Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-10-97 SS MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL SESSION FINAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING HELD SEPTEMBER 10, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the Special Session/Public Hearing to finalize the FY 1997-98 budget and adopt the final millage rate to order at 7:30 p.m. in the commission chambers. The roll was called and a quorum declared present. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Glass, Howell, and Parker. Also present were City Manager Shapiro, City Attorney Rosenthal, Finance Director Horton, Personnel Director Psaledakis, Fire Chief Strosnider, Planning Director Wagner, Building Official Flippen, Assistant City Engineer Wheeler, Assistant Finance Supervisor Carter, Budget Technician Strickland, and City Clerk Grafton. ABSENT: None Mayor Vandergrift announced that this was an advertised public hearing to finalize the budget and adopt a final millage rate for the City of Ocoee. He stated that the City Commission has previously approved a tentative millage rate of 4.0 mills which represents a 12.391 % increase in millage over the rolled-back rate of 3.559 mills. Finance Director Horton announced that the proposed 4.00 mills to fund the budget proposed for fiscal year 1997-98 represents a 12.391 % increase in millage over the rolled-back rate of 3.559 mills. The revenues generated will be used for funding the following: . additional personnel and reclassifications to realign positions in the City Manager, City Clerk, Police, Fire, Public Works, Inspections and Recreation Departments . enhancements to employee benefits . continued upgrading of the computer system, including a permitting system via the telephone, and . leasing vehicles to upgrade the rolling stock throughout the City. PUBLIC HEARING The public hearing was opened and Mayor Vandergrift asked for comments from the citizens. Comments by Citizens Mr. R. P. Mohnacky, 1820 Prairie Lake Boulevard, Ocoee, asked when the City would be running its own recycling program, as he has suggested several years. City Manager Shapiro responded that currently (and for several more years) the City is under mandate to use the County program. Mr. Jeff Gerber, 11022 Orangeshire Ct. observed that expenditures appeared to exceed revenues. Finance Director Horton explained that part of the expenditures are transfers into reserves (as required by law), but the actual operating expenditures do not exceed the revenues. Mr. Gerber asked if a citizen would be able to review the line items of the budget, and Mr. Shapiro advised that the budget book would be available in the City Clerk's office during regular office hours for any citizen to review. Ocoee City Commission Special Session-Final Budget Public Hearing September 10, 1997 Comments by Commissioners Mayor Vandergrift asked for comments from Commissioners, and then reviewed a handout he had distributed to reinforce his position, i.e., that not going to the rolled-back rate constituted an increase in tax. The handout consisted of (1 & 2) the advertisements indicating a proposed tax increase made necessary by not rolling back to the roll-back rate of 3.559, (3) a copy of the staff report supporting 4.00 mills, (4) a page comparing the gross taxable value and proposed millage rates of surrounding municipalities, (5) his proposed property tax notice showing an increase in his taxes if the City holds the millage at 4.0 mills, (6) the 1997 DR 420 Certification of Taxable Value, and (7) the 1996 DR 420 Certification of Taxable Value. Discussion ensued regarding the rolled-back rate vs. tax increase. Mayor Vandergrift asked if there were any amendments to the proposed adopted budget and there were none. Commissioner Anderson. seconded by Commissioner Glass. moved to adopt Ordinance No. 97-18 setting a final millage rate of 4.0 mills for Fiscal Year 1997-1998. City Attorney Rosenthal read the title only of Ordinance No. 97-18 setting a final millage rate of 4.0 mills. He then announced that the name of the taxing authority is the City of Ocoee, the rolled-back millage rate is 3.559 mills, that the percentage by which the proposed millage rate exceeds the rolled- back rate is 12.391 %, and that the millage rate proposed by the Ordinance is 4.0 mills. Mayor Vandergrift asked for comments/questions from the citizens present and no one wished to speak. He then asked for comments/questions from the Commission and there were none. When the vote was called for the above motion on the millage rate the motion carried 4-1 with Mayor Vandergrift voting no. Motion to Adopt the Final Budget Commissioner Glass. seconded bv Commissioner Parker. moved to aporove Ordinance No. 97-19 adooting a final budget for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1. 1997 and ending September 30. 1998. Before the vote was called for, both citizens and Commissioners were given an opportunity to comment. As no one wished to speak the vote was taken without further discussion. Motion carried 4- 1 with Mayor Vandergrift voting no. Mayor Vandergrift closed the public hearing. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Attest: APPROVED: City of Ocoee ~ ""S. Scott Vandergrift, Page 2 of 2