Regular City Council Meeting

City Council Regular Meeting · Mary Esther, FL · · More Mary Esther, FL meetings · More Florida meetings

View original source →

Agenda

Agenda: https://maryestherfl.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFile(fileId=608,plainText=false)

Full agenda packet (agenda plus every staff report and attachment): https://maryestherfl.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFile(fileId=609,plainText=false)

[0:22] INVOCATION
[0:27] CALL TO ORDER
[0:35] PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
[0:58] ROLL CALL
[1:29] APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
[3:36] FY 2027 BUDGET HEARING
[13:08] SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
[13:11] CONSENT AGENDA
[13:47] CITIZENS WHO HAVE REQUESTED TO BE PLACED ON AGENDA
[13:55] PUBLIC COMMENT (NON-AGENDA ITEMS)
[14:13] UNFINISHED BUSINESS
[14:18] NEW BUSINESS
[14:21] COUNCILS’ STANDING COMMITTEE STATUS REPORTS
[18:48] OTHER COMMENTS
[19:14] ADJOURN

Transcript

Download: Text · SRT
AI TRANSCRIPT

This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person — it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.

[0:23] All right, I'm calling the order,
[0:30] the regular meeting of city mayor,
[0:31] Mr. City Council, September 8th, 2026 at 6 p.m.
[0:36] Would everybody please stand for the pledge of allegiance?
[0:51] I would
[0:56] like to do a roll call as City Council.
[1:02] Okay. I don't think is this working? Can you hear me?
[1:05] and all. Okay. All right. I'm for roll call. We have April Council member April Seton here. Council member Susan Coxwell here. Council member Richard Lawson.
[1:17] Present. Council member Larry Carter.
[1:21] Present. Council member Bernie Otter.
[1:23] Present.
[1:24] I have a quarter.
[1:25] Yes, you have a quarter.
[1:27] Thank you.
[1:28] Okay, next summer I'm five is approval. Tonight's agenda.
[1:30] I have a problem with tonight's agenda.
[1:33] Item number 12.1.
[1:36] I don't think we need to discuss it in this environment.
[1:39] Also it happened two months ago, so it's not exactly current.
[1:45] I'd like to see if I have a motion to remove item 12.1.
[1:51] I'll make that motion.
[1:52] Okay, I have a second.
[1:54] I have a second.
[1:56] Discussion?
[1:57] Okay, let's go ahead and vote.
[2:04] One second one
[2:25] more who's that okay with the four one so we're going to delete on them 12.1
[2:30] All right next one is
[2:32] I have number six is a fiscal year. Okay, so now I need now that we remove that
[2:38] I need a motion to approve the agenda as listed with that. Oh, make that motion. Have a first
[2:44] I'll second
[2:46] Cox was got one
[2:48] April Sutton's got number two on the motion. It's going to vote please
[3:17] Okay, in this case we are unanimous.
[3:20] All right.
[3:21] Was it the?
[3:22] No.
[3:23] Uh-huh.
[3:24] Did it say amended?
[3:27] amended.
[3:28] amended.
[3:30] Good job.
[3:31] Okay.
[3:34] All right.
[3:35] I don't remember six is fiscal year 2027 budget hearing
[3:38] 6.1 is proposed fiscal year 2027 budget and five year capital improvement plan.
[3:45] It's going to talk, okay, do we need a time, her with my time or not?
[3:51] Okay, three minutes, I got to run.
[3:53] Heather, day, finance director.
[3:59] The proposed 2027 fiscal year budget includes a millage rate of 5.0 to 61 mills, which remains
[4:07] unchanged since 2020 and a 5% increase in water and sewer utility rates and a 2.7 cost
[4:15] living increase for all employees. Major projects in this budget include construction of the
[4:22] crystal wall landing waterfront park, beautification of the Marriester Boulevard Medians,
[4:28] replacement of the bridges and oak tree nature park, new turf and fencing for the field next
[4:34] to the library, a stormwater master plan, and improvements
[4:38] to the stormwater ditch northwest of the city,
[4:41] infrastructure improvements to the Zelia Park neighborhood,
[4:45] and design and engineering services
[4:47] for the replacement of the waterline south in 98,
[4:51] and design and engineering connection
[4:54] to the Oakalus County sewer force main.
