1 - City Manager's Memo (FY 18 Budget Highlights for Workshop) FINAL1
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: The Honorable Mayor & Members of the City Commission
FROM: Steven Alexander, City Manager
DATE: August 13, 2018
SUBJECT: PROPOSED FY 2018-19 Budget as of July 31, 2018
The proposed FY 2018-19 budget indicates existing (current year) and new funding levels
(proposed) priorities and provides a continuation of the core FY 2017-18 budget as its base.
The FY 2018-2019 Proposed Budget as presented here, is based on the proposed millage rate of
4.3000, which I recommended, and which was subsequently set as the maximum rate by the
City Commission.
The value of the certified ad valorem (Latin for "according to value") tax roll for FY 2018-2019
was released by Miami-Dade County on June 29th, and was approximately 7% higher for South
Miami than the prior year. When the increase in ad valorem revenues is considered with the
increase in inflation, or CPI, the net increase in revenues to the City as projected at the
current and proposed millage rate is only $256,167 (gross increase, $454,878 - inflation,
$198,711).
Although this represents a slight increase in revenues, it is more importantly an indication that
the real estate market, property values and, therefore, potentially our entire economy may be
continuing a rebound. South Miami did not receive the greatest amount of increase nor the
lowest amount of increase in property valuation of cities in Miami Dade County, but it should
be viewed in part as a reflection of your efforts to continue to improve and enhance the quality
of government and services here in South Miami.
As we are witnessing, the country, and more specifically Miami-Dade County, continues to
slowly extract itself from a very difficult and damaging economic period. Property values,
foreclosure rates, and unemployment rates continue to improve. Accordingly, this budget
process was a difficult one, as people are once again demanding more from their governments,
but the revenues for South Miami have not yet reached a level to give us the ability to provide
the level of services they deserve.
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REVENUES
The Property Appraiser will mail the required tax notices to all property owners in August, using
proposed tax rates adopted by each of the taxing authorities in Miami-Dade County. Thus, the
millage rate of 4.3000 set at the July City Commission meeting will be used in the notice and
will be the millage rate used to calculate South Miami property taxes unless changed by the City
Commission prior to its final budget meeting in September. South Miami’s share of the
property tax bill our residents will receive, as a product of the millage rate, is approximately
only 21 percent of the total yearly tax bill. In other words, for every dollar spent on yearly
property taxes in South Miami, typically only 21 cents go to its City Government.
Using the millage rate proposed of 4.3000 and the Miami-Dade County’s average taxable value,
the average homesteaded residential taxpayer is projected to pay only $1,078 in taxes to South
Miami annually, which equals a mere 2.95 dollars a day, on their 2018 annual tax bill.
Furthermore, the millage rate of 4.3000 provides the City with an additional estimated ad
valorem revenue gross amount of $454,878, when compared to FY 2017-18. Please find below
a detail of the ad valorem revenue calculation.
MILLAGE CALCULATION COMPARISON (PROPOSED)
ACCOUNT CLASSIFICATION
ADOPTED
MILLAGE
FY 2017-2018
PROPOSED
MILLAGE
FY 2018-2019
EST.
DIFF
MILLAGE RATE 4.3000 4.3000 0.00%
REAL PROPERTY TAXABLE VALUE 1,727,378,539 1,843,032,750 6.70%
PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXABLE VALUE 65,832,273 75,134,035 14.13%
TOTAL TAXABLE VALUE (REAL AND
PERSONAL PROPERTY) 1,793,210,812 1,918,166,785 6.97%
AD VALOREM REVENUE 7,710,806 8,248,117 537,311
95% OF TAXABLE VALUE (TO ALLOW FOR
DELETIONS & DELINQUENCIES) 7,325,266 7,835,711 510,445
DEDICATED TAX INCREMENT AMOUNT -683,322 -738,889 55,567
AD VALOREM BUDGET ESTIMATE 6,641,944 7,096,822 454,878
OTHER REVENUES
Other significant operating revenue categories (non-ad valorem) are currently expected to
decrease. Local Government Half-Cent Sales Taxes, State Revenue Sharing, Judgments and
Fines, and other licenses and registrations (burglar alarms) are projected to decrease this
coming fiscal year. However, the Legislature may, at any time, alter the formulas and even
existence of some of these revenue streams. These potential changes, if any, could significantly
affect the City’s revenue streams.
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The City has reduced the projected revenues for Parking Meters Franchise by $61,075 for FY
2018-19. The Parking Meters Franchise is the City’s second greatest single revenue source
behind Ad Valorem Revenue. For the last couple of years, the City continues to see businesses
within the downtown area continue to close, which is due to many factors including the
internet commerce economy and the impacts of the Shops at Sunset change in ownership
resulting in lower shopper traffic as it reinvents itself. This coupled with new shared riding
services such as Uber and Lyft have left the City with less parking customers, hence requiring
the City to reduce the projected revenue for parking for the upcoming fiscal year.
