08-10-17 Minutes Budget Workshop
OCOEE CITY COMMISSION
Ocoee Commission Chambers
150 North Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, FL
August 10, 2017 MINUTES 6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER- 6:03 PM
Mayor Johnson opened the workshop meeting and shared that he would like to have the guest
who would like to address the City Commission present first and following their presentation the
Finance Department will provide the budget overview.
Randy June, June Engineering, representing the Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida, was the
first guest to speak. He stated that the Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida has been operating
in East Winter Garden on West Crowne Point for about 10 years. The Boys and Girls Club of
Central Florida currently has 75 kids and is utilizing a 30x30 room located in the Magic Gym.
He shared his efforts in personally raising money throughout the 10 years as well as reaching out
to Commissioner Boyd to help with funding. He provided a sketch of the proposed building and
explained that the building will be in Winter Garden but it is County property. Mr. June
continued to explain the schools they currently pick up children from, and how they are looking
to expand services to several hundred more kids with the new proposed facility. He is before the
City Commission to request funding from the City of Ocoee in the amount of$30,000, to be paid
$10,000 per year over three (3) years.
Mayor Johnson commented that Winter Garden is also supporting the Boys and Girls Club of
Central Florida; and feels this is a great program as there are many children in Ocoee that could
benefit from this program.
Commissioner Keller shared that he also likes this program and the idea that if they expand the
building, they will expand services to benefit more children in Ocoee.
Commissioner Firstner shared that he also feels this is a good project. He further inquired if the
funds were already tentatively included in the budget as indicated on their handout. City
Manager Frank answered in the affirmative, and further explained that this request was
received prior to this evening so it was included; but if the Commission chose not to fund it, then
it will be credit towards the millage rate.
Commissioner Wilsen commented that she also felt it was a great program, and further inquired
if there is a registration fee for a child to attend the Boys & Girls Club. Mr. June advised that
there is a fee associated with the program, but most of the participants tend to be sponsored by
their scholarship program.
Commissioner Grogan shared that he is always in support of programs and thanked Mr. June
for all his work.
After Discussion, Consensus of the City Commission was to retain the funding
request that is tentatively included in the budget for the Boys & Girls Club of
Central Florida.
Ocoee City Commission Budget Workshop
August 10, 2017
Stina D'Uva, West Orange Chambers President, explained that it is the 45th Anniversary for the
West Orange Chambers of Commerce, and their organization has a permanent home in Winter
Garden that was made possible by the City of Winter Garden and the City of Ocoee, who also
was a lead contributor during their "Growth Matters" campaign many years ago. Throughout the
years they have had tenants in their building, but have asked them to move out so they may
expand the chamber office for their team. Ms. D'Uva further explained that they have known
that one day they would need to expand the chamber office and community space, which is why
they have considered expansion plans that will reconfigure their building to allow for more
accommodating space. The West Orange Chambers currently has nine employees, but anticipates
the Chamber team growing to twelve employees within several years. She continued by stating
that she is before the Commission to ask for funding support as was done six years ago. The
request is for funding from the City of Ocoee in the amount of$30,000, to be paid $10,000 per
year over three (3) years.
Commissioner Grogan confirmed that their request was similar to that of the Boys & Girls Club
to which Ms. D'Uva replied in the affirmative. She further shared that she forgot to mention that
they also have funding commitments from Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, Orlando
Health and Florida Hospital.
Commissioner Wilsen shared that she agrees West Orange County is growing as well as the
chambers; and further feels we should continue to partner with the chambers as we have done in
the past. Commissioner Wilsen briefly shared some citizen comments regarding Best Fest
which is a Chamber sponsored event.
Commissioner Firstner said that the City and Chambers has always had a great relationship and
with the development that is occurring in Ocoee, he would like to continue to have that type of
relationship. He further inquired if the Commission approves the funding, how close will they be
to their final goal. Ms. D'Uva answered it will put them very close to their goal, but also
explained the chambers will apply for a bank loan for the difference.
