MINUTES OF THE FY 2024 - 2025 BUDGET WORKSHOP FOR THE BOARD OF CITY COMMISSIONERS FOR THE CITY OF PORT ST. JOE FLORIDA, HELD AT  2775 GARRISON AVENUE, August 27, 2024, AT 11:30 A.M.  The following were present: Commissioners Hoffman, Kerigan, Langston, and Lowry. City Manager Jim Anderson, City Clerk Charlotte Pierce, Deputy Clerk Ingrid Bundy, Financial Director Mike Lacour, Police Chief Jake Richards, Public Works Director John Grantland, Surface Water Treatment Plant Superintendent Larry McClamma, and' Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Kevin Pettis were also present. Mayor Buzzett  was absent, and the meeting was chaired by Mayor pro tem Brett Lowry. The purpose of the Workshop was to review the FY: 2024 - 2025 Budget.  City Manager, Jim Anderson, reminded everyone of the 5:01 P.M. Tentative Budget Hearing Meeting to be Mr. Anderson noted that insurance options had not been resolved for the coming fiscal year and asked Insurance. Agent, Dwight Van Lierop, to give an overview of the plans that were an option for the City. Mr. Vani Lierop shared that the City has not received an increase in health insurance premiums for the past 3 years. Unfortunately, this year's quote was a 45% increase and due to the loss history, other companies refused to quote for the City causing the City to have to go back to Blue Cross for possible coverage. HSA Plan 05196 would be an increase of 14%, raising the monthly premium to $927.73. BS Traditional Plan 3566 premium would be $1,057.60 per month and is $130 more than the HSA Plan. After al lengthy discussion, consensus was to offer the HSA Plan with the City covering the premium amount of $927.73 and matching up to $50 per month of the employee's contribution. The BC Plan new premium is $1,057.60 and would also be available to employees with the City paying $927.73 plus 50% of the $130 Mr. Van Lierop noted that by switching carriers for the City's Property and Casualty Insurance there would be an approximate savings of $88,000. These funds could be used to offset the premium increase for health coverage. A new carrier would most likely do an asset study and values of the properties have changed which  held, Tuesday, September 3, 2024.  increase. The employee will pay $65 if they choose the BCI Plan 3566.  could result in a slight reduction of savings.  2024/2025 Budget  Finance Director, Mike Lacour, reviewed budget issues and noted there are significant funds in the budget to A discussion was held concerning the benefits of the City paying for 50% of an employee's membership to a Chief Jake Richards shared that the City has a Grant opportunity to receive a narcotics drug dog and asked for permission to pursue the grant. Previously $10,000 was given by local businesses for a drug dog. When the handler left the City of Port St. Joe, the dog was sold tot the agency that the individual joined and that money was put back into the budget. Anticipated costs willl be roughly $4,500 for training, $5 - $7 thousand to repurpose a vehicle and add a kennel. The annual cost for food and vet bills should run approximately $3,500. Consensus was to apply for the grant, budget for the training and cost to take care of the dog, and provide a  cover the health insurance premiums.  gym in an effort to help improve the health of City employees.  merit raise to the officer handling the dog, No one from the public attended the meeting.  Citizens to be Heard    Discussion Items by Commissioners  Neither Mayor pro tem Lowry nor Commissioners Hoffman or Kerigan had any other issues to discuss.  Mayor pro tem Lowry adjourned the meeting at 12:50 P.M.  Approved this  BrethLowry,  913204 Date 9424 Date  Mayor pro tem  7  Hatrht Charlotte M. Pierce, City Clerk