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CHARTER ISSUES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
May 7, 2002

DRAFT
MINUTES

Volusia County Library Support Center
1290 Indian Lake Road
Daytona Beach, Florida 32124
5:30 p.m.

Roll Call

The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Jon Kaney at 5:35 p.m. Those present were Jon Kaney, Jack Ascherl, Senta Goudy, Charles Matousek, Linda White, Matt Greeson from the County Manager’s Office, and Dan Eckert, County Attorney. Also present was Dr. T. Wayne Bailey. Member Doug Daniels arrived late. Members James Huger and Maryam Ghyabi were absent.

Approval of Minutes of the Meeting of May 2, 2002

Chairman Kaney called the meeting to order and asked the Committee to consider the minutes. The minutes of the meeting were approved by consensus of the Committee.

Discussion and Consideration of the Interim Report

Chairman Kaney asked the members to review the Interim Report. After review, the members began discussing the Interim Report. Jack Ascherl proposed minor changes from "the" to "a" on page 4 and adding "or $42,000" on page 8. Discussion ensued regarding re-wording the second paragraph of page 8.

Charles Matousek raised the issue of the County Council salaries and stated that he wanted to revisit that issue. He further stated that he thought the voters would not support the current proposal. He stated that he thought they needed to discuss the issue at the meeting that night. Mr. Matousek proposed remaining silent on the issue of the County Council members’ salaries. Mr. Ascherl asked if he also meant the Chair. Mr. Matousek stated that at this point he only was making a proposal related to the other Council members’ salaries, not the Chair. Mr. Matousek motioned that the charter remain silent on the issue of the County Council members salaries. Mr. Watts seconded the motion.

Allen Watts stated that the issue of salary does not have to be dealt with in the Interim Report. Mr. Matousek stated that he wanted to re-visit the in-county expenses issue as well. He stated that he wants to be able to say that there is no increase in salaries, but rather talk about a reimbursement of expenses. He stated that the general population would feel more comfortable with a reimbursement of expenses, rather than a salary increase. Discussion ensued regarding salaries for County Council members and the linkage in the charter to the School Board members’ salaries.

Senta Goudy suggested that the Committee should also discuss the salary of the Chair again. Mr. Ascherl stated that it should not be increased in the report and that the issue of its tie to School Board members could be talked about later. Discussion ensued regarding the salary of County Council members.

Senta Goudy suggested that one way to address it in the report is to outline that the vote was close and c controversial. Chairman Kaney stated that he was concerned that there was not a full contingent of members and that the vote was so close that different attendance could affect the outcome. Mr. Matousek said he would retract the motion with the condition that the report be written to imply that the Council members’ salaries will stay the same.

Doug Daniels arrived.

Chairman Kaney overviewed the discussion. Senta Goudy said she was uncomfortable paying the Chair $70,000 in a structure that has three- (3) at-large members. Jack Ascherl stated that the Committee had agreed that the Chair should make more than the rest of the Council members. Chairman Kaney stated that one alternative was to approximately 60% of the state guidelines or $42,000 for the Chair. Charles Matousek stated that he would support no increase for the Council members, but some increase for the Chair. Jack Ascherl asked for Dr. T. Wayne Bailey’s input. Dr. Bailey stated that the issue of the salary could be a political "3rd rail." He further stated that the legislature and Congress has had difficulty in addressing the salary issue because of public opposition to increases and that it is important to discuss its relation to the duties and role of the elected officials.

Allen Watts moved that the compensation of the Council members remain substantially unchanged.

Chairman Kaney asked that the Committee vote on the Mr. Matousek’s original motion. Mr. Matousek’s original motion to remain silent on the issue of County Council salaries was defeated 4 to 3, with Ms. Goudy, Mr. Watts, Ms. White, and Chairman Kaney voting no.

Chairman Kaney asked for consideration of Mr. Watts motion that the salaries of the Council member remain substantially unchanged. Doug Daniels seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously by the members present.

Charles Matousek stated that he wants to provide some reimbursement for in-county expenses. Jack Ascherl reiterated his previous proposal to provide a limited stipend to cover expenses. Mr. Matousek moved to place in the Interim Report language that the current proposal not to provide reimbursement of in-county expenses is "highly tentative." This motion was approved unanimously.

Discussion continued regarding the Interim Report. Chairman Kaney asked that the Committee discuss the issue of the salary of the Chair. Mr. Watts stated that nobody seems comfortable with 100% of the state guidelines for County Commissioners or $70,000. Linda White said she wants to hear from the County Council before she makes her final decision. Mr. Watts said he is comfortable with 60% to 75% of the guidelines. Discussion ensued regarding the salary of the Chair. Senta Goudy moved that the salary of the Chair be 65% of the state guidelines. Allen Watts seconded the motion. Jack Ascherl offered a substitute motion that the salary be 60% of state guidelines. Senta Goudy seconded the motion and it was approved 5 to 2 with Linda White and Charles Matousek dissenting.

Discussion continued regarding the salary of the County Council. Chairman Kaney asked that staff draft language amending the Interim Report to reflect the decisions made tonight. He asked that the draft be distributed to the members for comment.

Adjournment

With no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. The next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 16 in the Training Rooms on the 1st Floor of the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center in DeLand.

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