09-11-2008 Special MeetingCity of Clermont
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 11, 2008
FIRST PUBLIC HEARING -FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009 BUDGET
The Clermont City Council met in a special meeting on Thursday, September 11, 2008 in the Council Chambers at
City Hall. Mayor Hal Turville called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm with the following Council Members present:
Council Members Mullins, Goodgame, Berlinsky and Hogan. Other City officials present were: City Manager
Saunders, Assistant City Manager Gray, Administrative Services Director Van Zile, and City Clerk Ackroyd.
Resolution No. 1593 Tentative Ad Valorem Millage Rate of 3.142 for the 2008-2009 Fiscal Year
Mayor Turville read Resolution 1593 aloud in its entirety.
A Resolution of the City of Clermont of Lake County, Florida, adopting the tentative ad valorem
millage rate for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2008, and ending September 30, 2009; providing
for collection of taxes; providing an effective date.
Administrative Services Director Van Zile noted the final adoption is scheduled for next Thursday, September 18.
The proposed millage rate represents a 6.82 percent decrease from the rolled back rate. He provided an explanation
of the rolled back rate. The City will receive approximately $255,000 less in property taxes than in the previous year.
We have the second lowest rate in Lake County. Staff recommended approval of the Resolution.
Mayor Turville opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Turville closed the public hearing.
Council Member Mullins moved for adoption of Resolution 1593• seconded b~Council Member
Goodgame. The motion passed with all members present voting_"aye".
Resolution No. 1594 Tentative Budget Resolution for the 2008-2009 Fiscal Year
Mayor Turville read Resolution 1594 aloud by title only.
A Resolution of the City of Clermont, Lake County, Florida, adopting the tentative budget for the
2008-2009 Fiscal Year.
Administrative Services Director, Van Zile, explained Resolution 1594 adopts the tentative budget. The final budget
is scheduled for adoption next week. He reviewed a few changes in the budget based on discussions from the budget
workshops. The revenues show a negative amount of $308,655 which represents a deficit in the general fund
reserves for the downtown library, mosquito control, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) concurrency cost
and various line item reductions. The library cost is $278,000. In summary, the budget proposed is a solid financial
plan. There are no fee adjustments. The reserves are considered very healthy. Staff recommended adoption of
Resolution 1594.
Mayor Turville opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Turville closed the public hearing.
Mayor Turville thanked staff for their work on the budget.
Council Member Hogan moved for adoption of Resolution 1594; seconded by Council Member
Mullinc_
Council Member Goodgame proposed removing one month of operating budget for the library and eliminating
employee raises to save money from being taken out of the reserves.
Mayor Turville explained the purpose for reserves is money held back in the event something comes up we can
afford it without raising taxes. The object is to place funds in to represent our intent to place a library in downtown.
He opposed the suggestion made by Council Member Goodgame.
City Manager Saunders commented the budget was produced with a minimal deficit and disagreed with eliminating
employee pay raises.
Council Member Berlinsky agreed with the proposal made by Council Member Goodgame. He stressed the
importance of having a balanced budget and recommended the 2.5 percent cost of living adjustment and merit
increases be removed.
Council Member Hogan was not in favor of eliminating employee raises.
Mayor Turville stated the economy is showing signs of improvement. $280,000 is not a significant number when the
City has approximately $9 million in reserves. The other agencies cutting positions do not have reserves. He
recommended reviewing wages and salaries during the next process but not right now.
Council Member Mullins suggested removing the library from this year's budget with consideration next year or to
pass as written. He explained that he is not opposed to a library.
Hope Lamb, 519 Mar Nan Mar Place, spoke in support of a library in downtown.
Council Member Goodgame noted the perception is the public will not support pay raises versus a library. He
prefers to see a balanced budget and is taking a stand today because of the economy.
The motion passed 3 to 2 with Council Members Goodgame and Berlinsky opposing-
ADJOURN: With no further comments, the meeting was adjourned at 8:07pm.
APPROVED:
s. _ -,
ATTEST: .~
~~~~ ,~~~
'Tracy Aclcroyd, City Clerk
Harold .Turville, Mayo