HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-30-88 SS
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OCOEE CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL SESSION MEETING HELD
AUGUST 30, 1988
Mayor Ison called the meeting to order at 6:06 P. M. in the Commission Chambers.
The Mayor led in the prayer and the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Present: Mayor Ison, Commissioners Bateman (arrived late), Dabbs, Hager, and
Johnson. Also present were Assistant City Attorney Woodson, City Manager Ryan and
City Clerk Grafton.
Absent: None
Setting the Tentative Mill Levy and Adoption of Tentative Budget
Mayor Ison introduced this Budget revision and requested that it be reviewed
first, with no comments from anyone. The Certification of Taxable Value has not
changed. This is what the Property Appraiser has been notified of and that the
intention is to set a maximum mill levy. Mayor Ison pointed out that on Page 8,
last year's budget was $2,376,000.00. This reflected monthly expenditures of
$198,000.00. This new budget is $3,000,000.00 to $3,200,000.00, in terms of
monthly portions, requested by departments was $275,000.00 and what was approved
in this revision is $294,000.00. Page 30 shows the Water Fund having a beginning
cash balance of $163,000.00, and Page 35 shows a contingency for this fund of
$162,100.00, making a total of $325,100.00. This exceeds the monthly outgo. In
each of the accounts the City's income is estimated conservatively. In the
General Fund Expenses, Legislative Account, the amount has been reduced by
$3,400.00. The Executive Fund or City Manager Fund is up $82,506.00, $124,400.00
in salaries in there as the result of transferring two positions, one from
Administration and one from Finance to this account, plus one position from City
Engineer /Public Works Departments. The other departments reflect a corresponding
reduction. Administration Expenses were decreased by $60,064.00. Legal Expense
is just a "guesstimate" amount. Most of this expense is non-planned and just
"comes up". Comprehensive Planning is increased from $87,000.000 to $148,000.00,
$12,000.00 of this is for equipment to enhance the existing staff without adding
additional staff. General Government includes an account to allow for
calculation error, moving employees to C step and 2 1/2 % wage increases.
Building Maintenance was budgeted lower then the previous year. Law Enforcement
budgeted at less than last year. Fire Control, also, is budgeted less than last
year. Protection Inspections down $2,000.00 from last year. Road and Streets
is down $3,000.00 and Maintenance Garage is $4,000.00 down from last year at
$127,000.00. Parks and Recreation is increased to $203,650.00 from $185,000.00.
It is possible that some money will be generated from other sources to be used
here. Water/Utility transferred the $111,000.00 for debt service. Water Reserve
for Contingency is budgeted at $162,100.00 and the beginning cash balance is
$163,000.00, all available for this budget year. Solid Waste Service is in the
hands of the Ci ty Manager to prepare a case for an increase in charges.
Wastewater (first full year budget), reserve for contingency $318,775.00. Budget
of $1,192.00, with an operating expense of $350,000.00 and $55,000.00 debt
expense, totaling $405,000.00.
Mayor Ison summarized the Budget review with some general statements: This city
is in the business of providing services. All the major services are well
covered in this budget. There have been some cutbacks in this budget where
necessary. There is no point in placing funds in contingency accounts if it
means additional ad valorem taxes for the citizens. He felt the City could live
with a tight budget and still function well. This next year should see
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Page 2
Ocoee City Commission special Session
August 30, 1988
development in all areas and it will make a difference since revenues come to the
City within one month of any completion. The Mayor recommended a 2.8 or 2.9 mill
levy. The City Manager interjected that the $137,000.00 was only transferred by
City Staff and is found money and won't happen again.
DRC Process
The DRC and/or Engineering process is not working well. The Mayor requested that
a Commissioner be appointed for two months at a time, and then rotate to another
Commissioner. It is taking too much time for any reviews to be accomplished.
Commissioner Bateman appreciated this idea of a Commissioner attending DRC.
The suggestion about a change in DRC meeting times and days to allow
Commissioners to attend will be on the next Agenda.
General Fund
Mayor Ison summarized the General Fund. When City Manager Ryan started the
General Fund was spending $198,000.00 per month, it is currently $279,000.00 per
month and the next budget would put it at $294,000.00. The mayor would prefer
$279,000.00. City Manager Ryan called attention to the distortion due to
combining funds. The Mayor urged tightening up somewhat. Commissioner Dabbs
call attention to the exorbitant consultation and legal fees. He suggested a
possible moratorium. Mayor Ison wants to adopt 2.8 mill levy.
Establishment of Mill Rate
Commissioner Bateman moved that the Commission establish the mill rate at 2.8 and
continue with Budget as presented on August 16 printout. Second by Commissioner
Johnson. Mayor Ison made suggestions on how to reduce expenditures this next
year. Commissioner Dabbs favors 3.0 mills. Attorney Woodson indicated this is
a tentative budget and tonight the Commission must set a tentative mill levy.
The budget will be approved at a subsequent meeting. This will tell the property
assessor what he needs and the City Clerk what to run in the newspapers.
Commissioner Hager said this is not a liberal budget. Commissioner Johnson
stated he had talked to department heads last year and wanted to drop the millage
then. He would like 3.0 mill. Mayor Ison announced the current operating
millage at 2.8, current year rollback rate 2.659. City Manager Ryan stated that
historically the rate should be set higher then last year's. Roll call vote:
Bateman, "aye", Dabbs, "nay", Hager, "nay" and Johnson, "nay". Commissioner
Dabbs moved to set the mill rate at 3.0, .2 of mill over this year, seconded by
Commissioner Johnson. Vote unanimously passed.
Adoption of Tentative Budget
Commissioner Hager moved, seconded by Commissioner Dabbs, to adopte~ the
tentative budget as presented in the August 16 printout and using a 3.0 millage.
Passed unanimously.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:01 P.M.
ATTEST:~ ~.
C' Y Clerk
Thomas RIson, Mayor
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