CITY OF LABELLE  Cityof LaBelle  MINUTES  City Commission Workshop Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at 4:00 PM LaBelle Commission Chambers 481 West Hickpochee Avenue LaBelle, Florida 33935 CITY COMMISSION: Julie C. Wilkins., Mayor Dainel Akin, Commissioner Jackie Ratica, Commissioner Bobbie Spratt, Commissioner Hugo Vargas, Commissioner ADMINISTRATION: Tijauna Warner, Deputy City Clerk Derek Rooney, Esq., City Attorney Mitchell Wills, Superintendent PW    City Commission Workshop LIMITED CAPACITY July 17,2024  Page 2of3  MINUTES  A. CALLTO ORDER  The workshop was called to order by Mayor Wilkins at 4:03 PM. B. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  Commissioner Vargas led the invocation, Commissioner Ratica led the Pledge of Allegiance.  : ROLL CALL PRESENT Mayor Julie C. Wilkins Commissioner Dainel Akin arrived @ 4:22pm Commissioner Jackie Ratica Commissioner Bobbie Spratt Commissioner Hugo Vargas Deputy City Clerk Tijauna Warner City Attorney Derek Rooney  Justin DeMello presented the 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan for the City ofLaBelle, focusing on anticipated projects and budgets for water and wastewater infrastructure. Mr. DeMello announced that the city has secured $83 million in grants to support these initiatives. He emphasized the critical necessity of these projects due to aging assets, the need to enhance service levels, growth opportunities, evolving regulations, and compliance requirements. Mr. DeMello highlighted the flexibility available within the plan, noting that several million dollars ($2-5 million) allocated for water projects and approximately $61 million for wastewater projects could be deferred to future years to alleviate immediate financial impacts on ratepayers. Additionally, Mr. DeMello recommended the city proceed with implementing impact fees, providing a concise rationale. A subsequent discussion ensued regarding the optimal strategies for Mayor Wilkins inquired ifN Mr. DeMello foresaw the impact oft the 11,000,000 on our decisions regarding potential rate increases, possibly deferring them to the 4th year, or at least to the 3rd Shawn Ocasio explained that on the water infrastructure side, those projects totaling between 21 to6 million dollars are being considered for potential deferral. Ifthese deferrals proceed, there may be opportunities to secure additional grant funding. It's important to note that a significant portion of these projects have already been earmarked for grant funding. Therefore, the net impact ofthe deferrals will primarily affect projects still reliant on rate funding. For example, the lead and Rob Ori emphasized that achieving relief requires aj permanent reduction within the forecast period. For instance, a $500,000 funding reduction must persist annually to secure a lasting decrease. Any reduction that is not sustained in subsequent years necessitates recapture. Therefore, while projects like lead and copper receive significant grant funding (approximately 50-60%), we are not seeking to diminish these funds. However, any permanent reduction we can defer would alleviate rate  the City ofLaBelle to pursue moving forward. Commissioner. Akins arrived at 4:22pm.  year.  copper services project is aj pertinent case inj point.  pressures. Postponing such reductions by a year would likely not suffice.    City Commission Workshop LIMITED CAPACITY July 17, 2024  Page 3of3  Justin DeMello explained the key consideration here is the highlighted figure of1.71 million in the middle, which we are considering for deferral. Below it, the 8 million is currently slated for grant funding, as. just described. Adjacent toi it is another 8.3 million, also secured with a grant. Our focus now is on understanding the impact on1 total rates, currently at 11.4 million. However, after subtracting the 8n million and 1.71 million from this total, the rate impact decreases significantly, to around 2 million on the drinking water side. This indicates minimal impact from the projects listed att the bottom int terms of rate adjustments, assuming we are not aiming to recoup past project or operational costs. A detailed discussion was held concerning the rate study and the 5-Year Capital Ms. Lilly Davenport provided a detailed presentation oft the executive budget, examining each line item comprehensively. The City Commission raised specific concerns regarding expenditures related to travel, salaries, and supplies. Subsequently, the City Commission made adjustments to exclude the administrative assistant position, replacing it under contractual services for records management at a cost of $30,000. Additionally, they excluded the IIMC Conference and $300 for Ms. Lilly Davenport provided a detailed presentation of the Finance budget, examining each line item comprehensively. The City Commission raised specific concerns regarding the senior finance clerk position, contractual services, and elections expenses. A discussion ensued regarding the There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Wilkins adjourned the workshop at 6:541 PM.  Improvement Plan for the City ofLaBelle.  food from thel HR travel budget.  finance department budget.  G  Clerk  a2