07.10.2024 - City Council MinutesCity of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP
July 10, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council met in a workshop session on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 in the Clermont City Council
Chambers. Mayor Murry called the workshop to order at 5:09 pm with the following Council Members
present: Council Members Pines, Gonzalez, and Myers.
Absent: Council Member Howard.
Other City officials present were City Manager Bulthuis, City Attorney Mantzaris, and City Clerk Howe.
OPENING COMMENTS
Mayor Murry stated that this is the second budget workshop to discuss the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 budget.
Council Member Myers informed staff that in the future she would like more time with the budget prior to
the workshops and inquired if there was an after action review of the budget.
Mayor Murry walked through the budget process. If there is a need for another workshop, one can be
scheduled.
City Manager Bulthuis explained that by the end of July, Council must set a maximum millage rate to
advertise. The budget hearings will be in September.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget Discussion
City Manager Bulthuis inquired if Council would like to review any infornation from the last budget
workshop.
Mayor Murry asked staff to review the loss of revenue if Council chooses the rolled back rate.
Deputy City Manager Davidoff stated that the rolled back rate of 4.6216 would result in a loss of
$2,497,201.00. If Council votes on the millage rate of 4.8846, the loss would be $999,108.00.
Council Member Pines requested to revisit larger departments to view changes made to the budget prior to
presenting to Council.
Council Member Myers requested information regarding the cost of the Fire Department uniforms.
Public Services Director Brunson introduced Deputy Director VanDever who provided an overview of the
Public Services department. The department consists of the following divisions — Street Maintenance,
Grounds and Park Maintenance, Cemetery Maintenance, Construction, Storm Water, Fleet Maintenance,
Facility Maintenance, Administration, Waste Water and Water Treatment, Asset Management, Water
Distribution, Construction Inspection and Sanitation.
Public Services Director Brunson provided a breakdown of the funding for the different divisions. The
Public Services department receives twelve percent of the General Fund.
City Manager Bulthuis informed Council that the salary for the department has increased due to filling
positions.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP
July 10, 2024
Public Services Director Brunson spoke about Contract Services. Inflation has gone up which has increased
the budget. The city does not charge Clermont Main Street for Public Services to work events that creates
overtime for employees.
Public Services Director Brunson stated Street Maintenance is requesting one vehicle to assist the Police
Department.
Mayor Murry opened public comments. There were no comments. Mayor Murry closed public comments.
Assistant Director of Public Services Maiworm provided an overview of Grounds Maintenance. They are
requesting funds for fencing at Waterfront Park.
City Manager Bulthuis informed Council that all facilities are in one budget line. He suggested separating
each facility to its own budget line to determine the cost of each.
Public Services Director Brunson spoke about Fleet Maintenance.
Mayor Murry opened public comments. There were no comments. Mayor Murry closed public comments.
Public Services Director Brunson explained Engineering and Inspections.
Assistant Director of Public Services Maiworm moved on to Facilities Maintenance requesting one crew
leader position. $500,000.00 was requested in capital outlay buildings for a variety of projects. The projects
include cleaning and repainting the Clermont City Center, refinishing the storage room floors at the Arts
and Recreation Center, painting and replacing the carpets at City Hall, replacing an air conditioning unit
for one of the server rooms and adding a generator for the SCADA system. That also includes a utility van
with a bucket to maintain the decorative lights throughout the city.
Mayor Murry opened public comments. There were no comments. Mayor Murry closed public comments.
Deputy City Manager Davidoff presented the Economic Development budget. The funds are for the lobbyist
and consultants for Wellness Way. Lake County reimburses half of the cost for Wellness Way consultants.
Human Resources Director Ohlinger presented the Human Resources budget with no significant changes
or requests.
Procurement Services Suarez presented his budget. The budget is unchanged other than operational costs.
Mayor Murry recessed the workshop at 6:41 pm. The workshop reconvened at 6:55 pm.
Mayor Murry read an email aloud from Council Member Howard.
Parks and Recreation Director Forman provided an overview of the department. Reviewed the recreation
programs within the city and grounds maintenance for all the parks.
City Manager Bulthuis presented the Historic Village budget. The city owns the property and the buildings;
there is an agreement with the Clermont Historical Society to operate the village. The city does not provide
an operating budget. Attracting people to visit is becoming harder as well as getting individuals to volunteer.
