For the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2023, and ending Sept. 30, 2024; Providing for Adoption of Representations; providing for an effective date.

When this topic came up during the meeting, Commissioner Perez asked several questions. She made it seem as though she was looking at this budget for the first time. Resolution 2023 – 56 was on second reading for a final vote to take effect by Oct. 1. The commission has had several meetings and budget workshops in which to discuss the upcoming year’s budget. There has been ample opportunity for commission members to get questions and answers done in their one-on-one meetings with the manager and/or staff.

At meeting mark 1:42:14, the vote on the budget took place. The vote passed 3-2 with Gonzalez and Perez in dissent. They don’t understand that the two main objectives of commissioners are to set policy and pass a yearly budget! It is truly sad to see them be so reckless with the city’s business and future. They have shown time and again that they are unserious in their duties as elected officials.

The next issue of importance was an added Resolution 2023 – 61 for emergency repair services for marina floating docks. During that vote, it passed 3-2 with Gonzalez and Perez against. Again with this vote both Gonzalez and Perez show they are not in support of the city moving forward. Perez’s vote is more telling as she stated at the July 25 meeting at 1:48:59 that the City should lose the whole marina. Perez and Gonzalez want the city to fail which is evident by their votes. Thankfully, both of their seats are up for election in March 2024. Qualifying for Pahokee 2024 Elections begin on November 21 at noon through November 28 at noon.

Lastly, Mayor Babb brought up public comment and the ability of individuals to give their 3 minutes to one speaker and allowing that person unlimited time. I’m glad he brought this topic up. I feel the public comment policy should be modified. No one person should be given more speaking time than another. One particular person who speaks during public comment each meeting is Robert Love, a non-resident. His time during public comment only serves to become a one man attack on the city administration and commission. Love’s words and actions at meetings therefore become a diatribe making the city look bad. Proof of this is if you watch the meetings online the viewership spikes during public comment and then drops off drastically once public comment is over. The practice of allowing Robert Love to monopolize the public comment time brings no constructive benefit to the meetings as he never discusses a specific agenda item or policy. The commission must do away with the ability for others to give their 3 minutes or remaining minutes to another who is present. If someone is reading comments for someone who cannot attend the meeting that is fine as long as they get 3 minutes only.

Fundamentality, everyone should have equal time allocated and no exceptions given. This would make the public comment portion of the meeting more equitable and productive. I’m glad the commission voted to add change to public comment as future agenda item 3-1 with Perez against. Gonzalez was absent for the vote.

Always Pahokee Progress,