Dear heavenly father, we thank you through your abundant grace and mercy. You've allowed us to come together to conduct this city's business. And father, we help you help us to come together in this spirit of unity. Even though we may disagree, let us not disrespect or disagree or disre engage from one another, but continue to work together as brothers and sisters. We say
a special prayer of all our brothers and sisters serving in the armed forces all over the world, keeping us safe. And father, we ask you to watch over our first responders. Watch over us. Watch over them as they watch over us. We so carefully give you the praise, the honor, and the glory you do. In your son Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> Amen.
>> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I got this.
>> Thank you so much. >> Okay, we got um President, you checked us all in, didn't you? >> I can't hear. >> No. Commissioner Kennedy is absent. Commissioner Wilson >> here. >> Mayor Johnson
>> here. >> Commissioner Fner >> here. Commissioner Oliver >> here. >> Okay. Presentation uh we have presentation proclamation. We have presentations of John Lanyard's service award to me about Mayor Johnson of
Florida League of Cities. What's you got your tell us your name and all. I'm sorry get out here. >> Thank you mayor and good evening mayor commissioners staff and citizens. My name is Aaron Alhorn. I am the member services administrator for the Florida League of Cities which is located in
Tallahassee, Florida. And just for the benefit of the audience members who have may have never heard of the Florida League of Cities, we are the statewide association for Florida's 411 cities, towns, and villages. And our mission has remained the same since our beginning,
which is to protect local decisionmaking because we believe local decisions should be made by those who know their communities best. And so I do want to take a moment to say thank you to the city of Akoi for being a valued and committed member of the Florida League of Cities.
But I am here tonight to recognize a remarkable public servant and community leader. And it's my honor to present the John Land Years of Service Award to Mayor Rusty Johnson in recognition of his 40 years of service to the city of
Akoi. Yes, absolutely. Uh the John Land may uh Mayor John Lanier's service award was named after a Popka Mayor John Land who served his city for more than 60 years. And so this award is designed specifically for elected officials like Mayor Johnson who have such dedicated
years of service to their community. And that's what we're here to recognize and celebrate this evening. Do you want me to read the proclamation? >> You can. Yeah. >> Is that okay? >> Okay. I'll read the proclamation. It says, "Whereas America's municipal governments have long relied upon the
selfless selfless leadership of their citizens for local self-government, and Florida's municipal government share the time-honored role as the level of government closest to the people. And whereas this reliance places extraordinary responsibilities upon citizen legislators, our municipal
elected officials who make significant sacrifices of their time and energies on behalf of their citizenry, making this commitment a true labor of love. And whereas municipal leaders strive for excellence in the governance of their city, town, or village, and commit
themselves to providing quality services, governing effectively, and working to improve the quality of life. And whereas several terms in office are a high compliment that voters give to an elected official. And with these years of experience comes a strengthening of
wisdom, discernment, and strong leadership skills that bring tremendous values to the municipal governments of Florida. And whereas Rusty Johnson has held office in the city of Akoi for 40 years and is recognized for this achievement. So on behalf of the Florida League of Cities, I want to say thank
you for your municipal service and congratulations. We'll wait. >> I'll try to say wide enough words. >> God bless you. >> Hear me without having to won't say too long. I will say don't worry, I won't be making 60.
>> You got to worry about it. My days 60 will never happen. John one of the better people you may run across one of the better people involved in politics that I ever run across. I'd like to say that about him. He has truly loved the city which I do. Coin has been a my life
since 1955. I came here in 1955 with my family, my mother and father. We decided this is going to be the place and that's where I want to be. Never going to leave. I've devoted myself for that 48 40 years in
Okoy to be involved in the city. One of the main reasons was when come home the army decided I want to stay here and get involved. My wife and I her father was a commissioner here back in the 50s. So my life is here. I wanted to say that I
have my granddaughter's here. My son's here. So take a picture. It's okay with you. I'd like to have him come up. So my daughter got born way after I started. My son was a little fell when we started
and then my kids I had five kids and all the years that I've been involved in politic when we first started it was ever two years which really meant every year because you had to start politicing the year after you got elected. So after that we went to three years and then
went to four years thankfully. But it's been a pleasure. My life's going to be the same when I'm done. I'll be living and coming around and still loving people. So that won't quit. But my life I would want to ever go anywhere else.
This is place I want to be forever. I'm glad my kids I think I have around eight of them live eight of them live to my grandkids and kids eight grandkids. Five children with four of them, three
of them live in I wanted to see our families be able to stay here and see what happens in live in the city up here. All right. So that's it. I'll >> tell you to pay for the principal. Slide
you over a little more. >> Everybody stand up. Yeah, he also send pictures. >> I only guess where's everybody else? >> We stood up. >> We were there.
Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> All right, let's get let's see. National Public Works Proclamation. >> Do we have that up here? Yeah. >> Okay. >> It'll be posted out front. So we'll is anybody from the public works here? >> Yes, Steve's in the back
>> here. We're going to have Steve come up and we can read it. Public works presentation >> proclamation. Whereas public works professionals focus on infrastructure facilities and services that are of vital importance to sustainability and resilience community communities and to
public health, high quality of life and well-being of the people of the city of AOE. And whereas these infrastructure facilities and services could not be provided by the dedicated efforts of public works professionals who are engineers, managers and employees at all levels of government and the private
sector who are responsible for rebuilding, improving and protecting our nation's transportation, water supply, water treatment, solid waste system, public buildings and other structures and facilities essential for our citizens. That's a lot, isn't it? And whereas it is the public interest for
the citizens, civic leaders and children in the city of Akoi to gain knowledge of and maintain an ongoing interest and understanding of the importance of public works and public works programs in their respective communities. Whereas the city this year I'm sorry
whereas the year 2026 marks the 66th annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association. Now therefore, it be resolved that the city commission of the city of Akoi does hereby designate the week of May 17th to
23rd of 2026 as national public works week. We urge all citizens to join with representatives of the American Public Works Association and government agencies in activities, events, and ceremonies designed to pay tribute to our public works professionals,
engineers, managers, and employees, and to recognize the substantial contribution that they make to protecting our national health, safety, and advancing the quality of life for all. In witness thereof, our mayor has set his hand and cause a seal of the
city of AoE, Florida to be assigned on this n a fixed, I'm sorry, on this 19th day of May, 2026 by our mayor Johnson. >> Come on down, Steve, and let get a picture here. I don't have the frame one, but I'll let you hold that.
>> Oh, it's there. It's right here. >> Oh, here it is. Here. Okay. >> Do you have some other public? >> There you go. I don't know if there's anyone else that wants to get up with us. >> Anybody else from public works here? >> Anybody from public works that wants to come up? Poor Steve stands alone.
