budget & finance committee reportIn an era of grave economic downturn, rising foreclosure filings, a national
unemployment rate of 9.7 percent and a Miami -Dade County unemployment rate
of 11.1 per cent, most municipalities and counties are in deficit and budget
shortfall positions; the City of South Miami, Florida, is indeed fortunate to have
city management which is proactive and projected further economic decline. This
proactive and visionary approach has resulted in a proposed budget that is 3.1
percent less than last year's budget (i.e., Fiscal Year 2008 - 2009); with no staff
salary cuts, no staff layoffs or furloughs, services at normal levels, and plans to
move forward without a mileage increase.
The Budget and Finance Committee composed of Misters Rene W. Guim, Dana M.
Moss, Sr., James Dundorf, Lonnie Robinson, and Dr. R. Paul Young pursuant to
Ordinance No. 17 -07 -1918, which is amended by Ordinance No. 15 -02 -1783, is to
provide advice and recommendations to the City Commission regarding the
adoption and implementation to the financially sound annual budgets and
investment policies. Consequently, the Budget and Finance Committee carefully
read, reviewed, queried, researched, and brought in additional outside expertise
to accomplish the above stated purpose of the Committee.
The odyssey of the Budget and Finance Committee began on July 23rd, 2009.
Meetings encompassed thorough reviews of financial statements; the City
Manger's Proposed Budget and Budget Message to the Mayor, Vice Mayor, and
Commission; meetings with all City of South Miami Department Heads to discuss
departmental budgets, departmental goals, and operations; meetings with City of
South Miami Pension Fund Money Managers and Actuaries; reviewed of the City's
Pension Funds and Management; investment practices; and a review of a series of
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questions, misconceptions, and carnards posed by citizens about the City of South
Miami's operations and finances.
CATERGORICA6 RECOMMENDATIONS
The City of South Miami Budget and Finance Committee hereby makes the
following categorical recommendations to the Mayor, Vice Mayor, and City
Commission for the City of South Miami Budget for Fiscal Year 2009 -2010:
Maintain the current ad valorem taxation millage rate of 5.279.
➢ The Fiscal Year 2009 -2010 Budget is 3.31 percent less than last year's
budget (Fiscal Year 2008 - 2009).
➢ Maintain a contingency fund of at least 10 percent of the total budget.
A Vigorously support the City's grant development initiatives.
➢ Insure that the commercial tax base always exceeds the residential tax
base.
A Maintain the current garbage and recycling tax rate.
➢ Maintain current staffing levels without salary or time reductions.
➢ Prudently and diplomatically negotiate with the Unions to maintain current
levels so that other City staff is not adversely impacted and positive staff
morale is maintained throughout the City.
➢ Maintain the current Pension Managers (i.e., The BOGDAHN GROUP)
because of their excellent performance in managing and investing pension
funds.
➢ Maintain the current service levels to the citizens of South Miami, Florida.
➢ Insure that all full time City staff are contributing members of the City's
Pension Fund.
9 Begin Budget and Finance Committee Meetings on or about July 1, so that
the Committee has time to prepare recommendations for balancing the
current year's budget, and setting next Fiscal Year's Budget not to exceed
mileage rate.
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Require future Budget and Finance Committees to provide a written report
to the City Commission encompassing the full scope of responsibilities as
indentified in the City Code.
➢ Establish and advertise a link on the City's web site to allow residents and
staff to forward budget related questions and issues anonymously and
directly, to the Committee Chair or their designee.
➢ Recognize the performance of the City Manager in whatever way the City
Commission deems appropriate and institutionalize the budget process
improvements he has initiated.
> Itemize and list
solid waste and
recycling fees as
separate from the General
Fund revenues
(as other cities
do), so citizens
can clearly see that their
millage rate is significantly less than other cities.
> The City Manager should refocus Planning and Zoning Department
personnel on grant preparation work; such as facilitating and accelerating
engineering studies that could assist the City in being eligible for future
grants.
On behalf of THE BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE it is a pleasure to report
these findings and recommendations to you.
Misters Rene W. Guim, Dana M. Moss, Sr., James Dundorf, Lonnie Robinson, and
Dr. R. Paul Young, Chair.
----- September 10, 2009