CITY OF LABELLE AUGUST 17, 2023 4:00 P.M.  BUDGET WORKSHOPSPECIAL MEETING  Mayor Wilkins called the Budget Workshop/Special Meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. A roll call was taken. Commissioner Bobbie Spratt, Mayor Julie Wilkins, Commissioner Hugo Vargas, and Commissioner Daniel Akin were present. Commissioner Jackie Ratica is absent. Commissioner Vargas spoke the invocation, and Commissioner Spratt led the Pledge of Allegiance. Gracie Morton, Finance Director for the City ofLaBelle presented the proposed budget for the Animal Control Department which included a design and planning for ai new: facility that would be similar to the Animal Control facility in Okeechobee County. It also included an additional There was discussion on possibly being able toj piggyback offt the Okeechobee County contract for an architect. Mayor Wilkins suggested a contractor doing a design-build. There was then Doug Morgan, Animal Control Director addressed the Commission to request that aj professional Derek Rooney, City ofLaBelle. Attorney asked for the total estimated cost of building the facility. Mr. Morgan stated that he had received an estimate of around 1.7 million dollars. Attorney Rooney explained that the selection of the architect would need to be competitive. There was then discussion on what the County would be contributing to the newi facility. Mr. Morgan continued to express to the Commission the need for a new: facility. Utilizing volunteers to fill the part-time kennel tech needs was then discussed. Mr. Morgan also noted that LaBelle. Animal Control handles all oft the West District of Hendry County. Conversation turned to the possible reimplementation oft the Trap, Neuter, and Release (TNR) program for stray cats. Mr. Morgan summarized the purpose oft the program. He explained that to reduce his budget he had taken the funds for the program out ofhis budget, but the Caloosa Humane Society had received a grant oftwenty thousand dollars toi implement the program. There was then discussion on adding the five thousand back into the Animal Control budget to Mrs. Morton explained to the Commission how the potential salary increases were calculated. She stated she would provide totals reflecting a 3%, 5%, and a $1.00: raise for employees in the The estimated costs of the planning of the facility were discussed. Commissioner Vargas clarified Mrs. Morton then explained that the. Animal Control Interlocal Agreement with the County  part-time kennel tech.  conversation on how much the construction oft the building could cost.  architect or engineer design the building.  help with the program.  near future for the Commission's review.  that ajoint loan with the County would be needed to construct the building. would also need to be updated. Conversation continued about the loan.    Mrs. Morton then presented the proposed fire budget that reflected five full-time firefighters. LaBelle Fire Department Chiefl Brent Stevens explained to the Commission the funds needed from the City and County in order to staff the additional two full-time firefighters. He told the Commission that an employment contract had been drafted to retain new firefighters after their Commissioner Spratt instructed Chief Stevens to approach the County to request additional funds Mrs. Morton explained that commitment from the County would need to be an ongoing commitment to maintain the needed number ofi firefighters. There was then conversation on the Chief Stevens suggested increasing the fire tax assessment tol help offset the costs that would be taken from the general fund. There was then discussion on the number of volunteer firefighters the City had, and the amount of calls made to cover the entire Western Fire District. Commissioner. Akin expressed his desire to find funding for the additional two full-time firefighters. There was additional conversation on potentially increasing the pay for volunteer Commissioner Spratt motioned. to add the $27,000 to the budget contingent on the County finding the rest oft the funds to make up the difference to add two full-time firefighters or ifthe County does not) findi thefunds, the $27,000 will go towards raises for the current fivefull-time  Commissioner Akin noted that seven were needed to have a full rotation.  training was complete.  as well. There was brief discussion on the acquisition of ai new fire truck.  current pay scale for firefighters.  firefighters and adding the two full-time firefighters.  firefighters.  Commissioner Vargas seconded the motion. Afterfurther discussion, the motion carried. 3-1. Commissioner. Akin was not inj favor.  Commissioner Spratt praised Code Enforcement Officer Zane Mungillo for his actions at the  Ford and Sunset Community meeting earlier that week. Commissioner Spratt motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Vargas seconded. the motion. The meeting adjourned at 5:16 p.m.  APPROVED:  OpA8 DANIELAKIN, VICE- MAYOR  ATTEST:  Aab huokw JESSIZ ZUBATM, DEPT. CITYCLERK