CRESTVIEW — The city may provide janitorial services for city-owned buildings. To compare costs, the City Council has unanimously agreed to have Public Works solicit bids for a cleaning service.

After the city's contract with Southern Management expired Oct. 1, department heads transferred $40,000 in designated janitorial funds from their budgets to Public Works' budget. Public Works assistant director Carlos Jones requested the City Council’s permission on Monday to hire two part-time janitors and buy cleaning supplies with the money.

Council President Robyn Helt recommended the department obtain bids from janitorial companies before the council considers the request.

City Councilman Tom Gordon said if the city is intent on cutting costs, staff could clean their own workspaces, as many businesses do.

Lately, Public Works staffers have been diverted from their usual duties to clean facilities such as the library and city hall, Jones said.

Library Director Jean Lewis said library staffers serve more than 500 patrons a day, so it would be impossible for them to do all the necessary cleaning.

Cleaning high-traffic areas, such as city hall's lobby, requires professional cleaning equipment and experience, City Clerk Betsy Roy said.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview officials weighing cleaning service options

CRESTVIEW — A report by consultant David Penzone recommends several ways that the city can trim pension costs, which for 2014 are more than $2 million of the city’s $29 million budget.

Funding city employees’ pension benefits represents 27.7 percent of the public safety employee payroll budget and 25.9 percent of the general employee payroll.

During the council's Monday meeting, Penzone, a Pensacola-based consultant, said Crestview's pension situation compares “really well" to other cities, but he made some suggestions to trim costs.

Among Penzone's recommendations are:

•Eliminating overtime when defining employees' salaries, calculating pensions on the workers' base salaries only

•Limiting the maximum retirement benefit to 80 percent of the average final compensation instead of the current 100 percent

•Extending normal and early retirement by five years

While the city should consider making changes by Jan. 1, Penzone said that’s impractical, and suggested phasing in changes by the 2014-15 fiscal year.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Consultant advising on how to cut Crestview pension costs

CRESTVIEW — After approving funds Oct. 14 to support the city's two bus routes through the 2013-2014 fiscal year, the City Council passed a motion Monday to fund the routes only through January.

The Board of County Commissioners initially demanded the city pay for half the buses’ operating costs or risk losing the service.

When the city scraped together the money — counting on as-yet undetermined gasoline tax increase revenue — commissioners changed parameters and said the routes would only operate through January 2014.

Though the $13,125 city contribution approved during Monday evening's council meeting is significantly less than the original $48,125 demand, council members expressed frustration with the increasingly complicated situation.

"After February, what happens?" Councilman Tom Gordon asked City Clerk Betsy Roy.

There has been no indication from county commissioners what their stance will be after the current city contribution expires, Roy said.

City taxpayers, unlike other county and municipal residents, are expected to provide federal, state, county and now city tax contributions to the bus service, Gordon said.

"And now we're going to take funding out of our contingency fund and we're going to fund it four times?" he said. "This was never meant to be a city of Crestview busing system."

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview council funds bus service through January

CRESTVIEW — A citizens advisory panel was seated Monday evening to offer district improvement suggestions to the Community Redevelopment Agency.

New committee members are April Meier, Main Street merchant; Bill Kilpatrick, former city councilman; Linda Parker, former city councilwoman; Cal Zethmayr, Main Street representative; Pat Hollarn, former Supervisor of Elections and Historic Preservation Board appointee; David Wheeler, retired Eglin Air Force Base mission support staff member; and Doug Capps, a member of the city Board of Adjustments.

Members received information about the special taxing district, and were told about funds already designated, including the $50,000 facade improvement grant and $10,000 toward the city's centennial celebration in 2016.

The volunteers were also cautioned that as a city committee, they are subject to state Sunshine Laws.

Five appointments were made by the City Council, one appointee is from the Main Street Crestview Association and another is from the Historic Preservation Board, City clerk Betsy Roy said.

Board President Robyn Helt said the committee will be unfettered by the board and should work out its goals among its members.

Some suggested projects the committee might consider include a dog park and skate park for Twin Hills Park and a linear pedestrian park connecting the historic district and Twin Hills.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: New Community Redevelopment Agency citizens advisory committee seated

CRESTVIEW — Creating a program through which area businesses can sponsor city sports teams may help players avoid a recreation fee increase.

Public Works Director Wayne Steele, whose department includes the Parks and Recreation division, has asked the City Council to raise the fees to adequately cover the program cost.

Steele has said the fees haven't been adjusted in 10 years. Last year 2,147 players participated in city baseball, men's softball, cheerleading, football, soccer and basketball teams.

Because Crestview's fees are lower than those in most neighboring communities, many players from outside the city prefer to play here.

