HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-2026 MinutesOCOEE CITY OMMISSION
Ocoee Commission Chambers
1 N. Bluford Avenue
Ocoee, Florida
September 9, 2026 MINUTES 6:00 PM
TENTATIVE BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING
• CALL TO ORDER 6:00 PIl
Mayor Johnson called the final budget hearing to order at 6:15 PM in the Commission
Chambers of City Hall. The invocation was led by Commissioner Oliver followed by the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Mayor Johnson.
Present: Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Kennedy, Commissioner Wilsen, Commissioner
Firstner, Commissioner Oliver
Also Present: City Manager Shadrix, City Attorney Geller, City Clerk Sibbitt, Finance Director
Weber, Assistant Finance Director Lawitzke, and Chief Accountant Meruena
• PUBLIC HEARING 6- 1 P.tf
A. Mayor's Announcement
This is a public hearing on the proposed budget and tentative millage rate for the City of Ocoee.
Notice of this hearing was contained in the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes mailed by the
Property Appraiser. The City Commission has previously set a tentative millage rate of 5.2922
mills which represents a 10% increase in millage over the rolled -back rate of 4.8111 mills.
B. Briefing by City Attorney 6:02 Pll l
The preliminary tentative millage rate set by the City Commission and contained in the TRIM
Notice is 5.2922 mills. Effective June 24, 2026, Senate Bill 4-F revises the calculation for
determining the maximum millage rate that a county, municipality, special district, or municipal
service taxing unit may levy. Section 2 of SB 4-F, amends subsection 200.065(5), Florida
Statutes, to remove a calculation of the current year's maximum millage rate based on the prior
year's taxes and maximum millage rate and removes the option to levy the adopted rate from
the prior year, if higher. The amendment provides that the maximum millage rate that may be
levied is the rolled -back rate computed under 200.065(1), F.S. A taxing authority may adopt a
millage rate of up to 110 percent of the rolled -back rate by a two-thirds vote of the membership
of the governing body. A taxing authority may adopt a millage rate exceeding 110 percent of the
rolled -back rate by a unanimous vote of the membership of the governing body. At the final
public hearing, the City Commission may adopt a millage rate which is less than the tentative
millage rate.
Tentative Budget Public Hearing
September 9, 2026
C. Briefing by Finance Director 6.
Finance Director Weber thanked City Management and staff for assisting in developing the
budget. He further announced that the final budget hearing is scheduled for Wednesday,
September 23rd, at 6:00 PM, and presented a PowerPoint which summarized the budget
priorities, and commitments for FY 2026-2027. Highlights in the presentation covered:
• Budget Process Timeline
• Economic Highlights
• Staffing Comparison
• Millage Rate and Property Values
• General Fund Revenues and Expenditures
• Increasing Public Safety Cost for Police and Fire
• Grant Activity Highlights
• Financial Challenges.
1. Public Comments 6.13 l Tt l
Mayor Johnson opened the floor for public comments.
The following persons addressed the City Commission:
- Johnmichael Fernandez, Ocoee Resident, expressed his concerns with several of the
proposed budget line items.
- Doug Gomber, Ocoee Resident, expressed his understanding of the budget and the
current economy. He gave kudos to the City Staff for a job well done.
2. Commissioners' Comments a �1 Nfi l
Mayor Johnson closed the floor for public comments and opened the floor for comments by
the Commissioners.
Commissioner Kennedy requested a calculation of where the budget would be balanced, for
the general fund, in millage, if EMS and Building had not been removed and the fire
assessment had not been increased and Finance Director Weber responded to his inquiry.
Commissioner Kennedy also addressed a few of the comments and concerns mentioned
during public comments.
Commissioner Wilsen addressed comments made during public comment, highlighting the
use of some of the allocations mentioned, such as advisory boards, community events, and
lobbyist.
Commissioner Firstner thanked and gave kudos to City Management and City Staff on a job
well done. He acknowledged their hard work and dedication to getting it done and making it
work.
2 1 P a g e
Tentative Budget Public Hearing
September 9, 2026
Commissioner Oliver thanked City Staff for putting the budget and budget books together so
fluently. He commented on how easy it is to read and follow, in comparison to past years.
Mayor Johnson echoed the comments of the Commission and gave kudos to City
Management and City Staff.
D. Announcement by Finance Director e,41 l`'k 1
Finance Director Weber announced that the proposed tentative millage rate of 4.9500 mills
is 2.89% above the rollback rate of 4.8111 mills. This is the millage rate at which the General
Fund budget is balanced.
1. Public Comments ` �M
Mayor Johnson opened the floor for public comments.
No speaker reservation forms were received, therefore, the public hearing was closed.
2. Commissioners' Comments — None
E. Motion to Adopt the Tentative Millage Rate Al 2 i FVi
City Attorney Geller read the title of the ordinance with the correct millage rate and
percentage in millage over the rolled -back rate.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING A TENTATIVE
MILLAGE RATE OF 4.9500 MILLS FOR AD VALOREM TAXES FOR THE CITY OF OCOEE
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2026, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
2027; PROVIDING FOR MILLAGE ADJUSTMENT; PROVIDING FOR COLLECTION OF
TAXES; PROVIDING FOR 2.89% IN MILLAGE RATE OVER THE ROLLED -BACK RATE;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Motion: Move that the City Commission adopt a tentative millaqe rate of 4.9500 mills for
the fiscal year beginninq October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2027; Moved by
Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy. Motion carried 5-0.
F. Motion to Adopt the Tentative Budget 15, P[Ifi
City Attorney Geller read the title of the ordinance.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A
TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2026, AND
ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2027; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
31 Page
Tentative Budget Public Hearin
Motion - Move that the Ci�y Commission adopt the tentative budget as distributed at this
Tentative Budget Public Hearing for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026, and
ending September 30, 2027; Moved by Commissioner Oliver, Seconded by
Commissioner Firstner. Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Johnson announced the public hearing to consider the final millage rate, and final
budget, is scheduled to be held Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Hall
Commission Chambers. The hearing will be advertised in accordance with the provisions of
Section 200.065, Florida Statutes, and Section C-37 of Article VI of the Ocoee City Charter.
The appropriate Ordinances necessary to adopt the Final Millage Rate and Final Budget will
be prepared by City staff, and all other action necessary to comply with the requirements of
Section 200.065, Florida Statutes, will be undertaken.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:46 PM.
Attest: M::
Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk Rusty John4on, Mayor