09-06-17 Minutes Tentative Budget Hearing OCOEE CITY COMMISSION
TENTATIVE BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING
Ocoee Commission Chambers
September 6, 2017 MINUTES 6:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER-6:00 PM
A. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Johnson called the regular session to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of
City Hall. The invocation was led by Commissioner Keller followed by the Pledge of Allegiance
to the Flag, led by Commissioner Wilsen.
B. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum
City Clerk Sibbitt called roll and declared a quorum present.
Present: Commissioner Grogan, Commissioner Wilsen, Mayor Johnson, Commissioner
Firstner, Commissioner Keller
IL PUBLIC HEARING—6:01 PM
A. Mayor's Announcement
Mayor Johnson announced this is a public hearing on the tentative budget and proposed millage
rate for the City of Ocoee. Notice of this hearing was contained in the Notice of Proposed
Property Taxes mailed by the Property Appraiser. The City Commission has previously set a
proposed millage rate of 6.5 mils which represents a 19.6%_increase in millage over the rolled-
back rate of 5.4357 mils.
B. Briefing by City Attorney- 6:02 PM
City Attorney Cookson announced the preliminary millage rate set by the City Commission and
contained in the TRIM Notices is 6.5 mils. The maximum millage rate which may be levied by
the City by regular majority vote for the 2017-2018 fiscal year is 7.3615 mils, such maximum
millage rate having been determined pursuant to Section 200.185(3)(a), Florida Statutes. The
establishment of a millage rate between 7.3616 mils and 8.0977 mills requires a two-thirds vote
(super majority) of the membership of the City Commission (or 4 votes). The establishment of a
millage rate between 8.0978 mils and 10.000 mils requires a unanimous vote of the City
Commission. Additionally, any millage rate adopted above the preliminary millage rate of 6.5
would require notice by first class mail to each taxpayer. The tentative millage rate adopted at
this hearing will become the maximum millage rate which may be adopted by the City
Commission at the public hearing on the final millage rate. A unanimous vote or a two-thirds
vote may be required to adopt the tentative millage rate as the final millage rate. At the final
public hearing, the City Commission may adopt a millage rate which is less than the tentative
millage rate.
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Ocoee City Commission Tentative Budget Public Hearing
September 6,2017
C. Briefing by Finance Director: Review of additions/deletions to the budget since
August 1, 2017 distribution, 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.
Finance Director Briggs announced after the budget workshop, staff performed a
comprehensive review to correct any unintended omissions and finalize estimated program costs.
Changes made to the budget by staff after the workshop include the following:
D Increase Revenues Fire/FEMA SAFER Grant
➢ Increase Revenues Red Light Cameras
➢ Increase Red Light Camera Expenses
D Increase Transfer Out/Fire Station Reserve
D Increase Revenues Fire Protection Fees
➢ Adjust Capital Equipment Police
The proposed operating budget for the City of Ocoee for FY 2018 total $69,407,163. The
proposed General Fund budget is $47,527,725 and is balanced at 5.6202 mils. The difference
between the 6.5 mils and the 5.6202 mils is $1,916,664, which is currently not in the budget.
Ad Valorem taxes are being assessed to provide funding for:
• Operational expenses
• Capital purchases
• Debt service payments
• Salaries necessary to provide municipal services to the citizens and businesses of Ocoee
Items identified by the commission or staff that are not included in the proposed budget are
itemized on the unfunded list for discussion. The City Commission approved a tentative millage
rate of 6.5 mils for the FY 2017. This rate is higher than the rolled-back rate of 5.4357 mils and
represents an increase of 19.6% over the rolled-back rate.
1 Comments by Citizens- 6:05 PM
Chris Adkins, 606 Ridgefield Ave., addressed the City Commission on concerns he had with
regards to the following: 1) Conducting department audits within the City, 2) Founders' Day
event revenues and expenses breakdown, and 3) Ad-valorem fees.
Questions raised by Mr. Adkins were addressed by the Commission and City Manager.
