The sixth budget meeting occurred in Cedar Key City Hall Thursday, August 20, 2014, at 6pm.  In attendance were Mayor Dale Register, Vice Mayor Sue Colson, Commissioners Royce Nelson and Nettie Hodges.   Not in attendance was Commissioner Tina Ryan.

Staff in attendance included Police Chief / Public Works Director Virgil Sandlin, Fire Chief / Building Department Manager Robert Robinson, and City Clerk Teresa George.  Not in attendance were City Attorney Norm Fugate and City Consultant CPA Robert Beauchamp.

In the audience were Roger McKinney, Allison Nelson, Bob and Jeri Treat, and Mandy and Frank Offerle. 

• Commissioner Nelson reported that he spoke with his insurance agent who reviewed the City’s current insurance coverage.  Nelson said that his agent said he “would have gone with the same carrier.”  No specifics as to what kind of insurance were offered.  No mention of the agent being able to offer “insurance” for less money was offered.
• The Quitman Hodges $1000 Scholarship was reinstated.  The award is annually presented to a Cedar Key School graduating senior who gives back to the community, works in the community to help others, and demonstrates exemplary citizenship in Cedar Key.   The scholarship honors thirty-plus year mayor and commissioner Quitman Hodges who passed away at 93 still serving the City of Cedar Key from a wheelchair.
• The City must have its informational technology updated and staff are currently researching what they need and who will provide the expertise.  As the lawful keeper of the records, the City must have an independent server and not rely on any other.
• Police Chief Sandlin will return to the next budget workshop with numbers on financing the new necessary dispatch software, CAD,  that connects his department with Levy County Police.
• Commissioners will consider dealing differently with the Creswell House, perhaps increasing the rent or eliminating the rent and requiring the current tenant to pay the building’s required insurance and maintenance.
• Some City Park playground equipment is rusting and bubbling and must be fixed for safety’s sake.  Vice Mayor Colson offered an estimate to have the item repaired; Commissioner Nelson thought more expensive work would be necessary to fix it, perhaps even sending the equipment out of town to be repaired.  He will look at the piece and report back at the next meeting.
• The Americans-with-Disabilities Act compliant bathroom(s) in City Hall will not be constructed this upcoming year.  Commissioners discussed, and did not resolve, the idea that City Hall may well have been grandfathered into not needing ADA compliant bathrooms because of the building’s advanced age.  Clerk George mentioned that grant acquisition may be compromised without ADA-compliant facilities.
• Resident Roger McKinney suggested the City not provide 24/7 police coverage in order to save money.  Commissioners reaffirmed their support of the current staffing in the Cedar Key Police Department. 

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