It is important to add, the lack of occupancy within the City’s downtown area can begin to have
a negative effect on the assessed values within the properties in the downtown, hence also
having a negative effect on the Ad Valorem revenue of the City as well.
Should the City’s two greatest revenue sources begin to decline at the same time, without any
other revenue source to help cover the reductions, the City may not be able to maintain the
current millage rate, much less reduce it, without reducing the current level of City services.
The revenues for the Red-Light Camera Program have been increased to more accurately reflect
the estimated revenue expected in FY 2018-19. Currently, the City has four (4) cameras
installed and is expecting to have two (2) more street-light cameras installed along US1,
assuming the City receives the State and County’s approval, within the last 6-months of the
fiscal year.
EXPENDITURES
In this year’s proposed budget, the City included Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) increases
for all eligible employees, including those required by the adopted Police PBA Upper Unit and
AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreements based on the Consumer Price Index - All Urban
Consumers 12-Month Percent Change for the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale FL area (CPI), which shall
have the effect of increasing the pay to ensure individuals do not lose earnings to inflation.
The Annual Average CPI, which will take effect from October 1, 2018 through September 30,
2019 is 2.8%
The City continues to negotiate with the Police-Lower Bargaining Unit and is not currently
eligible for the COLA salary adjustment which is required to be negotiated. Hence, the FY 2018-
19 budget, as proposed, reflects no increases for the Police-Lower Bargaining Unit, and once a
successfully negotiated agreement has been presented and approved by the Commission, and
requires a salary increase/cost, the City will seek the Commission’s approval to use unassigned,
unreserved fund balance or look to cut certain expenditures to fund such amount.
Furthermore, in this fiscal year’s proposed budget, the City will continue assuming the expense
of multiple employees, which had previously been funded through the City of South Miami’s
Community Redevelopment Agency (SMCRA). The SMCRA is no longer able to continue to fund
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these necessary positions on a recurring basis due to its financial situation. The
Department/Divisions that are immediately affected are:
− The Grants and Sustainability Administrator was previously funded by the SMCRA in the
amount of 50% of the position’s salary.
− Code Enforcement has absorbed the expenses of the Senior Code Enforcement Officer.
Additionally, the Special Events Coordinator, which has now been transferred to the
Parks Department, were both previously funded at 100% by the SMCRA.
− The Police Department rather than the SMCRA, will be funding 100% of one Police
Officer. The SMCRA previously funded three full-time Police Officers; however, this year
two full-time Police Officers will continue to be funded by the SMCRA.
− The City Attorney’s expense was increased based on the firm’s adopted agreement and
the newly implemented accounting policy which requires the City to fund 100% of the
City Attorney’s consulting contract and obtain reimbursement from the SMCRA for 10%
of the overall cost.
− It is important to note the positions mentioned above are not new positions but exist
currently as part of the City Administration, and amount to an estimated $268,721,
which is reflected in this budget due to the SMCRA’s inability to continue to responsibly
fund them on a recurring basis.
The FY 2018-19 Budget, Capital Improvement Program 5-Year Plan, includes, multiple traffic
calming projects throughout the City. There are eight specific areas/communities on which the
City is focusing in FY 2018-19 for traffic studies. The City will continue working with Miami-
Dade County, whom has jurisdiction over many of the permits needed, for the continued
improvement to our roadways, including traffic calming.
To continue maintaining a safe and efficient vehicular fleet, this coming fiscal year, the City is
proposing to purchase eight new pursuit police vehicles, a PAL vehicle, a Police Rescue Vehicle,
a Public Works F150, a Parks F150, and a Street Sweeper. The upgrades of the City’s fleet are
required to continue providing expected levels of service to the residents of the City. The older
police vehicles that are being replaced will take the place of those vehicles in the City
administrative fleet that are determined to have exceeded their useful life and may have safety
or operational problems; the replaced vehicles will be auctioned for sale. Currently and in the
future, the City will purchase extended warrantees for our vehicles and surplus the vehicles at
the end of the warranty program in order to reduce maintenance costs to the City.
The City is estimating $3.05 per gallon for the 2018-19 budget, slightly increasing the fuel
expense more than the previous Fiscal Year. The City is requiring that the usage of City vehicles
be limited only to the essential activities. City policy states that no City vehicle should be left
running idle when not necessary (the K-9 vehicle is the exemption); furthermore, all take home
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Police cars should be used strictly pursuant to policy that stipulates that the vehicles will not be
used for personal use.
