09-20-2012 Special Meeting s '
City of Clermont
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 20, 2012
FINAL PUBLIC HEARING -FISCAL YEAR 2012-2013 BUDGET
The Clermont City Council met m a special meetmg on Thursday, September 20,2012 m the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Mayor Turville called the meetmg to order at 7:00 pm with the followmg present: Council Members Mullins, Goodgame,
Hogan and Van Wagner. Other City officials present were City Manager Saunders,Assistant to the City Manager Hollerand,
City Clerk Ackroyd and Admmistrative Services Director Van Zile
Council Member Goodgame gave the mvocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Resolution No. 2012-25 Ad Valorem Millage Rate of 3.7290 Mills for'the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year
Mayor Turville read Resolution 2012-25 aloud m its entirety.
A Resolution of the City of Clermont of Lake County,Florida,adopting the Ad Valorem Millage Rate for the
Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2012, and ending September 30,2013; providmg for collection of taxes,
providmg an effective date.
Administrative Services Director Van Zile presented information of the millage mcrease and alternatives to a millage rate
increase,projected reserves and expenditure cuts from fiscal year 2009 to 2013.He reviewed the current and proposed millage
rates of all cities in Lake County;the history of Clermont's millage rate from 1988 to 2012;examples of homeowners property
tax change based on assessed home value;chart of annual taxes and fees paid by city residents compared to other cities in Lake
County. Furthermore,he provided justification for the proposed millage rate mcrease.
Mayor Turville opened the public hearmg.
The following spoke in opposition to a tax increase:
Hope Lamb, 519 Mar Nan Mar;Rich Nydick, 300 Brookdale Loop;Ms. Gloria, 1401 West Highway 50,Mane Betko, 1156
Semmole Street;John Holehouse,225 W.Osceola Street;Jennifer Przybyla,219 Cedar Street;Donna Bayles,224 Brookdale
Loop; Gmger Martm 2440 Prairie Dunes; and Constance Tracey, 205 Brookdale Loop.
Jim Purvis, 4206 Hammersmith Dnve, commented on the number of people in attendance were a small percentage of the
number of overall residents of the city.
Tim Murry, 574 E. Desoto Street,expressed concern for the businesses.
Mayor Turville closed the public hearing.
Mayor Turville was not m favor of raismg taxes and recommended using revenues m the General Fund to balance the budget.
Council Member Mullins expressed concern of a tax mcrease to the businesses.
Council Member Hogan spoke m favor of the tax increase.
Council Member Hogan moved to approve Resolution 2012-25 ad valorem millage rate of 3.7290 mills for the
2012-2013 Fiscal Year, the motion failed for the lack of a second.
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Council Member Van Wagnez)expressed concern with taking funds from the reserves and was not m favor of employee raises
Mayor Turville agreed to remove employee raises from the budget.
Council Member Goodgame spoke in favor of the proposed millage rate.
City Manager Saunders suggested a millage rate adjustment at some point.The Council can make budget amendments anytime
during the year.
Council Member Goodgame spoke in favor of the proposed millage rate and suggested a merit mcrease for employees.
The Council discussed adjusting the city's health msurance plan for employees
Admmistrative Services Director Van Zile stated the city's contribution for dependent coverage is approximately$300,000 from
the General Fund
City Manager Saunders suggested an analysis to determine where to save.To be fiscally responsible,it is necessary to decrease
expenditures; adjust revenues and protect the reserves.
Furthermore, Administrative Services Director Van Zile stated the city has reduced expenditures over the years without
decreasing the level of service and has not adjusted fees or taxes.
Council Member Mullins suggested elunmatmg $10,000 for the Histoncal Society, $10,000 for recreation at the Waterfront
Park Pavilion and the splash park
Council Member Mullins moved to adopt Resolution 2012-25 With the millage rate of 3.142 mills; Mayor
Turville passed the gavel to second the motion.
Under discussion,the Council discussed additional expenditure cuts to mclude reducing funds from the employee's health care
plan.
Administrative Services Director Van Zile commented$319,000 is the General Fund portion of the dependent coverage and this
would be a decrease in contribution to retirees as well as employees.
The motion failed 3 to 2 with Mayor Turville and Council Member Mullins m favor.
Council Member Goodgame spoke m favor of raising the millage rate to the amount proposed by staff.
Mayor Turville preferred another year without a tax mcrease.
Council Member Mullms would consider the rolled back rate of 3.29.
Council Member Hogan moved to adopt Resolution 2012-25 ad valorem millage rate of 3.7290 for the Fiscal
Year 2012/2013; seconded by Council Member Goodgame.
Under discussion, Council Member Van Wagner stated he will not vote for an increase m taxes and would like to reduce
expenditures in the budget by$900,000.
The motion failed 3 to 2 with Council Members Goodgame and Hogan m favor.
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Council Member Mullms moved to adopt Resolution 2012-25 for an ad valorem millage rate of 3.142 mills for
the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year; seconded by Council Member Van Wagner.
Mayor Turville read Resolution 2012-25 aloud m its entirety with the revised millage rate
The motion passed 3 to 2 with Council Members Hogan and Goodgame opposed.
Resolution No. 2012-26 Budget for the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year
Mayor Turville read Resolution 2012-26 aloud by title only
A Resolution of the City of Clermont, Lake County, Florida, adopting the budget for the 2012-2013 Fiscal
Year.
Mayor Turville opened the public hearing. There were no comments.
Mayor Turville closed the public hearing.
Council Member Mullms suggested eliminating raises, asked staff to work on pulling $500,000 out of the msurance benefit
program and the entertainment at Waterfront Park and Histoncal Village grant and the splash park to be explored and tabled.
The consensus of the Council agreed to keep funds in the budget for the Historic Village.
Mayor Turville reiterated the changes would include elimination of employee raises,entertainment at Waterfront Park,tabling
the Splash Park, and employee health insurance program of$500,000.
Administrative Services Director Van Zile reviewed the amendments to the Resolution.
Mayor Turville read Resolution 2012-26 aloud in its entirety as amended.
Council Member Van Wagner moved for the adoption of Resolution 2012-26 with exhibit A being amended
for no raises, $500,000 cut in msurance costs and $10,000 for entertamment of Waterfront Park; seconded
Council Member Mullms.The motion passed 3 to 2 with Council Members Hogan and Goodgame opposmg.
ADJOURN: With no further comments,the meeting was adjourned at 10:33pm.
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APPROVED:
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arold S. Turville,Mayor
ATTEST:—
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Tracy Ackroye, City Clerk I
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