Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hollywood public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
13 issues in taxes budget with medium priority
Employees' Retirement Fund Correction
A drafting error in last summer's pension ordinance accidentally cut off seven longtime employees' ability to purchase credited service. The fix passed first reading.
Citywide Professional Answering Service
City will hire 22nd Century Technologies to replace the notorious phone tree with a 24/7 AI and live-agent service. Contract must come back to commissioners with the price before final approval.
FY 2027 Authorized Positions
The resolution setting how many and what kind of positions each city department may staff in FY 2027 was scheduled for action. It affects city staffing levels and service capacity.
Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (FY 2027–2031)
Staff showed costs like medical supplies (up 160%), health insurance (up 65%), and fuel (up nearly 50%) over three years. Commissioner Shuham asked for data on the cost of past deferred maintenance to help explain the budget to residents.
City fee schedule update
The city updated its fee schedule with CPI-based increases (2.15%), updated water/sewer rates and added new parking garage fees. Resident Ann Ralston objected that residents are being squeezed by rising costs.
Procurement code modernization and cone of silence
A big update to the city's procurement and finance codes passed 6-1. The fight was over a new power for the commission to vote to waive the 'cone of silence' on procurements — Shuham said it invites lobbying; Biederman said the current rule makes their job harder.
Local Business Tax Receipt Overhaul
Business license fees are going up 5% — most categories just a few dollars a year, raising about $125,000 total. Passed 4-3 over objections that the city shouldn't pinch businesses and landlords in a high-cost economy.
Boulevard Heights senior program funding
State Rep. Marie Woodson delivered a $170,000 check expanding the Memorial-operated senior program at the Boulevard Heights center — the social lifeline she and Mayor Levy described for isolated seniors.
Commission salary rollback and event funding proposals
If the property tax law passes, a majority of commissioners support giving back their last two salary increases and setting dedicated budget line items for downtown events like St. Patrick's Day and Mardi Gras. Details return as resolutions and in the June 11 budget meeting.
FY 2025 audit results
The city earned a clean audit — no findings, healthy fund balances, and the report came out three weeks earlier than last year, the fastest in a decade.
Police pay plan amendment (FOP contract)
The city signed off on an MOU with the police union adjusting pay charts in the 2025-2028 contract, adding a new step (L-12A).
New city manager appointment
Raelin Storey Lohse's employment agreement as the incoming city manager was approved unanimously.
Fleet management contract increase
The city nearly tripled its fleet management services contract, from $3 million to $7.6 million for the first three years of the five-year agreement.