However, the current fee structure — $60 for city residents and $65 for county residents — does not completely cover the cost of offering the sports, so taxpayers end up subsidizing the program.

Fee increase or sponsorships

Steele proposes raising the fees to $75 for residents and $95 for county players. "We have to find ways to sustain this program," he said during the Oct. 14 council meeting. "If not … this will be one of the first things that will go away" in a lean budget year.

Council President Robyn Helt suggested soliciting business sponsorships, but Steele said it would be unfair if some teams had sponsors while others didn't. Noting Crestview still has one of the county's highest millage rates, Helt said, "now we're raising rates on kids. We've got to stop it at some point."

Councilman Shannon Hayes, who had earlier moved to accept Steele's request, sympathized, but said, "Crestview is a good place for sports, but it's not free."

After further discussion, Steele said if Hayes would withdraw his motion, he would work with recreation staff to draft a sponsorship program to present in February before baseball registration begins.

Hayes agreed, but said, “Until those things happen, to sustain a program for our youth, somebody has to foot the bill."

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Sponsorships might deter city recreation program fee increase

CRESTVIEW — Under city attorney Jerry Miller’s caution, the city council, in what could be a precedent-setting move, has unanimously agreed to adjust a resident's water bill.

Donald Shaud — after a receiving an $815.57 bill for water service at a residence he had yet to occupy — asked the council at its Oct. 14 meeting to provide relief.

Shaud had met with the Public Works, Utility Billing and Administrative Services departments, as well as city clerk Betsy Roy's office.

Shaud and his wife, Debra, had not yet moved into the Pearl Street residence when they had the water turned on in July while renovating. The house had been vacant for several months.

By digging back from the water meter, a plumber the Shauds hired had traced the leak to a galvanized pipe behind the house. Shaud showed the section of pipe to the council.

"It wasn't my fault," Shaud said of excess water use for which he was billed. "I didn't fill a swimming pool. I didn't turn on a faucet. I had a legitimate leak."

The water and sewage department granted an $89.85 credit for sewage service, but told Shaud the city ordinance did not allow the department to refund excessive water billing.

Meter would have revealed leak

Shaud cited a statement on the back of his receipt for city water service that said if no one is at home when a city worker turns on the water, but the water meter shows a water flow, the technician would unlock the meter, but turn the water off.

City Councilman Mickey Rytman said a water technician should have known there was a leak when the meter was turned on and started spinning.

"It seems to me the city personnel turned it on and drove off," Rytman said.

Miller advised the council that while under ordinance it had no obligation to grant Shaud relief, the city "as a courtesy" could assist the resident.

Rytman, seconded by Councilman Shannon Hayes, moved to adjust Shaud's bill to reflect a three-month average water usage.

Miller cautioned the council not to provide a reason for granting the relief to avoid setting a precedent, but to treat it as a routine financial transaction permissible under the council's fiscal powers.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: City attorney cautions council as it adjusts resident's water bill

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview City Council chamber overflowed with visitors Monday in anticipation of discussion about the Uncle Bill Lundy Memorial and the Confederate battle flag fluttering above it.

At Council President Robyn Helt’s request, the council unanimously agreed to schedule a special meeting to discuss the issue in a larger venue.

Local NAACP chapter President Sabu Williams' request to address the council on the matter was scheduled as the third topic under the regular City Council meeting's 10th agenda item.

Community leaders, out-of-town Confederate heritage group members and curious residents filled every available chair and stood in the back of the chamber and in the hallway.

 Noting the large turnout and saying she wanted to assure everyone could be accommodated, Helt suggested removing the agenda item completely and rescheduling it.

Councilman Joe Blocker moved to call a special meeting to take action on the matter in a venue "that can hold a thousand people."

After caution by city attorney Jerry Miller to restrain from hyperbole in a legally binding motion, the motion was modified to holding the meeting at the Crestview Community Center.

Miller also reminded the council he had been tasked to research the actual ownership of the memorial’s small triangle of land at First and Hickory Avenues after city officials’ search proved inconclusive.

"I want to make sure when we schedule this meeting we have adequate time to research the facts and for legal counsel to prepare for it," Helt said.

After the council settled on a 6 p.m. Nov. 14 meeting, more than half the audience filed from the chamber.

WANT TO GO?

The Crestview City Council will hold a special called meeting 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Crestview Community Center to discuss the Uncle Bill Lundy Memorial.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview City Council dodges flag issue, sets Nov. 14 meeting

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview City Council, in what some officials fear is a precedent-setting move, has unanimously agreed to fund half the cost of continuing to operate county bus service in town.

