09-25-2019 Minutes Final Budget Hearing
OCOEE CITY COMMISSION
Ocoee Commission Chambers
150 North Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, FL
September 25, 2019 MINUTES 6:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER - 6:00 PM
Roll Call and Determination of Quorum
Mayor Johnson called the final budget hearing to order at 6:00 PM in the Commission
Chambers of City Hall. City Clerk Sibbitt called the roll and declared a quorum present. At the
request of the City Attorney, City Clerk Sibbitt read an email from Commissioner Oliver
explaining his absence and requesting it be known that he would like to earmark $100,000 for a
financial and operational audit with the exception of the police and fire department.
Roll Call: Commissioner Brinson, Commissioner Wilsen, Mayor Johnson, Commissioner
Firstner
Absent: Commissioner Oliver
Also Present: City Manager Frank, City Attorney Cookson, City Clerk Sibbitt, Finance Director
Roberts, Chief Accountant Herrera, and Finance Sr. Administrative Assistant Hall
II. PUBLIC HEARING — 6:02 PM
A) Announcement by Mayor Johnson
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 5.5000
mills, which represents a 6.92% increase in millage over the rolled-back rate of 5.1438 mills.
The adopted tentative millage rate is the maximum millage rate, which may be adopted by the
City Commission at the Final Budget Public Hearing tonight.
B) Briefing by Director of Finance on the percentage increase in millage under the
rolled-back rate necessary to fund the budget and the specific purpose for which ad
valorem tax revenues are being increased.
Finance Director Roberts announced that subsequent to the first Tentative Hearing, Finance
made the adjustments to the budget to reflect items discussed at the hearing. In addition, the
budget was adjusted to reflect the Commission's decision to move forward with "The
Hammocks Reclaim Retrofit Project" and the grant award. Revised budget books were provided
to the Mayor and Commissioners in advance of this hearing to allow for their review.
The total budget for the City of Ocoee for FY 2019/2020 is $83,314,449. The proposed General
Fund budget is $52,476,498 and is balanced at 5.2500 mills, which is .25 mills lower than the
tentative millage approved by the City Commission. The commission approved a tentative
millage rate for FY 2019/2020 of 5.5000 mills. This rate is higher than the roll-back rate of
5.1438 mills and represents a 6.92% increase in the millage over the roll-back rate. The
difference between 5.2500 mills and the roll-back rate is .1062 mills or 2.06%. Ad Valorem
Final Budget Hearing
September 25, 2019
taxes are used to finance City operations including providing quality services, maintaining city
infrastructure through capital projects, and funding salaries for City employees as required to
provide services.
1. Comments by Citizens
Mayor Johnson opened the floor for comments by citizens. No comments were made.
2. Comments by Commissioners
Commissioner Brinson shared he had no comments.
Commissioner Wilsen thanked the residents living in the City and shared that bringing the
millage rate from 5.5 mills to 5.25 mills is quite an accomplishment. She further voiced that the
City departments provide excellent services, and are doing a great job. It was noted that while
several discussions over the past few meetings have occurred regarding requests made by
residents, she feels the City has been fiscally responsible and their mission should be to keep
working on the Lakeshore Center and downtown facilities that were requested by the citizens.
Commissioner Firstner shared he had no comments.
Mayor Johnson stated that he also shares the same sentiments as Commissioner Wilsen and
feels the City is running well because of all the City staff. The City has changed dramatically in
the last 15 years which in part is due to the feedback received by the citizens on what they want
for the City and in the downtown area. He further thanked the City staff and citizens for their
joint efforts.
C) Amendments to the Proposed Tentative Budget - 6:09 PM
No amendments were presented.
D) Announcement by Director of Finance of the proposed final millage rate and the
percent by which the proposed millage rate exceeds the rolled-back rate. This
percentage is the proposed final percentage increase in property taxes.
Finance Director Roberts announced that the proposed final millage rate is 5.2500 mills and the
percent by which the proposed millage rate exceeds the rolled-back rate is 2.06 %. This
percentage is the proposed final percentage increase in property taxes.
E) Adoption of Final Millage Rate - 6:13 PM
City Attorney Cookson announced the name of the taxing authority is the City of Ocoee. The
rolled-back millage rate is 5.1438 mills. The percentage by which the proposed millage rate
exceeds the rolled-back rate is 2.06%. The millage rate proposed by the Ordinance is 5.2500
mills.
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Final Budget Hearing
September 25,2019
City Attorney Cookson read the title of the ordinance.
The ordinance as adopted carries the following title:
ORDINANCE NO.2019-025
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING A
FINAL MILLAGE RATE OF 5.2500 MILLS FOR AD VALOREM TAXES FOR
THE CITY OF OCOEE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1,
2019, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2020; PROVIDING FOR MILLAGE
ADJUSTMENT; PROVIDING FOR COLLECTION OF TAXES; PROVIDING
FOR 2.06% INCREASE IN MILLAGE RATE OVER THE ROLLED-BACK
RATE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
1. Comments by Citizens
Mayor Johnson opened the floor for comments by citizens. No comments were made.
2. Comments by Commissioners on Final Millage Rate
Mayor Johnson opened the floor for comments by Commissioners. No comments were made.
3. Motion to Adopt Ordinance No.2019-025, Setting Final Millage Rate- 6:12 PM
Mayor Johnson handed the gavel to Commissioner Wilsen.
Motion: Move to adopt Ordinance No. 2019-025, setting a final millage rate of
5.2500 mills for the Fiscal Year 2019-2020; Moved by Mayor Johnson, seconded
by Commissioner Firstner. Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Oliver absent.
F) Adoption of Final Budget- 6:13 PM
City Attorney Cookson read the title of the ordinance.
The ordinance as adopted carries the following title:
ORDINANCE NO.2019-026
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
ADOPTING A FINAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING
OCTOBER 1, 2019, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2020; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
1. Comments by Citizens
Mayor Johnson opened the floor for comments by citizens. No comments were made.
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Final Budget Hearing
September 25,2019
2. Comments by Commissioners on Final Budget
Mayor Johnson opened the floor for comments by Commissioners. No comments were made.
3. Motion to Adopt Ordinance No. 2019-026,Adopting Final Budget- 6:14 PM
Motion: Move to adopt Ordinance No. 2019-026, approving a final budget for the
Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2019, and ending September 30, 2020; Moved by
Commissioner Wilsen, Seconded by Commissioner Brinson. Motion passed 4-0
with Commissioner Oliver absent.
Commissioner Firstner — thanked City staff, City Manager, and Department Directors for a
wonderful FY 18-19 and looks forward to another excellent year.
Commissioner Wilsen —thanked City staff and the City Manager for bringing the budget down
to 5.2500 mills, and also looks forward to another excellent year.
Commissioner Brinson — shared the same sentiments as Commissioner Firstner and
Commissioner Wilsen; further advising that his first year as Commissioner has been an eye-
opening experience, and he is learning a lot day by day. He expressed that Ocoee is a great place
and is getting better every day.
Mayor Johnson — thanked all the Commissioners and City staff for always being available to
answer citizens' questions. The City has a great financial rating, and it is because of all the work
staff has put in.
III. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:17 p.m.
APPROVED:
ttest: of O
Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk Rusty Jo n, Mayor
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