[4:58] So a few changes had been made since the July 20th budget workshop
[5:03] and since the agenda has been published, 100,000 was added to the great revenue and expense
[5:10] for the Marriester Boulevard median project. The project cost came in at 700,000 instead of 600.
[5:20] So we just made that change. It was just to increase to the revenue and expense.
[5:32] So it kind of
[5:33] for the Zelia Park Neighborhood Project. They have been revised to more accurately reflects the cost
[5:39] allocations within the construction and engineering contracts. So this changed resulted in an increase
[5:46] of 120,000 in the sales sur tax fund balance and a $950,000 decrease in fund balance in the
[6:03] amount of SRF loan funding needed so that decreased by the same amount. So the same
[6:10] same cost we just took it and reallocated it so I looked at the like construction
[6:15] contract and made sure that what was storm water went to discretionary sales tax and what's
[6:22] water and sewer was within the water and sewer fund so we just had to make sure the allocations
[6:28] So, but those changes will be reflected in the budget ad for the final budget hearing, which will appear in the Northwest Florida daily newspaper on September 17th, and will be included in the budget document which will be approved at the final budget hearing on September 21st.
[6:49] to recap the revised projected fiscal year 2027 ending fund balances are as follows. So
[6:57] 6,691,573 dollars in the general fund which that does include roughly 1.4 million
[7:06] reserved for natural disasters and emergencies and then 380,296 dollar fund balance in the
[7:15] machinery sales, sur tax fund, and then $5,590,000, $276 in the utilities fund.
[7:25] So if you have any questions on the budget or what's in the budget, yeah.
[7:30] I have a question. You mentioned the little area beside the library with the new fencing that you said, turf. Yes, we put new turf or saw it down, not that long ago. So why are we putting new spending money for more turf? I mean, the fencing, yes, because of all the activities that go on there for the children. But so are if that is it just needs to be needs to be scoped. And so within the day, the plan was to put in the fencing, nicer fencing there.
[7:58] And then there are a number of areas where it's not really all that level.
[8:03] And so we may want to increase and include some funding in there to fix that.
[8:13] And the first time we put that saw it down.
[8:15] But, and then the other thing I had a question about is the Northwest Florida Daily News.
[8:20] Who still actually gets that paper?
[8:23] I mean, is there something that we may be...
[8:26] It's just, well, it's...
[8:28] I don't know if there's another one.
[8:30] But it's a state of Florida truth and knowledge requirement that it's advertised in a local newspaper.
[8:37] Do you have another one?
[8:39] Is that?
[8:40] I.
[8:41] We can.
[8:41] No, is there actually any newspaper or something?
[8:44] Oh, that means I'm kind of.
[8:45] It's just a state requirement.
[8:47] Yeah, actually.
[8:48] Nobody reads it.
[8:49] We're still met the requirement.
[8:51] Yep.
[8:52] Okay.
[8:55] Any questions?
[8:55] Any questions?
[8:58] Any questions?
[8:59] read the ordinance. So
[9:06] the first part was opening the public hearing and then the
[9:13] Heather gave the overview of the budget. And so I think now we're at the open public comments.
[9:18] I got that. I just thought it was just the okay open public comments is for number three.
[9:26] I'm going to open it to anybody have any comments about the budget. You like to talk about it.
[9:32] You know, anybody else would like to talk about the budget, you know, give us your two cents.
[9:39] We're not raising taxes and we're pretty close to a balanced budget within 100,000.
[9:49] For like, for the operating.
[9:52] Yeah.
[9:53] I mean, we're not big time in the over spending.
[9:56] For 100,000.
[9:59] 119. I believe if I wish to speak. Okay, in that case, I'm going to close public comments have a clerk now the clerk can read the title of ordinance 2026 to ask you a five adopting an ad Valorant tax millage rate for the 2026 2027 tax will year