The proposed budget is primarily a continuation of last year’s budget plan, as the City remains
committed to the current level of services with a high-quality level of delivery. There are many
priorities that need to be addressed, including the proper maintenance of the City’s parks
system. Should revenues grow significantly, the City will be able to evaluate new priorities for
the City and with the authorization of the Commission, we will continue to increase the
effectiveness and offered services of the City at an increasing rate.
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL ISSUES AHEAD
Litigation expenses and exposures
Currently, the City is involved in multiple litigations, which provide future financial
uncertainties. The possible financial impact to the City is currently unknown. It is, at this time,
unrealistic for the City to provide financial estimates to insert into the FY 2018-19 budget.
Police Lower-Unit Union Negotiation
As mentioned above, the City continues to negotiate with the Police Lower-Union members on
obtaining a mutually agreed upon agreement. The future agreement may have a monetary
value which may be paid in full or partially from the City’s unassigned, unreserved fund balance
to pay such amount.
Florida Homestead Exemption Increase Amendment
Lastly, the Florida Homestead Exemption Increase Amendment is on the ballot in Florida as a
legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 6, 2018. Should the amendment
pass, the City is estimated to suffer a revenue loss amount of approximately $222,513, which
is based on the 2016 Preliminary Assessed Roll and would take effect in Fiscal Year 2019-20.
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The chart below reflects key expenditure categories within the City’s budget.
CONSOLIDATED ITEMS DETAIL
BY DEPARTMENT FOR FY 2018-19
DEPARTMENT
F/T
1210
P/T
1310
HEALTH
2310
W/C
2410
FUEL
5230
PEN
2210
ICMA
2220
AUTO
4515
CITY COMMISSION 62,000 0 38,192 186 0 0 0 0
CITY CLERK 189,501 0 22,915 569 0 12,318 0 0
CITY MANAGER 463,568 0 40,480 1,349 750 29,237 0 750
FINANCE DEPART 410,390 16,045 38,192 1,279 1,505 23,321 3,612 3,084
PROCUREMENT DIV 121,868 0 15,277 366 0 8,405 0 0
PERSONNEL DIV 134,574 0 15,277 404 0 5,401 3,604 0
BUILDING DEPART 269,496 142,311 30,554 8,815 1,204 4,932 13,554 767
PLANNING DEPART 324,078 0 38,192 972 108 17,803 3,513 477
CODE ENFORCE 250,487 0 30,554 7,790 2,065 16,230 0 3,030
PW OFFICE OF DIR 149,497 0 22,915 448 0 8,049 1,797 0
PW BLDG. MAINT. 91,300 0 15,277 4,275 0 6,169 0 0
PW SOLID WASTE 362,017 0 68,746 47,693 0 23,414 0 0
PW STREETS MAINT. 277,022 0 53,469 28,472 0 16,106 1,949 0
PW MOTOR POOL 143,605 0 22,915 5,091 150,000 9,555 0 40,000
PW ENG. & CONSTR 160,785 0 15,277 481 0 0 11,227 0
POLICE 3,596,961 0 450,642 92,157 163,383 465,991 25,246 74,557
PARKS & REC 337,237 0 38,192 13,793 11,378 16,502 5,836 8,357
PARKS - TENNIS 128,439 36,222 15,277 6,735 0 0 7,048 0
COMM CENTER 183,035 266,831 38,192 18,400 0 3,923 8,588 0
PARKS LAND MAINT 139,752 0 22,915 5,691 10,047 9,497 0 1,233
COMM POOL 0 53,056 0 2,170 0 1,804 0 0
TOTAL FY 2019 7,795,612 514,465 1,033,450 247,136 340,440 678,657 85,974 132,255
BUDGETED FY 2018 7,686,744 509,459 1,023,677 260,625 331,800 660,786 99,644 123,300
DIFFERENCES 108,868 5,006 9,773 -13,489 8,640 17,871 -13,670 8,955
Please find attached the City’s Proposed FY 2018-19 Budget as of July 31, 2018.
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Budget Hearing Schedule
The City is required to hold two formal Budget Public Hearings. There are guidelines on when
these hearings must be held. Additionally, a local municipality cannot hold a budget hearing on
the same date as either the County or the School Board budget hearings. There are also special
advertising requirements for these hearings.
Below please find the two formal required dates for the City’s Budget Hearings:
First Budget Hearing Thursday, September 13, 2018
7:00 PM
City of South Miami City Hall
Commission Chambers
6130 Sunset Drive
South Miami, FL 33143
Second Budget Hearing Wednesday, September 26, 2018
7:00 PM
City of South Miami City Hall
Commission Chambers
6130 Sunset Drive
South Miami, FL 33143
Miami-Dade County’s first and second public budget hearings are scheduled for 5:01 p.m. on
September 6th and September 20th. The Miami-Dade School Board’s first and second public
budget hearings are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on July 25th and September 5th.
Attachments:
Proposed FY 2018-19 Budget as of July 31, 2018