Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
September 17, 2014 11:41 a.m.
During a special meeting on September 16, 2014, that lasted barely 7 minutes, four Fernandina Beach City Commissioners (FBCC) unanimously passed on final reading without discussion the city’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2014/15, which begins October 1, 2014. Commissioner Johnny Miller was absent. The total approved budget for FY2014-15 (all funds) is $102,584,300. The new budget will be available for consultation in the City Clerk’s Office or on the city’s website, www.fbfl.us. Properly advertised public hearings, during which no member of the public spoke, were held on September 3 and September 16, 2014.
Mayor Ed Boner began the meeting with the mandatory reading of the Truth in Millage (TRIM) Statement:
Following the reading and public hearing, Commissioner Pat Gass moved and Vice Mayor Sarah Pelican seconded Resolution 2014-122, adopting the final operating millage and voter approved debt millage (Greenway) for FY 2014/15. Following the unanimous vote, the same two commissioners moved and seconded adoption of the final city budget for FY2014/15, which was also unanimously approved.
City Manager Joe Gerrity thanked Commissioners, Comptroller Patti Clifford and her staff, Deputy City Manager Marshall McCrary, and city employees for their efforts in putting the budget together. He added that city employees, who had not had raises in three years, would be eligible for 2-4% merit increases in the new fiscal year. He concluded saying, “It has been an honor to work with the employees here the last two years.”
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.