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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-99 MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL SESSION TENTATIVE BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING HELD SEPTEMBER 9,1999 Mayor Vandergrift called the Special Session to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. The roll was called and a quorum declared present. Mayor Vandergrift announced that this was a public hearing on the tentative budget and proposed millage rate for the City of Ocoee. Notice of this hearing was contained in the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes mailed by the Property Appraiser. The City Commission has previously set a proposed millage rate of 4.00 mills which represents a 2.354% increase in millage over the rolled-back rate of3.908 mills. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Johnson, Howell (arrived at 7:03 p.m.) and Parker. Also present were City Attorney Rosenthal, City Manager Shapiro, Public Works Director Smith, Fire Chief Strosnider, Police Chief Mark, Director of Personnel & Employee Relations Psaledakis, Finance Director Horton, Recreation Director Nordquist, Director of Planning Wagner, Assistant City Engineer Wheeler, Building & Zoning Official Flippen, Finance Supervisor Carter, Budget Specialist Strickland, Solid Waste Supervisor Dees and Acting City Clerk Green. ABSENT: None Finance Director Horton announced the purpose of the 4.00 mill tax rate for Fiscal Year 1999- 2000 was to generate revenues to be used for: . capital operating expenses and personnel costs . continued implementation of the Indianapolis Plan for the Police Department . equipment, including vehicles and computers . the increase in health insurance costs . new telephone system, and . capital improvements The public hearing was opened, and Mayor Vandergrift asked for citizen comments. There being no comments from the public, Mayor Vandergrift asked for comments from the Commissioners. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS Mayor Vandergrift asked about the payoff of capital expenses in the first quarter of the fiscal year. Finance Director Horton explained the breakdown of the payments. Commissioner Howell asked about the amount of reyenue generated by the millage rate. Mayor Vandergrift stated it was approximately $81,000. Commissioner Howell asked the number of homeowners in Ocoee. City Manager Shapiro stated that there are about 7,500 to 8,000 water OCOEE CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL SESSION September 9,1999 accounts, so the city probably has about 6,500 residences. Mayor Vandergrift stated that the increase averages out to about $4.00 per household. Commissioner Parker stated that the increase at her home was $5.01, which is appraised at about $77,000 and is about average for the city. Mayor Vandergrift discussed the history of TRIM and roll-back rates since the 1970's. He further stated that the West Oaks Mall is not being appraised on its fair market value, but rather on a net income/cost basis, which reduces its value on the tax rolls. Public Works Director Smith stated that the citizens want more and better parks, streets, sidewalks and recreational facilities. He stated that he has never heard a citizen complain about the taxes, rather, they want more and better services. He further stated that he is being asked to do more and more with less money and people, and that they cannot continue to provide the level of services to the citizens if there is a rollback. Commissioner Howell stated that he has received a lot of calls about the millage rate. Mayor Vandergrift responded by discussing various real estate taxes and user fees, grants and controlling costs through privatization of services. Commissioner Parker stated that her district does not support going to the rollback rates. They don't want to see user fees and she would prefer to help those citizens who are poverty level as individuals. Commissioner Johnson stated that he does not support the rollback rate in light of what the city has to do. He might even support a small increase next year in order to maintain our high level of service for our citizens. He sadi that one-half mil might be enough to pave and repave roads, and build sidewalks for kids. Finance Director Horton stated that one-half mill would yield approximately $400,000 in revenue. Commissioner Anderson stated that he IS undecided and that he would like to hear Commissioner Howell's opinion. Commissioner Howell stated that he would love to vote for a rollback, but he intends to vote to keep the same millage. Commissioner Anderson asked if the Commission could raise the millage rate now. City Manger Shapiro responded that the Commission was bound by the proposed millage rate and that, although it could be done, it would be very difficult. 2 OCOEE CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL SESSION September 9,1999 A lengthy discussion ensued with the Commission and various members of the staff. Mayor Vandergrift asked whether there were any amendments to the tentative budget. There being no motions to amend, City Attorney Rosenthal announced that the proposed final Millage Rate is 4.00 mills which represents a 2.354% increase in millage rate over the rolled-back rate of 3.908 mills. This is the proposed percentage increase in property taxes. ORDINANCE No. 99-30, ADOPTING MILLAGE RATE. City Attorney Rosenthal read the Ordinance by title only. Commissioner Parker, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, moved, as read bv Mr. RosenthaL that the Citv Commission adopt a tentative millage rate of 4.0 mills for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 1999 and ending September 30,2000. There were no comments from citizens. Commissioner Anderson commented that this increase was about the amount of the cost of living increase that was given to the city's employees. Mayor Vandergrift responded that the increase could be paired with anything and that the increase did not directly fund the COLA. Motion carried 4-1 with Mavor Vandergrift voting no. ORDINANCE No. 99-31, ADOPTING BUDGET. City Attorney Rosenthal read the Ordinance by title only. There were no comments from citizens. Commissioner Anderson commented that he wanted to thank the staff for finding the extra money to help pay for the health insurance increase. Commissioner HowelL seconded by Commissioner Johnson, moved, as read by Mr. RosenthaL that the City Commission adopt the tentative budget of the City of Ocoee distributed along with the budget message of the City Manager dated July 29, 1999, along with the changes resulting from the Budget Workshop, such tentative budget being for the fiscal vear beginning October 1, 1999 and ending September 30, 2000. Motion carried 5-0. FINAL PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Johnson, seconded bv Commissioner Parker. moved, as read bv Mr. RosenthaL that a public hearing to consider the final millage rate and final budget be scheduled for September 22,1999 at 7:00 p.m. at a Special Meeting of the City ofOcoee Citv Commission to be held at the Ocoee Citv Hall Commission Chambers, that the hearing be advertised in accordance with the provisions of Section 200.065, Florida Statutes, and Section C-37 of Article VI of the Ocoee City Charter, that the appropriate Ordinances necessary to adopt the final millage rate and final budget be prepared by the City staff, and that all other action necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 200.065, Florida Statutes, be undertaken. Motion carried 5-0 3 OCOEE CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL SESSION September 9,1999 Mayor Vandergrift announced the end of the hearing and the date of the final budget and final millage hearing: September 22, 1999 at 7:00 p.m., at Ocoee City Hall. The meeting adjourned at 8: 19 p.m. APPROVED Attest: City of Ocoee I>LtLl> ,'.JaM) ~ OIJ~ Marian Green, Acting City Clerk II /,' -zt-U1 S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor / I SS 99 99.doc 4