MINUTES

TOWN OF SHALIMAR

Budget Workshop 2

June 15, 2004

 

CALL TO ORDER:  Mayor Gary Combs called the second Budget Workshop of the Shalimar Town Commission to order at 5:05 p.m. in Town Hall chambers.  He led the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the Flag.

 

ROLL CALL FOR THE RECORD:

                   Mayor Gary Combs – present

                   Mayor Pro-Tem Rik Larson – present

                   Commissioner Ursel Behnken – present

Commissioner Jerry McCallister – present (arrived at 5:08 )

                   Commissioner Kevin Reeves – present

 

Others in attendance:  Town Manager Tom Burns , Deputy Town Clerk Tina Smith , Police Chief Charles Self, Amsouth Bank Representatives Mike Rogers and Rachelle Graves, Wise Equipment Representative Scott Kearney and Town resident Arthur Johanson.

 

PURPOSE OF BUDGET WORKSHOP 2:  Establish a preliminary budget and propose a tentative millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year.

 

Manager Burns reported to the Commission that there will be approximately $550,000 in the bank after the park reimbursement check is received and the auditors like to see at least 6 months worth of reserves.  He asked the new Amsouth Bank Representative to come in and speak with the Commission about different investment options.

 

Amsouth Bank Representative – Amsouth Representative Mike Rogers passed out the current CD rates for Amsouth.  The Commission expressed their concern with putting money into a CD and not having the access to it until the CD matured.  Manager Burns inquired about the penalty for early withdrawal.  Mr. Rogers stated that it is normally 1% but that he may be able to get that waived for the town.  Manager Burns asked if he could get that in writing.  Mr. Rogers said that he could print out a coupon for 1 waived penalty.  The Commission then agreed that it was well worth moving money into a CD with the penalty waived.  Though there were no decisions made, there was much information discussed.

 

Wise Equipment Representative – Wise Equipment Representative, Scott Kearney went over some of the differences between Kubota and John Deere Tractors.  He suggested that the town purchase a Kubota.  Commissioner Reeves brought feedback with some of the builders he works with and they all use Kubotas also.  Mr. Kearney gave the Commission a quote of $17,999 for the 3830 HST tractor and LA723 loader.  After looking over the town’s current tractor, Mr. Kearney offered the town $1,500 to $2,000 for it.  Mayor Combs proposed offering Wise Equipment $17,999 for the new tractor with $2,500 for a trade in.  Mr. Kearney stated that he could not give $2,500 for the old tractor.  After some negotiations, Commissioner McCallister moved to buy the new tractor 3830 HST with a LA723 loader installed for $17,999 and receive $2,200 for the old tractor.  Commissioner Larson seconded the motion.  When asked about including the first 50-hour service, Mr. Kearney declined and stated that it would have been easier to give the town $2,500 for the trade in because this service routinely costs about $450 when brought to Wise Equipment.  After more negotiations, Commissioner McCallister moved that the town pay $17,999 for a new 3830 HST tractor with a LA723 loader installed, the 50-hour service, and a tech manual and the town will receive $2,000 for the trade in of the old John Deere Tractor.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Larson and it passed unanimously.  Mr. Kearney accepted this offer.

 

The Town of Shalimar received a proposal from the State Public Defender which is attached.  It proposes that Shalimar enter into a contract with them which would cost $50 per hour if the town ever needed their services.  Under such agreement the Public Defender’s Office would agree to represent the defendant in an ordinance violation that is punishable by incarceration and not ancillary to a state charge.  The understanding from the letter is that this contract would cost the town nothing unless Shalimar uses the services.  Commissioner Larson moved to enter into a contract with the Public Defender’s Office.  Commissioner Behnken seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

1. Finance Commissioner Comments/Discussion.  Workshop 1 review as required.  The Commission went line by line through the budget making all necessary changes.  Manager Burns reported that he included a $500 donation to the EDC which the Commission will be approving when they approve the budget.

 

2. Capital Improvement/Equipment Discussion.  Mayor Combs suggested that Manager Burns inquire about the new electronic marquee using the current year’s budget.  Mayor Combs also expressed concern with purchasing 2 electronic marquees at one time.  He would rather only purchase one and keep the old one as a back up until he is comfortable that we won’t have recurring problems with the new one.  Manager Burns will report available marquee funds after the tractor purchase.

 

The Maintenance Department is also in need of a new lawn mower and Manager Burns would also like to budget money for a road stripe painter.

 

Mayor Combs would also like to move forward on attempting to purchase the 3 lots next to town hall.  Manager Burns was tasked to send Mr. Harrell a certified letter.  It was also suggested, since Mr. Harrell seems to think the lots are worth so much, to send a courtesy copy of this letter to the Property Appraiser’s Office.  Mayor Combs asked Manager Burns to confirm with Attorney Mike Chesser that this effort would be legal.

 

The Millage Rate for Fiscal Year 2005 will be 2.7 mils, down .1 mils from last year.  Mayor Combs asked Manager Burns to make a Capital Improvements list for next year and, possibly, the rest of this year.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

   June 30, 2004 – 6:00 p.m. – Regular Planning and Zoning Meeting

   July 8, 2004 – 6:00 p.m. – Special Planning and Zoning Meeting

   July 13, 2004 – 6:00 p.m. – Town Commission Meeting

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Commissioner Larson moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m.   Commissioner Behnken seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.