recommendation from the Parks and Rec Board to sandblast the metal structure, plant trees in the Disc Golf Sanctuary, and eventually replace the pavilion there as well. She states the Town has a trust fund fort tree replacement due to the Town's tree removal Ordinance. It has about $1,400.00 in it this year. Mayor Reilly asks if the Park and Rec Board has traditionally received a line item? TMI Morrell states no they have not. She then provides the CIP recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Board. They recommend developing Jordan Blvd from US 1t to Atz Road with swales and sidewalks. L3Harris has previously expressed interest ini improving the ROW for their emergency exit. CM Vail expresses his concern about motor vehicles entering the Sanctuary. TM Morrell provides additional recommendations including completing Briar Creek Blvd to Malabar Road, building a new Town Hall at Malabar Community Park, sidewalks on SR 514, water and sewer toi the park, a monthly newsletter, and possibly a lobbyist or grant writer. Staff has reviewed alternative options for the newsletter. She looked into postcards, and the mail alone is over $3k. She then suggests the possibility of doing a Town Calendar instead. It would be useful and allow at least 12 pages ofi information toi the residents. CM Acquaviva states she remembers the Mailboats going out and being well received by the residents. Mayor Reilly states this will be on the next agenda, as Receptionist Schultz has been working on them and requests Council TMI Morrell then provides Council with budget information on Town Staff. State employees will be receiving a 3% raise, and the State department of revenue suggests a 4.1% increase. She has met with the Fire Department Union about their expiring contract. They are requesting additional wages. Health care costs are increasing by 6-11%. She is investigating the possibility of using a Health Spending Account. FRS requirements are also increasing, as are the cost of road grading materials. The Public Works Department is also requesting a new Skid Steer, Roller, Lift, and replacing a mower. Mayor Reilly asks TM Morrell then requests Council direction on the Road Maintenance policy stated after the FY 22/23 tax increase. Council had stated that we should put away the difference between the old tax rate and the new rate, or 2.4899 Mills. Is that a set policy, is that a set number, a number of Mills, or a changing number annually? The difference between the old and new tax rate is about $834k. CM Scardino asks ift these numbers include the Rocky Point Road repairs. TMI Morrell states the hope is to have that complete this year. CM' Vail asks how much we brought in the first year of the tax increase? TM Morrell states over $500k. If we kept the same policy, it will be over $762k. CM Vail states he would be comfortable with using $600k for roads and use the rest to fund the increased expenses. TM Morrell reiterates that would only provide an increase of $64k. CM Vail reiterates he would like to see $350k for loan repayment, and the other $250-300k for other road improvements and/or drainage projects. CM Acquaviva states she wants to review the past budgets and prepare for future workshops and is looking forward to the process. TM Morrell closes by thanking Council for their time. Mayor Reilly asks if the Town Signs arei included in the budget. TM Morrell states it was included in the Parks budget, and the contractor has increased their prices. Mayor Reilly asks if the Jordan Blvd Railroad crossing is included. TM Morrell states yes, we are including it in the budget. Mayor Reilly asks if Staff needs any guidance before the next scheduled workshop. TM Morrell asks what Council would like for the Maximum Millage Rate, and at what rate to  funded by the loan, while paving current dirt roads is not.  input.  ift the Town will be hiring a Labor Attorney for the Union negotiations.    Minutes oft the Town Council Budget Workshop of 06/24/2024  Page 3  build the budget. CM Acquaviva asks if this is required at a RTCM, or a straw poll would suffice. Staff states a straw poll tonight will direct Staff on how to proceed at future meetings. CM Clevenger suggests advertising al Maximum of 5.0000 and building a budget on 4.5000. Consensus is reached by Council to advertise a Maximum Millage of 5.0000 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss and without objection, the  and to develop the first draft budget at 4.5000.  4.  meeting was adjourned at 8:06P.M.  BY: Pabuck TRell Mayor Patrick T. Reilly, Council Chair  Date Approved: 07/01/2024.  Zual Richard Kohler, Town Clerk