CITY OF LABELLE  CltyobilaBelle  MINUTES  City Commission Workshop Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 4:00 PM LaBelle Commission Chambers 481 West Hickpochee Avenue LaBelle, Florida 33935 CITY COMMISSION: Julie C. Wilkins., Mayor Daniel Akin, Commissioner Jackie Ratica, Commissioner Bobbie Spratt, Commissioner Hugo Vargas, Commissioner ADMINISTRATION: Tijauna Warner, BAS, MMC, Deputy City Clerk Derek Rooney, Esq., City Attorney Mitchell Wills, Superintendent PW    City Commission Workshop LIMITED CAPACITY August 22, 2024  Page 2of3  MINUTES  A. CALL' TOORDER  The meeting was called to order by Mayor Wilkins at 4:04 PM. B. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  Commissioner Vargas led the invocation, Commissioner Spratt led thel Pledge of Allegiance.  C. ROLLCALL PRESENT Mayor. Julie C. Wilkins Commissioner Daniel Akin Commissioner Jackie Ratica Commissioner Bobbie Spratt Commissioner Hugo Vargas City Attorney Derek Rooney  Deputy City Clerk Tijauna Warner arrives @4:47p.m.  Lilly Davenport presented a detailed analysis of the City ofLaBelle's Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget. The analysis highlighted several key updates and adjustments. The budget has been revised toi include updated insurance figures. Notably, an adjustment to workers' compensation, as identified by Lisa, has been incorporated, resulting in an increase in workers' compensation costs. However, insurance premiums have been reduced. An error was corrected where aj part-time position had been mistakenly classified as full-time. This adjustment has been made, bringing the budget back to its previous status. She advised the budget currently reflects a $44,000 funding shortfall. This is partly due to the county'srestriction on its contribution under thei interlocal agreement, which is limited to a 5% increase over the previous year. Consequently, the fire department budget does noti include incentive compensation or an increase in volunteer rates. Specifically, the $18,000 increase for the highest-paid fire personnel has been excluded. Lilly informed the commission that for animal control there'sa a 50/50 funding split per the agreement was maintained, resulting in a 36% increase over the prior year. Ift the county's contribution were restricted to a 5% increase, this would create a $67,000 deficit that would need to be covered by the general fund. Also, the utility budget reflects al higher split but still shows an operating loss. However, on a cash basis, the budget covers cash flow requirements. Lilly Davenport has requested capital outlay projections from Woodward and Curran, who have assured us that the required funding will be provided. These figures will be included in the final budget. Finally, she explained the higher-wage employees will experience a real-term pay cut ift the cost-of- living increases by 3%, as their pay increase is less than this percentage.. Affected employees include Stevens, Aubrey, Wills, and Lynch. This situation prompted further discussion with the Lilly Davenport reviewed the fire department budget and proposed sharing the administrative assistant position with City Hall as a potential cost-saving measure. She also presented various options for consideration. One such proposal suggested reallocating funds to increase salaries by $18 per position, instead of hiring three additional firefighters. She emphasized the necessity of  commissioners.    City Commission Workshop LIMITED CAPACITY August 22, 2024  Page 3of3  hiring the three firefighters and indicated that the current staff would likely accept the 14% salary increase already budgeted. She advised ifv we incorporate the full increases for firefighters, along with the provision for incentive pay, the budget shortfall expands to $209,000. To address this, removing the new allocations for animal control and code enforcement, including the animal control truck, the code enforcement truck, and the mower, would result in a budgetary surplus. Overall, the budget remains in line with previous projections, but several adjustments and considerations will need to be addressed tol balance the shortfall and manage departmental funding. There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Wilkins adjourned the workshop at 6:12 PM.  glL  ATTEST: Tijauna Warner, BAS, MMC, City Clerk