>> If we do everything right, nobody knows we exist. >> Oh. Oh, come on. >> Shift a little more. >> Okay. No, not you, Steve. Thank you very much. Congratulations. >> Thank you, Steve. >> All righty. Now, if we're to go through
here, let's Forest Lake golf course update. Parks and Leisure Services Director Johnson. >> Good evening, Mayor, Commissioner, City Manager. Mark Johnson, director of parks and leisure services. I'm here tonight to give an update on um Forest Lake Golf
Course. Um sen we uh took over about a year ago working with a short-term operator. Um this power this PowerPoint is going to give you a few updates on some upgrades, improvements, and some financials uh that we have going on up there. So um
first, uh we got some improvements coming up out to the golf course. Um those familiar with that play golf, um we have 57 new electric easygo golf carts that are coming out. Um, and once they get out there, they will be
supplied with a new GPS tracking system that will be state-of-the-art, and it will be a a big upgrade to the current what the current system has. Uh, a little more on the golf carts. They are going to be quieter. They're electric. Um, better seats, all the new stuff, you
know, phone ports. Everybody needs that now when they're out there. Charge their phone. They're playing golf for four hours. um on the new GP on the new GPS system. Um tag Marshall is the system that we're going to implement. Um it's
just going to change the whole um face the game out there. Um the current system is more like a digital system. This is going to have um so much more uh benefits to the players from uh being able to message the players out there,
hey, there's lightning in the area. Get in. um be able to order food ahead of time, that kind of stuff. Um we can also we had that last that last bullet point, the geo fencing, they have the ability to to um set certain areas of the course
to where you can't drive the golf cart. You know, if we're doing some work on an area or some guys like to drive up close to the green, we can, you know, geo fence that where we can keep that area as, you know, as good as possible. Um, we have some staff here today from
the golf course. This some of their first time going to a commission meeting. Um, we got Michael Ross, golf director. We got Jeb Eversaw. He's ever food and beverage. Brett Harris off turf, our turf guy out there. Um,
and we got Nick's here. Didn't put his name up here, but Nick Dunlevy who works with uh Down to Earth. And uh actually we have Robert Uti back here. He's a been a consultant with us helping us out with the golf course. Um operations wise out there, it's a
busy course. If you're out there on a Thursday at lunchtime, it's it's packed. I mean, parking lot's full. Um generating some very good uh revenue out there with potential for more. >> You forgot forgot the uh dining room
manager. >> No, I got it. >> Did you say Okay, I missed that. I'm sorry. um here. >> Uh now we're working on Michael and the in the shop are working on new events with the food and bed with Jeb on bringing uh different you know different
ideas out to the course to bring more people out there. Uh we got some demo days coming out with uh some of our vendors that are scheduled. We do have um a we're going to have a a driving a driving challenge uh long drive. We'll
have uh top tracer set up out there for like three days for people to come out there and enjoy that and see, you know, try to hit as far as they can. Um on the turf side, we do have a verification that will be starting July 27th and
it'll run till about July 30th, the 31st. We have it set up. Um that course probably hasn't been airified in years. Um it's very compacted out there. So, this is going to open up that grass and let it breathe a little bit. And um
you'll see the enhance you'll see the the turf just take off once we do this. Um and then in that same time, we'll be uh overhauling the FA uh pro shop. Um making that look a little more appeasing to the eyes because the stuff that's been in there has been in there since I
think 1994. So um as far as verification a little bit more like I just talked about that during that time the course will be closed the restaurant driving range and the course uh just for a few days u but it's much needed and the week after that
we do this we'll be offering a 30% discount on the rates because the course will be beat up a little bit. Those that play golf will know know that means um so we'll give a 30% discount for the week following verification. um turning transferring to some programs
that have been started out there since um last year when we started uh we took over. Um first TE of Central Florida. Um it's a program to get the youth involved into golf. Um they supply the clubs, you
know, it's free for the kids. It's a good way to get somebody that would never be able to have a chance to play golf as a youngster a chance to play golf. And you can see the numbers there. They've only increased since last summer and they will they will only get bigger.
Um they actually have um they did an LPGA girls clinic out there. You can see the numbers October 17 then uh 20 uh last this past March. There's also another program called the mentor menty
program. Um, so it just lets a younger person get to play nine holes with the actual a golf pro. Um, as far as maintenance out there, uh, we're doing every day out there. We're doing something, um, from we did a
nemo treatment last summer, get rid of those. Um, we do some detail work besides just cutting and cutting the greens, cutting the fairways. people out there um getting the palm frrons cleaned up because there's a lot of stuff that
hasn't been done in a while. U trimming the palms. We had a tree company out there last week for three days doing some uh lifting of the trees, that kind of stuff. So, the front entrance looks a lot better too if you go if you go by there. Um we also are trying to get to
where when you the sidewalks, make sure the carts are starting to use the sidewalks. Some of the stuff that brought the sidewalk was damaged. So, we're trying to get that grass to grow back, too. Um, and we also are going to have some upgraded equipment out there for the turf. So, um, that's going to be
a big help. Um, just the maintenance, keeping the stuff we have now workable, just, you know, the cost is is going to be a tremendous help to have brand new equipment to be able to take care of that that golf course. Um, see some pictures here of staff
um out there just trying to do just around the whole signs, that kind of stuff. Just trying to make it look good, upgrade wherever we can. Uh, food and beverage. Um, honestly, if you haven't been out there for lunch, it's it's a hidden gem. I mean, great
price. Um, I'm there like twice a week now, but uh they they've extended the hours. The menu's gotten better. uh they started a grab and go and I think last six weeks they said over 300 have uh just trying to make it easy for the
golfers that are golfing just come and get your food go that way not we're not slowing the pace of play down out there that kind of stuff and that new GPS system you'll be able to order your food ahead of time through the through the GPS system what we we're going to have
um financials we have uh we have some monthly revenue from when last year we took Ober to March, you can see the numbers. The blue is your gross and the orange is your uh net. Um so if you add it all up,
you have your your gross revenue for the last those 11 months than our net. That's what's you know that's a pretty good chunk of change right there. Um, and comparing to the previous 12 months of four, um, so May of 24 to May of 25,
we're about $400,000, um, more in that year, that 12 month span. So, um, a lot of hard work's gone into that. Um, just creating a better environment out there, just, you know, making golf
great out there. Um, that's it. Uh, any questions? I'm here for Good. >> I just have one question. When you said it airates, are you chewing the grass up? I'm sorry. I don't I also said airate was just spiking it. But >> yeah, >> it's just spiking it. >> Spiking it.
>> Okay. >> Well, there's different kinds, but >> picture just looked like it was chewing the grass up. >> Well, it it will look like it will look like that. >> Okay. >> Um but soon as you clean it off, it a week later it's going to be >> beautiful.
Well, I will say that I go up there quite a bit. the U kitchen staff, everybody's doing a great job there. Staff all together is doing a great job. I I noticed they all got the same each one department's got a different color shirt. Well, you'll know who's working
and who's not, which is great. I think you're doing a great job. I appreciate it. All right. Anybody else? Anybody Anybody from golf course want to say anything? Feel free to. Okay.
All right. Thanks, Mark. Staff reports. >> Thank you, Mayor. I I have one item. Um I'd like to ask um city attorney Geller. He's We need um direction from the commission regarding the um Koi Gateway
versus City of Akoi lawsuit. >> Yes, mayor and commissioners to to give you a litigation update and ask you for uh some action at the end of this May 15, 2026, Akoi Gateway filed an amended complaint against the city of Akoi. It's
case number 2026 CA 291-0. It's pending in the Orange County Circuit Court. The case involves a developer seeking a declaratory judgment to build an affordable housing project under the Florida Live Local Act on property adjacent to White Road and
South Clark Road. uh the developer seeking a judicial declaration that the property is eligible for the special benefits of the live local act and that the city must administratively approve of a development application without a
public hearing before you. Uh the city's position is that the project is not permissible under the development agreement governing the property. There's also an SB80 claim which we think is is without merit. Among the changes from the original complaint, the
amended complaint added the property owner, Lake Lada Limited, as a co-planif against the city. A responsive pleading is due in a week. It's May 26, 2026. Grounds for a counter suit may be
available and I'm asking you tonight for a motion and approval authorizing our law firm to consider, evaluate, and if deemed appropriate to bring a counter claim to enforce the development agreement governing the property.
>> You need a motion? >> I do. Please. >> Commissioners, you have any discussion? >> I would minimize discussion. Go ahead. >> I'm willing to make that motion. >> All right. Go ahead. Motion.
>> I'd like to make the motion. >> Here's the language. >> I'm asking you to tonight make a motion to approve an approval authorizing our law firm, Mr. Geller's law firm, to consider, evaluate, and if deemed appropriate to bring a counter claim to
enforce a development agreement governing the property. Motion made by Commissioner Wilson here. Second. >> I'll second it. >> Seconded by Commissioner Aller. Any more comments? >> I got a comment before we vote. Just a question rather. >> You mentioned um Senate Bill 180.
>> Yes. >> Okay. Senate Bill 180. Has that been ratified as of yet or is it still is it still on the table to be to be ratified? Senate Bill 180 was uh signed into law by the governor and you may recall we
had uh extensive uh proceedings with the department of economic opportunity. I briefed the commission and the public on that on at least a couple occasions and the uh administrative law judge said that the department did not have authority to issue the Nolan void
letter. These litigants have a cause of action making the identical claim that our vision 2045 is null and void appio. Uh never mind that we have an opt out provision and it's a completely frivolous claim. >> Okay. And I must have mistaken because
there's a there's a house bill 180 that's on the on tape right now. So I'm sorry I got it mixed up with the house bill. All right. >> We voted. That's it. Let's move. Yeah. back. Sure.
