07-17-2018 Council Workshop City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
July 17,2018
The Clermont City Council met at a workshop on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, in the Council
Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Ash called the workshop to order at 6:30pm with the following
Council Members present: Council Members Brishke, Goodgame, Travis and Bates. Other City
officials present were City Manager Gray and City Clerk Ackroyd Howe.
Proposed Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Budget Discussion
City Manager Gray reviewed the purpose of the budget workshops. Tonight is the first of two
budget workshops. Each Department Director will present their budget in a summary format and
will be available for questions.
Finance Director Van Zile provided an overview of the Fiscal Year 2018/2019 General Fund
budget and citywide budget highlights. The citywide budget totals $148.5 million, which is $7.5
million or 4.86 percent less than the current year budget. The decrease is due to the completion
of the Victory Pointe project. Reserves at the end of Fiscal Year 2019 project to be $55.7 million,
which is $3.3 million more than the current year ending reserves. The current millage rate is
4.2061 without a proposed increase for the fourth consecutive year. Amendment No. 1 provides
for a third $25,000 homestead exemption for properties with a taxable value of at least $100,000
is on
the ballot in November for voters to decide. If approved, the Lake County Property
Appraiser has estimated the revenue loss to the city in Fiscal Year 2020 to be $800,000. There is
a December workshop scheduled to discuss the specific budget impact to the city in Fiscal Year
2020 based on the likely approval.
Utility Service and Impact Fee revenues projected to be $1.7 million more than the current year
due to expected continued growth and rate increases tied to inflation based indexes. No other fee
increases proposed in Fiscal Year 2019.
Personnel Services total $30.8 million, which is $2.4 million or 8.78 percent more than the
current year budget. Ten new positions in the Police and Fire Departments effective January 1,
2019 and subject to the outcome of Amendment No. 1. Four Police School Resource Officers
approved by the City Council in June 2018 in accordance with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas
High School Public Safety Act. Contract and merit pay increases for all eligible employees
including lump sum payments for employees at the maximum of their pay grade.
Operating expenses total $14.8 million, which is $528,000 or 3.69 percent more than the current
year budget. Capital Outlay totals $35.4 million, which is $13.1 million less than the current year
budget. The General Fund budget totals $41.1 million, which is $2.4 million or 6.25 percent
more than the current year budget. The increase is primarily due to the new police and fire
positions. General Fund budget funded entirely from operating revenues, with no reserves
required to balance the budget for the third consecutive year. General Fund reserves at the end of
the Fiscal Year 2019 projected to be$8.9 million or 28.71 percent of operating expenditures.
The City's Reserves Policy requires specific funds reserves to be at least 25 percent of operating
expenditures. All budgeted funds in compliance with the Reserves Policy.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
July 17,2018
Police Chief Broadway presented the Police Department budget. The budget increase is due to
new positions, replacement vehicles, portable radios, and Community Crime Reporting software.
The Five Year Capital Plan includes replacement vehicles, body cameras and mobile command
vehicle.
Mayor Ash expressed concern with the body cameras. City Manager Gray noted it is not in the
proposed budget.
Fire Chief Bishop presented the Fire Department budget. The budget increase is due to eight new
positions effective January 1, 2019 and subject to Amendment No. 1, special operations heavy
duty trailer and portable radios. The Five Year Capital Plan includes Fire Station No. 5, Fire
Station No. 5 Engine and Equipment, Fire Station No. 6 Land, Training Facility Land and
Building and Fire Station No. 2 replacement.
Public Works Director Brunson presented the department budget. The decrease in the budget is
due to capital outlay. The significant items included in the budget are: new Public Works
complex, Kehlor Building, Lake Felter Park improvements, Park improvements, Lake Hiawatha
floating dock, 2"d Street and 5th Street Pier renovations, trailer mounted message board, West
Beach restrooms renovations, and two replacement trucks. The Five Year Capital Plan includes
Asset Management implementation, East Avenue reconstruction and Bishop Field demolition
and renovations. Mr. Brunson explained the roadway plan.
Parks and Recreation Director Davidoff presented the department budget. The significant budget
items include Champions Splash Pad resurfacing, ARC exterior lighting and mainstage video
improvements, ARC Walking Trail, ARC Storage Building, and City Center carpeting
replacement.
Environmental Services Director Westrick presented the department budget. The significant
items included in the budget are five replacement vehicles, crane truck, Sunburst Lower Floridan
Wells, Utility System improvements, and Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion. The Five Year
Capital Plan includes Greater Hills Ground Storage tank, Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion
and Alternative Water Supply.
Economic Development Director Schmidt presented the department budget. The significant
budget items include Master Plan project, Center Lake lamp posts replacements and Grants.
Development Services Director Henschel presented the department budget. The budget increase
is primarily due to a Land Development Regulations review, Building Plans Review services and
two vehicles.
Mayor Ash recessed the workshop at 8:25pm; the workshop reconvened at 8:35pm.
City Clerk Ackroyd Howe presented the department budget. The budget increase is due to
insurance.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
July 17,2018
City Manager Gray presented the department budget. The increase is due to the Communications
Director position.
Finance Director Van Zile presented the department budget. The increase is due to a new Chief
Accountant position during the Fiscal Year 2018 budget.
Information Technology Director Dennis presented the department budget. The decrease in the
budget is primarily due to a reduction in the installation of fiber network conduit. The significant
items in the budget include Fiber-Optic Conduit, two server replacements, and SAN
replacement. The Five Year Capital Plan includes fiber network conduit.
Human Resources Director Dauderis presented the department budget. She reviewed the health
insurance timeline and will return in October for renewal. The budget includes a 10 percent
increase.
Purchasing Director Suarez presented the department budget. The increase is due to the
reclassification of a position. He highlighted $237,000 in savings from October 1, 2018 to July
2018 to include the fuel card program, purchasing card program, online auction program and
contract negotiations.
The Council approval of proposed millage rate to be included in the TRIM notices mailed by the
Lake County Tax Collector's Office is on the July 24, 2018 meeting agenda. The budget
adoption schedule for the First budget public hearing will be September 6, 2018 at 6:30pm to
adopt the tentative millage rate and the Final budget public hearing date will be September 20,
2017 at 6:30pm to adopt the final millage rate. The fiscal year 2018/2019 budget will be
effective October 1, 2018.
Council Member Bates inquired about the rolled back rate. Finance Director Van Zile
commented the rolled back rate is 3.94. City Manager Gray noted staff would provide more
information at the next budget workshop.
The next budget workshop will be July 18 at 6:30pm.
With no further comments, the budget workshop adjourned at 9:02pm.
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