09-18-17 Minutes Final Budget Hearing Final Budget Hearing
OCOEE CITY COMMISSION
Ocoee Commission Chambers
150 North Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, FL
September 18, 2017 MINUTES 6:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Roll Call and Determination of Quorum
Mayor Johnson called the final budget hearing to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission
Chambers of City Hall. City Clerk Sibbitt called roll and declared a quorum present.
Roll Call: Commissioner Grogan, Commissioner Wilsen, Mayor Johnson, Commissioner
Firstner and Commissioner Keller.
II PUBLIC HEARING
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 5.8038
mils, which represents a 6.77% increase in millage over the roll-back rate of 5.4357 mils. 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 roll-
back rate necessary to fund the budget and the specific purpose for which ad valorem
tax revenues are being increased
The proposed operating budgets for the City of Ocoee for FY 2018 total $69,590,910. The
proposed General Fund budget is $47,648,485. Ad Valorem taxes are being assessed to provide
funding for: operational expenses, capital purchases, debt service payments, and salaries
necessary to provide municipal services to the citizens and businesses of Ocoee. The
commission approved a tentative millage rate for FY 2018 of 5.8038 mils. This rate is higher
than the roll-back rate of 5.4357 and represents an increase in the millage over the roll-back rate
of 6.77%. The tentative millage rate generates about $775,858 more in revenues than the roll-
back rate. Of this amount $400,000 is undesignated and has been placed in the contingency
account. Adoption of the 5.8038 mils requires a majority vote by the commission.
Items that were discussed with no action taken during the tentative budget hearing are itemized
on the unfunded list for further consideration. Also included before the City Commission are
some revised budget pages and a copy of the Capital Programs for FY 2018-2022 which required
minor informational corrections. The capital improvement bond funded projects will be
presented before the City Commission in October so they may revisit the funding and amend
allocations as needed.
Ocoee City Commission Final Budget Hearing
September 18, 2017
1. Comments by Citizens
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, 3) Contribution requirements for Parks and Recreation
Programs, and 4) Merit Based Healthcare for City employees.
Commissioner Wilsen inquired if there is a "no smoking" policy within the City vehicles. City
Manager Frank answered in the affirmative.
Mayor Johnson asked Mr. Adkins for clarification on the self-funding of the Parks and
Recreation programs. Mr. Adkins explained.
Mayor Johnson explained the City's self-insured healthcare program which is a savings to the
City and further addressed insurance questions asked by Mr. Adkins.
2. Comments by Commissioners -None
C) Amendments to the Proposed Tentative Budget-
1. Motion(s) on Amendments to the Adopted Tentative Budget,
Motion: Move to amend the tentative budget to remove the $400,000 from the
contingency fund; Moved by Commissioner Keller, seconded by Commissioner
Wilsen.
Mayor Johnson opened the floor for comments by citizens. No comments were made.
Motion carried 5-0.
City Manager Frank explained that as they move forward to handle the debris from Hurricane
Irma they will need to take money from reserves to move into emergency management account
402-534-00-5224 for the FY 17/18 for debris removal. The total amount for the debris removal
will be $1.3 million; however, part of the removal will be handled from this year's budget so
staff will need $900,000 from reserves for next year. It was further announced that this will not
affect the millage rate. Mayor Johnson briefly explained the reserve funds are to handle
unforeseen circumstances or disasters so he feels this would be the best way to handle it.
Motion: Move to amend the tentative budget to add $900,000 from Reserve to
Solid Waste Emergency Management Account 402-534-00-5224; Moved by
Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Grogan.
Chris Adkins, 606 Ridgefield Ave., inquired about the transfer of funds. Staff addressed his
question.
Ocoee City Commission Final Budget Hearing
September 18, 2017
Commissioner Keller and Commissioner Wilsen inquired about the funds for Malcom Road.
City Manager Frank explained that they can move the funds into the budget and advised that it
would raise the current millage rate by about .03% putting the millage rate at 5.6546 mils.
Mayor Johnson inquired what the current millage rate is. Finance Director Briggs answered it
is 5.8291. Mayor Johnson further explained to those residents in the audience that the City had
a millage rate of 5.8291 that they are proposing to decrease this year and wanted to clarify this as
sometimes the newspaper will scare residents into thinking that the City is raising the tax base.
Motion: Move to amend the tentative budget to add $75,000 for Malcom Road
Resurfacing; Moved by Commissioner Keller, seconded by Commissioner Wilsen.
Motion carried 5-0.
2. Comments by Citizens -None
Mayor Johnson opened the floor for comments by citizens. No comments were made.
3. Discussion by Commissioners on Amendments Followed by Vote-None
D) Announcement by Director of Finance of the proposed final millage rate and the
percent by which the proposed millage rate exceeds the roll-back rate. This
percentage is the proposed final percentage increase in property taxes. 6:26 PM
Finance Director Briggs announced that the proposed final millage rate is 5.6546 and the
percent by which the proposed millage rate exceeds the roll-back rate is 4.03%. 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
roll-back millage rate is 5.4357 mills. The percentage by which the proposed millage rate
exceeds the roll-back rate is 4.03%. The millage rate proposed by the Ordinance is 5.6546 mills.
He further read the title of the ordinance.
The ordinance as adopted carries the following title:
ORDINANCE NO.2017-022
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING A
FINAL MILLAGE RATE OF 5.6546 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 4.03% IN MILLAGE RATE OVER THE ROLL-BACK RATE; PROVIDING
FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Ocoee City Commission Final Budget Hearing
September 18, 2017
1. Comments by Citizens -None
Mayor Johnson opened the floor for comments by citizens. No comments were made.
2. Comments by Commissioners on Final Millage Rate-None
3. Motion to Adopt Ordinance No. 2017-022, Setting Final Millage Rate
Motion: Move to adopt Ordinance No. 2017-022, setting a final millage rate of
5.6546 mils for Fiscal Year 2017-2018; Moved by Commissioner Keller, seconded
by Commissioner Wilsen. 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.2017-023
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
ADOPTING A FINAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING
OCTOBER 1, 2017, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2018; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
1. Comments by Citizens-None
Mayor Johnson opened the floor for comments by citizens. No comments were made.
2. Comments by Commissioners on Final Budget-None
3. Motion to Adopt Ordinance No.2017-023,Adopting Final Budget
Motion: Move to adopt Ordinance No. 2017-023, approving a final budget for the
Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2017 and ending September 30, 2018; Moved by
Commissioner Wilsen, Seconded by Commissioner Grogan. Motion passed 5-0.
Finance Director Briggs said he would like to make one point of clarification for the 3% Cost
of Living Adjustment (COLA) for the general staff He is requesting if that increase could go
into effect the first full payroll in October as opposed to October 1st. Consensus of the City
Commission was to approve the 3% COLA to be effective the first full payroll in
October.
Commissioner Grogan thanked staff for all their hard work on the budget.
Commissioner Keller also thanked staff and further appreciates the hard work they put in
getting the budget to where it is today.
Ocoee City Commission Final Budget Hearing
September 18,2017
Commissioner Wilsen also thanked staff and the Commission as a whole as they are all working
together with moving the City forward and focusing on what is best for the City.
Commissioner Firstner echoed the sentiments of his fellow Commissioners.
Mayor Johnson shared it has been a pleasure working with the staff, City Commission, and
citizens, as this City is a great place to be. He further encouraged residents to meet with him or
staff if they feel they had unanswered questions with regards to the budget.
III.ADJOURNMENT
APPROVED:
Attest: City of Ocoee
/KZ..
Melanie Si bitt, City Clerk Rusty John on, M M. r