HomeMy WebLinkAboutVI (E) Discussiion/ Action re: Budget Message Agenda 8-5-97
Item VI E
"CENTER OF GOOD LIVING- PRIDE OF WEST ORANGE" MAYOR^ COMMISSIONER
Ocoee S. SCO T T VANDERGR?FT
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•Ni1, RUSTY JOHNSON
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CITY MANAGER
Op Go00 ELLIS SHAPIRO
MEMORANDUM
TO: The Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners
FROM: Ellis Shapiro, City Manager
DATE: July 30, 1997
SUBJECT: BUDGET MESSAGE FY 1997/1998
In 1990, the City of Ocoee employed 130 individuals within various departments. During the
1990/91 budget process, the Elected Officials began to realize that we were rapidly approaching
a major growth period that would continue well through the Year 2000. In order to meet the
tremendous growth demands, they recognized that new departments needed to be established
utilizing professional staff and appropriating the necessary dollars to serve the needs of our
community.
We are now entering this City's fastest growth period and as we keep up with the incredible
growth, we also are improving the quality of life in our already fine City. We currently employ
249 individuals. At mid-year we took a leap forward and expedited as many possible
betterments to our City in anticipation of this rapid growth. As we approach the new
millennium, we continue the partnership with our elected officials to provide the very best
service delivery system that we can for our entire community. We are all excited by the positive
results that we have seen and look forward to meeting the challenges of the future.
The accompanying budget for FY 1997/98 is presented for your consideration. I would like to
review briefly the current year and then summarize what is proposed for FY 97/98.
FISCAL YEAR 1997
Fiscal Year 1997 has been one of growth and preparation for the City. The acquisition and
installation of the citywide computer system has assisted staff in the efficient use of information
in the performance of their job responsibilities. A total of 2,356 building permits have been
issued to date with 497 new residential units under construction. Well over 100,000 square feet
of additional commercial facilities were also permitted for construction this year.
Funding was secured to construct two new fire stations, acquire a new Public Works facility, and
to construct a multi-million dollar recreational complex. A $10 million bond issue was also
secured for water and wastewater improvements including the design and permitting of a new
wastewater reuse system, over 600,000 gallons of additional potable water storage, and the
implementation of a state-of-the-art system that completely eliminates the danger of chlorine gas
at our water plants. Along with our new Beech Recreational Facility, we have taken major
strides in upgrading our playgrounds and baseball fields as well as a professional re-sodding of
the Bulldog Field at Central Park.
We are all excited about the new Orange County Library that is coming to our community as
well as the anticipated first phase of the Western Beltway. With the completion this year of the
Orlando Avenue improvements and the Kissimmee/Story intersection improvements, we have
completed the long range transportation goals established in the 1991 Comprehensive Plan.. We
are at 90 percent completion of the first phase of the Maguire Road widening design and look
forward to seeing that under construction within the next fiscal year.
FISCAL YEAR 1998
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The proposed 1998 budget again addresses service delivery, cost efficiency, and employee
benefits as we prepare for the next phase of our development. This proposed budget contains
much needed additions to our rolling stock to serve our community. The continued upgrading of
our Data Processing system with such things as enhanced software for the Permitting process and
the addition of an Engineer to review development plans in-house will enable us to more
efficiently serve our residents. We are happy to report that there will be no new rate increases
this year for health insurance costs for either the City or the employees. Furthermore, as a result
of aggressive negotiations there were no increases in any of our other major insurances this year.
We are also including Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as an additional City holiday and are excited
to have been able to increase the pension benefits for both employee retirement plans.
Included in this budget is a 2 percent cost of living increase based upon the consumer price
index, a continued merit system of zero or four percent, the longevity plan as approved by the
City Commission last year, and the ability of our retirees to continue health insurance coverage
through the City's plan.
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The proposed FY 1997/98 budget totals:
FUND TOTAL PERCENT CHANGE
GENERAL FUND $13,852,228 12.9 %
STORMWATER FUND $ 1,052,000 5.6
WATER/WASTEWATER FUND $ 6,611,990 13.8 %
SOLID WASTE FUND $ 1,438,360 15.4 %
A brief overview of each fund is provided below.
GENERAL FUND
In order to continue our conservative approach, revenues were projected based upon 1997's
growth pattern and receipts. The millage rate as proposed remains unchanged at 4 mils and taxes
are estimated to be received at the 96 percent level; this is the percentage budgcte;d fnr E;h-)L
previous two fiscal years. The County Six Cent Gas Tax reflects the amended distribution
formula agreed upon with the County. The Seniors (Over 65) Program is funded as it currently
exists.
As the fastest growing City in Central Florida, we have learned that proper planning makes us
able to accommodate quality growth without reducing the services to our current residents. To
this end, this budget includes a significant amount of money for transportation planning, the
Northern Study Area Plan, and the Land Development Code update.
We are adding several projects this year in an effort to reach out to our citizens and businesses to
determine community priorities and foster involvement. This budget includes funds for a
Neighborhood Matching Grants Program, an economic development brochure, and a city-wide
newsletter. These items will enhance relations both with our residents and businesses and build a
stronger sense of community. This is in keeping with the City's philosophy that while we are
growing and will ultimately be the second largest City in Orange County, we never want to lose
the small-town charm that makes Ocoee special.
To meet our citizens demands, we also continue our effort to recruit the best possible employees
in an ever competitive market area by providing a comprehensive yearly pay and benefits survey.
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STORMWATER FUND
The revenues are projected at a rate of$4.50 per ERU until October 1998 when the rate will change
to $5.00 per ERU as approved by the City Commission last year. This fund is dedicated to the
continued stormwater projects as approved by the City Commission while attempting to improve
the maintenance of our ditches and drainage facilities and meeting the national demands of the
NPDES program.
WATER/WASTEWATER FUND
As stated earlier, design work has begun on the water system improvements to be funded through
the 1997 bond issue with construction to begin in 1998. Two additional positions and two
reclassifications are contained in this budget. Other improvements include the upgrade of Lift
Stations No. 12 and No. 22 and the effluent pond modifications at the wastewater treatment plant
on A.D. Mims Road.
SOLID WASTE
As stated at mid-year, Solid Waste continues to be a weak budget and concerns us for the future.
We did review private versus public pickup of yard waste and found privatization better. To this
end, we have proposed contracting out the collection of yard waste in this budget. We must keep
in mind we currently have one of the higher rates in the county and may have to consider increasing
rates as the county increases landfill charges. An additional sanitation truck is proposed as well as
funding for 505 garbage carts to handle our growth.
In conclusion, we have prepared a budget that allows us to meet the continued growth demands in
a cost effective and efficient manner. This budget provides for the acquisition of much needed
equipment, additional benefits for our employees, a better data collection system, and more quality
growth planning. We have come a long way since 1990 and have a long way to travel. But together,
we shall succeed.
I would like to commend Wanda Horton, Finance Director, Donald Carter, Finance Supervisor,
Peggy Psaledakis, Director of Personnel & Employee Relations, Lisa Stickland, Budget Specialist,
and Janet Resnik, Capital Projects/Concurrency Analyst for their efforts in completing this budget.
Respectfully Submitted,
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