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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-12-90 SS '-' MINUTES OF THE OCOEE BOARD OF CITY COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL SESSION HELD SEPTEMBER 12, 1990 The special session and public hearing called for the purpose of adopting final millage rate and budget for fiscal year 90-91 was called to order by Mayor Dabbs at 7:30 p.m. in the commission chambers. Mayor Dabbs led in the prayer and pledge of allegiance, and after calling the roll, declared a quorum present. PRESENT: Mayor Dabbs, Commissioners Combs, Foster, Johnson and Woodson. Also present were City Manager Shapiro, Finance Director Poston, Planning Director Behrens, City Accountant Gianitsis, and City Clerk Grafton. ABSENT: None Mayor Dabbs announced that this is an advertised public hearing to finalize the budget and adopt a final millage rate for the City of Ocoee. The City Commission has previously approved a tentative millage rate of 4.0 mills which represents a 15.94% increase in millage over the rolled-back rate of 3.45 mills. '-- PUBLIC HEARING - BUDGET City Manager Shapiro explained the TRIM Bill requirement to show what the millage rate must be to generate the same income for the next fiscal year and, as Mayor Dabbs stated, the rolled-back rate is 3.45 mills. Mr. Shapiro said that the announcement in The Sentinel showing that the budget will increase 120% was an error, as the increase was only 20%. That increase is due to a major increase in health insurance costs, a new retirement program, the increase in gas/oil and necessities, and some capitol outlay. Mr. Shapiro stated further that the revenue did not come from taxes, but rather from growth impact fees. Comments by Citizens Mr. R.P. Mohnacky asked if the value of Ocoee went up. City Manager Shapiro responded that there was no major reevaluation of the City as a whole but where there were individual improvements there may have been an increase in that particular property tax, just as always has been so. Mr. Mohnacky made several suggestions on how the City should save money, i.e., buying in quantity, having work area one large room rather than small offices, and not hiring until personnel is actually needed. MRs. Donna Fleckenstien, 1103 Wineberry Court, asked for the millage to be explained as well as the ad. City Manager Shapiro explained that the TRIM Bill was designed to assure that taxing authorities notify citizens regarding tax changes, that the wording of the ad was prescribed by law and that it causes considerable confusion. ~ Mr. James Peterlin, 1103 DeLaKey Court, wanted to address the budget rather than the setting of the millage, so he returned to his seat. '-' Page 2 Ocoee City Commission Special Session September 12, 1990 Mr. J.B. Griffin, 345 S. Lakeshore Drive, said that he felt this Commission had been running around with Republicans because Democrats tax and spend, while Republicans borrow and spend. Mr. Griffin encouraged Commission to tax and spend rather than borrow. Mrs. Dorothy Dinkel, 907 Maureen Avenue, asked how many city employees there are and the response was approximately 125. Mrs. Dinkel stated that the economy is slowing down and she is concerned about the bond issue. City Manager Shapiro explained that we have 3 to 4 years of payments on the bond issue in the bank right now and if no one moves in we still will be in good shape financially. Mr. Shapiro said that the interest rate is very low right now and we would be foolish to go on short term loan to do Clark Road when with the bond issue we can nail down the low rate. Mrs. Dinkel said that citizens see needs not being met and do not approve of Commission doing something different with the money. City Manager Shapiro explained infrastructure requirements again and, as the hospital construction will begin in March it is necessary to complete Clark Road. '-' Mr. Harold Switzer, 609 E. Lakeshore Drive, asked if going to the rolled-back rate is feasible in the near future. City Manager Shapiro explained that when new people move in after the tax roll is in place they do not have to pay raised taxes until the next year and so going to the rolled-back rate is not feasible. Mayor Dabbs said that that could change if the partial year assessment goes in, but that ad valorem taxes are a very small portion of the total budget and none of the ad valorem tax dollars go to Clark Road. Comments by Commissioners Commissioner Foster said that the bottom line is the individual cost and most of the people he has talked to say that their taxes are lower and that growth is paying for growth. Commissioner Johnson said that the millage should have been raised several years ago rather than continuing to lower the millage and avoiding the needed repairs. ........ Commissioner Combs said that last year when the millage was raised 1 mill, one-half of that mill went for the Over 65 Program and t~e .J,' rest went to services. ~~ Commissioner Woodson said that the Over 65 Program was in ~~q~ existence more than 10 years ago and so the increase in millage should not be blamed on that program. City Manager Shapiro explained that when the program was initiated it was expensed as lost revenue to the water and sanitation funds and in this year's budget it had been changed to the general fund and thus supported by tax dollars rather than as originally set up. '-" Page 3 Ocoee City Commission Special Session September 12, 1990 Mayor Dabbs asked if there were any amendments to the budget. City Manager Shapiro advised that the budget as presented tonight contains all the requests made by Commission for the D.A.R.E. program, YMCA, etc. Mr. James Peterlin had several questions regarding the ad chat was placed and felt that there should be a better way to inform the public about such things as he does not have time to read the newspaper. Mr. peterlin suggested that the help be reduced substantially in order to achieve better productivity from those left on the job, and also Mr. Peterlin said that he had not had time to read over the budget but he felt it should be cut severely and employees made to live with it. Commissioner Woodson pointed out to Mr. Peterlin that in the last 10 years the size of the City has doubled but the staff has not and the services the City is required to supply cannot be provided without staff. At this point City Manager Shapiro started telling about employees who have given over and above the call of duty to their jobs just because they care about the facilities in their charge and the services they provide for the citizens as well as the appearance of the City. Mr. Shapiro indicated that, as a whole, the dedication of this staff is not something to criticize casually. ~ Mayor Dabbs asked if there were any amendments to the budget and there were none, so no recess was needed to recompute the proposed final millage and rolled-back percentage increase. City Attorney Rosenthal announced that the City Commission has previously approved a tentative millage rate of 4.0 mills which represents a 15.94% increase in millage over the rolled-back rate of 3.45 mills and since there were no changes in the budget those figures remain the same. This percentage is the proposed percentage increase in property taxes. Mayor Dabbs asked for further public comment and no one wished to speak. Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Combs, moved to adopt Resolution 90-15 setting a final millage rate of 4.0 mills for Fiscal Year 1990-1991. City Manager Shapiro read Resolution No. 90-15 in its entirety (see attached Exhibit A). There were no comments by citizens, nor were there any comments by Commissioners. On roll call Commissioner Combs voted "aye," Commissioner Foster "aye," Commissioner Johnson "aye," Commissioner Woodson "aye," and Mayor Dabbs "aye." Motion carried with unanimous vote in favor. '-' Page 4 Ocoee City Commission Special Session ~ September 12, 1990 Commissioner Combs, seconded by Commissioner Foster, moved to adopt Resolution No. 90-16, adopting a final budget for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 1990 and ending September 30, 1991. City Manager Shapiro read the title only of proposed Resolution No. 90-16. When Mayor Dabbs asked for citizen comments Mr. Switzer asked about the motor for the boat that patrols the lake. City Manager Shapiro advised that it will be in this year's budget. Mrs. Brenda Spiker, 1114 Caballero, asked if the insurance had been thoroughly researched and if deductible increase had been considered. City Manager Shapiro assured her that it had. Mr. Mohnacky asked what price the motor was and Mr. Shapiro advised that it was several thousand but not $8,000. There were no further citizen comments nor Commission comments. On roll call Commissioner Combs voted "aye," Commissioner Foster "aye," Commissioner Johnson "aye," Commissioner Woodson "aye," and Mayor Dabbs "aye." Motion carried with unanimous vote in favor. Mayor Dabbs announced that this concludes the budget public hearing. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. ........ '-" EXHIBIT A ATTACHED TO CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL SESSION MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 12, 1990 RESOLUTION NO. 90-15 '-' I' ]\, RESOLUTION OF TilE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORID~, EST~BLISHING ~ MILL~GE R~TE FOR AD VALOREM T~XES FOR THE CITY OF OCOEE FOR TilE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1990 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1991; STATING THE PERCENTAGE BY WHICH THE MILLAGE RATE EXCEEDS THE ROLLED- BACK RATE COMPUTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 200.065, FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR MILLAGE ADJUSTMENT; PROVIDING FOR COLLECTION OF TAXES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the city of Ocoee, Florida has received the report of the Orange County Property Appraiser stating the amount of assessed values which he has certified to the Florida Department of Revenue for non-exempt real and tangible personal property within the City for the year 1990; and WHEREAS, in order to provide the revenue necessary for the operation of the city for its Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 1990, and ending September 30, 1991, the city commission of the city of Ocoee has determined the rate of ad valorem tax levy that \.t must be assessed for the year 1990; and WHEREAS, pursuant to section 200.065(5), Florida statutes, the city commission intends that the millage when applied to the extended tax roll will generate the same tax revenue as when applied to the Certification of Taxable Value prepared by the Orange County Property Appraiser on June 28, 1990; and WHEREAS, the provisions of Chapter 200 of the Florida statutes prescribing the method of fixing millage have been complied with. j NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Authoritv. The City commmission of the City of Ocoee has the authority to adopt this Resolution pursuant to Article VIII of the Constitution of the state of Florida and Chapters 166 and 200, Florida Statutes. ~ '--' SECTION 2. Millaqe Levv. The city Commission of the city of Ocoee hereby adopts, establishes and levies a millage i' rate for ad valorem taxation of real and business personal property within the fity of Ocoee, Florida, for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 1990 and ending September 30, 1991, at the rate of $4.00 per $1,000.00 of assessed valuation. SECTION 3. Percentaqe Increase Over ROlled-Back Rate. The millage rate, as herein levied, exceeds the rolled-back rate computed pursuant to Section 200.065, Florida Statutes, by 15.94%, such percentage increase being characterized as the percentage increase in property taxes adopted by the city Commission of the city of Ocoee. SECTION 4. Mil1aqe Adiustment. The city Commission hereby authorizes the city Manager to administratively provide the Property Appraiser with the millage adjustment, pursuant to his report of the aggregate change in the assessment roll as provided for by Section 200.065(5), Florida Statutes. SECTION 5. COllection of Taxes. The tax shall be ~ collected by the Orange County Tax Collector, subject to discounts prescribed by law, and deposited to the account of the city of Ocoee with a report and copies of deposit receipts to be delivered promptly to the city's Finance Director who shall be responsible for the administration of this procedure. SECTION 6. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Resolution is for any reason held invalid or unconsitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision and such holding shall not affect the' validity of the remaining portion hereto. SECTION 7. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon passage and adoption. ~ - 2 - ,.,,~~..... ..........--~'" '-" PASSED AND ADOPTED this 12th day of September, 1990. I' APPROVED: ATTEST: I' CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA Lester Dabbs, Jr., Mayor Jean Grafton, city Clerk (SEAL) FOR USE AND RELIANCE ONLY BY THE CITY OF OCOEE, APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY, this 12th day of September, 1990. APPROVED BY THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION AT A MEETI~G HELD ON SEPTEMBER 12, 1990 UNDER AGENDA ITEM NO. II 2a. FOLEY , LARDNER, VAN DEN BERG, GAY, BURKE, WILSON' ARKIN By: city Attorney ~ FLOPPY/475BR1(1) 01(OB/24/90) ~' - 3 -