Palm Bay City Council Gears Up for September 5th Meeting: Key Decisions Await 🏛️

Financial Audits, Public Safety, and Retirement Plans on the Agenda

Aug 31, 2024

Palm Bay, FL — The Palm Bay City Council is set to tackle a full agenda at its upcoming Regular Council Meeting on September 5, 2024. The meeting, scheduled for 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers, will cover a variety of important issues, including a deep dive into the city’s financial health 💰, public safety enhancements 👮‍♀️🚒, and proposed changes to the city's retirement plan 👴.

Financial Review Takes Center Stage 🔎

Joel Knopp of MSL CPAs and Advisors will present the 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Audit, offering residents a transparent look into the city’s fiscal standing. This audit provides crucial insights into how taxpayer dollars are being utilized. Key points of interest for residents may include:

Overall Financial Health: The audit will reveal the city’s overall financial position, including its assets, liabilities, and fund balances. Residents can gain a sense of the city’s fiscal stability and its ability to meet future obligations.
Revenue and Expenditures: A breakdown of the city's revenue sources and expenditures will be provided. This will shed light on how the city generates income and where those funds are being allocated.
Capital Projects: The audit will likely highlight major capital projects undertaken during the fiscal year, such as infrastructure improvements or facility upgrades. This will give residents a sense of how the city is investing in its future.
Compliance and Recommendations: The audit will confirm whether the city adheres to accounting standards and regulations. It may also include recommendations for improving financial management practices, which can help the city operate more efficiently and effectively.

Public Safety in the Spotlight 🚓🚨

The Council will discuss allocating $324,628 from the General Fund Undesignated Fund Balance to equip and train new firefighters. This investment aims to bolster the city’s fire rescue capabilities and ensure the safety of its residents.

Additionally, the Council will review a subgrant agreement with the University of North Florida for the Pedestrian Bicycle Safety High Visibility Enforcement and Support Program for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. This program focuses on educating the public and increasing enforcement efforts to protect pedestrians and cyclists. The total amount of the grant is $60,000, with no local match required.

Tax Recovery Efforts Continue ⚖️

The Council will discuss recovering $63,226.61 in taxes waived for Midwest Dental Arts, Inc. over three years. This action stems from the company’s failure to fulfill the requirements of the Ad Valorem Tax (AVT) abatement program, which offers tax incentives to businesses that create jobs and invest in the local economy. This measure underscores the city’s commitment to holding businesses accountable and ensuring the fair application of tax incentives.

Proposed Changes to Retirement Plan 👴

Ordinance 2024-47, in its first reading, will be presented for discussion. This ordinance proposes modifications to the Police and Firefighters Retirement Pension Plan, specifically addressing retirement dates and benefits for Police Officer Members. One key change is the removal of language that allows an officer to retire after 25 years of service, regardless of age, if hired before October 1, 2011.

Consent Agenda: Streamlining Routine Business ✅

The Consent Agenda, a collection of routine matters typically approved with a single vote, includes items such as approving minutes, awarding bids, and considering contracts. The total estimated cost for items on the consent agenda for this meeting is $4,322,711.00. Some of the larger expenditures include:

Contract: Reverse Osmosis Rehabilitation Engineering, North Regional Water Treatment Plant ($2,851,186)
Award of Bid: Bulk pebble quicklime – IFB 44-0-2024 – Utilities Department ($630,072)
Miscellaneous: 'Cooperative Purchase', Lifepaks and Lucas devices (Sourcewell contract) – Fire Rescue Department ($442,412)

Stay Informed and Engaged! 📰

The September 5th meeting will be a significant event for the City of Palm Bay. Decisions made during this meeting could have a lasting impact on the community. Residents are urged to attend or tune into the live broadcast to stay informed and engaged in the city’s decision-making process.

The full agenda and accompanying documentation are available at https://palmbayflorida.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=2965

For more information on Palm Bay news & events, be sure to visit The Palm Bayer