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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-27-93 SS MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE BOARD OF CITY COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL ~ BUDGET SESSION HELD September 27, 1993 CALL TO ORDER The special session was called to order by Mayor Vandergrift at 7:00 p.m. in the commission chambers. The roll was called and a quorum declared present. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Combs, Foster, Johnson, and Woodson. Also present were City Manager Shapiro, City Attorney Rosenthal, Administrative Services Director Beamer, Finance Manager Poston, and Acting City Clerk Green. ABSENT: None PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Vandergrift announced that this is an advertised public hearing to finalize the budget and adopt a final millage rate for the City of Ocoee, noting that the City Commission has previously approved a tentative millage rate of 4.0 mills which represents a 3.57% increase in millage over the rolled-back rate of 3.8621 mills. ~ Briefing by City Manager on the percentage increase in millage over the rolled-back rate necessary to fund the budget and the specific purpose for which ad valorem tax revenues are being increased. City Manager Shapiro announced that the increase in the budget for the fiscal year 1993-1994 would provide 3 additional employees for P.P.T.D department, 3 fire fighters, 3 police officers, 1 detective, an Economic Development Coordinator, 1 clerk-stenographer for the City Clerk's office, 3 % cost of living increase, renewal of the merit system, $500 to each employee who worked for the City prior to the budget reduction of February 1992 and who will have continued to work with the City until October 1, 1993, and $5000 for park benches. City Attorney Rosenthal added that the 4.0 mills represents a 3.571 % increase in millage over the rolled-back rate. Comments by Citizens. Ms. Lynn Burek, 914 White Road, said that she bought property in 1989 and added a pool; the resulting increase in taxes was greater than the increase in the value of the property. City Manager Shapiro advised that the City does not do appraisals and recommended that she appeal to the County equalization board. Discussion ensued regarding appraisals and Mr. Shapiro advised that appraisers are appraising at 70% in Florida. Comments by Commissioners. Commissioner Woodson asked if continuing Russ Wagner's employment on a contract basis and retaining Bruce Behrens as Planning Director rather than Economic Development Coordinator would make it possible to to go to the rolled-back figure. City Manager Shapiro said the savings would be about $3,000.00 and that the Economic Development Coordinator could improve the taxpayer industrial base. Administrative Services Director Beamer advised that '-" going to the rolled-back figure would save $.14 per thousand in taxes. City of Ocoee Final Budget Public Hearing \.r September 27, 1993 Mayor Vandergrift had distributed a copy of Ocoee' s notice of tax increase pub~ished in Thursday's paper, Orange County Property Appraiser Richard Crotty's letter dated September 15, 1993 with an attached chart illustrating the relationship between taxable value and millage rates, and copies of Ocoee's Certification of Taxable Value for 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993. City Manager Shapiro explained how property taxes change as shown on the chart from Mr. Crotty and City Attorney Rosenthal said that if the rolled-back rate had been chosen the rate notice would not have read "tax increase." MOTIONS BY COMMISSIONERS FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE ADOPTED TENTATIVE BUDGET. Mavor Vander2l'ift. seconded bv Commissioner Woodson. moved to reduce the budget bv $58.666. On roll call Commissioner Combs voted "no." Commissioner Foster "no." Commissioner Johnson "no." Commissioner Woodson "ave." and Mavor Vandergrift "ave. " Motion lost 3-2. .'-' Motion to adopt Resolution No. 93-11 setting the final millage rate. This resolution presenting the final millage rate at 4.0 mills was read in its entirety. Commissioner Foster. seconded bv Commissioner Johnson. moved to adopt Resolution No. 93-11. establishing a millage rate for ad valorem taxes for the fiscal year 1993-1994 at the rate of $4.00 per $1.000 of assessed valuation. Comments by Citizens. There were no citizen comments at this time. Comments by Commission. There were no Commission comments at this time. Vote on motion to adopt Resolution No. 93-11 setting the final millage rate. On roll call Commissioner Combs voted "ave." Commissioner Foster "ave." Commissioner Johnson "ave." Commissioner Woodson "no." and Mavor Vandergrift "no." Motion carried 3- 2. Motion to approve Resolution No. 93-12 adopting the final budget. This resolution was presented by title only. Commissioner Combs. seconded bv Commissioner Johnson. moved to adopt Resolution No. 93-12. adopting a budget for the fiscal year 1993- 1994. Comments by Citizens. Mr. Jim Gleason, 856 Hammocks Drive, expressed disappointment, as he had attended the budget workshops, and he thought any changes to the budget should have been brought up at the workshops rather than waiting until the final public hearing on the budget. ~ City of Ocoee Final Budget Public Hearing '-' September 27, 1993 Comments by Commissioners. Commissioner Woodson responded that he would not say anything against Mr. Gleason. Mayor Vandergrift explained that he had tried to compromise, that he does not agree with having an Economic Development Coordinator and also he feels that 4 mills is a lot to pay for growth. Vote on motion to adopt Resolution No. 93-12 adopting the final budget. On roll call Commissioner Combs voted "ave." Commissioner Foster "ave." Commissioner Johnson "ave." Commissioner Woodson "ave." and Mavor Vandergrift "no." Motion carried 4-1. Announcement by Mayor Vandergrift of end of budget public hearing. Mayor Vandergrift announced the end of the budget public hearing. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. ~ Attest: h~J JAIN1( J MarIan Green, Acting City Clerk Approved: City of Ocoee \.,.-