HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-23-2026 MinutesOCOEE CITY COMMISSION
Ocoee Commission Chambers
1 N. Bluford Avenue
Ocoee, Florida
September 23, 2026 MINUTES 6:00 PM
-CALL TO ORDER 6:01 PhR
Mayor Johnson called the final budget hearing to order at 6:01 PM in the Commission
Chambers of City Hall. The invocation was led by Ages Hart, Ocoee Resident, followed by the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Commissioner Oliver. Acting City Clerk Parks called
the roll and declared a quorum present.
Present: Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Kennedy, Commissioner Wilsen, Commissioner
Firstner, Commissioner Oliver
Also Present: City Manager Shadrix, City Attorney Geller, Acting City Clerk Parks, Finance
Director Weber, Assistant Finance Director Lawitzke, and Chief Accountant Meruena
-PUBLIC HEARING 6:0 Pi�jl
A. Mayor's Announcement
This is an advertised public hearing to adopt a final millage rate and finalize the budget for the
City of Ocoee for the Fiscal Year 26-27 commencing October 1, 2026, and ending September
30, 2027. The City Commission has previously approved a tentative millage rate of 4.9500
mills, which represents a 2.89% increase in millage over the roll -back rate of 4.8111 mills. The
advertised tentative millage rate of 4.9500 mills is the maximum millage rate which may be
adopted by the City Commission at this Final Budget Public Hearing tonight. I now ask the
Director of Finance to make a brief presentation.
B. Briefing by Finance Director 6:0 3 fel l
Finance Director Weber announced that there have been no changes to the budget since the
tentative budget hearing held on September 9, 2026. The proposed final 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. Finance Director Weber thanked the Mayor and
Commissioners for their continued support throughout this budget process.
Mayor Johnson opened the floor for public comments. :0 , PIVI
No speaker reservation forms were received; therefore, the public hearing was closed.
Commissioners' Comments — None
C. Amendments to Proposed Tentative Budget — None
D. Announcement by Finance Director — No additional announcement needed.
E. Adoption of Final Millage Rate -05 PM
City Attorney Geller announced the name of the taxing authority is the City of Ocoee. The
rolled -back millage rate is 4.8111 mills. The percentage by which the proposed millage rate
exceeds the roll -back rate is 2.89%. The millage rate proposed by the Ordinance is 4.9500
mills.
City Attorney Geller read the title of the ordinance.
The ordinance as adopted carries the following title:
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-17
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING A
FINAL 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% INCREASE IN MILLAGE RATE OVER THE ROLL -BACK RATE;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mayor Johnson opened the floor for public comments. 6:06 Nfl
No speaker reservation forms were received, therefore, the public hearing was closed.
Commissioners' Comments .-06 Pll
Commissioner Wilsen thanked everyone involved in setting and keeping the millage rate at
4.9500.
Motion to Adopt an Ordinance Setting Final Millage Rate, followed by vote. (TIME: 6:07 PM)
Motion: Move to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-17 setting a final millage rate of 4.9500 mills
for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2027. Moved by
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Firstner. Motion carried 5-0.
F. Adoption of Final Budget 6:08 PM —
City Attorney Geller read the title of the ordinance.
The ordinance as adopted carries the following title:
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-18
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
ADOPTING A FINAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING
OCTOBER 1, 2026, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2027; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mayor Johnson opened the floor for public comments. 6.08 P
No speaker reservation forms were received, therefore, the public hearing was closed.
Commissioners' Comments 6.08 P
Commissioner Kennedy thanked City Manager Shadrix, Assistant City Manager Rumer, and
all staff for their hard work on the budget. He stated that this budget reflects a deliberate shift
away from relying solely on non -ad valorem property taxes and trying to maintain a level of
service. He stated that this budget process has been difficult at times, but he is proud of the
work that was done and the steadfastness that was shown in getting to this point.
Mayor Johnson thanked all staff for the hard work they have done, highlighting City
Management and the Finance Department.
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Victoria Parks, Acting City Clerk Rusty Jo on, Mayor