[10:23] just a front he just read. Okay, he read it. Okay, and ordinance of the city of Marriester in Oklahoma is the county Florida adopting an ad Valorant tax.
[10:32] My military of 5.0261 mills for the 2026-2027 taxable year and provided and providing for an effective date.
[10:43] Thank you.
[10:45] Okay, now the mayor makes the following public announcements.
[10:48] The name of the tax in authority is the city of Marriester.
[10:52] The rollback rate is 5.1268 mills.
[10:56] The percentage decrease by which the military is less than the rollback rate is 1.96.
[11:01] 9.6%, the military to be levied for fiscal year 2027 is 5.0261 mills. I need a motion to approve the first
[11:13] read of ordinance 2026-05 adopting an advalorant tax millage rate for the 2026-2027 tax
[11:24] year. So move me here. You have a first by Mr. Carter.
[11:28] Second. Second is Sutton. Oh, that's going to go.
[11:35] Oh, what? Gee, okay. I'm not looking next time. I
[11:41] probably miss Cox. Well, I apologize and I wish to say she has
[11:45] these second motion. Never again. I will do that.
[11:53] Right, I heard that.
[11:58] Let's go ahead.
[11:59] If you don't want more discussion, let's go ahead and vote.
[12:09] If you all mind, if you can just, let's just go down the line.
[12:12] Okay.
[12:13] Who says, who wants to vote? Yes. Raise your hand.
[12:16] One, two, three, four, five.
[12:18] You're unanimous.
[12:19] Thank you.
[12:20] Okay. Now the mayor announces the second and final public hearing for fiscal year 2027
[12:25] village rate and budget is scheduled for the 6 p.m. on Monday, September 21st at City Hall.
[12:33] What would City Hall, is that City Manager?
[12:37] This one?
[12:37] One, nine, five, crystal, road north.
[12:40] That's this one.
[12:41] Not the new one.
[12:42] The new one is maybe next year we'll announce it there.
[12:47] The public may also attend the meeting virtually.
[12:50] So you're welcome to come back.
[12:51] It's probably going to be the same exact thing with a second reading, but if you decide
[12:55] you want to speak or whatever, it's your opportunity to do it.
[12:59] Then that closes public hearing for the budget.
[13:06] Special presentations, I have none at this time.
[13:10] The consent agenda, if everybody wants to keep the consent agenda
[13:15] as listed, do I have a motion to approve?
[13:18] I'll make that motion.
[13:19] Okay, Ms. Sutton did the first.
[13:22] Second.
[13:23] Second, Mr. Carter.
[13:25] Okay, second.
[13:26] Go ahead and vote, please.
[13:29] Raise your hands.
[13:30] Raise your hands.
[13:31] No.
[13:31] Raise your hands as you enter.
[13:33] You feel lucky.
[13:36] Yeah.
[13:37] We'll call.
[13:38] Okay.
[13:38] My raise your hand if they approve the consent agenda.
[13:41] Okay.
[13:42] Everybody approve.
[13:43] All right.
[13:43] No problem.
[13:44] We can do that.
[13:44] We've done it before.
[13:46] All right.
[13:46] Next one is citizens who request be placed on the agenda.
[13:50] I have none that have requested.
[13:53] Request of agenda.
[13:55] All right.
[13:55] Number 10 is public comment, nonagenda items.
[13:58] Is there anybody wish to talk about a nonagenda item?
[14:02] Can be anything, a color or a sky?
[14:05] I mean, you want to talk?
[14:07] Okay, just check and just check and anybody else, okay?
[14:13] Unfinished business, we have none.
[14:15] So we're moving right along, new business.
[14:18] We have none.
[14:20] Council standing committee status reports and other comments.
[14:23] I'd like to start with Ms. Sutton?
[14:27] I mean, yeah, so this is for a dear predominantly ECRC,
[14:33] has been alerted of some federal resources for funding
[14:36] opportunities for shovel-ready projects.
[14:40] And I was going to get you in touch with Candace,
[14:43] the CEO of ECRC.
[14:45] To see if there's anything that may be
[14:47] could pertain to us that we can utilize
[14:50] since it is federal dollars and not just state.