>> Motion carries unanimous with Commissioner Kennedy absent. >> Thank you, everyone. >> All right. You through, Craig? >> Yes, sir. Thank you. >> All right. Dr. Jim Moyer, public comment. Good evening,
mayor, commissioners. Congratulations, Mayor Johnson. Uh, my name's Dr. Jim Moyer. I'm elected only soil and water conservation district 2 supervisor and my comments as always are mine alone and for district
two on continuation of two weeks ago my presentation uh this is implementing D2 meaning district 2 and C3 uh you'll see in a moment but wast
okay um as I just mentioned This is implementing D2C3 water challenge. As a reminder, the C3 stands for one change, two conserve, and three clean. Now, why would you want to
participate? Well, one, the United States uses approximately twice the amount of water as the global per person average. And we use about the same as China and
India that are four times larger. So we're using twice what we should. They're using half the average. Uh Florida we now in Florida we use um more outdoor residential water than
agricultural water use. And we're historically an agricultural state. And in Orange County despite a lot of initiatives uh by the county and the municipality including AOE we use appro we use over
twice the amount of global average water and it's almost entirely due to outside irrigation. Uh so I'm asking everyone to please consider how do I waste water? How do I
pollute our water bodies? Um, here in what's called water useit wisely.com has over aund ways to conserve. Pick one. Just one.
The ever difficult thing for me is to get started. So, please just pick one and get started towards conf conservation. And greenco.org or has 16 ways that you can reduce water pollution, including
something as simple as picking up litter. Doesn't matter whose litter it is. Over 60% of water pollution in the United States comes from litter. So, I encourage everyone to please take
personal responsibility, create a new habit, make some changes, even if it's in a small way. Thank you for your time and God bless you all. >> Thank you Dr. Moyer >> Norine Dorton. >> Good evening everyone. I'm Noren
Dwarkin, the editor-inchief of Fox Copuli. Good evening, mayor, commissioners, city manager, city clerk. Um, we are uh at the beginning of our two week spring into summer fundraiser and I just wanted to borrow your
platform for a moment. Uh, we need to raise $5,000 and we are giving away car magnets for uh anyone donating $25 or more. For those donating any amount, we are um you would automatically be
entered into a drawing for a very special event uh coming up in the fall on uh October 7th at Winter Park Library. That's going to be an evening hosted by the Florida First Amendment Foundation, an evening with Scott
Maxwell in conversation with Julie K. Brown, who is a Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist who broke the Jeffrey Epstein story for the Miami Herald. Uh they're going to be talking about why that's still important. So, uh the link to
donate if you are so inclined is boxuli vox puli.fundjournalism.org/donate. And thank you very much. Appreciate you. >> Thank you. All right, that's all the public comment forms I have. So, we'll go to consent
agenda. >> Commissioners, >> I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Motion made by Commissioner Fner for the consent agenda here. Second. >> I'll second it. Uh,
>> Commissioner Oliver, second it. Any more comments? Let's vote. Motion carries unanimous with Commissioner Kennedy absent. All right, ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to ask for about a two minute two
minute um change over. I apologize. I've got a excuse myself. So, I'm good. >> Rich. >> Yeah.
>> I'll have signs tomorrow. >> All right. >> Sorry about that. I know. Mission District one and the request is relative to uh the 5ft utility easements on the sidey yards of these eight lots.
Uh this vacation should look familiar uh for everyone because uh last year almost exactly on the day um the city commission voted for approval of a partial vacation of this easement. Um and unfortunately due to a miscommunication between the developer
and their surveyor the area uh that was to be vacated um was incorrect. So this resolution after staff spoke with the developer is to fix that um that error. Um and in looking at the easement that was recorded with the plat, it was
determined that this utility easement was not actually needed. Uh so as our regular process is, we sent new letters out to uh the standard list of utility providers and we received no concerns or objections uh from all the applicable utility providers as well as our own
utilities department. And this is just a uh example of the rest of the area that is to be vacated with this current resolution. Um where you see POB um and that uh kind of bold uh area that was what was previously
vacated last year. The area highlighted in yellow is the area to be vacated this year. So, with that in mind, uh, staff recommends that the honorable mayor and city commission adopt the proposed resolution to abandon and vacate the 5- foot utility easements for lots 1, 12,
13, 24, 25, 36, 37, and 48 of the Magnolia Reserve Town Home Subdivision. I'd be happy to answer any questions. >> Okay, I will open up the public hearing. Is there anyone in the audience that would care to speak to this?
Not seeing any. I bring it back up to the dis uh commissioners. Do you have any comments on this? >> I can read it. >> Is is this uh 5-ft um utility easement uh due to another project? You need that
the the additional uh easement for a diff a different project? Uh, no, Commissioner. This is just due to um the the original vacate that came last year was due to the developer putting this easement within the plat that was recorded. Um, and then during
construction and permitting of the single family home or the town homes that were there, it was determined that they wanted to actually put a walkway as well as part of the structural column uh for the home or the building in that easement. And as a policy, we don't typically allow um structures or uh
sidewalks or pathways in that ement. So, this will allow them to add a a walkway. >> Yes, this will allow them to cleanly go in and have that walkway and the uh structural column uh in that easement area. And as I said, no utility company objected uh and our own utilities
department had no objections to this. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. The city attorney can read >> would you like me to read the resolution? >> Yes, please. >> A resolution of the city of AOE, Florida, abandoning and vacating the rear approximately 60 linear feet of the
5ft utility easements located on lots 112 13 24 36 37 and 48 of the Magnolia Reserve Town Home subdivision providing for recordation providing for severability and providing an effective date.
>> Okay. Do I hear a motion? >> I'll make that motion. >> Okay. Motion made by Commissioner Wilson. >> I'll second it. >> And seconded by Commissioner Oliver. Let's vote. >> Motion passes unanimously.
Regular agenda item 15, discussion and reappointment and appointment of members of the planning and zoning commission development service director let This is actually going to be handled by Miss Parks, but I will be up here to
handle this. Uh, so yes, we're uh we are looking for uh so the issue is does the honorable mayor and city commission consider appointing member Keller and member Butler as regular members to the planning zoning commission as requested uh by
their initial three years uh terms. Um there's also an appointment of Mr. Fernandez as an alternative member with these applications expiring in 2029. So, we're uh staff recommends uh the honorable mayor and city commission uh consider appointing uh member Keller and
members Butler as regular members to planning zoning commission um as requested by their applications uh and then for their initial three-year term and then appoint Mr. Fernandez as an alternative member with a term expiring in 2029. And I'd be happy to answer any questions.
>> Okay. Um, does the commission have any questions? >> Just to clarify that Mr. Fernandez serves on code enforcement. So what I what the reading of this he will have to give up one to go to the other. Just that was a clarification on >> that. That is correct. Yes.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. No questions. >> No. >> I'll need a motion. >> I'll make that motion to approve. >> I'll second. >> Commissioner Wilson makes the motion approve. uh and seconded by Commissioner
Albert. Let's vote. Next uh 16. Discussion of reappointment and appointment of regular members and alternate members to the code enforcement board. >> That'll be me. Um so we have three seats that are open for this board. Um one
will be a reappoint. member Warren Lewis submitted his application to be reappointed as a regular member. And we also received applications from Annette Brown and Rodri Wilson. Um, and both of them are okay. We have one seat that is vacant. Um, that term expires in June of
27 and another seat that is vacant. It's a full three-year term. So, we're requesting that the commissioner consider reappointing Warren Lewis for a full term of three years to expire in June of 2029
and point and appointing either Annette Brown or Rodri Wilson to either one of those vacant seats. >> Would he be appointing both or you said either or is it is it I'm sorry >> one to each seat. So one would be appointed to the vacancy to fill a term
and the other would be appointed to complete a full term. >> Okay. >> Will we have can I may may I ask question? >> Yes. >> Okay. Will we have be able to have quorum on that board with that current status? >> Yes. >> Okay. That's a concern. Thank you.
>> You you'll still have two vacant alternate seats, but all of the member seats will be full, >> but we have received no applications yet. >> No. No. Okay, that answer my question. >> Yeah, we need to go out there and kind of pedal that, I think. >> Yeah, I I passed out a couple of
applications. They haven't turned them in yet, I guess. >> It looks like every district is represented also. >> Yeah, if I'm correct from reading the >> Yes, I am reading. Thank you. >> Okay, if there are no more questions, I
need a motion. >> I'll make the motion to approve. I guess I'll second. >> Motion made by Commissioner Oliver, seconded by Commissioner Wilson. >> We have you. We have to say which person will be in each seat.