2. Comments by Commissioners -6:24 PM
Commissioner Keller clarified that currently they are at the 5.7500 mils and will need to amend
the budget to include the revenues and expenditures to get the millage rate to 5.6202 mils. City
Attorney Cookson answered in the affirmative.
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Ocoee City Commission Tentative Budget Public Hearing
September 6, 2017
Mayor Johnson inquired about the paving on Malcom Road. City Manager Frank suggested
they keep it on the unfunded list, and he can bring it back for discussion for the next public
hearing.
3. Motions by Commissioners for amendments to the proposed tentative budget
Motion: Move to amend the tentative budget to include those items on the proposed
balanced budget millage rate; Moved by Commissioner Keller, seconded by
Commissioner Firstner. Motion carried 5-0.
This would reduce the millage rate to 5.6202 mils.
Proposed Balanced Budget Millage Rate 5.7500
Increase Funding Request Airport Authority 1,000 0.0005 5.7505
Increase Revenues Fire Protection Fees (60,000) (0.0275) 5.7229
Increase Revenues Red Light Cameras (460,000) (0.2112) 5.5118
Increase Beginning Fund Balance/Fire Station
Reserve (500,000) (0.2295) 5.2823
Increase Revenues Fire/FEMA SAFER Grant (593,037) (0.2722) 5.0100
Increase Red Light Camera Expenses 240,000 0.1102 5.1202
Increase Transfer Out/Fire Station Reserve 302,321 0.1388 5.2590
Increase Expenses/12 Firefighters Under FEMA
SAFER Grant Award 790,716 0.3630 5.6219
Adjust Capital Equipment Police (3,800) (0.0017) 5.6202
(282,800)
Adjusted Millage Rate 5.6202
Further discussion ensued regarding the proposed tentative millage rate.
Motion: Move to amend the tentative budget to include $400,000 to contingency;
thus bringing the tentative millage rate to 5.8038 mils; Moved by Commissioner
Grogan, seconded by Commissioner Keller. Motion carried 5-0.
D. Announcement by Finance Director of the recomputed proposed millage rate and
the percent by which the recomputed proposed millage rate exceeds the rolled-back
rate. This percentage is the proposed tentative percentage increase in property
taxes. Announcement regarding the vote required to adopt this millage rate
(Regular Majority, Super Majority, or Unanimous).
Finance Director Briggs announced the recomputed proposed millage rate of 5.8038 mils
represents a 6.77% increase over the rolled-back rate.
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Ocoee City Commission Tentative Budget Public Hearing
September 6, 2017
1. Comments by Citizens
Mayor Johnson opened the floor for comments by citizens. No comments were made.
2. Comments by Commissioners -None
E. Motion to Adopt the Tentative Millage Rate
City Attorney Cookson read the title of the ordinance.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA,
ESTABLISHING A TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE of 5.8038 MILS FOR
AD VALOREM TAXES FOR THE CITY OF OCOEE FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1,2017,AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
2018; PROVIDING FOR MILLAGE ADJUSTMENT; PROVIDING FOR
COLLECTION OF TAXES; PROVIDING FOR 6.77% INCREASE IN
MILLAGE RATE OVER THE ROLLED-BACK RATE; PROVIDING
FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Motion: Move that the City Commission adopt the tentative millage rate at 5.8038
mils for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2017, and ending September 30,
2018; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Keller. Motion
carried 5-0.
F. Motion to Adopt the Tentative Budget
City Attorney Cookson read the title of the ordinance.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, ORANGE COUNTY,
FLORIDA, ADOPTING A TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1,2017,AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
2018; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Motion: Move that the City Commission adopt the tentative budget of the City of
Ocoee as amended at the Tentative Budget Public Hearing tonight, such tentative
budget being for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2017, and ending September
30, 2018; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Keller.
Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Johnson announced the public hearing to consider the final millage rate and final budget
is scheduled for Monday, September 18, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. to be held in the City Hall
Commission Chambers.
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Ocoee City Commission Tentative Budget Public Hearing
September 6, 2017
JOU lViENT-6:42 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
APPROVED:
Attest: City of Ocoee
Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk Rusty Joh ayor
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