2nd FBCC Budget Workshop generates little discussion, no public input

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
August 12, 2020

 

The Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) held the second of two scheduled Budget Workshops on August 11, 2020.  During the meeting, which lasted only 45 minutes, the FBCC listened to a presentation from City Manager Dale Martin on proposed FY2020/21 Budgets for the City’s seven enterprise funds.  Also discussed were capital improvement projects to be funded both from the City’s General Fund and Parks and Recreation Impact Fees.  No member of the public provided input or comments.

There was little discussion.  Neither Vice Mayor Len Kreger nor Commissioner Mike Lednovich proposed additional budget cuts to further reduce the millage rate from the adjusted rollback rate to the rollback rate, despite their previously expressed desire for further budget reductions.  Kreger did opine that he believed that the fleet rotation schedule could be put off a year.

The Budget and the proposed FY2020/21 millage rate will be formally presented at the first of two legally mandated public meetings on September 8, 2020.  The second public meeting is scheduled for September 22, at which time both the Budget and the millage rate for the new Fiscal Year, which begins October 1, are scheduled for adoption.

Although Nassau County has tentatively adopted a flat millage rate — the same rate as levied for the current year — the FBCC declined to do the same for the City.   This meant that instead of adopting the flat millage rate proposed by the City Manager of 5.8553, which would have provided sufficient funds to begin significant pay-downs on Golf Course and Marina debt, Commissioners on a 3-2 vote adopted the tentative millage rate of 5.4683 mills, the adjusted rollback rate.  The one-year conservation millage levy of .5 mills was removed from the proposed City tax, as promised.

In order to reduce the City Budget to reflect the adjusted rollback rate, approximately $1.5M in cuts were required.  The City Manager presented cuts to the operating budget during the previous Budget Workshop.   However, additional cuts were needed in the Capital Improvement Projects as well.  Martin removed from the proposed budget $150,000 in improvements for Buccaneer Field and $230,000 reserved for improvements to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Field.  Those projects will be reconsidered in the next Fiscal Year.

The future of a proposed columbarium in Bosque Bello Cemetery is also unclear at this time, since estimates for the first phase of the project came in significantly higher than the $85,000 budgeted in the Capital Improvement Plan.

While most of the City Enterprise Funds are running healthy reserves, the Golf Course and the Marina continue to present problems and require subsidies from the City’s General Fund.  Current projections show the Golf Course running a FY2020/21 deficit of more than $1.6M and the Marina deficit in excess of $3M.  Work is continuing on Golf Course improvements to improve its revenue stream.  The City’s appeal to restore full funding of FEMA’s promised repair expenses resulting from Hurricane Matthew will be filed by the end of August, and a final FEMA ruling is expected by the end of the year.

6 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

neil borum
neil borum (@guest_58590)
3 years ago

Removing the “TopTracer” project would save over $500,000 for the city.

My neighbors tell me the course itself could really use work to improve it’s play rather than pouring these dollars into a project that will only the increase the amount the city will have to shell out the dollars to augment it’s operating deficiency.

Betsie Huben
Betsie Huben(@betsie-huben)
3 years ago

Redirecting the $400K from the future Simmons Road Park to the Buccaneer and Martin Luther King field projects would allow our city to at least attempt to maintain what they already have. Left over funds might be put aside to seed an account to fund future work at Bosque Bello.

Al MacDougall
Al MacDougall (@guest_58593)
3 years ago

Redirecting the $1,200,000 from the ill-conceived waterfront park would allow the kid’s ball fields, beach walk-over repairs, and more—I agree with Ms Huben—maintain what you have, don’t deprive the kid’s of a place to play when next they can. STOP creating facilities we cannot afford to maintain.

And, the plan now is to “refi” marina debt so it will not be paid off until 2040!!

What happens when the next storm (and there will be one) damages the marina—-yet more debt on debt on debt—no end.

Keep your wallets open.

NEIL BORUM
NEIL BORUM (@guest_58594)
3 years ago

all total that’s $2 million dollars of savings earmarked for projects NO ONE wants or needs.

Listen up FBCC!

Bruce Smyk
Bruce Smyk (@guest_58596)
3 years ago

I understand that the City has to dip into its reserve to maintain its spending levels for the next fiscal year. It seems prudent to trim the budget, freeze hiring, defer large expenses. A park that mostly county residents would use at no cost? Hiring an assistant to the City Manager for $110,00+ and associated fringes? Continuing vehicle fleet rotation? Potentially costing the City $12,000,000 on the marina with no assurances (basically) from FEMA? Overspending on real property purchases of swampland for “environmental” reasons? At the same time, has the Commission looked at its tax base? The lower-earning owners are probably being squeezed by job loss, food cost inflation, loss of rental income. Meanwhile, hotels keep going up; restaurants keep closing. COVID seems to be a year-long visitor. Has the Commission no idea, no clue?? “Re-elect no one” has a nice ring to it. This can stop at the polling place. Two of the 3 yea-votes are available. Voters – go out and do the right thing.

Patti Clifford
Patti Clifford (@guest_58597)
3 years ago

The structure of the City’s General Fund is unsustainable. Eating away at the Reserve to cover the lost state shared revenue and ignoring the buildup of personnel is the problem. Where is the belt tightening due to the loss of state shared revenue? Did anyone notice the place holders were off by more than 3/4 of a million dollars? Smell the coffee! These issues are NOT being dealt with!