>> Who will fill the um the vacant seat to complete the >> full term? >> Who will do the full term and who will do the complete the term? >> Um which applica which order did those applications come in? Yes. >> Um and Net Brown first and then we
received Roger Wilson. Well, it just answered the question for me. >> That answers the question for me. That's what I would say. >> That sounds good. Let's vote. Approve uh unanimously. Okay. Item number 17, discussion and
direction for funding emergency medical services with the dedicated EMS Enterprise Fund. Deputy Fire Chief Vancamp, >> Mayor Pro Tim. Um I will while they're
getting set up, I will uh be happy to kind of prelude this. Um as everyone's aware, the state legislature is looking at um some tax reforms that are going to impact revenues of all municipalities.
So we have been looking at ways to reduce reliance on the general fund of which um a major portion of the revenues comes from advalorum property taxes. One of these measures that's about to be presented to you is the conversion of of
our EMS transport services to an enterprise fund, which is a fund um that has a special designation and must be self- sustaining by the fees that it collects. and and so we are going to
have Chief Vancamp kind of walk you through the analysis that we've done and we're going to be recommending to you that we um make our EMS transport and enterprise fund. Um this would result in
uh no change to our um outstanding ALS transport services that we have. we would remain an ALS transport um entity and we believe it would be a cost-saving measure to citizens. And so I'm going to turn it over to Chief
Vancamp if he's ready to go. I am, but the computer is not. This seems to be the flavor of the day. Um, I hit escape. >> Thank you guys. So, firefighters and
computers do not mix. So, I just want to apologize for that. Uh, so the fire chief was going to start this off. So, I am going to rely on my notes until uh he comes back and he may continue it um from there. So, good evening mayor, commissioner, and city administrators. Tonight, the fire department is
presenting a strategic proposal that's designed to strengthen the emergency service delivery and improve long-term financial s sustainability and reduce reliance on taxup supported funding sources to the establishment of an EMS
enterprise fund. So this proposal is not about reducing the services to the community, but rather it's about modernizing how EMS services are funded and operationally structured in order to improve both the EMS transport operations and fire service suppression
readiness. So, the proposed model creates a dedicated EMS division funded primarily through EMS generate revenue while allowing firefighter paramedics to be reassigned back to fire suppression apparatus, ultimately supporting the staffing of four fire engines, one tower
truck, and two ALS ambulances simultaneously. So, let's talk about the strate the strategic context. So the strategic environment surrounding local government funding is evolving rapidly. Everybody knows about the tax reform that's going
on at the state level. The ongoing discussions related to property tax reform continue to create uncertainty regarding future municipal revenue streams. Historically, fire departments have relied heavily on property tax property based funding sources and fire fee assessments to to support
operations. At the same time, EMS demand continues to increase each year. Transport volumes, staffing demands, equipment costs, and operational expenditures continue to pay place increasing pressure on the fire department budget. So, this proposal seeks to proactively address those
challenges by diversifying the funding sources and aligning EMS operational costs directly with EMS generated revenue through an enterprise fund structure. By taking a proactive approach now, the city positions itself to better manage
future financial uncertainty while continuing to enhance emergency services for theu community. So what key operational challenges are we currently facing? So in addition to financial pressures, the department's also facing several operational
challenges. The department's ISO class rating was impacted in part by the inability to sim simultaneously staff four fire engines in a tower truck. Beginning in June 1st, the department is anticipating to place a tower truck into service. However, due to current
staffing limitations, that will reduce our total engines to three with one tower truck. Con current staffing levels do not support simultaneous deployment of four engines, one tower and two ALS ambulances at this time. So,
additionally, the current dual role firefighter paral paramedic model creates operational overlap between EMS transport responsibilities and fire suppression staffing needs. Recruitment and retention of dualcertified firefighter paramedics also continues to
become increasingly difficult across the industry, further impacting staffing stability and operational flexibility. This proposal attempts to strategically address both the staffing and financial challenges simultaneously. So for those that aren't familiar with
it, myself included, what is an enterprise fund? >> Yes, sir. So an enterprise fund is a financial structure that's commonly utilized by governments for services that generate revenue through user fees or service-based billing. So under this
model, EMS generated revenues are dedicated specifically to support EMS operations. Personnel equipment apparatus replacement and related operational costs. So unlike the current structure where EMS expenses are incorporated into the fire department
operating budget and supported largely through taxbased revenues, an enterprise fund creates a more transparent and self-supported operational model. It allows EMS costs and revenues to be more accurately tracked, measured, and scaled alongside future community growth.
So what's our proposed solution? The proposed solution involves four primary o operational components. First, the city would establish a dedicated EMS division staffed by single ser paramedics, also referred to as PMOs.
Second, the EMS operations would transition into a self-supporting EMS, excuse me, enterprise fund model funded primarily through EMS generated revenue. Third, firefighter paramedics currently assigned to the ambulance staffing would be reassigned back to fire suppression
operations. Finally, this staffing would alignment would allow the department to simultaneously support four fire engines, one tower truck, and two ALS ambulances. So, this proposal does not reduce the EMS services of the fire department. Instead, it strategically aligns the
staffing and funding structures to improve operational reliability and financial stability. So, look, let's look at our current model versus what we're proposing. So this slide illustrates the structural differences between the current operational model and our proposed
model. Under the current structure, the firefighter paramedics are assigned to EMS transport operations. EMS costs remain embedded within the fire department budget and EMS demand frequently impacts the fire suppress and staffing availability. Additionally, because EMS costs remain tied to the
fire department budget, the department remains heavily exposed to future tax revenue uncertainty. Under the proposed model, EMS transport operations are staffed by dedicated PMOs. EMS costs shift into the enterprise fund
supporting supported through EMS revenues and firefighter paramedics can remain assigned to fire suppression apparatus. This creates better alignment with service delivery and operational funding while reducing long-term pressures on tax supported funding sources.
So our recommended staffing model is proposed as part of this transition is intended to maintain current EMS transport services while simultaneously improving fire suppression. Under the proposed structure, the firefighter EMTs and firefighter par paramedics would remain assigned to fire suppression
apparatus and those personnels would be utilized to restore staffing for the fourth fire engine meeting industry standards and recommendations. The EMS division would be staffed by 12 full-time paramedic only positions along with up to six time six part-time PMOs.
