HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-11-03 Minutes SS
MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORK SESSION
HELD AUGUST 11, 2003
CALL TO ORDER.
Mayor Vandergrift called the work session to order at 6: 10 p.m. In the Commission
Chambers. City Clerk Grafton called the roll.
PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Howell, Johnson and Parker. Also present
were City Manager Gleason, Assistant to the City Manager Shira, Building Official Phelps,
City Clerk Grafton, Chief Communications Supervisor Simanski, Community Development
Director Wagner, Finance Director Horton, Finance Supervisor Carter, Accountant Bishop,
Budget Analyst Brosonski, Customer Service Supervisor Sills, Fire Chief Strosnider, Assistant
Fire Chief Firstner, Support Division Chief McNiel, Human Resources Director Diedrich,
Information Systems Director Ross, Parks/Recreation Director Farmer, Police Chief Goclon,
and Public Works Director Wheeler.
ABSENT: Commissioner Anderson
REVIEW AND DISCUSS: BUDGET FY 2003-2004.
City Manager Gleason opened the discussion without reading the budget message. He raised
a question regarding the Commission's wishes for the increase in insurance rates. He said it
had been his understanding the Commission had directed that any increase in dependent
coverage should be divided between the City and the employee with a 70%/30% ratio split;
however, the figures in the budget work book showed all of the increase being absorbed by the
City. After a brief discussion, consensus was to recalculate with a 70 % /30 % split.
Mr. Gleason advised the budget had been put together based on a millage rate of 4.5789 per
$1,000, and the utility rates using Plan B as adopted at the last meeting.
Mayor Vandergrift said he would like to see a grant report as part of the budget process,
even though the budget could not be based on desired grants.
Commissioner Johnson asked why we buy full-sized trucks for those departments that do not
need that much power.
There was discussion about the CRA and which part of the City should be included. Mayor
Vandergrift said he wanted to be sure downtown is not overlooked. Commissioner Parker
pointed out the CRA must deal with blighted areas, and all of downtown is occupied. She
added, however, that the infrastructure of downtown may qualify.
Mayor Vandergrift asked where the costs for the homeland security challenges could be
found. Mr. Gleason said those figures are not included, but he has asked fire, police, IS, and
utility department directors to put together a list as the City is under a mandate to have that
done in this next year.
Ocoee City Commission Budget Work Session
August 11, 2003
Mayor Vandergrift said that if footnotes were used in the workbook to explain changes or
details it would cut down on the need to ask questions during the review at work sessions.
The review proceeded page by page with staff responding to questions and explaining details.
No changes were proposed until page 4-8, where Commissioner Johnson proposed giving the
City Manager a car allowance instead of buying a new car, with $600 per month to cover oil
changes, etc. After discussion, Mr. Gleason was directed to bring back a proposal which
includes a report showing what other cities are doing regarding this.
Mayor Vandergrift asked if there were thresholds set up for the number of miles a vehicle
should be expected to go or the number of months or years a computer should be in use before
it is replaced. Mr. Gleason said the department directors would be able to justify their figures
when they come before the Commission.
Police Chief Goclon reported about what portion of the tickets written comes back to the City.
When Commissioner Johnson said he would like to see the figures Chief Goclon said a
breakdown study would be done.
On page 4-60, Commissioner Johnson pointed out if 6300 is road and 6303 is sidewalk it
would be helpful for the workbook to so indicate.
Commissioner Johnson reported a sidewalk is needed on Geneva Street for the school kids.
Mayor Vandergrift said Blackwood Street should be added to the road list and Pioneer Key
Park II has potholes
Commissioner Johnson said he would like to see all of the City employees on the same
phone/radio system. Information Systems Director Ross explained why two systems were
being used. Mr. Gleason will bring back a report showing the difference in cost for the
Commission to give further direction.
ADJOURN.
The work session adjourned at 8:58 p.m.
Attest:
APPROVED:
City of Ocoee
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