HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01 Approval of Minutes1 | Page
OCOEE CITY COMMISSION
Ocoee Commission Chambers
1 N. Bluford Avenue
Ocoee, Florida
September 15, 2026 MINUTES 6:15 PM
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING
• CALL TO ORDER 6:16 PM
Mayor Johnson called the regular session to order at 6:16 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 Kennedy. City Clerk Sibbitt called the roll and
declared a quorum present.
Present: Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Kennedy, Commissioner Wilsen, Commissioner
Firstner, and Commissioner Oliver
Also Present: City Manager Shadrix, City Attorney Geller, and City Clerk Sibbitt
• PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 6:18 PM
Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation – read and proclaimed by Mayor Johnson and
accepted by Pastor Mario Jimenez of HighPoint Church.
Presentation on Special Millage Renewal by Orange County Public Schools
Scott Howat, Chief Communications Officer and President of the Foundation for OCPS, spoke
about Orange County Public Schools, including ratings, public school advantage, and declining
school enrollment. He further spoke on the millage referendum that will be on the upcoming
November 3rd ballot for Orange County voters to consider extending the current 1-mill property
tax to support school operations for four more years.
Commissioner Kennedy commented on the lack of communication between the School
Board and the City regarding various issues that have been raised with the School Board. He
explained that the City has been unable to obtain support from the School Board and asked
what Mr. Howat could do to assist in his role as Chief Communications Officer. Commissioner
Kennedy also expressed concern that school activities are not being adequately funded,
resulting in elected officials being frequently approached to provide funding for these activities.
Mr. Howat addressed his questions and concerns.
Commissioner Kennedy commented on the e-Bike Program, and Mr. Howat provided
additional information regarding the program and the e-Bike ban.
Commissioner Oliver spoke about teacher salaries and the importance of parents supporting
PTAs and students’ extracurricular activities. He shared that most members of the City
Commission will continue to do what they can to support students and teachers.
Regular City Commission
September 15, 2026
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Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Program Administrative Report (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026) Red
Light Cameras
Police Chief Ogburn provided a brief PowerPoint which displayed the administrative report on
all Red-Light Traffic Infraction Detectors within the City’s jurisdiction.
Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Program Administrative Review (July 1, 2025, through June 30,
2026) School Zone Enforcement Cameras
Police Chief Ogburn provided a brief PowerPoint which displayed the administrative report on
all School Zone Enforcement Infraction Detectors within the City’s jurisdiction.
Update of Crime Statistics for the City of Ocoee
Police Chief Ogburn provided a brief PowerPoint which displayed the current crime statistics
within the City’s jurisdiction.
Commissioner Kennedy shared his support for the Red-Light Camera program and inquired
about the revenue collected by the City. He also asked why the program is not revenue-neutral
and how any excess funds are utilized. Police Chief Ogburn addressed his questions.
• STAFF REPORTS AND AGENDA REVIEW – None
• PUBLIC COMMENTS 6:56 PM
The following persons addressed the City Commission:
- Tim Swope, Ocoee Resident, requested that Consent Agenda Item #5 be pulled for
discussion. He stated that he and his neighbors are against the conduit relocation and
expressed their desire for Duke Energy to install a new modernized power supply grid.
Mayor Johnson advised that Item #5 does not pertain to his concern and asked the Public
Works Director to address the issue. Public Works Director Krug addressed his concern.
City Manager Shadrix stated that City staff will contact Duke Energy tomorrow and
requested that Mr. Swope meet with Assistant City Manager Rumer and Public Works
Director Krug.
- Patti LeRoy, Woman’s Club of Ocoee, shared that the Woman’s Club of Ocoee was
recently granted approval by the Florida National Historical Society to place a historical
marker in front of its building. She explained that the cost of the historical marker is $3,500
and expressed appreciation to Commissioner Wilsen, who graciously contributed $2,000
from her discretionary funds. She further requested financial assistance from the City
Commission to pay for the remaining balance. By consensus, the City Commission
approved the request to give $1,500 to the Woman’s Club of Ocoee from Contingency
Funds, for the placement of their historical marker.