These six PMOs would be utilized on an as needed basis to cover for overtime vacancies and things like that. This model allows EMS personnel to focus specifically on EMS transport operations while allowing suppression personnel to remain consistently assigned to
suppression apparatus. The overall result is improved staffing stability across both divisions by providing suppression services as well as two paramedics to every ambulance which right now we have an EMT and a paramedic. So again as I just said it enhances one
of the most important aspects of this proposal is that it enhances both the EMS side as well as the fire suppression side. On the EMS side, every ALS ambulance would be staffed with two paramedics, which in improves the clinical capability of patient care and
operational consistency. On the fire suppression side, the department would be able to simultaneously staff four engines and a tower truck directly supporting ISO and accreditation staffing recommendations. The proposal also improves overall emergency response reliability by
reducing staffing overlaps between our EMS transport operations and our fire suppression functions. Ultimately, this model strengthens operational readiness across the entire department. EMS receives a more focused transport workforce while fire suppression receives more consistent apparatus
staffing. So, EMS revenue. So, let's talk about our EMS revenue. So for fiscal year 2027, the total projected EMS revenue is estimated at approximately $3.7 million. This
includes revenues from our transport billing for our PEMT and MCO reimbursement, which is a federal reimbursement program as well as the Windermir EMS contract. So this slide demonstrates that the department has experienced a steady transport growth
and revenue growth over the last several years. The projections show shown here are very conservative and are based on a 2.5% increase in billable incidents as well as a 3% increase in revenues that are collected. These projections demonstrate
that EMS transport operates operations already generate significant revenue that are capable of supporting a dedicated EMS model. The revenue model is diversified and what do I mean by that is it's not based solely on patient transport billing. rather it's also
included with supplemental reimbursement programs and and contract revenue to help stabilize the model and reduce reliance on any single source of revenue. So let's look at the cost comparison of the benefits and salaries of a
dualcertified fire paramedic versus a paramedic only. So under the current structure, the firefighter paramedics perform fire suppression, EMS transport, and rescue operations. This creates several high operational costs, including higher salaries, EMT
and paramedic incentive pay, firefighter pension structures, school reimbursements, sponsorship costs, and overtime related to fire suppressant staffing. The estimated personnel cost for the current model for the next fiscal year is going to be about $1.6 $6
million. Under the proposed PMO model, single certified paramedics will perform EMS transport operations while firefighter paramedics remain assigned to suppression operations. This reduces several personal personnel related operational costs while also improving
staffing alignment and operational efficiency. The estimated annual personnel cost under the PMO model is approximately $1.4 million. So the goal here is not just simply to use lowerc cost employees. Our belief is
that the PMO model allows the city to align EMS staffing and operational costs more directly with EMS transport services while improving fire suppression staffing. So let's look at our current budget. So this slide illustrates the projected
fiscal impact of the fire department budget. So under the current model, the projected fiscal 2627 fire department budget is approximately $18.3 million with approximately 3.5 million associated with EMS operations under
under the current firefighter based EMS structure. Under the proposed PMO enterprise fund model, EMS operational costs are reduced to approximately $2.6 million. This includes personnel costs, equipment costs, operational costs, and benefits. So this creates a projected
general fund reduction of approximately 1.2 to $1.4 million. The adjusted projected fire department operational budget would decrease to approximately $16.99 million. So importantly, this proposal does not eliminate the EMS costs. It transitions
the EMS from a tax supported fire budget expense to a userupported ed fund structure. So this shift is important because it creates the potential to reduce pressure on the fire fee for residents and businesses while maintaining and enhancing service
levels. So let's look at our EMS revenues versus our costs now. So we just talked about earlier our projected EMS revenues are estimated at approximately $3.7 million annually while projected EMS operational costs utilizing the PMO PMO model are
estimated at approximately $2.6 million. So this creates an estimated positive operational margin of about $1.1 million the first year. Now I do want to be very clear when I say we're not looking at this as a profit. It's more of an
operational buffer that'll be used to cover unexpected overtime, um capital items, unexpected expenses, and things like that. Now, this operational um buffer at 1.1 million, we're anticipating is just going to be the for
the first fiscal year, the the 26 27 fiscal year. This margin will probably decrease in future years of the as the fund will begin to contribute to the general fund administrative fee as well as absorbing RNR and capital expenditures. That being said though, we still believe that there will be a
buffer that the EMS system um will provide operational flexibility. It'll allow reserve stability capability and long-term sustainability for EMS operations moving forward. So we believe that the EMS system is capable of
functioning as a revenue supported operational division. So what are the fiscal benefits? So the enterprise fund model creates several significant fiscal benefits for the city. These include reduced reliance on the general fund, potentially mitigating future fire increase fees, improving
financial transparency, aligning EMS operational expenditures directly with EMS generated revenue. The proposal also increases budget flexibility within the fire department's operation budget by allowing resources to be more strategically focused on suppression operations and emergency response
readiness. So, a dedicated EMS funding structure also makes it easier to demonstrate that the EMS revenues are restrictive just to EMS operations, equipment capital replacement, and service improvements. Other benefits
include um more accurate EMS operating cost tracking, reduce long-term capital and apparatus cost, reduce firefighter based EMS staffing costs, and lower long-term training and instead of expenditures. So, the model may also reduce long-term costs associated
through purchasing smaller ambulances and equipment rather than the large firefighter uh specific equipment that we currently have to use. It may also reduce long-term fringe benefits and training related costs associated with firefighter based EMS staffing and it
also creates a scalable operational framework capable of adapting to future service demands and potential growth. Additionally, one thing I I forgot to mention on the previous slide, the enterprise fund structure may also improve competitiveness for EMS related
grants. Oops. I chief would you like to >> evening commission apologize for that. I was supposed to actually start the first part of this and uh Chief Vancamp was going to do the financial part and then I was going to bring it home here. So uh
let me go ahead and uh Chief Vancamp from what I uh heard so far he's done a tremendous job of explaining this uh process here. Again, we don't want to uh come across that we've got the fix all to everything and it's going to make all this money and we're going to just be rolling in money here in Oakcoy. No, we
we're challenged with a uh uh task to try to you better utilize our current budget for better services and that's what we've come up with with this EMS enterprise fund. Um so as Chief
Vancamp mentioned it it'll enhance our uh EMS service delivery uh delivery uh through our dedicated paramedic staffs. Uh right now uh we have uh generally our staffing only allows for one paramedic and one firefighter that are on our
rescues. Uh sometime if staffing allows we will have double medics but for the majority of the time is one fire one uh uh paramedic and one EMT. Uh but with this model we will have each time that rescue will have two uh certified
paramedics on it with this model. Uh at the same time it improves our fire suppression uh apparatus availability by allowing us to meet industry standards and ISO standards and accreditation recommendations by having that fourth
engine in service. uh ISO requires that you have an an engine suppression unit at all four of our stations along with at least one tower uh for our city and our um population and our uh growth that we've had here. Uh as Chief Benam
mentioned, this will expand our recruitment and our hiring pool. uh hiring single cert uh paramedics. We'll already have several contacts at some of the local colleges and uh tech schools to where we can meet with these paramedics before they even get out of school and start interviewing them and
get them ready for the position. Um some people just love being paramedics. Not everybody wants to be a firefighter. So, we get those people that that truly love doing what they're doing and and want to be paramedics. And there's nothing wrong with that. and we get to
utilize their skills uh in our in our uh strategic plan here. Um it'll improve our workload balance by um having our firefighters available uh for our fire calls and our emergency response calls.
A lot of times now with the model that we have, our ambulances, they run a lot of calls every day. Uh so our ambulance crew that have certified firefighters on that are not available because they're running EMS calls. Well, now all of our dedicated firefighters that we have will
be available for all our emergency calls um and will be ready to respond quickly. And this also improves their um their training capabilities. They will be able to train with their crews on a regular basis. They're not taking away and and running calls, EMS calls all the time
and being stuck at the hospitals. they're able to maintain their training and their stability with their crews. And the EMS side of it helps us to be more specialized in our EMS uh workforce. We
can specialize in um advanced cares, um more operation efficiencies and patient care outcomes. Um it's also going to reduce our staff out of service time. Uh, like I said, during training times, we have to put units out of service for mandatory
training. And this will allow us to uh to continue to have the ambulances in in uh ready status while the uh the crews are doing their training and vice versa. While the crews are doing their training, we continue to have our uh paramedics ready and doing their
training as well. Uh strengthens our staff and reliability during uh continued uh during elevated call times. So, uh, during any time of emergency, uh, activation, we've got peak units available. It also helps on reducing
our, um, mutual aid, uh, reliability, which I think is a big thing. We'll be able to handle all of our calls with all of our people instead of relying on outside sources, uh, to come into the city and and run our calls. Uh, and and then in the long run, it gives us that
financial oversight. We can have a financial budget, a a plan, a business plan. How are we going to utilize this enterprise fund and a and a I think as a business person by utilizing the the revenues that we gain for future
purchases, future capital items, future uh expansion as the city continues to grow. the impact to the city citizens. It enhances the uh current service level as we've mentioned faster uh reliable suppression units as well. Greater
transparency because we've got all of our books. We've got our numbers. Our our EMS uh division is being uh funded through its own efforts. Um positions this city in a more effective accommodating uh manner for population
growth and increased call volumes in the future. It improves our op operational readiness and response cap cap capacity during large scale events which I just mentioned and severe weather events which you know summertime's coming. We're going to get that this is going to be a year with a lot of violent
thunderstorms means lightning uh and we'll have the extra units there ready to uh respond uh readily and then supports again long-term uh sustainability, reliability, and uh helps us to move our fire and EMS
services uh to the community as a whole. What we're uh asking for tonight is for the city council to approve our ordinance uh repro approve us to come back with an ordinance uh establishing the EMS division and EMS
enterprise fund. Um the next phase would be to establish this inter enter enterprise fund and finalize our financial model uh to separate fire and enterprise uh EMS funds and then next step would be to hire train deploy the
PMOs on a 2448 schedule and up to six part-time PMOs as well. Uh they will not be on on shift, but they'll be on a standby unit to help us out with um call outs, vacations, any time that we may need uh uh staffing to help us to uh
reduce our overtime. And then track any key uh uh performance indicators, our cost recovery, transport volumes, and budget impact so we can uh make this thing grow and and uh be prosperous in the future. Uh conclusion the propos again this
proposal doesn't reduce our level of service. Our engines would still be ALS engines. We'll have paramedics on our engines as well. So they'll be the first responder there to any scene and have advanced life care uh available with that first arriving unit. Uh and then
we'll have our ambulances to do the transport. Uh transition EMS to revenue supported enterprise service model. reduces our financial pressure on the fire operating budget, enhances patient care and EMS response cap capabilities
by having the two paramedic ambulance units, and strengthens our fire suppression readiness throughout the continued staffing of four engine companies and a fully staffed tower truck. and again establishes our scalable financial stability uh sustainability uh operational framework
and help us to plan and and move forward for future community growth and future emermergency response demands. So, our recommendation is just um to have the city commission direct staff to return with an ordinance for the first and second reading, establish an EMS
division and EMS enterprise fund, and to include the EMS division and enterprise fund in the proposed uh fiscal year 2627 budget, as well as uh the authorization to add the 12 full-time paramedics and up to six part-time paramedics to
support the staffing uh for that same 2627 budget and we are available for any questions. >> Does the commission have any questions of the fire chief?
