MINUTES CITY OF FORT MEADE BUDGET WORKSHOP MONDAY,AUGUST 19, 2024  The Budget Workshop of the Fort Meade City Commission was held on Monday, August 19, 2024, at 3:001 P.M. at Commission Chambers, 8 W. Broadway Street, Fort Meade, Florida, and via Zoom.  CALL' TO ORDER: ROLLCALL: Mayor Vice Mayor Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner *Arrived at 3:04 pm **Arrived at 3:10 Via Zoom Staff Present City Manager Deputy City Clerk Finance. Assistant HR Director ChiefOperations Officer Assistant City Manager CRA Director Fire Chief Public Works Director  The Meeting was called to order at 3:00 PM by Mayor McCutchen  Petrina McCutchen Samuel Berrien James Watts James Possum Schaill Jaret Williams  Present Present* Present Present Present**  Edward Dean Melissa Cannon Kelsey Kikta George McNerney Veronica Hairston Amy Wheeler Lekia Johnson Matthew Zahara Jackie Cannon  Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present  INVOCATION AND PLEDGE TO THE FLAG  Commissioner Berrien led the invocation. Mayor McCutchen led the pledge to the flag.  COMMISSION BUSINESS  1. City Commission review oft the Wages and Benefits - Edward. Dean, Kelsey Kikta Ms. Kelsey Kikta gave an overview oft the wages and benefits stating there is a 9% increase in the health insurance and the cost was split between the city and the employee. Ms. Kikta stated that there is as $1.00 COLA, and a 3% merit proposed for non-exempt employees and only a 3% merit Mayor McCutchen asked what millage rate was used for the proposed budget. Ms. Kikta stated that  proposed for exempt employees.  the current proposed budget is based on an 8.5000 millage rate.    City ofE Fort Meade, Florida Budget' Workshop August 19,2024 Page2 2  City Manager Dean stated that he has combined some duties tightening the belt" in some  departments to balance the budget.  2. City Commission review ofthe General Funds Operating Budget (Expenditures) and Capital  Improvement Program (CIP)- - Edward Dean, Kelsey Kikta  a. Legislative  Mayor McCutchen stated she and City Manager Dean briefly discussed the wages for the  commission, and she felt comfortable with $600.00 a month.  City Manager Dean explained more.  Commission Watts stated that he is noti in favor ofa a raise but will go with the will oft the Commissioner Schaill stated that the increase could cover the cost of attending meetings for Commissioner Williams stated that he is not in favor oft the $750 increase but will go with the will oft the commission and would rather see the monéy put back for a hardship program for the Vice Mayor Berrien stated that he is in favoroft the increase, and this has always been his position. This would be another tool to recruit young talent. Vice Mayor Berrien stated this does not even cover the cost of the phone calls, meetings or other platforms.  commission.  appointed boards of the commission.  residents.  Mayor McCutchen stated she was in favor of an increase. compensation to $650.00 and $700.00 to the mayor.  After much discussion, the consensus oft the commission was to increase the commission Mayor McCutchen asked Mr. Dean about cutting the fireworks, stating he suggested getting sponsors toj pay for them, asking what happens if we do not secure enough sponsors. City Manager Dean stated if we put forth a good effort, we can secure the funds.  There was discussion of the reimbursement to the Community Health Care, stating that this was initially for a scholarship and the city should use this money to do a its own scholarship.  b. Deputy City Clerk  Ms. Cannon stated there were no additional requests.  No changes requested C. Human Resources    City ofF Fort! Meade, Florida Budget' Workshop August 19,2024 Page3  City Manager Dean stated that he has combined the Chiefof Operations Manager and HR and  assigned Ms. Veronica to that the position. No additional changes requested  d. Planning  City Manager stated that with Central Florida Regional Planning Council and Retail Strategies  are ini this the planning fund. No changes requested e. Building No changes requested Code Enforcement  City Manager Dean stated that he has combined Code Enforcement along with Risk  Management and moved Mr. McNerney to that position.  No changes requested g. Community Center No changes requested  3. City Commission review oft the Special Revenue Funds Operating Budget (Expenditures) and  Capital Improvement Program (CIP) - Edward Dean, Kelsey. Kikta  a. Stormwater  Mr. Cannon gave an overview of the Stormwater line items. Mr. Cannon stated the biggest  project is the USDA grant they are working on.  No changes requested. b. Fire  ChiefZahara gave an overview of the Fire line items. City Manager Dean explained further.  No changes requested.  4. City Manager and City Attorney Reports and/or Correspondence.  City Manager Dean stated that he has tightened the belt as much as he can.    City of Fort Meade, Florida Budget Workshop August 19, 2024 Page4  Vice Mayor Berrien requested that the Youth Council be put back into the budget.  Commissioner Williams requested aj program for any way to save citizens money and requested  at town hall meeting to discuss grants. 5. City Commission Reports and/or Correspondence.  Commissioner Schaill asked about the Lanier project. Attorney Powell stated that a meeting has  been requested with the surety bonding company and the contractor. Commissioner Watts stated Mr. Dean did good on the budget. Vice Mayor Berrien stated that Mr. Dean was doing good. Mayor McCutchen thanked the team for their efforts.  ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business to conduct, Motion Commissioner Watts, second Commissioner  Schaill to adjourn the Budget Workshop of August 19, 2024, at 5:30 pm.  Motion to adjourn passed by unanimous vote of5-0.  lothina MGttha Petrina McCutchen, Mayor  ATTEST:  Cannon, Deputy City Clerk  MGs