The Board of County Commissioners had established a Nov. 4 deadline for the city to find funding for local bus routes 11 and 12, which otherwise faced elimination.

The city hopes funding will come from an increased share of county gas tax money, though city clerk Betsy Roy said the amount the city will receive won't be determined for several months.

At its Monday evening meeting, council members expressed displeasure at having to pay for a service no other city in the county is asked to support.

"We do pay county taxes and this is a county transportation system," Councilman Tom Gordon said. "That means the people of Crestview who pay county taxes pay twice. I don't like that."

In exchange for agreeing to pay upward of $48,125 to keep local routes operating, the council demanded city representation on the board of Okaloosa County Transit, a private company that operates the county bus service.

"You're here to request money from our citizens, but that bus service does not fall under any line item of the city of Crestview, so we have no oversight of that service but we're asked to sign a check," Council President Robyn Helt told OCT representatives.

OCT operations manager Barry Peterson said he would have to bring the council's request before the board.

Bus advertising

Helt also asked transit coordinator Lani Birchett why the sales representative of Pensacola-based Transit Advertising Limited, the advertising agency that places ads on county buses, hasn't contacted Crestview area businesses.

"She's certainly not doing a job for you and she's certainly not doing a job for us," Helt said. "Not one bus has one ad."

Helt suggested the city itself could solicit ads from area businesses and contribute the 50 percent advertising fee OCT pays its ad agency directly toward route 11 and 12 operating costs.

Helt also questioned why the city couldn't apply for its own state and federal transportation grants if it's going to be an equal partner in funding its bus routes.

Birchett said transportation funding must be applied for through the regional Transportation Planning Organization, which funnels the money to OCT and other transit providers.

City planner Eric Davis, whom council members proposed as Crestview's representative on the OCT board, said that 2013-14 probably will not be the only year Crestview will have to fund county transit.

"I'm afraid every year going forward we're going to be stuck with that choice," Davis said. "But next year it won't just be us. It'll be Fort Walton and Mary Esther as well."

Birchett assured the council that "Okaloosa County Transit values Crestview's business."

"I should hope so," Councilman Mickey Rytman replied. "We're the biggest city in the county."

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: City OKs paying half of bus operating costs, demands seat on OCT board

CRESTVIEW — Residents and city officials, along with Okaloosa County Transit management, have discussed ways of improving Crestview's bus routes if they continue operating past Nov. 4. That's the date the county will terminate routes 11 and 12 unless the cash-strapped city finds funds to match the county's share after state and federal grants.

More than a dozen residents and nine officials on Tuesday shared ideas during an informal gathering in the Crestview Community Center. Consolidating local service into one route; eliminating underused or closely located stops to expand service to unserved areas; eliminating duplicated service; and running smaller buses at slow times are among suggestions.

An essential service

Several residents described the importance of the bus service to their daily lives.

"I have to ride the bus. There is no choice for me," Winsome Houston said. "I'm legally blind and I can't drive anymore."

Linda Hermenitt took the bus to attend the workshop.

"I have to ride the bus," she said. "I don't have a vehicle. I've been to Wal-Mart, I've been to Villa Crest. I go to the library, and to LifePoint Church on the bus."

Until she retired, Carol McPherson rode the bus every day to her jobs at Walgreens and Wal-Mart.

"I take it to Publix more than anywhere," McPherson said. "I don't have a car. I never had a drivers license in my life."

City Clerk Betsy Roy said during the county commission meeting at which Crestview's bus service was discussed, people said they would willingly wait an extra half-hour if the routes were consolidated.

However, Okaloosa County Transit coordinator Lani Birchett said changing or consolidating routes is a difficult process and "is not going to happen overnight."

A unique problem

City Planner Eric Davis said no other city in the county has to find funding to maintain bus services. The county wants at least $25,000, and possibly as much as $50,000, from Crestview to match its share, he said.

Roysaid a possible source could be increased gas tax revenue expected to begin coming to the city after Jan. 1, but she noted the same source also must fun city road repairs, which are several years behind.

Barry Peterson, Okaloosa County Transit’s operations supervisor, said fares do not come close to covering the bus operating expenses.

Resident Kenny Fuller, a regular bus rider, said he believed that it was unfair to expect the city to pay for the buses. Like roads, they're an essential service, he said.

"The city, it's not their job to fund the buses, and they don't have the money anyway," Fuller said. "The buses are like roads. You don't make any money paving the roads."

However, Elliott Kamper, the county’s growth management director, said city funding is probably the only thing that will save the Crestview bus routes.

"Strategically, the best thing that could happen is for the city council to agree to fund 50 percent of the cost," Kamper said.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview residents and officials brainstorm bus route improvements