>> I was kind of hoping that you might have some questions because this is right up your alley. >> I have a question for the city manager. Does the enterprise fund allow surplus monies or
at the end of the budget year to be rolled over into the next budget year or does >> Yes. Um that's a good question. I'm glad you asked that for the benefit of those here. Um yes. So if we were and these
numbers are very conservative because >> as we're all aware um we tend to get burned when we go off actual models. So this these are scaled back numbers from what we originally modeled. Um but if it
does prove to to actually create additional revenue that is not expended, it would be placed into a reserve just like we do with our other enterprises. For example, utilities, they maintain a reserve. Um and and that's that's
actually the way it the way it works. We would possibly also if if it got very healthy, you know, there there are other opportunities that that the chief didn't really get into a lot of detail on, but the opportunities will possibly present
themselves for us to have contracts with ALFs and entities like that to provide transport services for them that could bring in some additional revenue. um if we got into a a a a good net positive situation
um we would be creating reserve for the enterprise itself and then we charge an administrative fee u from the general fund and so we would collect some of that as well. >> Okay. Do you know of any other departments in the area that have gone
this route with the enterprise fund for EMS? It's fairly new, but there are some in the area. Um, Orlando's been doing it for a little bit. Um, Lake County just recently went uh toward this, but they, you know, they they used to do their uh
EMS through their county EMS as well, but when they merged with the fire department, it uh became their enterprise fund there. Um, I think there's some other departments down south. >> I apologize, chief, for interrupting. So, they go with the paramedic only model, right? They don't necessarily
utilize an enterprise fund. Our research has focused has shown mostly uh South Florida departments have gone through an enterprise fund. >> Okay. >> I apologize. >> Yeah. >> How long would it take you to transition to this model? >> Um we would hope if this went into
effect on October 1st that by the first of the year we'd be ready. Uh we'll bring on uh initially we would bring on half the paramedics to begin with to get them trained. They have to of course be uh precepted by our current staff uh to
be ready to to be a part of us. And then once they're trained and ready, we can bring on the other half and we'll have those people the the the new hires that we just got train the next new hires and and move on from there. But yeah. >> Okay. And I take it we would use our
current um apparatus until >> Yes, sir. >> they're ready to be replaced and then you would go to a lesser model. >> Yes, sir. We've actually got two new um ambulances that are on the way to us right now. So um that was one of the
things that we did not have to factor in initially um as one of the um cost that would uh affect us in this enterprise fund. But that would be something we would have to look forward to >> ambulances not rescue type. >> Yeah, we can get the lower the smaller
uh ambulances. Um, of course, as you know, we won't need to uh have all the compartments that we have on the ones now. We don't have to have, you know, all the firefighting equipment that we normally keep on the ambulances. So, we could get a much uh smaller scaled down
version for transports only. Yes, sir. >> Okay. And when the the plan is in effect, I take it that moving the current firefighter paramedics back to the fire department, let's say,
>> is going to help you with your minimum manning requirements on all the engines. >> Yes. Yes. Will >> will it actually reduce some of the overtime replacement that you have uh to maintain that? >> Absolutely. And as as you probably know,
this would be a great selling feature for our department by having this model that we're presenting here um to have the outside, you know, have the uh separate divisions there that do the transport so that they can focus mainly
on their firefighting um operations. >> Okay. Very interesting. Very interesting. Well done. Nice presentation. >> Thank you, sir. Um, commissioners, do you have any questions? >> I have one question. Uh, why we we're
sound like we have to hire about uh 18 um um EMT staff members total 12 full-time, six part-time. uh while we're making that transition, uh does this uh enterprise fund structure have the
ability to hire uh subcontractors uh to uh fill those those gaps of voids until we're fully fully manned? >> I think um the best benefit would be to be aggressive on getting the staffing that we're going to stick with
initially. Um that's why um we don't have that administrative fee in the first year. Um, and we talked to the city manager about that because we do need a little uh buffer on getting that transition of getting new hires in here. So, we would we would utilize our
current staff uh for ambulance for for our rescues until we've got our staffing ready. And then at that point, we would make the change over. We've got the engine in in uh service. We've got all our personnel ready uh to make it go at one time. So there's a possibility of of
we have to absorb some of the overtime costs until we actually >> initially initially it would be >> until we come up to speed with all 18 trained >> single certified. >> Absolutely. Yes. it and it may I mean we're we're pretty good on staffing
right now and uh um there might not be much of a an overtime need at the initial part of it if uh if we put it all out at one time there if we wait till we're ready. >> Okay. Um, further to your question,
Commissioner Oliver. Um, I actually asked them about private providers and you know, we had a run with private providers previously and one of the things we noticed was the response times were getting longer and longer and longer. Um, and so I think the model
that we're proposing with this is going to allow us to maintain our current level of service without having to to get involved with that. One last question. Does it affect the ISO rating at all? >> Absolutely. Yes. Um, by getting the the
tower, that was one of their recommendations. However, their model for an ISO1 is to have the engine at all four an engine at all four stations and the tower. We will have to
once we put this model into place, we'll have to run um what nine months maybe we'll have to run some data so that we show our times uh with the tower uh coming uh to the fire calls because right now we're waiting on
you know an outside agency to come in and of course those times are not matching what we need to have for ISO. So yes, uh bottom line is once the uh once the u fund once that format is put into place and we run a little bit of
data, yes, they they said call them, they'll come right back out, do a new evaluation, and we should be able to restore where we were before. And also um during our accreditation interview four years ago, that was one of the recommendations. They left as
well and uh they'll be back next year. So, >> okay. You're good. >> Good. I need a motion. I'll make the motion. >> I'll second. >> Motion made by
>> I'm sorry. This motion that we're making, we're making a motion for for them to uh come back with additional information uh that we would create an ordinance, right? to create an ordinance.
>> Yes. >> To to go to this enterprise. Uh >> what we're asking for is to go ahead. Go ahead. >> No. >> Okay. >> Feel free. What we're asking for is for the motion to go ahead and create the
ordinance to present on future uh agendas for the first and second reading and for us to establish this EMS division and EMS enterprise fund along with the 12 uh full-time paramedics and six part-timers. >> Okay.
>> So, we're voting we're we're making is to bring back the ordinance. Yeah, bring back ordance. Same >> was before we >> Okay. Okay. Well, I'll make the motion to approve that we uh bring back a ordinance um first and second reading established the EMS division and EMS
enterprise fund uh to include the EMS division and enterprise fund in the proposed fiscal year 2627 budget. >> And I'll second that. >> Okay. Motion made by Commissioner Oliver, seconded by Commissioner Wilson.
No more questions. Let's vote. >> Motion carries unanimously. >> Thank you. Okay, that brings us down to the last item on the regular agenda, which is presentation on the city of OKOE fire
service assessment fee program to include a revised methodology and set June 16th, 2026 as the hearing date to adopt the initial assessment resolution for fiscal year 2627.
Assistant city manager Rumor. >> Thank you. I'm going to be going over the fire service assessment fee program. Um I am not a firefighter, but I can say I've stayed in a Holidayane Express and I sat through an
EMS presentation. So I'm hoping that you can help me here. So if back at May 20th of last year, this time last year, the city commission
voted to 40 to approve the revised fire assessment fee, increasing the rate from one from 69.50 per fire protection unit to 13923 per fire protection unit.
