The proposed COLA raises, amounting to a 15.64% increase compared to last year, were a point of discussion. This adjustment was justified by trends in neighboring communities like Marathon, Key West, and Key Largo, rather than broader state trends. Department heads were scheduled to present their budget changes, including both increases and decreases, to explain their financial needs directly to the council. For instance, the fire rescue department requested a new engine costing $1.2 million, while Parks and Recreation identified the need to resurface a pool that had developed significant cracks and was leaking, a project expected to take about three months.

Financial updates revealed that $10 million had been transferred into the Florida Class local government investment pool, which yielded a favorable interest rate of 5.4%. The village’s current balances showed approximately $34 million in cash and $10.8 million in the investment pool, with future financial strategies possibly involving reallocating some funds into different investment types.

Personnel matters were another focal point, with proposals to add three new full-time equivalent positions across various departments. The planning and development services department did not see a net increase but discussed adjustments, including a proposed new planner. The fire rescue department requested a new training position, while Parks and Recreation sought an additional facility and recreation attendant. The marina also requested another assistant dockmaster to aid with scheduling. Concerns were raised about whether these additions would fill vacant positions or create new roles.

Employee benefits saw a significant reported increase of 88.9%, translating to an overall rise of approximately $154,000 for the year. Despite this percentage increase, the actual financial impact was framed as manageable, with no changes in the levels of health, dental, and vision benefits provided to employees. The council also discussed a proposed 5% raise for staff salaries, serving as a baseline for budget discussions, although the final decision on salary adjustments would be left to the council’s discretion.

Discussions on legal services were particularly detailed, centering around the village attorney’s role and the associated costs. The retainer agreement with the current law firm, Weiss Serota, was scrutinized, with some council members expressing a willingness to change the designation of the attorney from interim to permanent. This change would not alter the existing retainer agreement or the work being done. Comparisons of legal fees with those of other firms and towns of similar size were made, though it was noted that the unique legal context of the Florida Keys introduces complexities that make such comparisons challenging.

A council member highlighted the importance of having a law firm with a deep bench of expertise available for issues, noting that their hourly rate of $250 was lower than rates charged by other municipalities and private clients. There was a suggestion to consider a structured retainer for general municipal law with hourly rates for specialized services, though this approach was described as complex and potentially risky if not managed carefully.

The meeting also touched on environmental conservation projects, with updates on canal restoration efforts. The village received $3.1 million in grant funding for these projects, which included the completion of two restoration initiatives on Plantation Key. The environmental resources manager reported ongoing water quality monitoring in all 63 canals, crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of restoration work. Additionally, Congress authorized $100 million for the Florida Keys water quality improvement program, with the village expected to receive between $17 to $20 million for canal restoration and stormwater projects.

Further projects included a breakwater project that had recently commenced construction, with expectations of reaching 50% completion soon. The environmental resources manager elaborated on various conservation properties, detailing completed projects such as shoreline stabilization and the development of a fully accessible kayak launch at Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve.

Affordable housing initiatives were also discussed, with the affordable housing fund collecting fees from developers in lieu of providing affordable housing. The budget for the upcoming fiscal year included $40,000 for first-time homebuyer loans, with actual use depending on demand. The building department’s budget was clarified to operate solely on permit fees, without any allocation from the general fund, focusing on operational costs and a notable capital project involving the replacement of a vehicle.

The council engaged in discussions on various budgetary items, emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility and transparency. Technological upgrades were reviewed, including the implementation of Civic Clerk, an agenda management software designed to standardize agenda creation and improve workflow for meeting materials. This system has transformed how documentation is accessed by the public.