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09.08.2021 - City Council MinutesCity of Clermont MINUTES FIRST BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a Special Meeting on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at City Hall. Mayor Murry called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm with the following Council Members present: Council Members Bates, Purvis, Entsuah, and Pines. Other City officials present were Acting City Manager Davidoff, City Attorney Mantzaris and City Clerk Howe. OPENING COMMENTS Acting City Manager Davidoff informed the Council that this meeting was the first of two public hearings to adopt a millage rate and budget for Fiscal Year 2021-2022. The purpose of this meeting is to present to the public the recommended budget, including a proposed millage rate and the roll back rate. In the tentative budget, the General Fund is based on 4.2061 millage rate for the seventh consecutive year. Even thought the millage rate is remaining the same, it will generate additional dollars in ad valorem revenue due to an increase in property values and net new construction that occurred in the City. There is an overall budget decrease of 4.7% from the current year budget due to the completion of the master plan and utility projects. There is an increase of approximately 11 % in the General Fund budget due to an increase in state shared revenues. The General Fund is budgeted and balanced using both operating revenues and reserve dollars. The City's Enterprise Funds are financially sound. The proposed reserves for the General Fund will meet the required 25% according to the reserves policy. NEW BUSINESS Item No. 1— Resolution No. 2021-045R — Tentative FY 2022 Ad Valorem Millage Rate A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT OF LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE LEVYING OF AD VALOREM TAXES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022; PROVIDING FOR COLLECTION OF TAXES; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. This agenda item was discussed concurrently with the following item. Item No. 2 — Resolution No. 2021-046R — Tentative FY 2022 Budget A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT OF LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE 2021-2022 FISCAL YEAR; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. City Clerk Howe read into the record Resolution No. 2021-045R in its entirety and Resolution No. 2021-046R by title only. City of Clermont MINUTES FIRST BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 Finance Director Brosonski presented a PowerPoint presentation as an overview of the Fiscal Year 2022 tentative ad valorem millage rate and budget. The total budget is $155,900,000 which is more than the current year budget, however the citywide tentative budget decrease is primarily due to the completion of the master plan and utility projects in Fiscal Year 2021. Citywide reserves at the end of Fiscal Year 2022 are projected to be $52,800,000 more than current year ending reserves. The City's reserves policy, Resolution No. 2020-53R, requires reserves be at least 25% of operating expenditures unless an unforeseen loss of revenue, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, requires the Council to dip below 25%. The Fiscal Year 2022 budget will meet the 25% requirement. Director Brosonski also reviewed new positions, property tax revenues, and millage rate history for the City. Based off of comments from the City Council from the prior meeting, the Finance team has determined that the cost of an additional Code Enforcement Officer with a 10/1 start date would be approximately $96,600. Director Brosonski concluded her presentation by informing the Council that the public hearing to adopt final millage rate and budget is scheduled for Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 6:30pm in the Council Chambers. Mayor Murry opened the floor for comments from the public; seeing none the floor was closed. Council Member Bates asked about the code enforcement officer and whether it was in the budget. Acting City Manager Davidoff informed the Council that the $96,600 is not in the tentative budget, and if the Council wants to move forward, staff would find a way to fit it in. He also informed them that there is a small surplus in the tentative budget and surplus in the reserves fund with the two amounts totaling $81,000. This would fund a position starting in February. He reminded the Council that the City has a new code officer that just started. Council Member Purvis stated that the City needs more code officers. He reminded them that the City is continuing to grow, and while he does not like to make last minute changes, he does support adding another code officer to be paid as outlined by Acting City Manager Davidoff. Mayor Murry stated that he would like to see the position start before February. Acting City Manager Davidoff stated that the February date was based off of available funding, but he would discuss with the Finance Director to see if they can find additional funds. Staff will return with a plan for the final budget public hearing. 2 City of Clermont MINUTES FIRST BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 MOTION TO APPROVE the tentative milla a rate of 4.2061for FY2022 contained in Resolution No. 2021-045R made by Council Member Bates. Seconded by Council Member Purvis. Passed unanimously with all members present voicing aye. MOTION TO APPROVE the tentative budget for FY2022 contained in Resolution No. 2021-046R made by Council Member Bates. Seconded by Council Member Purvis. Passed unanimously with all members present voicing aye. CLOSING COMMENTS Acting City Manager Davidoff reminded the Council of the upcoming meetings for the City Manager recruitment as well as the 9/11 ceremony scheduled for Saturday. 3 City of Clermont MINUTES FIRST BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 ADJOURN: With no further comments, this meeting adjourned at 6:47 pm. APPROVED: Tim Murry, M yor . ATTEST: r Tracy Ackroyd Howe, MMC City Clerk b