Commissioner Keller said that he also agrees that the relationship the City has with the
Chamber is great, and one thing Ms. D'Uva forgot to mention is that the West Orange Chambers
has won best Chamber in the State more than once.
Mayor Johnson shared that in the past the City did contribute to the Chambers over a six-year
period, and he is glad to be involved. After Discussion, Consensus of the City
Commission was to retain the funding request that is tentatively included in the
budget for the West Orange Chambers of Commerce.
FY17/18 Budget Overview - Finance Director Briggs
Finance Director Briggs provided a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the Proposed Budget
for FY2017-2018. Budget Highlights in the presentation covered:
D Personnel
D Vehicles
D Equipment
D Capital Improvements
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Ocoee City Commission Budget Workshop
August 10, 2017
Discussion - 6:41 PM
Mayor Johnson announced that he will not be going through the budget book page-by-page as
they have done in the past. The Commission has had time to review their budget books; so if
there are any questions pertaining to any area of the budget, he would like to begin with those
questions.
City Manager Frank explained that one of the discussion points from last year was the Fire
Department and funding a new Station. He further explained the City applied for a grant for the
firefighter positions for this year, but it has not been determined if they will be getting those
funds this year. Mayor Johnson inquired how much is in reserve for which Finance Director
Briggs answered $12 million. It was further explained that $2.6 million will be used to balance
the FY17/18 budget, but the returns would be adequate for the level they need to keep to cover
debt service in operating costs. Mayor Johnson shared that with the process of the downtown
renovation and the economic development that has occurred within the last year, the City will
have a good tax basis coming in next year. He further shared that he will not vote to go above the
tentative millage rate and really prefers to drop it, but something he would like to propose is
putting $500,000 into reserves for this fiscal year and again for next fiscal year to fund the new
fire station. If the grant is awarded for the twelve firefighters, this will allow them to have the
funding in place for the fire station. City Manager Frank advised if that is the consensus of the
Commission, staff can proceed. Brief discussion ensued regarding the new construction that will
be impacting the City.
Fire Chief Miller thanked the Commission for their support and appreciates their recognition of
the northwest area being a critical area. He continued by stating that the $500,000 proposed by
the Mayor over a time period will be just what they need for funding; however, the $189,000 for
the twelve firefighters is what he would ask the Commission to consider funding as they will
need that if the grant is awarded. Lengthy discussion ensued.
City Manager Frank shared that one other item for the Commission to discuss is the request of
the $1,000 by the West Orange Airport Authority, which he also included in the budget.
Commissioner Wilsen shared her concern of having no contact or reporting from the West
Orange Authority as they have an appointed member from the City. City Manager Frank
shared that they can request the Chairman or a member of the West Orange Airport Authority to
address the Commission at the first public hearing and explain what the money is needed for.
Commissioner Grogan thanked staff and everyone involved in keeping on the right path and
working toward the vision that they all have for the City.
Commissioner Wilsen shared that one of the items she did not see was the funding for the
Spring Fling and inquired if it was removed. City Manager Frank shared that the funding is not
shown specifically, but the $5,000 is in the budget. Commissioner Wilsen further shared that
she feels they are doing a lot for their community and this shows the citizens that they are being
fiscally responsible.
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Ocoee City Commission Budget Workshop
August 10, 2017
Commissioner Firstner shared that he has no further comments.
Commissioner Keller shared the budget is going in the right direction and feels that with the
growth in the City residents will start to see the results of what they are doing.
Mayor Johnson shared he would personally like to lower the millage rate and with all
employees getting the 3% and insurance not changing, the City is doing great.
City Manager Frank said if they feel they have covered everything and will not need to have
the Budget Workshop on Monday, they may want to cancel that workshop. Consensus of the
Commission was to cancel the August 14th Budget Workshop.
IV.ADJOURNMENT - 7:08 PM
APPROVED:
Attest: City of Ocoee
V
Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk Rusty John i ayor
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