Town of Cutler Bay Meeting Minutes

Town Council Workshop

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Town Hall
10720 Caribbean Blvd
Cutler Bay, FL 33189
Council Chambers
COUNCIL MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
  • Mayor Tim Meerbott, 
  • Vice Mayor Michael P. Callahan, 
  • Council Member Robert "BJ" Duncan, 
  • Council Member Suzy Lord, 
  • and Council Member Roger Coriat

Mayor Tim Meerbott called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.  Town Clerk Mauricio Melinu called the roll.  Mayor Meerbott led the pledge of allegiance.

Council Member Roger Coriat arrived at 4:02 p.m.

Town Manager Rafael Casals provided a summary of the Budget Visioning Workshop on July 20, 2022.  He also spoke on Resolution No. 22-63 adopted at the July 20, 2022, Regular Town Council Meeting which set a ceiling millage rate of 2.9388 and set the dates and times for the first and second Budget Hearings, September 14, 2022, and September 28, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.

Town Manager Casals announced the Third Budget Workshop scheduled for September 1, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.

Finance Director Robert Daddario provided an overview of the proposed fiscal year 2022-23 budget revenues, including ad valorem revenues based on certified taxable property values in the Town as reported by the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser, state allocated revenues such as utility taxes, local government half-cent sales tax, communications services tax, revenue sharing and first local option gas tax, electrical franchise fees, solid waste franchise fees, licenses and registrations, revenues generated by the Town's Building Department, park fees, judgements and fines, miscellaneous revenues, grants, investment income, and transfers in from special revenues.

Town Manager Casals provided a summary of each departmental operating budget including Mayor and Town Council, Town Clerk, General Government, Town Attorney, Community Development, Public Works, Police Department, and Parks and Recreation.  There was discussion on allocating funds towards recommendations made to the Town Council by the Environmental Task Force, the increase in the budget for the police department, the benefit of having an environmental lobbyist, Town Attorney retainer and hourly fees, and the Cutler Ridge Park pool.

There was discussion on the budget impact by setting the millage at the current rate of 2.8332 rather than the proposed rate of 2.9388.  Finance Director Daddario reported that the estimated budget surplus would drop to approximately $42,000.  Town Manager Casals reported that the Town's current millage rate is the eighth lowest rate amongst municipalities in Miami-Dade County, with Doral, Palmetto Bay, Aventura, Pinecrest, Bal Harbour, Miami Lakes, and Sunny Isles, in no particular order, currently having lower millage rates.  

There was discussion on the current average homesteaded property value in the Town being approximately $155,000 as of July 1, 2022, and the annual impact for each homeowner being a Town tax bill of approximately $440 with the current millage rate of 2.8332, an approximate increase of $49 from 2021.   

There was also discussion on the possibility of maintaining the current millage rate of 2.8332, the possibility of having Town Staff identify reductions in the proposed budget to increase the estimated budget surplus, and having Council Members meet individually with Town Staff with suggested reductions. 

At the request of Council Member Roger Coriat, Town Manager Casals provided clarification on the $100,000 budgeted for the Active Adults program being provided by state funding as opposed to ad valorem tax revenue.

The meeting adjourned at 5:12 p.m.