09-24-2015 Special Meeting City of Clermont
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 24, 2015
FINAL PUBLIC HEARING - FISCAL YEAR 2015-2016 BUDGET
The Clermont City Council met m a special meetmg on Thursday, September 24, 2015 m the Council
Chambers at City Hall.Mayor Ash called the meetmg to order at 6.00pm with the following present. Council
Members Mullins,Goodgame,Bates and Travis. Other City officials present were:City Manager Gray,City
Clerk Ackroyd and Fmance Director Van Zile.
City Manager Gray reported he met with the Lake County Rowing Club and Parkrun individuals regarding
entering into a parthership to run the weekly Parkrun events from the Clermont Boathouse begmnmg October
10, 2015.
City Manager Gray stated mserts caused a delay with the utility bills in September. The City is workmg to
resolve future issues, mcluding possibly extending the due date by five days
The City Attorney provided staff with a resolution regarding the bear hunt.
Resolution No. 2015-35
City Clerk Ackroyd read Resolution 2015-35 aloud by title only
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Clermont,Lake County,Flonda,opposmg the
Flonda Fish and Wildlife Commission's action to permit bear hunting, urging the
Commission to reconsider its adopted rule and the Governor and the State Legislature to
intervene;and supporting the efforts of Speak Up Wekiva,Inc.challenging the action of the
Commission and providing an effective date.
Mayor Ash asked if anyone had any questions or comments. There were no questions or comments.
Council Member Goodgame moved to approve Resolution 2015-35; seconded by Council
Member Mullins The motion passed with all members present voting aye.
The Resolution will be sent to the other Lake County cities and the Lake County Board of County
Commissioners.
City Manager Gray stated the purpose of the meeting was to present the proposed fmal budget and millage rate.
The recommended millage rate of 4 2061 generated an additional$958,415 for Fiscal Year 2015-2016,and
$304,600 from reserves was used to balance the General Fund. The budget included additional positions in the
Police,Fire,and the Parks and Recreation Departments. He commended senior staff for their work throughout
the budget process and applauded City staff for their assistance in providing exceptional services to the
community.
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Resolution No. 2015-32 Final Ad Valorem Millage Rate
City Clerk Ackroyd read Resolution 2015-32 aloud in its entirety
A Resolution of the City of Clermont, Lake County, Florida, adoptmg the Ad Valorem
Millage Rate for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1,2015,and ending September 30,2016;
providing for collection of taxes;providing an effective date.
Finance Director Van Zile reviewed the property taxable values history from 2010 to 2016,the property tax
rates history from 1988 to 2015, the property tax revenues, the Ad Valorem Millage Rate options, and the
millage rate increase for Fiscal Year 2015-2016. He commented the SAFER Grant; which pays for nine
firefighters, will end in Fiscal Year 2016-2017 and the City will have to absorb approximately$400,000 m
expenses The Red Light Camera program will also expire in Fiscal Year 2016-2017 and the City will lose
approximately$100,000 in mcome.
Finance Director VanZile reviewed the millage rate comparisons to other cities of similar populations and
geographic location to the City of Clermont. Clermont contmues to have the lowest millage rate with the
proposed 4.2061 millage rate. He reviewed the General Fund History from 2009 to 2015 and provided the
General Fund deficit history analysis from Fiscal Years 2013 to 2016 Mr.VanZile reviewed the expenditures,
revenues,and reserves for Fiscal Year 2015-2016.
City Manager Gray commented the reason the deficit exists at the Arts and Recreation Center was due to the
City waitmg a year to determine the potential revenues and expenditures for the Center as opposed to
arbitrarily raising the millage rate m Fiscal Year 2014-2015.
Council Member Travis asked if the Arts and Recreation Center deficit included the improvements already
completed. City Manager Gray stated the improvements were not included m the General Fund. The
improvements used the income from the Infrastructure Tax funds received.
Finance Director VanZile commented the General Fund deficit was not caused by the Champions Splash Park,
Police Station Construction,Police Take-Home Vehicle Program, and Fire Station No. 4 Construction
City Manager Gray noted the Fire Station will be partially funded by Lake County.
Fmance Director Van Zile reviewed the General Fund total expenditures and personal services per capita
compared to other cities He reviewed the General Fund revenues by type, expenditures by function, and
expenditures by type,for Fiscal Year 2015-2016. The significant expenditures m the General Fund included
new positions and ment increases.
City Manager Gray provided detailed information on the new positions for Fiscal Year 2015-2016
Council Member Travis inquired if the five part-time positions for Parks and Recreation included the
employees at Champions Splash Park. City Manager Gray stated the five positions were not dedicated to the
Champions Splash Park. The positions at the Champions Splash Park are seasonal part-time positions and the
five new positions would be permanent part-time positions.
Staff requested City Council approve Resolution 2015-32,establishing the Ad Valorem Millage Rate of 4.2061
for Fiscal Year 2016.
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Mayor Ash opened the public hearing.
Bob Peraza, Jim Purvis, Michelle Mmchoff, Shannon Hildalgo, and Paul McPherson spoke m favor of the
millage rate mcrease.
Mayor Ash closed the public hearmg.
Council Member Mullins was m favor of a 4.2061 millage rate.
Mayor Ash stated cutting the budget means cuttmg services. City staff researched the cost necessary to operate
the City and maintain the services provided to the residents.
Council Member Bates commented the audio visual equipment for the Council Chambers could be removed
from budget. He was opposed to increasing the co=llage rate and suggested taking$700,000 from reserves to
balance the budget.
City Manager Gray stated the City is facing a half million dollar deficit m Fiscal Year 2016-2017
Council Member Goodgame was m favor of the millage rate increase.
Council Member Goodgame moved to approve the 4.2061 millage rate;seconded by Council
Member Travis. The motion passed 4 to 1 with Council Member Bates opposing
Resolution No. 2015-33 Final Budget
City Clerk Ackroyd read Resolution 2015-33 aloud by title only.
A Resolution of the City of Clermont, Lake County, Florida, adoptmg the Budget for the
2015-2016 Fiscal Year
Finance Director Van Zile reviewed the City-wide budget revenues by type and the expenditures by function
for Fiscal Year 2015-2015. The significant expenditures for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 mcluded the following.
Fiber Network Phase 4, Police Department New Positions, Police Department and Fire Department
Replacement Vehicles,Police Station and Fire Station No.4 Construction,Fire Department Heavy Rescue 103
Vehicle,Fire Department Engine 104 Equipment,Parks Entrance Signs,Palatlakaha Park Playground Rebuild;
Splash Pad Shade Structure, Hancock Park Soccer field Lighting and Fencing, Arts and Recreation Center
Improvements, Water Mam Loop, Sector Area Utilities Extension, East Water Loop, Asset Management
Software, Stormwater Master Plan Improvements, Garbage Truck Replacements and New Positions,
Downtown Entryway Sign, City Hall Park Public Restrooms, and Downtown Community Redevelopment
Agency grants.
Staff requested the City Council approve Resolution 2015-33,establishing the City-wide budget m the amount
of$114,327,402 for Fiscal Year 2016.
Mayor Ash opened the public hearmg.There were no public comments. Mayor Ash closed the public hearing
Council Member Goodgame moved for approval of Resolution 2015-33;seconded by Council
Member Mullins. The motion passed with all members present voting aye.
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c'ADJOURN• With no further comments,the meeting was adjourned at 7.l 1pm.
f. ' (, , 1rtAPPROVED:
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Tracy Ackro d,City Clerk
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