09.20.2023 - City Council MinutesCity of Clermont
MINUTES
FINAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING
SEPTEMBER 20, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council met in a Special Meeting on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at City Hall. Mayor Murry
called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm with the following Council Members present: Council Members
Gonzalez, Purvis, Entsuah, and Pines.
Other City officials present were City Manager Bulthuis and Deputy City Clerk Wisniewski.
Item No. 1— Resolution No. 2023-036R — Final FY 202312024 Ad Valorem Millage Rate
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT OF LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
ADOPTING THE FINAL LEVYING OF AD VALOREM TAXES FOR FISCAL YEAR
2023-2024; PROVIDING FOR COLLECTION OF TAXES; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Deputy City Clerk Wisniewski read into the record Resolution No. 2023-036R in its entirety.
City Manager Bulthuis thanked city staff for their work through the budget process. Mr. Bulthuis reviewed
the time line of the budget work sessions and first budget public hearing where Council tentatively adopted
5.06 mills. The final budget public hearing is to formally set the millage rate and adopt a final budget.
Mr. Bulthuis presented a Power Point presentation regarding the millage rate and budget reviewing the
projected General Fund and the Property Tax revenue. The rolled back rate of 4.6205 mills was discussed.
He explained the city would have to cut approximately $2 million from the current budget if the rolled back
rate is adopted. City staff recommended Council adopt 5.06 mills, the same as last year.
City funds were reviewed including General Fund and Impact Fee Funds. The majority of the General Fund
is allocated to public safety. Mr. Bulthuis reviewed the percentage of a tax bill that the city receives and
the balance of the tax bill is receiving by other jurisdictions.
Mr. Bulthuis reviewed Clermont's millage rate compared to other municipalities in Lake County. Cities
with fire fees were discussed and explained that they are a separate line item from taxes. Property Tax
assessments of various Clermont properties were discussed and shown how an increase in a tax bill can
vary.
Mayor Murry opened the Public Hearing.
Chandra Myers, 1040 Glen Raven Lane — spoke on rolling back the millage rate.
Dani Page, Tuscany Ridge — spoke about taxation without representation.
Anthony Groves, 1105 Sadie Ridge Rd. — expressed concern with the millage rate.
Charlene Forth, 939 W. Desoto Street — expressed concern with the millage rate.
Mayor Murry closed the Public Hearing.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
FINAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING
SEPTEMBER 20, 2023
The City Council explained that there is not an increase in the millage rate this year. The rolled back rate
was discussed amongst Council.
Council Member Pines said that Council did not consider that rate since it had been seven (7) years since
the last millage increase.
If the Council approved the rolled back rate, there would have to be cuts within the budget and Council did
not want to lose any services the public receives.
Council Member Pines motioned to adopt Resolution 2023-036R as vresented: Seconded
by Council Member Gonzalez. Passed unanimouslv 5-0 with all members mesent voicine
gye.
Item No. 2 — Resolution No. 2022-037R — Final FY 202312024 Budget
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT OF LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
ADOPTING THE FINAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024; PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Deputy City Clerk Wisniewski read into the record Resolution No. 2023-037R by title only.
Mayor Murry opened the Public Hearing.
Charlene Forth, 939 W. Desoto Street — expressed concern with the budget.
Dani Page, Tuscany Ridge — expressed concern with the budget.
Anthony Grove, 1105 Sadie Ridge Rd. — expressed concern with the budget.
Mayor Murry closed the Public Hearing.
Council Member Purvis motioned to adopt Resolution 2023-037R as vresented: Seconded
by Council Member Pines. Passed unanimouslv 5-0 with all members Dresent voicine ave.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Mayor Murry thanked city staff for the budget process and invited residents to come to the budget
workshops next year.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
FINAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING
SEPTEMBER 20, 2023
ADJOURN: With no further comments, this meeting adjourned at 7:31 pm.
APPROVED:
Tim Murry, Mayor
ATTEST:
Tracy Ackroyd Howe, MMC
City Clerk