09-23-2020 Minutes Final Budget Hearing
OCOEE CITY COMMISSION
Ocoee Commission Chambers
150 North Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, FL
September 23, 2020 MINUTES 6:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Due to technical issues, Mayor Johnson called the final budget hearing to order at 6:12 PM in the
Commission Chambers of City Hall. The invocation was led by Mayor Johnson followed by the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
B. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum
City Clerk Sibbitt called the roll and declared a quorum present.
Present: Commissioner Brinson, Commissioner Wilsen,Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Firstner,
Commissioner Oliver
Also Present: City Manager Frank, City Attorney Cookson, City Clerk Sibbitt, Finance Director
Roberts
II. PUBLIC HEARING
A) Announcement by Mayor Johnson
•
Mayor Johnson announced the following, "Due to COVID-19 City Hall is closed to the public
and is subject to change based on the Governor's Executive Order. The public may attend through
electronic media by watching live on Spectrum Channel 493 with a live stream at www.ocoee.org.
Any interested party is invited to offer comments and/or questions during the hearing by emailing
citizens@ocoee.org or calling 407-554-7118."
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 Tentative Budget Hearing, Finance
performed a final review, and adjusted the budget for those corrections as well as requests from
City management. These adjustments did not affect the tentative millage rate of 5.15. The Mayor
and Commissioners were provided a schedule of these changes which, if approved, will be
included in the final budget books.
Those adjustments were:
• $100,000 was added to General Fund Transfers In for administrative costs as a result of
truing up the funds after final review
• General Fund beginning cash revenue was reduced by $76,500
• $24,000 was added for the November 1920 Observance from surplus contingency funds
• $2,000 additional funding was added to community grants
Final Budget Hearing
September 23,2020
• $1,500 additional funding was budgeted for the Mayor and Commissioners for Travel and
Miscellaneous expenses
• $20,000 was added to the City Managers Training budget for Diversity Training
• $9,000 additional funding was added to the Street Operations capital budget to fund traffic
calming projects
• $250,000 was added to the Utility Funds capital budget to fund potential land purchases
• $82,000 was added to the Utility Funds professional services for an unanticipated service
study
The total budget for the City of Ocoee is $85,530,745 up by $355,500 from the tentative budget
hearing as a result of the adjustments previously noted. The General Fund Budget is $52,930,550,
an increase of $23,500 over the tentative budget hearing, and is balanced at 5.1500 mills as
approved by the Commission at the tentative budget hearing. The difference between 5.1500 mills
and the roll-back rate is .1392 mills, $441,631, or 2.78%. Ad Valorem taxes are used to finance
City operations including providing quality city services, maintaining city infrastructure through
capital projects, and funding salaries for city employees as required to provide services. The
increase in ad valorem revenues over 2020 will be used to off-set anticipated reduction in other
revenue sources resulting from the impacts of COVID-19.
1. Comments by Citizens
Mayor Johnson opened the floor for public comments.
No speaker reservation forms, telephone calls, or emails were received; therefore, the public
hearing was closed.
2. Comments by Commissioners
Mayor Johnson asked for clarification on the $24,000 for Community Promotions. Finance
Director Roberts advised this was added for the November 1920 Observance event. Mayor
Johnson further inquired about the proposed adjustments to the tentative budget for training,
travel,and Utilities—Professional Services. Finance Director Roberts and City Manager Frank
addressed his questions.
Commissioner Firstner inquired if the $24,000 would cover the needs of the HRDB. City
Manager Frank advised there is $6,000 already budgeted in their line item, and the board had
presented a proposed budget of$30,000.
Commissioner Wilsen inquired about the Contingency Funds and Reserves. Finance Director
Roberts and City Manager Frank addressed her questions.
Mayor Johnson inquired about adding discretionary funding of$10,000 for each elected official
assuming it will not raise the millage rate. City Manager Frank explained how adjusting the
beginning cash balance from $76,000 to $26,000 would allow them additional funding without
changing the millage rate.
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Final Budget Hearing
September 23,2020
Commissioner Brinson asked for the definition of traffic calming. Public Works Director Krug
addressed this question.
Commissioner Oliver inquired if the $24,000 would be enough for the HRDB, and if they have
enough time to coordinate an event since their event is to occur in less than 40 days. He further
commented that he agrees with the discretionary funding as this will allow them to assist with
organizations within the community.
C) Amendments to the Proposed Tentative Budget
Motion: Move to amend the tentative budget of the City of Ocoee as follows:
addition of$10,000 for each Elected Official as discretionary funds to award at their
discretion without needing City Commission approval; Moved by Commissioner
Wilsen, Seconded by Commissioner Brinson. Motion passed 5-0.
Motion: Move to amend the tentative budget of the City of Ocoee as follows:
approval of Exhibit "1" with the adjustment of the Beginning Cash balance from
($76,000) to ($26,000) and the addition of a line item of $50,000 for District Special
Projects; Moved by Commissioner Oliver, Seconded by Commissioner Wilsen.
Motion passed 5-0.
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 5.1500 mills, and the
percent by which the proposed millage rate exceeds the rolled-back rate is 2.78 %. This
percentage is the proposed final percentage increase in property taxes.
