The referendum to decide what property owners pay for the city’s Septic Tank Replacement Project may be approved during Monday night's Marco Island City Council meeting. Council members will also discuss a possible increase in firefighters’ salaries and benefits. Any increase will affect the city’s budget.
STRP financing
The council will consider second reading and final approval of an ordinance that would authorize a voter referendum on June 26 to amend the City Charter. The council approved first reading on a 4-2 vote March 19. Councilors Glenn Tucker and Chuck Kiester voted against. Council member Ted Forcht was absent from the meeting.
The proposed amendment to the charter would exclude expenditures to extend the STRP from the island’s 3-percent spending cap. City Manager Bill Moss stated in the request that the expenditures would have to be funded by general obligation bonds or loans approved by the referendum. The bonds or loans are limited to $88.6 million and a maximum of 25 annual installments.
Assessments to property owners to hook-up to the system will not exceed $10,000 under the plan. The balance of the cost for the approximately $100 million STRP would be funded by the bonds or loans, and grants, impact fees and other revenue sources.
An increase ad valorem tax on all properties would repay the bonds or loans.
If voters do not approve the referendum, monthly water and sewer bills for all Marco Island utility customers would increase up to 16 percent.
Moss added that the maximum assessment to hook-up to the system would be reduced by the cost to resurface the streets along the project and by $2,758, which would offset the cost of the system upgrades.
If the council passes the ordinance to approve the referendum, the city will mail letters to 5,500 property owners in the STRP assessment. The letters would contain information about the referendum, the ballot’s language, and cost comparisons between the $10,000 maximum hook-up cost plan and the back-up plan to increase utility bills.
After the first mailing, another letter will be mailed to all registered voters. Moss stated the letter will educate the voters on the referendum and the financing options for the STRP.
Reclaimed water rates
The council will also discuss a time schedule to increase the rate for reclaimed water for property owners.
Marco Island Finance Director Bill Harrison is proposing that the current rate of 59 cents per 1,000 gallons be increased to 92 cents per 1,000 gallons on Jan. 1, 2008. Potable water is $3.08 per 1,000 gallons. The same 92 cent rate will apply for customers with privately-owned and property permitted lakes.
On Jan. 1, 2009, the reclaimed water rate would increase to 1.23 per 1,000 gallons. The rate for lakes will stay the same.
During a special called meeting on March 26, some reuse water customers said they wanted the rate to increase over a longer period of time, such as five years.
Besides deciding on a rate schedule, council will likely decide on a date for a public hearing on the rate increases.
Fire-rescue department salaries
In order to compete with Collier County and nearby cities, the council will discuss increasing wages and benefits for employees of the Marco Island Fire-Rescue Department.
After a Jan. 22 workshop, the council agreed to continue discussions with the county about consolidating the fire-rescue and EMS services.
Counselors also requested the staff submit a report on forming a Municipal Service Taxing District for the services. An analysis of increasing firefighter and EMS personnel salaries and benefits was also requested.
Kiester suggested an 8 percent salary increase for all city employees next year.
The city does not have to increase the salaries and benefits because it currently has a bargaining contract with the firefighters and EMS employees. Harrison said the city and department budget will be impacted economically if the council raises salaries and benefits to compete.
A firefighter/EMT on Marco makes $39,710, compared to $46,751 in the county, $46,567 in North Naples and $52,139 in Miami Dade. The City of Naples pays $38,759, while East Naples pays $39,967 and Big Corkscrew $38,770.
New city attorney
The council will discuss hiring a new city attorney to replace Rich Yovanovich. The attorney’s law firm, Goodlette Coleman and Johnson, P.A., decided not to extend its contract to remain the city’s legal consul. Yovanovich told the Marco Eagle that he couldn’t devote enough time to the city due to other commitments.
The city’s yearly budget for legal services is $165,000. The budget doesn’t include the costs for other legal services, including bond counsel and law suit litigation.
The council can decide whether to hire an attorney full time, part-time or on retainer.
Removal of committee member
Forcht is scheduled to request that Herman Diebler, a member of the Waterways Advisory Committee, be removed and replaced by Donald Dilks.
Forcht claims Diebler spoke negatively as a committee member about the island’s controversial Waterways and Boating Safety Ordinance. Diebler denies the allegation, saying he spoke as a private citizen.
Diebler was appointed by Forcht and began his term in June, 2006.
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