07-16-2019 Council Workshop City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
July 16,2019
The Clermont City Council met at a workshop on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, in the Council
Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Pro Tem Bates called the workshop to order at 6:30pm with the
following Council Members present: Council Members Brishke, Goodgame, and Travis. Other
City officials present were City Manager Gray and City Clerk Ackroyd Howe.
Absent: Mayor Ash
Pledge of Allegiance
Proposed Fiscal Year 2019-2020 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. Police and Fire Department will present their budgets tomorrow
evening as well as discussion of the master plan.
Assistant Finance Director Brosonski provided an overview of the Fiscal Year 2019/2020
General Fund budget and citywide budget highlights. The citywide budget totals $148.1 million,
which is $4.8 million or 3.14 percent less than the current year budget. The decrease is due to the
completion of projects in the next phase of the master plan. Reserves at the end of Fiscal Year
2020 projected to be $55.9 million, which is $4.4 million more than the current year ending
reserves.
Ad Valorem Taxes, the city's largest single revenue source, projected to be $13 million or $1.2
million higher than the current year. The increase in Ad Valorem Taxes based on a 9.61 percent
increase in property values and maintaining the current millage rate is 4.2061 without a proposed
increase for the fifth consecutive year.
Utility Service and Impact Fee revenues projected to be $495,000 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 2020.
Personnel Services total $32.5 million, which is $1.3 million or 4.23 percent more than the
current year budget. Five (5) new Police Officers positions effective January 1, 2020. 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 $14.9 million, which is $700,000 or 4.51 percent less than the current
year budget. Capital Outlay totals $30 million, which is $13 million less than the current year
budget to include master plan projects, replacement and new vehicles, fencing at city properties,
and various utility projects.
The General Fund budget totals $40.1 million, which is $491,000 or 1.21 percent less than the
current year budget. The decrease is primarily due to the budgeted land sale of the existing
Public Works property in the current budget.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
July 16,2019
General Fund budget funded entirely from operating revenues, with no reserves required to
balance the budget for the fourth consecutive year. General Fund reserves at the end of the Fiscal
Year 2020 projected to be $8.2 million or 25.74 percent of operating expenditures. All budgeted
funds comply with the Reserves Policy.
The City's Reserves Policy requires specific fund reserves to be at least 25 percent of operating
expenditures.All budgeted funds in compliance with the Reserves Policy.
Public Works Director Brunson presented the department budget. The decrease in the budget is
due to fewer capital projects. The significant items included in the budget are new Public Works
complex, roadway rehabilitation, park improvements, Lake Hiawatha Preserve fencing,
McKinney Park improvements, and two utility vehicles. The Five Year Capital Plan includes
Asset Management implementation, East Avenue Complete Street and Bishop Field renovation.
Staff distributed the resurfacing street list to Council.
Environmental Services Director Brunson presented the department budget. The decrease is
primarily due to capital projects. The significant items included in the budget are Poly Water
Service Line replacement, Sunburst Lower Floridan Wells, Utility System Improvements, CDBG
Utility improvements, Johns Lake Road Main Upsizing, Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion,
New Public Works complex and replacement of two garbage side loaders. The Five Year Capital
Plan includes Greater Hills Ground Storage tank, Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion,
Sunburst WTP ground storage 2 MGD and reclaimed water storage pond and pump. City
Manager Gray stated the five-year plan projects will return to Council for further discussion.
Council Member Travis requested staff look into impact fees. City Manager Gray stated staff
reviews the fees every 3 to 5 years through a study and based on capital plan.
Council Member Goodgame and staff discussed improving education on recycling.
Parks and Recreation Director Davidoff presented the department budget. The decrease is due to
budgeted capital projects in 2020. The significant budget items include Arts and Recreation
Center improvements, online payment software, audio systems at Highlander and Victory Pointe
Park, Re-sod Hancock Park Field No. 1, and Cooper Memorial Library. The Five Year Capital
Plan includes Arts and Recreation Center Aquatics upgrade.
Council Member Goodgame inquired about the senior program. Mr. Davidoff responded the
Champions for a Lifetime is a free program for seniors with nearly 7,000 participants. There are
plans to expand into the Kehlor Building.
Development Services Director Henschel presented the department budget. The budget increase
is primarily due to the transfer of one (1) Code Enforcement Officer from Fire to Development
Services during Fiscal Year 2019. Also, includes the Community Redevelopment Agency(CRA)
fund. The significant items included in the budget are Land Development Regulations review,
Metropolitan Planning Organization(MPO)dues and Building Plan Review services.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
July 16,2019
Council Member Goodgame requested a code for gardens.
City Clerk Ackroyd Howe presented the department budget. She reviewed the primary
responsibilities of the department. The increase is due to the Youth Council and converting
permanent records on Microfilm to digital format. There are no significant items in the budget.
Assistant Finance Director Brosonski presented the department budget. She reviewed the
primary responsibilities of the department. There are no significant items in the budget.
Information Technology Director Dennis presented the department budget. The decrease in the
budget is primarily due to a decrease in Fiber Optic Network improvements. The significant
items in the budget include 70 replacement workstations, and two (2) server replacements. The
Five Year Capital Plan includes fiber network conduit. The department is generating revenue by
leasing space in the data center.
Human Resources Director Dauderis presented the department budget. She reviewed the primary
responsibilities of the department. The decrease in the budget is due to funding of the Wellness
Coordinator position to the self-insurance fund. There are no significant items in the budget.
Mrs. Dauderis highlighted the health plan as well as the administrator for the retirement and
pension plans.
Purchasing Director Suarez presented the department budget. He reviewed the primary
responsibilities of the department. The increase is due to the addition of an Administrative
Assistant position during 2019 to keep up with the workload. He highlighted $1,182,828 in
savings from October 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 to include the fuel card program, purchasing card
program, online auction program and contract negotiations. There are no significant items in the
budget.
City Manager Gray presented the department budget. The department includes the General Fund
portion of the Economic Development budget. There are no significant items in the budget.
Mayor Pro Tern Bates opened the floor for public comments.
Libby Hanna, 1251 Fran Mar Court, inquired about the 9.61 percent in property value increase,
impact fees,audio at Victory Pointe, City's bond rate and ransom ware.
City Manager Gray responded to the questions. The increase is new construction. Impact fees are
only spent on certain items and the city cannot spend more than what is received. The Finance
Department works closely with Development Services. Permits dropped approximately 8 percent
this year and will be increasing next year. It will fluctuate depending on the market. Staff
presents a quarterly financial report at a Council meeting. The City's bond rate is AA plus. Mr.
Gray asked Information Technology Director Dennis to give a presentation update on ransom
ware at a future workshop or meeting.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
July 16,2019
Assistant Finance Director Brosonski reviewed the budget adoption schedule. 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 23, 2019 meeting agenda.The budget adoption schedule for
the First budget public hearing will be September 5, 2019 at 6:30pm to adopt the tentative
millage rate and the Final budget public hearing date will be September 19, 2019 at 6:30pm to
adopt the final millage rate. The fiscal year 2019/2020 budget will be effective October 1,2018.
The next budget workshop will be July 17, 2019 at 6:30pm to review the master plan and the
Police and Fire Departments.
With no further comments,the budget workshop adjourned at 8:28pm.
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