This is based off a methodology that has a tier system. And so the 139 per unit and then each square by square footage and s and type you have different tiers. So a single family home might be rated as a one all the way up
to a four and that that fee would be assessed. The commission also tasked staff with look providing a fee that covered 100% of the accessible fire department cost and to look at a methodology that
lessened the burden on single family residential parcels. So task one, what would it take to cover 100% of the accessible fire department cost? Under the current methodology,
that would require a per fire unit rate of $386.75. You can see from the table that would charge citizens, residents between $380 to $713
in order to meet that obligation. Presently, we're at 139 23. So I would surmise that going a fee that covered 100% is not in the realm of a
possibility. Task two was look at lessening the burden on single family residential parcels. So we contracted with answer advisory and who provided the study for the our
existing methodology and we said let's look at a couple of highly defendable and equitable methodologies that have been successful around the state and see if they provide for a less burdensome
fee on residential. So we looked at hazardous class which is our current. We looked at the historical demand and a demand and availability model. Now real quickly we established since 2013
with this rate this fire protection unit rate which is not flat. It generates $4.4 4 million in revenue covers approximately 36% of the accessible fire department, not all of
the fire department budget, which >> explain that the accessessible versus nonaccessible. >> Items such as EMS are not an accessible value for fire service protection fees.
we have. So when we went back and looked, 91% of our citizens with their household size paid between $25 and $342. And the way the tiered system worked, it
really favored non-residential uses. For instance, and I'll show you, multif family paid a really reduced rate, 320 unit multif family apartment paid $8,000. So, we wanted to look at a
methodology that provided a shift in the burden from residential to the non-residential. This bar graph provides uh what the budget the red line is the budget over five years. You'll see that it continues
to grow and the blue line is the current revenue that the fire department would receive which will be via our current fire assessment fee, our contract with Windeir fire
inspections and fire plan review fee. What we are tasked with in these uncertain times with what they're looking at with property taxes is from the end of the blue line to the end of the red line will have to be covered by
general fund dollars. >> And you can see with our revenues what area we're able to make up. This is just a pie chart showing those revenues. And the fire assessment fee is the largest at 4.4 million. And those
other revenues are make up the 8 million the 5.4 million I showed here. Now we heard last time last year at this time when we gave our fire assessment presentation some members in the audience asked questions like what are we covering with what are these fire
expenditures? How are we keeping the fire assessment fee with the fire department? So, these are just some not an exhaustive list, but things that are covered under that assessable budget. So, looking at methodologies,
we're currently under hazard class and we looked at historical and demand availability. What I'm trying to show with this graph is that under the existing fire service methodology in the budget the
accessessible budget of 12 a.5 million for apples and apples comparison we're looking you see that in both these methodologies provide a flat rate that's very important our current hazardous class methodology has a tiered rate and
has units so the 13923 is is multiplied by one, one and a half, two, two and a half, three, eight. Um, for the residential, it would be one flat unit. And we looked at how we can shift some of the burden as you tasked us with to
the commercial, industrial, institutional. A lot of the institutional um would be city offices and not for profofits and they would not be assigned a fire fee. But we found that the optimum methodology that we
think is the the best defendable and really um provides across the board uh fairness is the demand and availability model. Under this model, for instance, those apartments I showed you, they would get
about an increase of 22 to 55,000 and their fire assessment fee, just as an example. Considerations we've got to make. We're going to ask two things of this commission tonight. We're going to ask you to um allow us to come back with a
resolution to uh look at the demand availability model and we're going to ask you for an assessment rate. We've got to take in under consideration property taxes. What we know as of today is what's been in the news. We know
there's been talk about legis the legislature taking an action increasing the homestead exemption by $100,000. If you look at this slide, we accumulate over 25 million from
Adalorum property taxes. If they were to add another h 100,000 to the exemption, we would have a $2.5 million reduction. And if they phase it or go to 300,000 in a homestead exemption, we are looking at
a $9 million. Of course, we have >> Mike, let me just butt in real quick. Um, for the benefit of the members of the audience, what we're hearing now is the governor is going to call special session the first week of August and they're going to discuss the tax reforms
and u, we are not sure what they're going to do. Um the two things on the slide here um are within the legislative power of the legislature to do. Um there has also been talk of putting something on the ballot which we know will most
likely pass if it goes on the ballot. So we're playing a a game of unknowns right now and we're trying to do a lot of things and you'll see things as we advance towards the budget workshops that we're trying to streamline as much as we can. Um but it's it's important to
note that we could be facing some significant reductions in the revenues that we use to provide city services. Keep going. Okay. And with that introduction, if you look at how we all of the general fund tax revenue we get from franchise
fee, property tax, utility tax, gas tax, that is $77 million of which we spend $39 million on police and fire. uh the debt and the CRA transfers. That's our uh TIFF money that we have to send from
the district uh to the CRA district. And that leaves us with $35 million in operating budget. Well, if you fully eliminate the homestead exemption, I'm sorry, of homesteaded properties paying property taxes, that would be a
$10 million hit. So, we have some uh planning to do looking at fire fees before we get to the rate. And we want to look around the surrounding neighborhoods, surrounding
cities, and you see that uh based off size of cities and the like that you there are fees that go from the hundreds to the 300. as Winter Garden attempted to do a fire assessment fee
last year and did not. This year they're looking at a millage rate increase and with supple supplementation from reserves. Uh so there are municipalities and towns that have fire fees that are comparable to what we have
and what we're looking at what I'm going to propose to you. Orange County. Orange County has the benefit of applying a fire service millage to your adorum taxes. The cities do not have that luxury.
This is just one parcel. It's assessed at $156,000 just to show what an unincorporated Orange County resident is paying for their fire service. And you will see down on the bottom right they pay $299.
I would surmise that many of the this is not the the median. Um this is a little low. So a lot of the Orange County residents are paying over $300 a year in fire service. And again, as we get over to the the rate structure, we've got to fill that
gap between the between the blue and red with general funds. We don't know what's going to come out of this legislature with property tax exemption and property tax reform. And this is really where the fire fee is an equitable way to evenly
uh pay fair share that will not change based off value. So we're recommending using the demand analysis methodology. We feel this methodology provides the best benefit
for lessening the burden on residential. It comparatively um brings the commercial and industrial up to a more fair share rate. But what we've got to now decide is what rate do we want to charge the citizens, the
residents of the city. Let me butt in. Okay. Um I think it's really important for everyone to know that whatever the rate is, it's not going to cover 100%. It's not even going to get close to covering 100% of our projected fire
budget. Okay. Um, so there's still going to be room that has to be made up with tax revenue. And I also want to remind everyone, as you could see from Mike's charts that he presented, that we're chasing a moving number. The costs of
the fire department continue to go up and it's not within our control. You have personnel costs that are going up. um we have to be able to recruit and be competitive. Um the commission approved um a new contract for the IIAFF tonight
and um that's in order to keep us competitive and we also have extreme um rising of pricing for equipment. Um we're required to have a poly floral alcohol substancefree set of bunker
gear. Now, that has has resulted in exorbitant increases in the cost of just the basic equipment, life packs. We approved an item not long ago um expending a a something like $600,000
for new life packs, radios. Um there, you know, we're at like $20,000 a radio. Um, a fire truck. It's my favorite example. You know, six, seven years ago, a fire engine was about 680,000. It's 1.7
million now. And going up because there's not enough players in the market that build firet trucks and they're able to continue to go up. It's a complete captive market. So, I want to make sure everyone understands and we'll be doing
additional education as we get closer to budget, but we're chasing a moving number that's getting bigger year in year out. The projections Mike showed was real. It's based on real costs. Um, but the fire department budget is going
to be going up roughly 2 million a year. And there's nothing we can do about that because when it comes to life-saving measures, you've got to have the right equipment. you've got to have everything that that they need to provide the level of service they provide. So, this
exercise with the fire assessment, we've gone to great detail and length to try to bring down the reliance on residences um single family residences in particular. Mike didn't point out, but we're we're including apartment
complexes under non-residential or commercial uses. Um, but under our old methodology, if we were to propose an increase, everybody's paying way more. And you know, under the new methodology, they're going to pay a little more, but
uh, what Mike's going to propose in a moment here is is something that would sustain us for a little while so we don't come back have to come back every year. Now, I'm saying all this without knowing what the legislaturator is going to do.
um that's going to cause additional decision- making depending on what that looks like. Um we showed some whatif scenarios and so we're going to have a very uh vivid, lively and interesting budget season um as we get into the workshops and the hearings. Mike, yes.
