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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.18.2025 - City Council MeetingCity of Clermont MINUTES FINAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a Special Meeting on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at City Hall. Mayor Murry called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm with the following Council Members present: Council Members Strange, Howard, Myers, and Petersen. Other City officials present were City Manager Van Wagner, Deputy City Manager Matthys and City Clerk Howe. City Manager Van Wagner gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda items will be discussed concurrently and voted on separately. Item No. 1— Resolution No. 2025-029R — Final Ad Valorem Millage Rate A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE FINAL LEVYING OF AD VALOREM TAXES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026; PROVIDING FOR COLLECTION OF TAXES; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Item No. 2 — Resolution No. 2025-03OR — Final Budget A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE FINAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. City Clerk Howe read into the record Resolution No. 2025-029R and Resolution No. 2025-03OR by title only. Finance Director Borror presented a report on Resolution No. 2025-029R and Resolution No. 2025-030R. Resolution No. 2025-029R provides for the adoption of the final ad valorem millage rate for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. This final millage rate is set at 4.5900 mills, consistent with the rate proposed in Resolution No. 2025-027R, which was adopted at the first public budget hearing held on September 4, 2025. The proposed rate was duly advertised in The Daily Commercial on September 15, 2025, in accordance with statutory requirements. Public comment must be permitted prior to the adoption of the final millage rate, which must occur before the close of the public hearing. Resolution No. 2025-03OR provides for the adoption of the final budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. As required by law, an opportunity for public comment must be provided prior to the adoption of the final budget and before the conclusion of the public hearing. No changes have been proposed by staff to the budget since its initial presentation at the first public hearing. Mayor Murry inquired about the total amount of the final budget. Finance Director Borror responded that the total final budget amount is $262,034,189 which includes the City's reserves. Mayor Murry opened the public hearing. Bryan Bain, 245 Nautica Mile Drive - supported the 4.5900 millage rate, emphasizing that maintaining city services and continued investment are essential to Clermont's safety, growth, and quality of life. City of Clermont MINUTES FINAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 Joe Fumasi, 2693 Jumping Jack Way — requested expanding reclaimed water funding for growth and emergency services; criticized county for misusing MSTU tax funds. Mayor Murry closed the public hearing. Council Member Strange motioned to adopt a millage rate of 4.4 mills for fiscal year 2026; seconded by Council Member Howard for discussion. Council Member Strange spoke about her goal of keeping the general operations budget balanced, separate from the $16 million set aside for special projects, which could help lower the millage rate gradually and responsibly. She said that health insurance costs are expected to increase the General Fund by approximately $600,000, or one -tenth of a mil. EMS is a priority, and she does not want taxpayers to pay twice for those services while also paying Lake County. She talked about holding the county accountable and proposed hiring nine medics and firefighters to staff a new fire station at Wellness Way starting January 2026. She also suggested pausing the $4.6 million transfer from reserves to capital projects because of upcoming potential changes. Finally, she encouraged the council to keep working toward reducing the millage rate to 4.22, seeing 4.4 as a good step forward while allowing time to plan and review. Council Member Howard stated that the city and county to be more assertive in requiring developers to install reclaim water systems, as outlined in the Wellness Way sector plan since 2010. He stated that moving money to the capital reserve is just setting it aside for future expenses, and since it is not spent yet, it does not really change anything. He was in support of funding two ambulances now while deferring additional EMS management until Fire Station 5 opens and emphasized responsibly lowering the millage rate to 4.4 without cutting essential services. Council Member Myers opposed lowering the millage rate at this time, citing uncertain economic conditions and job market concerns. She stated that reducing it too much now could force a steep increase later, which would upset residents, and she recommended maintaining the current rate of 4.59. Council Member Petersen supported keeping the 4.59 millage rate, noting that reducing it to 4.4 assumes funding from Lake County, which is uncertain and could jeopardize EMS services. He noted the importance of prioritizing EMS, given its role in saving lives, and expressed a preference for keeping funds in the General Fund budget rather than transferring them to capital reserves. Motion failed 2-3 with Mayor Murry, Council Member Myers and Council Member Petersen opposed. Council Member Petersen motioned to approve Resolution 2025-029R at the millage rate of 4.59, seconded by Council Member Myers. Council Member Strange proposed reducing the millage rate to 4.49 based on overstated health insurance costs and urged delaying EMS expansion until the city secures MSTU funds from the county to avoid double taxation for residents. Council Member Howard clarified that approving the budget does not automatically commit the council to the full EMS program and requested that key expenses, like EMS management staffing, be brought back for review before moving forward. City Manager Van Wagner agreed that staff will not move forward without Council approval. City of Clermont MINUTES FINAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 The motion passed 4-1 with Council Member Strange opposed. Council Member Howard stated that if funds are to be frozen in the General Fund, now is the appropriate time to do so since it pertains to the budget, not the millage rate, and expressed support if the money is set aside in a designated account. Council Member Strange expressed concern that moving $4.6 million to capital reserves limits flexibility for operational needs like EMS, which could lead to a higher millage rate if county funding does not materialize. She supported keeping the funds in reserves to see how the projects evolve and have all capital fund projects require Council approval before moving forward. Council Member Strange motioned to adopt the budget as proposed with the exception that the $4.6 million capital transfer will remain in general reserves and no capital funds or EMS move forward without Council approval: seconded by Council Member Petersen. Motion passed unanimously 5-0. CLOSING COMMENTS Mayor Murry requested a detailed breakdown of the city's reclaimed water needs, costs, and feasibility, noting that despite ongoing discussions, clear answers have yet to be provided. Discussion ensued regarding the difference between reuse and reclaimed water. Public Services Assistant Director Maiworm clarified the difference between the two. Council Member Strange requested a workshop on the issue. The consensus from Council was to have Public Services Director Brunson present this at a workshop in October. City of Clermont MINUTES FINAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 ADJOURN: With no further comments, this meeting adjourned at 6:02 pm. � APPROVED: r6� Tim Murry, Ma or cz� Y ATTEST. Tracy Ackroyd ITowe, MMC City Clerk