E) Adoption of Final Millage Rate
City Attorney Cookson announced the name of the taxing authority is the City of Ocoee. The
rolled-back millage rate is 5.0108 mills. The percentage by which the proposed millage rate
exceeds the rolled-back rate is 2.78%. The millage rate proposed by the Ordinance is 5.1500 mills.
City Attorney Cookson read the title of the ordinance.
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Final Budget Hearing
September 23, 2020
The ordinance as adopted carries the following title:
ORDINANCE NO.2020-022
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING A
FINAL MILLAGE RATE OF 5.1500 MILLS FOR AD VALOREM TAXES FOR
THE CITY OF OCOEE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1,
2020, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2021; PROVIDING FOR MILLAGE
ADJUSTMENT; PROVIDING FOR COLLECTION OF TAXES; PROVIDING
FOR 2.78% 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 public comments by citizens.
No speaker reservation forms, telephone calls, or emails were received; therefore, the public
hearing was closed.
2. Comments by Commissioners on Final Millage Rate
Commissioner Brinson shared he would like to comment on a proposed amendment that he did
not see in the budget. He explained the proposal of a salary increase for Elected Officials of 3%
beginning from the enactment of their salary in 1998 to the current year; and further, going forward
when an increase is proposed for the general employees the City Commission can consider the
same increase as well. Finance Director Roberts asked for clarification as her understanding was
that he was seeking the 3% increase to begin when the Elected Officials took office. Discussion
ensued regarding the stipend and salary of the Elected Officials.
Commissioner Wilsen shared she is not in favor of going back to 1998, but will agree with an
increase from this point forward to receive the same percentage as the general employees.
Commissioner Firstner shared he supports the proposal made by Commissioner Brinson as it is
a fair proposal.
Mayor Johnson inquired if the increase could be done without affecting the millage rate. City
Manager Frank explained their increase would not go into effect until after the next election as
stated in the code; therefore, the $26,000 that was to go back into reserves could be used to cover
that portion of their salary increase.
Commissioner Oliver shared this is not about an increase in their salary, but about having a
mechanism in place from this point forward as the City grows.
City Manager Frank shared the City Commission can vote on the amount of funding needed for
this increase this evening; however, the increase of their salary would still need to go before the
City Commission for a first and second reading of ordinances.
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Final Budget Hearing
September 23,2020
Recess was taken from 6:50 PM— 6.•57 PM
Motion: Move to amend the tentative budget of the City of Ocoee as follows:
approval to remove$7,637.77 from the Beginning Cash balance of($26,000)for City
Commission salary increases to be approved by an ordinance that will be
presented after the 2021 Municipal Election; Moved by Commissioner Brinson,
Seconded by Commissioner Oliver.
Mayor Johnson opened the floor for public comments by citizens.
No speaker reservation forms, telephone calls, or emails were received; therefore, the public
hearing was closed.
Motion passed 4-1 with Commissioner Wilsen opposing.
Commissioner Wilsen asked for clarification on the travel and miscellaneous line items listed in
Exhibit"1". A brief discussion ensued. Commissioner Wilsen further shared her discontent with
the proposed increase of the City Commission's salaries.
3. Motion to Adopt Ordinance No. 2020-022, Setting Final Millage Rate - 7:04 PM
City Attorney Cookson announced the title to the ordinance did not change. The millage rate
remains at 5.15 mills with an increase of 2.78% over the rolled-back rate.
Motion: Move to adopt Ordinance No. 2020-022 setting a final millage rate of 5.15
mills for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2021;
Moved by Commissioner Oliver, seconded by Commissioner Brinson. Motion
carried 5-0.
F) Adoption of Final Budget
City Attorney Cookson read the title of the ordinance.
The ordinance as adopted carries the following title:
ORDINANCE NO.2020-023
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
ADOPTING A FINAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING
OCTOBER 1, 2020, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2021; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
1. Comments by Citizens
Mayor Johnson opened the floor for public comments by citizens.
No speaker reservation forms, telephone calls, or emails were received; therefore, the public
hearing was closed.
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Final Budget Hearing
September 23, 2020
2. Comments by Commissioners on Final Budget
Commissioner Brinson commented that he appreciates the Finance Department team as this year
has been tough. He hopes the future does not include the current health issues we are dealing with;
but if it does, he is confident that the City has a great team to address those issues.
Commissioner Wilsen echoed Commissioner Brinson's sentiments, and also thanked the City
staff for a great job.
Commissioner Firstner thanked the City Manager's Office and City staff for a wonderful job.
The City is healthy and moving in the right direction.
Commissioner Oliver echoed the sentiments of the Commissioners, and shared this is the lowest
he has seen the millage rate since he has lived in the City which is great especially during this
pandemic.
Mayor Johnson expressed the same sentiments as the Commissioners, and commented that he
feels the City staff is one of the best and represents the City well.
3. Motion to Adopt Ordinance No. 2020-023, Adopting Final Budget- 7:09 PM
Motion: Move to adopt Ordinance No. 2020-023, approving a final budget for the
Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2021; Moved by
Commissioner Oliver, Seconded by Commissioner Firstner. Motion passed 5-0.
III. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
APPROVED:
Attest: Ci of Ocoee
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Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk Rusty Johns or
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