08.21.2024 - City Council MinutesCity of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
August 21, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council met in a workshop session on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 in the Clermont City Council
Chambers. Mayor Murry called the workshop to order at 9:40 am with the following Council Members
present: Council Members Pines, Gonzalez, Howard and Myers.
Other City officials present were City Manager Bulthuis, and City Clerk Howe.
OPENING COMMENTS
City Manager Bulthuis informed Council that the first public budget hearing would be on September 12
and the final public budget hearing would be on September 26. He reviewed where the tentative budget for
next fiscal year is to date, insurance premiums have come in lower than budgeted which provides a savings
to the City. Contract negotiations with the Firefighters Union is complete and within budget.
Continuing with the same millage rate as last year provides the city revenues over expenses by $57,000.00
for next fiscal year.
Department Directors have PowerPoint presentations to provide Council with information that includes
their three to five year goals and long-term projects.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budeet Review
Police Chief Broadway presented the Police Department and reviewed their multiyear budget plan. The
plan included a mobile command post, replacement of rescue vehicle and a public safety training facility.
The training facility would be on the previous Public Services site on 12' Street and be shared with the Fire
Department.
Council Member Howard inquired about selling the property on 12' Street and using those funds to build
the training center on the Arts and Recreation Center property.
Discussion ensued regarding selling city owned property, if there would be room to build another facility
on the Arts and Recreation Center property. Partnerships with surrounding municipalities was spoken about
to help alleviate the cost of running a training facility.
City Manager Bulthuis informed Council that city staff was approached regarding placing cameras in school
zones to catch speeding vehicles. The only place within city limits would be on 51 Street by Aurelia Cole
Academy.
Council Member Howard was not in favor; Mayor Murry was concerned with the cost to the city and
Council Member Pines was in favor.
Mayor Murry recessed the workshop at 10:42 am. The workshop reconvened at 10:54 am.
Fire Chief Ezell presented the Fire Department budget. Future capital projects included a new Fire Station,
replacing fire trucks and a training facility.
Discussion ensued on a timeframe when we may need Fire Station 5 as well as the replacement schedule
of fire trucks. The need for a training facility locally will keep firefighters closer while on shift.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
August 21, 2024
Fire Chief Ezell informed Council on the relationship with the County and the areas in which Clermont Fire
Department will assist with calls.
Mayor Murry recessed the workshop at 12:24 pm. The workshop reconvened at 12:57 pm.
Public Services Director Brunson presented the Public Services budget. He presented the inflation on items
his department uses on a daily basis. A review of future needs included staffing, general facility
maintenance, grounds maintenance, fleet replacement and road maintenance.
Discussion ensued on pursuing the State on mowing of the medians on US Highway 27 and State Road 50.
Staff can enter into an agreement with the State to mow the medians and be reimbursed or leave it as is with
the State mowing a few times a year.
Public Services Director Brunson informed Council on the current number of in ground spaces available.
Within five years, the cemetery will sell out or the city will have to purchase more property.
Council Member Howard stated he is not in favor of purchasing additional land to expand the cemetery.
Public Services Director Brunson moved on to the Enterprise Fund, which covered water, sewer, and
sanitation and storm water. He presented Council with the replacement schedules for each division, which
included residential meters and piping.
City Manager Bulthuis informed Council that $275,000.00 from the wastewater fund was used to construct
Victory Point with the intention of returning funds from the storm water fund. The funds are budgeted to
the wastewater fund in the next fiscal year.
Discussion ensued regarding reclaimed water expansion.
Utility Billing Manager, Dana Wiseman, presented Council with the new utility bill that will be going to
residents. The new bill will show actual usage to keep residents informed.
Parks and Recreation Director Forman presented their budget along with future projects.
Discussion ensued regarding artificial turf versus grass fields, LED lighting and park updates.
Sharon Keys, 644 W Osceola — inquired on a workshop to discuss the McKinney Park community center.
There will be a discussion regarding a community center at McKinney Park at the October workshop.
City Manager Bulthuis asked Council about McKinney Park. There have been no funds budgeted for any
renovations or improvements to McKinney Park.
Cindy Davis, resident — inquired about the batting cages at West Park as they were not on the future projects
list.
Parks and Recreation Director Forman stated that is a smaller project and being worked on currently.
City Manager Bulthuis informed Council that the City Clerk's office has requested one new position for
next fiscal year.
If the millage stays the same, we would have revenues over expenses by $57,000.00.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
August 21, 2024
Staff is recommending the millage rate staying the same. If Council lowers the millage rate, there would be
reductions to the budget and staff would recommend new personnel be cut. He asked Council to provide
direction to staff.
Mayor Murry and Council Member Pines both support the 5.06 millage rate.
Council Member Myers inquired about lowering the millage rate.
City Manager Bulthuis explained that Council has the ability to set the millage at any millage up to the rate
advertised.
Council Member Pines stated that staying at the 5.06 mills allows the city to move forward and continue to
provide services to the citizens of the city.
Council Member Gonzalez stated that if the millage rate stays the same the city could provide the services
that residents are accustomed to; lowering the millage rate means cutting services.
City Manager Bulthuis announced that the cost estimate to perform the study for on street parking on
Minneola Avenue is $200,000.00. That cost is not included in the next fiscal year budget and would need
to be included.
2.Other
Mayor Murry spoke about the City Manager performance review.
Deputy City Manager Davidoff provided Council with examples of City Manager performance review
forms from other cities.
Discussion ensued regarding criteria that should be on the forms, the reviews be done one on one and not
in a public forum and needing a practice in place if a Council Member has a conflict with the City Manager.
City Manager Bulthuis recommended each Council Member review the document provided to them, make
changes, and turn it into Human Resources Director Ohlinger. She can create a document based on Councils
input.
Council Members will provide Human Resources Director Ohlinger their input and come back in another
workshop to review the form created.
CLOSING COMMENTS
City Manager Bulthuis informed Council that if there were any questions before the next meeting to reach
out to him.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
August 21, 2024
ADJOURN: With no further comments, this workshop adjourned at 3:33pm.
ATTEST:
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Tracy Ackroyd Howe, MMC
City Clerk
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APPROVED:
Tim Murry, Mayor��