CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES
SPECIAL SESSION
224 S. Jefferson Street
Perry, Florida
September 19, 2003

MEMBERS PRESENT: Shirley Scott, Bill Alexander, Richard Frith

MEMBERS ABSENT: Pam Feagle and Doug Everett

STAFF PRESENT: Bill Brynes, Barney Johnson, Sarah Drawdy, Bill Blue and Annette Anderson

Mayor Frith called the meeting to order. Councilmember Scott led those attending the meeting in
prayer. Mayor Frith led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The secretary then called
the roll.
PRESENT ABSENT
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

AGENDA ITEM 3(A)…CONTINUATION OF FIRST PUBLIC HEARING ON THE TENTATIVE

MILLAGE RATE FOR THE CITY OF PERRY, FLORIDA FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003-04.

AGENDA ITEM 3(B)…RESOLUTION NO. 2003-03; A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE

TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FOR THE CITY OF PERRY, FLORIDA, COVERING ITS FISCAL
YEAR OPERATION BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2003 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2004.

Mayor Frith opened the public hearing on the tentative millage rate for fiscal year 2003-04. Mayor
Frith stated the majority of the City Council had agreed on the rolled-back rate of 4.6675 mills. Mayor
Frith called for any comment or discussion by the public. Hearing none, Mayor Frith called for a
motion to adopt Resolution No. 2003-03 adopting the tentative millage rate of 4.6675 mills for the City
of Perry, Florida for fiscal year 2003-04. Councilmember Alexander made a motion to adopt
Resolution No. 2003-03. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Scott and upon roll call vote
was as follows:
YEA NAY

Councilmember Feagle ABSENT

Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett ABSENT
Mayor Frith X

AGENDA ITEM 3(C)…CONTINUATION OF FIRST PUBLIC HEARING ON THE CITY OF

PERRY, FLORIDA TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003-04.

AGENDA ITEM 3(D)…RESOLUTION NO. 2003-04; A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE

TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF PERRY, FLORIDA FOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER 1,
2003 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2004.
Page 2, September 19, 2003, Council Minutes-Special Session

Mayor Frith opened the public hearing on the tentative budget for fiscal year 2003-04. City Manager
Bill Brynes provided the Council with information noting there is approximately $7.3 million in
revenue and $8 million in expenses or expenses greater than revenue of $695,000.

Mr. Brynes said at the last meeting there was discussion of not funding some positions and moving the
local option gas tax into operations of the transportation and street departments. Mr. Brynes said the
positions discussed not to fund are in the water, sewer, street and police department. Mr. Brynes said
considering this, there would still be a shortfall of $201,000.

Mr. Brynes then provided information as another possible option to reduce the budget shortfall. Mr.
Brynes told the Council each year the City has to deposit into an account 1/12 of that year’s principle
and interest on the water and sewer bonds. Mr. Brynes said over time cash is build up into this account
and one thing this cash could be used for is to pay a bond payment or to pay the bonds off early. Mr.
Brynes suggested the Council could agree to just deposit the interest payment into that account next
year and move the amount that was being earmarked for the principal payment. Mr. Brynes said taking
this out could reduce the cash outlay by $185,000. Mr. Brynes explained if this is done this year, it
would leave a shortfall (expenses greater than revenue) of $16,563. Mr. Brynes told the Council this
option would not be a permanent fix though.

Councilmember Scott asked if the $16,563 included the Council’s raise. Mr. Brynes answered yes.
Mayor Frith commented that passing the budget does not give the Council a raise, noting that would
have to be done by ordinance. Councilmember Scott said there would still be a budget deficit.
Councilmember Alexander asked if reducing the $12,000 to $9,000 would balance the budget. Mr.
Brynes answered he could then “zero out’ the budget deficit.

Councilmember Scott made a motion that the Council reduce the proposed salary of $12,000 per year
to $9,000 per year in an effort to balance the budget and remain in compliance with the City Charter.
The motion died for lack of a second.

Mayor Frith then passed the gavel to Vice Mayor/Councilmember Alexander and made a motion that
Resolution No. 2003-04 adopting the tentative budget for the City of Perry for the period October 1,
2003 through September 30, 2004 be adopted. Councilmember Alexander returned the gavel to the
Mayor and seconded the motion. The vote upon roll call was as follows:
YEA NAY

Councilmember Feagle ABSENT

Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett ABSENT
Mayor Frith X

Mayor Frith stated the 2nd Public Hearing on the Millage Rate and the Budget for fiscal year 2003-04
would be set for Monday, September 29, 2003 at 5:01 p. m.
Page 3, September 19, 2003, Council Minutes-Special Session

AGENDA ITEM …ADJOURNMENT.

There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting was
adjourned at approximately 6:16 p. m.

ATTEST:

_______________________________ _________________________________
William E. Brynes, City Manager Richard D. Frith, Mayor

Recorded in Official Minute Book:

___________________________ _________________________________
Annette Anderson, Secretary Date