INDIAN BBETORES OFFICIAL MINUTES Final Public Budget Hearing Town of Indian River Shores Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 5:01 p.m. 6001 HIGHWAY A1A, INDIAN RIVER SHORES, FL32963  The final Public Budget Hearing for the 2024/2025 fiscal year was held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, in Council Chambers, 6001 Highway A1A, Indian River Shores. Those present were Brian Foley, Mayor; Sam Carroll, Vice Mayor; Robert Auwaerter, Councilmember and Mary Alice Smith, Councilmember. Also present were James Harpring, Town Manager, Heather Christmas, Deputy Town Manager/Town Treasurer, Peter Sweeney, Town  Attorney and. Janice C. Rutan, Town Clerk.  1. Call to Order a. Roll Call Altieri.  Mayor Foley noted the Invocation and Pledge were offered at the previous Town Council meeting and would be waived. The Town Clerk called the roll. All members were present except Councilmember  Mayor Foley read the following into the record: 2. Discussion of Tentative Millage Rate and Budget  a. The Town of Indian River Shores proposes an aggregate millage rate of 1.3349 per $1,000 for the b. The proposed millage rate of 1.3349 is necessary to fund the expenses included in the budget and The 2024-2025 proposed General Fund budget is $10,838,870 which is 22.53% higher than last  Fiscal Year 2024-2025.  is10.29% higher than the rolled-back rate of 1.2104  year.  d. The other funds in the 2024-2025 budget are proposed as follows: 1) Roads and Offsite Drainage Fund of $120,076; and 2) Planning, Zoning and Building Fund $1,044,500. Mayor Foley opened the Public Hearing to Public Comment.  3. Receipt of Public Comment  Terri Bowman, Pebble Bay Estates addressed the Town Council. She had questions about the proposed budget being 22.53 percent higher than the previous year. Heather Christmas, Town Treasurer explained that the increase was over the original 2023-2024 adopted budget, not the amended budget. She further explained that this year's operating Capital Budget is very close to last year's ending budget, perhaps a The Mayor further explained most of the increase was due to employee costs and general inflation. He agreed that at a prior meeting the Council did consider reducing the millage, however, the Town Council agreed to maintain the current millage at 1.3349. The Council decided against it wanting to maintain the reserves in the event of an emergency weather event. It was also noted that the money the residents will be saving on their solid waste and recycling will be real money in their pocket. The Mayor assured Ms. Bowman that the Town Council was very cognizant of maintaining costs within  5% increase.  the Town and keeping a close eye on expenses.    4. Adoption  a. Proposed Resolution 24-15 for Adoption of the Tentative Millage Rate:  Attorney Sweeney read the Title.  A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF INDIAN RIVER SHORES, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE FINAL LEVY OF AD VALOREM TAXES OF 1.3349 MILS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025; PROVIDING FOR FUNDING OPERATING EXPENSES DURING FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE  DATE.  There being no public comment, Vice Mayor Carroll made a motion to approve Resolution 24-15. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. The Town Clerk called the roll. All members present voted  in the affirmative. The motion passed unanimously.  b. Proposed Resolution 24-16 for the Adoption of the Tentative Budget:  Attorney Sweeney read the Title.  A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF INDIAN RIVER SHORES, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE FINAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2024 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2025; AND PROVIDING  FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.  There being no public comment. Vice Mayor Carroll made a motion to approve Resolution 24-16. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. The Town Clerk called the roll. All members present voted  int the affirmative. The motion passed unanimously. C. Second Reading: Ordinance No.5 574 Attorney Sweeney read the title.  AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF INDIAN RIVER SHORES, FLORIDA, TO ADOPT THE FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 2025-2029 AS PART OF THE TOWN'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANDATES SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 163, FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.  There being no public comment, Vice Mayor Carroll made ar motion to approve Ordinance 574 on second reading. Councilmember Auwaerter seconded the motion. The Town Clerk called the roll. All members  present voted int the affirmative. The motion passed unanimously.  5. Adjournment 5:10 p.m.  There being no further business to come before the Town Council, the Public Hearing adjourned at  Approved: October 24, 2024  Janice C. Rutan,Town Clerk