- Vicente Perez Carreno, Associate Supervisor and Treasurer for the Orange Soil and
Water Conservation District, gave a brief summary of the District’s mission and announced
their meeting dates and times.
Regular City Commission
September 15, 2026
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- Dr. Jim Moyer, Soil and Water Conservation District 2 Supervisor, explained the
Orange Soil and Water Conservation District (OSWCD), their powers, and the seats that
will be on the upcoming ballot.
• CONSENT AGENDA 7:11 PM
Consent Agenda Motion
Motion: Move to adopt Consent Agenda Items #1-5; Moved by Commissioner Kennedy,
seconded by Commissioner Wilsen; Motion carried unanimously.
1. Approval of Minutes from the Regular City Commission Meeting held September 1,
2026, and Tentative Budget Hearing held September 9, 2026. (City Clerk Sibbitt)
2. Approval of Asset Disposal from FY25/26 Annual Inventory. (Finance Director Weber)
3. Approval to Donate State Forfeiture Funds to Organizations Supporting Law
Enforcement. (Police Chief Ogburn)
4. Approval of Projects Awarded Funding under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
(HMGP) Watershed Planning Program (WPP). (Public Works Director Krug)
5. Approval for Duke Energy Conduit Relocation on Bluford Ave. (Public Works Director
Krug)
• FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE - None
• SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE – PUBLIC HEARING - None
• PUBLIC HEARING - None
• REGULAR AGENDA - None
• MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS 7:12 PM
Mayor Johnson announced the upcoming Final Budget Hearing date and City Events for the
months of September and October.
• COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS 7:13 PM
Commissioner Oliver – Commented on the following: 7:14: PM – 7:16 PM
1) Discussed Item #3 of the Consent Agenda, stating that it is a great initiative.
2) Requested permission from the City Commission to host his annual District 4 Town Hall
Meeting at the Lakeshore Center on October 21st or 22nd. By consensus, the City
Commission approved Commissioner Oliver to host his annual town hall meeting at
the Lakeshore Center on either October 21st or 22nd.
3) Read an inspirational quote.
Commissioner Firstner – No further comments.
Regular City Commission
September 15, 2026
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Commissioner Wilsen – Commented on the following: 7:17 PM -7:18 PM
1) Announced the Shred Event will be held at the Ocoee Police Department on September
26th and encouraged residents to participate if they have sensitive documents that need
shredding.
Commissioner Kennedy – Commented on the following: 7:18 PM – 7:21 PM
1) Inquired about the proposed Halloween event that was discussed at the previous City
Commission meeting. Development Services Director Lepp gave an update, highlighting
that the land use issue has been resolved; however, the requester is still going through the
permitting processes.
Mayor Johnson – No further comments.
• ADJOURNMENT 7:21 PM
APPROVED:
Attest: City of Ocoee
______________________________ ___________________________
Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk Rusty Johnson, Mayor
OCOEE CITY COMMISSION
Ocoee Commission Chambers
1 N. Bluford Avenue
Ocoee, Florida
September 23, 2026 MINUTES 6:00 PM
FINAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING
• CALL TO ORDER 6:01 PM
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 6:02 PM
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 6:03 PM
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. 6:04 PM
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 6:05 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 PM
No speaker reservation forms were received; therefore, the public hearing was closed.
Commissioners’ Comments 6:06 PM
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 PM
No speaker reservation forms were received; therefore, the public hearing was closed.
Commissioners’ Comments 6:08 PM
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.
Motion to Adopt an Ordinance Adopting Final Budget, followed by vote (TIME: 6:10 PM)
Motion: Move to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-18, approving a final budget for the Fiscal
Year beginning October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2027. Moved by
Commissioner Oliver, seconded by Commissioner Wilsen. Motion carried 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:11 PM.
APPROVED:
Attest: City of Ocoee
____________________________ _____________________________
Victoria Parks, Acting City Clerk Rusty Johnson, Mayor