[14:54] So it was only thing, but there was a number of different things and she founded them all very fast.
[15:00] I'll have to get you her information so you can reach out and see what may be helpful for us.
[15:11] Okay, Ms. Cox Well, Mayor Pro Tem Cox Well, go ahead.
[15:18] I have nothing.
[15:19] I have nothing.
[15:20] All that work for nothing.
[15:22] Jayla, ways.
[15:23] Okay.
[15:25] Richard, what are you going to say?
[15:27] I have nothing.
[15:28] Okay.
[15:30] All I had is we had a mayors meeting today and they're all, you know, interested in the upcoming
[15:34] election, considering amendment 3 and things like that, so they wonder what cities are doing
[15:42] about it, educating the voters about what's going to happen if amendment 3 gets past, things like that.
[15:49] So if you have any questions, give me a call, give any counsel person a call, they can talk
[15:54] about it, city manager can also address the situation, that's kind of what the mayor's thing
[16:00] was about. So that was going on, parade. I missed the meeting. I was gone. It's moving right
[16:06] along, parade doing good. Do you have a lot of people want to be in the parade, Corvette,
[16:11] Club, my son? Yeah. Both have signed out. Okay. Excellent. Excellent. Okay. So that's moving along.
[16:16] I'll get the candy at the end of the Halloween thing. I hopefully have priced somewhere. So
[16:21] working on that one. Another thing. And that's all I've got, Mr. Carter. Yes, and
[16:26] I was approached by a citizen that wanted to nominate someone for grandmarshall.
[16:33] I know that we've gone with one.
[16:35] We went, we had Paul, Paul Singleton with the chamber, the old guy.
[16:41] Yeah, I should say that.
[16:43] The veteran, the veteran.
[16:45] He's senior.
[16:46] He's senior.
[16:47] The senior.
[16:48] But if you want to have two, is it a veteran?
[16:52] Yes, he's a veteran.
[16:53] We, nothing prevents us from, I asked them to reach out to the city manager too.
[17:01] Because his neighbor wants to nominate him, you know, for I guess lots of reasons.
[17:05] But I said, I know that you only have one.
[17:08] And I don't know if there's anything we could have co or whatever.
[17:11] I agree.
[17:13] Just I didn't.
[17:14] We can have that or Paul told me if you find somebody else, you'll step down.
[17:20] So, I mean,
[17:22] let's take a look. Yeah, that's, I haven't given give us a call. You have the committee
[17:27] a call. That's all I have. Yeah, okay. Mr. Outer? Yeah, on the property tax thing, that's yeah, a very big issue.
[17:35] The other thing I would advise everyone, the county is also looking at a penny to save our county homes,
[17:43] a zero homestead millage incentive, which I said down with Commissioner Goodwin and it looks very
[17:49] promising because it allows each city to fluctuate how much they would want to use, half a penny, a full penny, two thirds of a penny, but each of the cities would also give us another revenue source just in case.
[18:05] The property tax goes away. Either way, this is a good advantage.
[18:11] An example they said, he showed is the example of the average in
[18:14] Oakland City County is about $1,100 property tax.
[18:18] If this would pass, it would drop to less than $500.
[18:22] So right there, everyone would save half of what they're already paying.
[18:27] Besides, it goes to the cities and directly not to the state and all the rest of this.
[18:33] So it would give us another avenue to have some revenue and not be worried about property tax.
[18:39] But it's also on the ballot in November.
[18:41] The November ballot is going to be very interesting to see how it goes.
[18:45] That's all I have.
[18:47] Thank you.
[18:48] Hey, word.
[18:49] That's all I have.
[18:50] Thank you.
[18:50] Say, Clark.
[18:52] Yeah, thank you.
[18:53] Let's say cyber security and.
[18:55] Yeah.
[18:56] Check out.
[18:57] Family, miserably.
[19:00] I think.
[19:01] Yeah, that's only two things you ever said.
[19:03] Okay, uh, city manager. I don't have anything. Oh my god. This is a double limit here. Okay. All right. Anybody else. Okay. We're adjourned.
[19:16] That is a record.