TOWN OF ASTATULA MAYOR AND TOWN SUMMARY MINUTES  BUDGET WORKSHOP MONDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2019  TOWN HALL  SINCE.  1872  Having been duly advertised as required by law, Mayor Robert Natale called the Budget Workshop meeting to order at 6.07pm. The invocation was given by Councilor Sikkema and  Mayor Natale led the pledge of allegiance.  Members Present: Robert Natale, Mayor Kimberley Kobera Gayle Sikkema Absent: Stephen Cross  Also Present: Graham Wells, Town Clerk  Mitchell Mack, Vice-Mayor (arrived at 6:35 pm)  Roll Call was performed, and it was determined that a quorum was present. Mayor Natale welcomed Stephanie Lloyd of 25923 Zinnia Lane who was present and invited her to address the board. Ms. Lloyd asked about the completion of the installation of missing street signs and also about the beautification of the Town. She said that the Clerk and Council were doing a good job, but she didn't think that there should be any annual raises. She sited that the Clerk already earned good money, likely more than most residents of Astatula. She added that the saving should be used tol beautify the town orj just keep iti in the bank account; "we don't) have to spend itj just because we have it". Mayor Natale responded that the Clerks experience and skills have saved the town morei money than he has cost it and referenced the comparison to the previous Clerk who cost the town money. He added that an analysis of the cost of the Police Department in other local towns and cities showed that our officers are under paid by comparison. If the town does not pay the going rate for its staff and officers, then they can go find employment elsewhere. The town has only been able to give small raises in the past and the five percent this year will help to bring them up to par with other towns.  Proposed changes to the Budget since July 29 Workshop  Clerk Wells went over the changes to the budget since the last workshop on July 29. He was concerned that the $35,195 of revenue from impact fees puti in the budget was restricted funds that were notl be able to be spent on General Fund expenditure. As a result, he had reviewed the revenues and expenditures and made several adjustments which he went overi in detail with Council. A portion of the Public Works wages were moved to the Transportation fund to cover the cost of mowing the Right-of-Ways. Int total there was $30,000 savings on expenditures added to the $10,000ofadditional revenues. This enabled the budget tol be balanced without the use of impact fees. Reconsideration of Council Pay Increase - Budget impact $3,300 (General Fund)  The subject of Mayor and Council pay was discussed at length. Council had previously rejected any  increase over what they are currently paid.  Town ofA Astatula Meeting Minutes September 9, 2019 Page 1of3    A resident said that the Mayor and Council had done an exceptional job over the past year and recommended that they should accept the proposed increase. This was echoed by Chief Hoagland. Councilor Kobera wasi notin favorofatceptingaraise as she didn'twant thel backlash forsucha a small Mayor Natale said that his timei is valuable, and wei need to be developing people to step up and serve. He feels that its should at lease be somewhat more attractive to encourage people to serve. There is a lot tol learn andalotofresponsbility on the Mayorand Council. He added thatthei increase was small, but it was a start. Vice-Mayor Mack said that he would rather use the money in another area. The total increase was only $3,300 which would get spent in another area ifnota accepted. Clerk Wells suggested that Council take a straw poll to decide as it affected the budget and the Ordinance that was coming before Council at the Regular meeting that would follow. The consensus  amount of money. Councilor Sikkema concurred.  was to leave the remuneration at the current level.  Purchase ofnew Police Vehicle -) Budget Impact$35.488 (Impact) Fees)  The Poliçe Department needs to purchase a new police car. The Town is operating two 2013 Dodge Chargers which are costing a lot in repair bills. As a new position was created with the School Resource Officer, there is a onetime opportunity to purchase it from Public Safety Impact Fees. Chief Hoagland said that car has been located which is available right now, but we would have to move on iti immediately. The cost oft the car is approximately $35,000 fully equipped and Council approved it  to go in the new budget.  Purchase of] Body Cameras - Budget Impact $13.796 (ImpactFees)  Chief Hoagland pitched to Council to add the purchase of body cameras tot the Budget. The cost to equip all the officers is around $14,000 which includes maintenance, storage and replacement Clerk Wells explained that both the car and body cameras would be shown in police expenditure (521). The police car would be covered by the $35,195 in Impact fee revenue and the cameras bya  cameras after three years.  carry forward figure from aj previous year.  Distribution of Salary Increase for Police Officers - No Budget Impact  Clerk Wells made a proposal to Council to distribute the total money from the five percent increase for police officers in a different way. Having discussed it with the Chief and following the analysis requested by Councilor Cross and provided to Council, it was evident that Cpl. Capraun was grossly underpaid for his rank. To enable him to be brought up to the right level, the increases for other officers would range from three percent to six percent leavinga a greater amoumtolmonsyolmgras Speed signs for CR561 and CR48 - Budget Impact $14.250 (Infrastructure Fund)  the pay to Cpl. Capraun. Council concurred and approved the proposal.  Mayor Natale explained that the rationale for placing these permanent signs at the three entrances to the' Town would reduce speed levels. This would free up the amount of time officers sit at the side oft the road watching motorists go by and' be redirected to other duties. When asked, Chief Hoagland concurred.. A: straw poll was taken and unanimously approved to add to the budget.  Town of Astatula Meeting Minutes September 9, 2019 Page2of3    This concluded all discussion on the budget. There being no other business, the meeting was  adjourned: at7:34) pm. Respertfulysubmited, R Mitchell Mack, Mayor ATTEST Thor  Graham Wells, Town Clerk  ATUL GRA  927  Town ofA Astatula Meeting Minutes September 9,2 2019 Page 3of3