09-19-2019 Final Public Budget Hearing Council City of Clermont
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 19, 2019
FINAL PUBLIC HEARING - FISCAL YEAR 2019-2020 BUDGET
The Clermont City Council met in a special meeting on Thursday, September 19, 2019 in the
Council Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Ash called the meeting to order at 6:30pm with the following
present:Council Members Brishke,Mullins,Bates and Travis. Other City officials present were City
Manager Gray, City Clerk Ackroyd Howe and Finance Director Van Zile.
City Manager Gray stated tonight's meeting is the Final Budget Public Hearing for Fiscal Year 2019-
2020 required by Florida Statutes. The purpose is to present the proposed budget and millage rate.
The proposed millage rate is 4.2061 and will generate an additional$1 million with no reserves used
for the fifth consecutive year. The proposed budget includes five full time positions for the Police
Department.The proposed budget sets downtown and the Waterfront as major priorities and includes
the expansion of the new public works facility. Finance Director Van Zile is retiring in December
with this being his last final budget adoption hearing.City Manager Gray thanked Finance Director
Van Zile for all he has done over the past 34 years.
Finance Director Van Zile presented the Fiscal Year 2020 final ad valorem millage rate and budget.
The citywide budget totals$148.3 million,which is$4.6 million or 3.03 percent less than the current
year budget.The citywide budget includes the group medical insurance fund for the first time.If this
fund was not included, the decrease would have been $1 1.3 million or 7.45 percent of the current
year budget. The citywide budget is lower primarily due to a reduction in budgeted master plan and
utilities capital projects. He reviewed the General Fund budget and property tax revenues. Staff
requested approval of Resolution No. 2019-27R establishing the Fiscal Year 2020 Ad Valorem
Millage Rate of 4.2061 and approval of Resolution No.2019-28R establishing the Fiscal Year 2020
budget for$148,302,884.
Resolution No. 2019-27R Final Ad Valorem Millage Rate
City Clerk Howe read Resolution 2019-27R aloud in its entirety.
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Clermont, Lake County, Florida,
adopting the final levying of Ad Valorem Taxes for the Fiscal Year 2019-2020;
providing for an effective date.
Resolution No. 2019-28R Final Budget
City Clerk Howe read Resolution 2019-28R aloud by title only.
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Clermont, Lake County, Florida,
adopting the Final Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Fiscal Year; providing for an
effective date.
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City of Clermont
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 19, 2019
City Manager Gray provided a brief overview regarding Hurricane Irma reimbursement.
Mayor Ash opened the Public Hearing.
Libby Hanna, 1251 Fran Mar Court, inquired about the possibility of the old millage rate. City
Manager Gray replied that staff internally goes through the process to look at the current millage rate
and revenues. Each department goes through a line item process with the budget where they must
justify each item within their budget. The budget process starts in January of each year. If the City
chooses to go with the rolled back millage rate, there would be a deficit of roughly $400,000.
Finance Director Van Zile explained to make up the difference the rolled back millage rate would
create, the City would have to look at reducing the budget for personnel services as the rest of the
General Fund budget is operating expenses which has already decreased from the previous year.
Mayor Ash inquired about city comparison. Finance Director Van Zile displayed the current millage
rate comparison of the City with other similar sized cities with Clermont comparing favorably with
others.
Council Member Travis inquired about the fire assessment fee of other cities. City Manager Gray
stated the City looked at having a higher fire assessment fee to keep a lower millage rate however the
residents were adamant about not having a fire assessment fee.
Mayor Ash closed the Public Hearing.
Council Member Bates moved to approve Resolution 2019-27R; seconded by
Council Member Mullins. The motion passed with all members present voting aye.
Council Member Bates moved to approve Resolution No. 2019-28R; seconded by
Council Member Mullins. The motion passed with all members present voting aye.
Finance Director Van Zile stated he appreciates all of the support over the years and thanked City
Manager Gray. The budget is a difficult process and it takes a team effort from all departments.
Finance Director Van Zile also thanked Assistant Finance Director Brosonski and Budget Analyst
Kilbury for their efforts.
Mayor Ash commended Finance Director Van Zile and thanked him for being an outstanding
Finance Director.
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City of Clermont
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 19, 2019
ADJOURN: With no further comments,the meeting adjourned at 6:57pm.
APPROVED:
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ail L. Ash, Ma or
ATTEST:
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Tracy Ac•-oyd Howe, City Clerk
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