The millage rate discussion was a focal point, as council members weighed the implications of a tax increase on residents and businesses. The finance director provided insight into the monetary impact of a millage rate adjustment, indicating that a tenth of a mill increase could lead to an additional $40 to $60 per household, translating to a 133% effective tax increase.

In conjunction with the millage rate discourse, the council considered the issuance of debt and borrowing terms. There was an examination of the possibility of a 10 or 15-year borrowing plan, which could save the city $3 million in interest payments. However, concerns were raised about the city’s cash flow and the feasibility of managing higher payments in the short term. The council also discussed the potential for refinancing the loan in the future to reduce payments, emphasizing the importance of avoiding prepayment penalties.

The topic of advertising and signage also attracted attention, as a representative from Lamar Advertising expressed frustration over delays in signing an agreement that would trade existing billboards for digital ones. The representative emphasized the authority of the city to enact the agreement despite the need for amending the Land Development Code and requested clarification on the hold-up.

Beach vending practices were another issue, with public commentary highlighting the storage of equipment in a local park and the operation of vending businesses out of a box truck. Additionally, there was clarification from a business owner who was not involved in the ice cream vending controversy, and concern was raised about the legality of photographing business practices due to an existing restraining order.

The council grappled with the results of the Clement Taylor Park RFP, which led to the rejection of all bids due to non-responsiveness. The bid committee suggested changes to the RFP to attract more suitable proposals, including the removal of the 1.5 million dollar limit and the addition of detailed specifications. This spurred discussions on environmental considerations and potential delays associated with changing the RFP’s language.

Public engagement and communication strategies were also a critical part of the meeting. The council discussed initiatives to enhance community interaction, such as the use of social media, the development of a city chatbot, and the translation of materials into Spanish and Portuguese. The potential for a mobile app and the implementation of QR codes to improve access to the city’s website were mentioned as ways to foster greater public involvement.

In terms of personnel, the council confirmed the appointment of Tina Deer as the new community development director, bringing her extensive planning and supervisory experience to the city’s management team. The operations financial report was presented, with the city manager noting that 98% of ADV valor properties had been collected and 63% of the operating budget had been expended or encumbered. Raymond James representatives reported a 4.7% total return on the city’s aggregate portfolio.

The meeting also touched on other matters, such as upcoming workshops, code enforcement priorities, and concerns from residents about code changes and annexation strategy. A discussion ensued regarding the city’s victory in a Bert Harris case and the intent to recover attorney’s fees.