FINANCE DEPARTMENT

M E M O R A N D U M

 

To:                   Honorable Mayor and City Commission

 

From:               Richard D. Sala, City Manager

 

By:                   Brian K. Raducci, Finance Director

 

Date:                February 13, 2007

 

Re:                   City’s Fire/Rescue Special Assessment Program

 

You may recall that in June of 2004, the City utilized Government Services Group, Inc. (“GSG”) to re-evaluate and adjust our Fire/Rescue Assessment Rates to ensure that the revenue generated from the assessment kept pace with the increasing costs of our Fire/Rescue service.  GSG has performed our City’s Fire/Rescue rate analysis since the beginning of our full-service Fire/Rescue program.

 

The operational cost of our Fire/Rescue Department has continued to grow over the past few years and that trend is expected to continue (e.g., commitments pertaining to collective bargaining agreement and pension contributions into the state retirement system).

 

FY 2006-07 marked the final year of our current 3-year rate schedule pertaining to our Fire/Rescue Special Assessment Program.  Therefore, the Administration is recommending the hiring of GSG once again to re-examine our current Fire Assessment rates – and recommend possible adjustments in order to ensure they keep pace with the increasing costs of providing this vital service.  Adjustment of our City’s Fire Assessment rates would help our Fire/Rescue Department keep pace with rising costs stemming from:

 

  1. professional staff salaries provided by our collective bargaining agreement,
  2. increased health insurance and workers compensation costs, and
  3. increased pension costs associated with the Florida Retirement System (FRS)

 

Due to the complexity of this assessment rate study, the uniqueness of their professional service and in light of past court decisions, the Administration is recommending the hiring of GSG (our original and continuing assessment consulting firm) to conduct and recommend potential adjustments to the City’s Fire/Rescue Assessment Rates.  They have a vast and unique expertise in the area of fire assessment analysis.  There are not many consultants that specialize in this type of analysis.  The only other consultant that I became aware of that may do this type of work was contacted, only to tell me that he no longer provides this service, due to its unique nature and technical complexities.  Therefore, GSG is considered a sole-source vendor.

 

The City has successfully utilized GSG’s consulting services four (4) times in the past (our City’s original assessment and in years 2000, 2002 and 2004) and they currently provide similar services to our neighboring cities.

 

Recommendation:

 

The City Administration recommends Commission’s consideration and approval of the attached Resolution authorizing and directing the City Manager, to enter into an agreement by and between the City of North Lauderdale and Government Services Group, Inc. to assist the City in updating the City’s Fire Rescue Assessment Program that will provide assessment rate schedules for three consecutive fiscal years at a cost not

to exceed $17,875.00.

RESOLUTION NO.______

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER, TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES GROUP, INC. TO ASSIST THE CITY IN UPDATING THE CITY’S FIRE RESCUE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM THAT WILL PROVIDE ASSESSMENT RATE SCHEDULES FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE FISCAL YEARS AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $17,875.00; PROVIDING FOR FUNDING; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

WHEREAS, the City of North Lauderdale intends to update its fire rescue assessment program in order to provide assessment rate schedules for three consecutive fiscal years at a cost not to exceed $17,875.00 from Government Services Group, Inc. and

 

WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of North Lauderdale has further determined that a need exists to provide funding for an update of its fire rescue assessment program in order to provide assessment rate schedules for three consecutive fiscal years at a cost not to exceed $17,875.00 from Government Services Group, Inc.;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, THAT:

 

            Section 1:         That the City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an agreement, by and between the City of North Lauderdale and Government Services Group, Inc. to assist the City in an update of the City’s fire rescue assessment program that will provide assessment rate schedules for three consecutive fiscal years at a cost not to exceed $17,875.00.

 

            Section 2:         That the funds for said purchase shall be provided from the FY 2007 Adopted Budget (G/L 115-2025-522.31-15).

 

            Section 3:         The City Manager is authorized to take all steps necessary to enter into an agreement with Government Services Group, Inc.

 

            Section 4:         This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and adoption.

 

PASSED and ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of North Lauderdale, Florida, this 13th day of February, 2007.

 

 

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

 

 

                                                                       

CITY ATTORNEY SAMUEL S. GOREN

 

                                                                                                                                               

         MAYOR JACK BRADY

 

 

                                                                                                                                               

   VICE MAYOR RICH MOYLE

ATTEST:

 

                                                           

CITY CLERK C. MILLI DYER