KEEPING THE BUDGET IN CHECK
Over the past three weeks I have been reviewing actions taken during the City Commission Budget Workshop. This week I will conclude the review. My column is s simply a snapshot. I encourage every reader to take the opportunity to visit our city’s website and review the budget meetings, budget documents and agendas in their entirety. The next opportunity to discuss the budget will be at the first public hearing to adopt the budget on September 15th and the final hearing will be in October.
Last week I left off with three more issues to touch upon. Annually the city reviews vehicle, equipment and computer replacement requests. Every equipment item is brought forth by the department directors. The requests include everything needed to make our city run. The list includes copiers, projectors, office furniture, CPR mannequins bulletproof vests, battery chargers, etc. The description accounts and costs of all these requests are detailed in the budget documents. All are scrutinized to ensure their expected life has been exhausted. Not all requests are filled. Equipment costs totaled $349,000 this year.
Vehicles are also evaluated based on the same criteria. There is been many issues raised in regards to our police vehicles. The take-home police vehicle policy has remained in effect and has extended the life of vehicles. This year we have scheduled the replacement of 10 police pursuit vehicles that were purchased in 2002. Other vehicle requests approved include a van for human resources, a riding mower for DPW, a hybrid SUV for DPW and car for the Fire Department. There was a rescue vehicle requested by the Fire Department that was originally denied by the city manager. After discussing the department needs with the Fire Chief the vehicle was approved and included in this year’s budget at $250,000.
The other equipment schedule is computerization. While every single Commissioner has strived for an “E” government the costs to implement such a goal are often daunting. Computerization does not just simply include the nuts and bolts it also includes the ongoing maintenance and software contracts necessary to have the system operate. In order to expand what services we can offer online and increase information available online the city must invest dollars to upgrade hardware and software. This year’s budget is $526,395.
During the discussion on these budget items the city commission reviewed the long-term planning for these upgrades and analyzed the five-year capital computerization schedule. Our current computerization program and system has almost reached its life expectancy. Thankfully we continue to find replacement parts and ways to integrate the old HTE system with new and improved programs. It is estimated within 2 to 3 the city will be moving towards a brand-new system.
The other budget item to be reviewed is charitable contributions. Every year the city annually reviews requests from numerous nonprofit agencies that partner with our community. Some of these agencies are outside of our community and others are within our community. We received over 32 requests from various agencies. Some of these agencies depend on the matching grant to leverage money from the federal government a good example is the Area Agency on Aging and Disability. Other agencies look to contributions for sustainability. Many provide outreach and services including Family Central, Women in Distress, Crime Stoppers and other numerous agencies that supplement crime prevention. The other a large areas for requests include education, economic development arts and cultural activities.
This year the commission requested that staff change the format when evaluating these requests. Each agency was provided a list of questions to address when sending in for a contribution. I suggested utilizing a format similar to the Future Foundation. Questions included what other grant revenue have they received, how many participants will be served and how many are Hallandale residents, a balance sheet, whether they have insurance and what would happen if they did not receive money.
Overall there was over $900,000 and requests made to the city for assistance to provide programs and outreach to our residents. The city commission approved approximately $426,000 in requests. The majority of the commission agreed that without these many programs the very fabric of our community would be torn. These programs provide services to youngsters and adults and many times are often the only safety net the needy facing a crisis have access too,
Regretfully the arts and education programs offered at our schools are continually being cut. The majority of the commission also agreed with supporting the many afterschool programs that provide an outlet and educational opportunity for music, arts and entrepreneurialism. A full list of these charitable contributions is also available on our website.
Finally I would like to review the special taxing districts in our city, the Golden Isles Safe Neighborhood District Three Island Safe Neighborhood District and the CRA. These districts are established to provide additional security services within a specific geographic area. All costs to operate the districts are paid for by residents and property owners within the district. Both districts will operate with the same millage rate as last year.
Three Islands Safe Neighborhood District is not anticipating any capital improvements this year. Golden Isles Safe Neighborhood District has proposed to implement a list of various safety projects to upgrade the area. The GISND Advisory Board recommended changing all the signage in the neighborhood with upgraded signage, the installation of up lighting to the medians south of the guardhouse, decorative street lighting at intersections along Layne Blvd, a new sign to replace the current sign in front of the guardhouse and the installation of video cameras on the intercostals entrances to the district. Originally the overall costs of these projects were going to require and an additional $110,000 to be completed. After discussing the cost up lighting on the medians it was agreed that the cost of this project would be split by the city and district. This allowed all the projects to be completed without borrowing $110,000 from the city.
Finally another large part of our budget is our Community Redevelopment Agency. The CRA is a separate taxing district that is funded tax increment funding from the city’s general fund, county general fund and other special taxing districts. Each agency contributes to the CRA trust fund. These monies must be spent within the CRA based on community redevelopment plan. The plan actively promotes improvements through the construction of affordable housing affordable housing programs, improvement of infrastructure, creation of jobs and the establishment of various grant and incentive programs to upgrade all properties within the district.
Since its inception in 1996 the city has supported and created many programs through strategic planning and many partnerships throughout our community. There has not been a major program change in the CRA this year. The only change is a result of changing the way the city reports its unused Community Redevelopment dollars.
Our overall budget will show an increase of $5.8 million. In years past monies that were not extended in the fiscal year re appropriated are carried forward to the next year as an amendment to the original budget. The new reporting will show an actual original expenditure budget that will show anticipated unused CRA funds in a specific program or project budget line item.
The past years the budget has been complicated by property tax laws, pensions and the economy. We have been able to sustain the same tax rate as last year this year. The goal to do more with less and keep taxes low has been possible by combining cost cutting measure and the use of our rainy day fund. We will not be cutting any services and quality and level of services will remain the same. Even with the use of our surplus funds we still will have a healthy surplus to address emergencies circumstances in all accounts.
Again please visit the city website where you can have access to all our budget information.
As always feel free to contact me at any time with your questions and concerns. I can be reached at 954-457-1318, cell/text 954-632-5700 or e-mail me at www.MayorJoyCooper.com
Wishing all our Jewish friends and neighbors a Health Happy Rosh Hashanah!
Also a special note in the Memory of ” 9-11” our Fire Department will be conducting a memorial service at the Main Fire Station Saturday morning.