As time moves on, the Historic Village will need help or shut down.
City Manager Bulthuis stated that it is Council's decision on the best way to collaborate with the Clermont
Historical Society.
2
City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP
July 10, 2024
Parks and Recreation Director Forman reviewed events run by the city and outside events where staff
assists. Presented the staff at the City Center and the functions they perform.
City Manager Bulthuis spoke about the different events the city puts on. He informed Council that there are
events that could move to the Community Redevelopment Agency budget, have Main Street take over some
and cut events, if Council chose.
Mayor Murry opened public comments. There were no comments. Mayor Murry closed public comments.
City Manager Bulthuis explained to Council that the Arts and Recreation Center and the Clermont
Performing Arts Center budgets are separate. The Arts and Recreation Center includes the gym, classrooms,
boys and girls club and administration. The Clermont Performing Arts Center is a rental facility and a
performing arts center.
Parks and Recreation Director Forman presented the Arts and Recreation Center budget. He reviewed the
programs and shows and the revenue generated.
Parks and Recreation Director Forman presented the Clermont Performing Arts Center budget. He spoke
about the shows and the revenue generated.
Mayor Murry opened public comments. There were no comments. Mayor Murry closed public comments.
City Manager Bulthuis reviewed the Transfer Out budget. This budget includes debt service for the
Clermont Performing Arts Center and new debt for Fire Station 2.
City Manager Bulthuis needs a consensus on moving forward with Fire Station 2. There are no funds
currently budgeted for this, there would need to be a loan for $900,000.00 for the next fifteen years. The
consensus from Council was to move forward.
That concludes the General Fund. Council may move forward with the 5.06 or a lower millage rate. There
are cuts that would need consideration if choosing a lower millage rate.
City Manager Bulthuis presented the different millage rates and reviewed the effect on the next few years.
Building Services Director Widican presented the department budget. This departments funding is from
building permits and operates on its own revenue. .
The department is requesting funds to replace the current cubicles that are twenty years old and a new
software system for permitting.
Mayor Murry recessed the workshop at 8:49 pm. The workshop reconvened at 9:00 pm.
City Manager Bulthuis moved on to the Cemetery Fund. There were two properties purchased to expand
the cemetery. The requests this year is funding to get the new properties cleared, platted, and order two
columbarium.
City Manager Bulthuis reviewed the Sanitation budget. Staff is not recommending a price change this year.
Discussion ensued on the solid waste and recycling disposal fees. Staff presented the question of whether
to discontinue recycling to Council. City Manager Bulthuis recommended watching the rates for the next
year and then revisit the topic.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP
July 10, 2024
Public Services Director Brunson presented the Stormwater budget. The revenue for this fund comes from
Stormwater tax.
The fund brings in $2.1 million annually and $400,000.00 a year goes to debt service for Victory Pointe.
The debt service is something that could move to the Community Redevelopment Agency budget since it
benefits the downtown area.
Mayor Murry inquired if the Community Redevelopment Agency could afford to take on that debt. City
Manager Bulthuis stated that they could; Council to review the budget and determine which expenditures
to fund.
Assistant Director of Utilities Griffin presented the Water Fund. This department covers eight active wells
and four water treatment plants. Discussion ensued regarding water usage and expansions.
Fire Chief Ezell responded to Council Member Myers inquiry regarding uniforms. He clarified that there
are multiple vendors.
Assistant Chief of Administration Casler informed Council that they assessed five vendors and the vendor
they chose gave the city a contracted price that includes a 42 percent discount.
Mayor Murry opened public comments.
Bryan Bain, Nautica Mile Drive — stated the improvement in transparency allows the public to be informed.
Mayor Murry closed public comments.
City Manager Bulthuis stated that the millage not to exceed would be at the next Council Meeting. Staff
will be recommending 5.06 mills.
Mayor Murry stated that he does not want to exceed a millage rate of 5.06.
2.Other
No further comments.
CLOSING COMMENTS
City Manager Bulthuis informed Council that he needed direction for the workshop scheduled next
Tuesday, August 16. The consensus from Council was to cancel the workshop.
4
City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP
July 10, 2024
: With no further comments, this workshop adjourned at 10:04 pm.
APPROVED:
Tim Murry, Mayor
Tracy Ackroyd Howe, MMC
City Clerk