Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
September 20, 2018 1:00 a.m.
At their second and final Public Hearing at a Special Meeting on September 18, 2018, Fernandina Beach City Commissioners (FBCC) unanimously approved the proposed FY2018-19 Budget and millage rate. During their Regular Meeting, which immediately followed the Special Meeting, the FBCC also unanimously approved a new fee schedule for the new fiscal year that begins October 1, 2018.
By approving Resolution 2018-118 the FBCC adopted the final operating millage of 5.8553 mills for the Fiscal Year 2018/2019 Budget and the final voter approved debt millage of .1929 mills for the Fiscal Year 2018/2019 Budget. The voted debt millage is required to fund the principal and interest payments due on the six million dollar General Obligation Bond (“Greenway Bond”) for the Fiscal Year 2018/2019. Via Resolution 2018-119 the FBCC adopted the final budget for FY 2018/2019 including the Five Year Capital Improvement Plan.
The 2018/2019 Final Budget is now fixed and determined in the amount of $154,884,500.
In terms of dollars, the budget has risen 5.88 percent over the current year; in terms of millage, the rate has dropped 2.60 percent over the current year. The taxable value of property in the city, according to the Nassau County Property Appraiser, has risen 6.7 percent, some of which is attributable to annexations as well as general increase in value.
For the entire FY2018/19 Budget document, click here.
Once again Commission Chambers were full of citizens expressing strong support for both pickleball courts and funding the Land Conservation Trust. Comments were similar to those voiced at the First Reading of the Budget, held on September 4, 2018.
Local solar contractor Peter Wilking addressed the FBCC regarding plans to replace the roof at the Atlantic Recreation Center. He noted that money had not been provided to reinstall the existing solar panels, which have 10-15 years of life left. During the Regular Meeting, which followed the Special Meeting, the FBCC debated the pros and cons of reinstalling the solar system, ultimately approving the additional expense of $30K to do so. The FBCC will consider a budget amendment at their next meeting to provide the added funding.
Commissioner comments were also similar to those aired at the First Reading. Commissioner Chip Ross continued his call for an overall plan to spend Parks and Recreation Impact Fees over the next few years. While not criticizing pickleball court advocates, he expressed his preference to review all the potential uses for the $2.3M currently held in the Impact Fee fund before deciding how the money should be spent.
While other commissioners supported Ross’ call for a funding plan to be reviewed against the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the consensus was to move ahead with the budget as presented and hold a workshop to address future spending outside the context of the FY2018/19 Budget talks.
Ross also called for adding more staff to the Building Department to speed up inspections and work on flood plain management. He pointed to the $2M collected through fees that can only be spent in the Building Department. The FBCC took no action on his suggestion.
Of the outstanding issues raised during the budget meeting, pickleball court funding was approved as originally presented; the FBCC will consider a variety of options to provide funding for conservation land purchase at their meeting on October 2; and the solar system will be reinstalled on the Atlantic Recreation Center’s new roof.
FY 2018/19 City Fee Schedule approved at Regular Meeting
With the development of the annual City budget, all departments are required to evaluate the fees charged for each of our services. The City sets the fees based on the cost to provide the services and facility rentals. This Ordinance was also approved at First Reading by the City Commission at its Regular Meeting on August 21, 2018. As discussed, Airport Fee Schedule changes were made and incorporated in the revised Master Fee Schedule.
Airport hangar tenants continued to object to the city’s raising their rents to reflect the fee recommended by a consultant following a $10,000 study that compared the city’s airport fees to those of similarly sized general aviation airports. At the time the study was completed, the Airport Advisory Commission recommended phasing in the new fees over a 3-year period. Tenants had cited potential hardship relating to an unresolved tax issue that could also increase their financial burden depending on the outcome of appeals for a new ruling by the Property Appraiser.
City Commissioners, citing a waiting list for airport hangars and uncertainty over when or how the tax issue would be resolved, voted to adopt the higher fees recommended by the study.
During discussion of the Master Fee Schedule, Commissioner Chip Ross raised additional concerns for future action. He asked for an explanation of how penalty fees were determined, calling for consistency throughout the city. He also asked how the fees on lieu of providing parking spaces were determined and asked that they be reexamined.
But Ross’ major concern centered on impact fees the city currently charges on residential construction. When the current fees were set, following a formal outside consultant study, the Commission at the time decided to set the fee almost 36 percent lower than the maximum. Citing the county’s financial problems resulting in part from failure to impose impact fees, Ross recommended resetting the city’s rates at the full amount authorized by the study.
Other commissioners agreed with Ross on the need to revisit the fees he questioned and asked that the matters return to the FBCC for full discussion and possible action within three months.
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.