So going back to last year, you adopted a revised fee just for one year and asked us to come back. So we're coming back. Uh, as you can see, another part of this analysis is we did a new projection of the 5-year budget, and it
went from 12.5 million to uh oops to a budget of 28 million in 2031. And with the method, so we really need to look at increasing our fire service fee revenue uh from 4.4 million. We need
to raise that revenue and under a a rate of 40% which I'll show you here in a little bit. This is really what it would it would bring us with that increased revenue and it would maintain
it. The residents that pay between 205 and $342, the 91% of those single family homes in the city, it would be pretty close to what what they're paying now. So, as a recap, fire fees are currently
funding 36% generating 4.4 million. We've explored new, highly defendable and equitable methodologies to provide increase in revenue and lessen the burden on single family homes. And this new methodology is a flat fee. You just
pay that amount. It's not based off square footage. There's not a tier. you don't have to worry about moving up adding on and we have looked at various rates and funding mechanisms. So tonight with the
first t uh with rec asking to go ahead with the demand availability model we're going to request to look at a rate of 40% which would generate an additional $3.5 million. Now where do we go from here? Because we
are proposing a new methodology, this is just a regular item. We're going to have to bring back an initial assessment resolution and a regular item uh hearing and then we'll have a final adoption
budget in July. So there's two more times we'll be coming back before you. >> What are the notification requirements? >> Yes. So on June 16th, we will have the initial resolution hearing in front of you as a regular item. Go over much of
the same information. You adopt a rate. We then work with our contracted answer and have to mail out to every property owner just as we did last year the proposed trim rate for fire service assessment fee.
We mail that out to every property owner and then we hold a public hearing in July at a specially called meeting and have the public hearing item and adopt that rate resolution to be able to make it on the uh trim and the tax bill.
We're we're we're asking you to consider the 40% rate that would apply a flat fee to the single family homes of $34124. I would surmise a lot less than many Orange County unincorporated residents are paying.
And uh with that, I will entertain any questions. >> Mike, I wanted to make one more thing. Um one more statement. Um a fire fee is more equitable to all property owners.
There are there are a number of property owners that have so many exemptions that they barely pay anything and everybody would be paying their share of the fire service if we are not and and I think we've done a pretty adequate job of
explaining how our costs are going up and we have great potential for reduction in revenue um this year. We're going to have to come up with the money somewhere. Now, we're we're making cuts. We're going to be proposing additional cuts. Um, but at the end of
the day, they're not going to be enough. So, we either make it up in an assessment, which is to every property owner, or we increase the millage rate. And we're not recommending a millage rate increase tonight because
we believe we can buy some additional time with what we're proposing. Does this solve the problem forever? No. This is a moving target. And this is something that didn't come out of the discussion um last year enough. In my opinion, this
is a moving target. The cost of of the fire department will continue to go up and we've demonstrated that. So, whatever we're generating, it's going to have to be looked at eventually. We think this buys us some time, but we don't know what is going to really
happen in August. So, we may have to take additional actions. Um, but we're doing the best we can. Um, I can tell you that my colleagues statewide are are deep into uh shuffling and and and
trying to streamline right now because we've made numerous proposals to the legislature, including the um House Select Committee on Tax Reform, and they've fallen on deaf ears. There are a number of ways that they could uh raise
supplemental revenue to offset the impacts to local governments. Um but with it being a closed economic system, when you take away from one area, you've got to make it up everywhere else. And that's kind of what we're faced with.
>> Yeah. Just again don't want you to fixate on the the rate of 40%. We're looking at that the the rate that we would be charging the single family home of 34124 per household. This would come back to you two more times. And then I'd be
remiss if I didn't thank Carolina, Steven Weber, and Sandy, our consultant, with helping put all this information together. It's a mountain of information, and Craig was instrumental in kind of helping steer it straight. So, thank you. Available for any
questions. Okay. and you're just authorizing to come us to come back with initial rate resolution June 16th which would uh provide for this new methodology and then a rate
and I am not holding you hostage here but if we do not do this I will be proposing a millaggerate increase with the proposed budget. >> Okay. Do you have any questions, Commissioner Wilson?
>> No, I just know that we're entering a very scary time at this point knowing that what's going to happen in the coming months with our tax with this tax reform. When we are in Tallahassee, the legislators we spoke to, you know, we're not interested. Well, that may change and when the vote comes down, we just
don't know what's going to happen. And it's a scary time for us as commissioners and for the city to um what we project is going to happen. So, we're going to have to pay for the services. We know that. We have no choice. We want our fire. We want our
police. We want all the city services that we have here. And we do not want to see reduction in that. So, again, we as residents are going to have to realize that we're going to pay for some of these things. >> We have to realize you have we have to pay for them. >> When we do the mailing, uh we do set up
a phone line and provide that information and we receive a number of phone calls. we we educate them and answer questions. So, uh we do provide that opportunity. >> Okay, that all >> that's it. Thank you, >> Commissioner Oliver.
>> Okay. Um you mentioned this is u um this this particular methodology will allow us to um to uh be sustainable over several years. uh uh um how many years would
that be using this methodology and looking at this fee that that's being proposed with this methodology? Um, and know last year we went we went went up 100% um to the current rate at uh $13923
and um and that only sustained us for one year to bring back another proposal which according to the uh chart it still wasn't enough. So we had to cover the rest of it from our general fund or that
that's what we proposed from last year. this year um we're looking at about 84.3 30 34% increase using this method methodology right but recall if you look at my chart >> it's per unit under the current
methodology so it's so you have three units you're paying the 13923 three times >> so it's not across the board >> yes so so you can see this is what uh the factor from that is just below the
unit is because of the discount for those institutional but yeah that that blue is where 91% of the residents are actually paying that's their fire fee because under the current methodology it's not a flat rate our new methodology the demand availability it would be a
flat rate >> based on square square footage uh that's in the blue I see >> yeah new rate new methodology square footage so that's why we have the range >> yes Okay, even looking at it at at on the top tier
still still come 30 84% at the top tier and and I understand everybody's not going to pay that because you know based it's based on the square footage. Um >> and well the new methodology is a flat rate for res resident single family
residential. So, some of them would go down from what they're paying. Like the people that were on the chart Mike just showed >> um who were paying $616, they're going to they're going to go down, okay? Because it's a flat rate to everyone, okay? And there's pros and
cons to that, but this methodology is the one of least impact that we could come up with that was legally defensible. And uh we didn't mention earlier, but the law firm of neighbors Giblin and Nickerson has been intimately involved in this process because we
don't want to put anything out there that's challengeable. Um what I was also going to say is, you know, again, we're always going to be supplementing from general fund because we're never going to be able to use a fire assessment to pay 100% of the cost. It's going to be
become too cost prohibitive. Um and that's why, you know, a millage rate like the county um is able to assess is so much better because they generate almost what the proposed assessable budget for the fire department is. Um
for county residents, you know, if you applied that 2.84 mills to the city's tax base, you would generate almost enough money to cover our entire accessible budget. Um but we can't do it that way. And um you know this I I went
off on a a long diet tribe about that last year during the budget because you know the county is levies 4.43 mills to every citizen and that is supposed to go to pay our proportionate share of animal control, mosquito control and the
constitutional offices. Okay. But we're providing all the services and that's something that you know we we value our relationship with the county. But you know in my honest opinion the tax reform should have focused on looking at the delta between what
counties are able to levy in taxes within full service municipalities. And and it's it's just been this across the board with no hope of replacement revenue. And um so it forces us into a a
box like we're currently in. Um but this is an an assessment buys us about five years if you go at the 40% rate that we're proposing. Um and that's making a lot of assumptions because we still
don't know what is going to happen in August. Um really all we're able to tell you is that, you know, this buys you time in a vacuum without knowing what the other impacts are. And you know, we will have some strategies to try to make up the
the ground that we're going to lose. Um, but you know, I'm going to reserve judgment until we know what that actually looks like um in August. Um, before we tell you what the recipe is going to be to try to to bake the cake.
Just a couple things. Um, that being said, I I think that one of the most important things to look at here is how do we educate the public um in in a manner that they
truly understand what we face uh when it comes to uh property tax reform and and this moving target that we've been chasing uh for some time now. Um, and just looking at it on at the top
tier at 84% it is about $28. And see, I I'd like to make it plain. It's $28 a month is what what it equates to. So, so I think that is important that we
uh educate as many folks as we can to in in a plain language as to what it means to them, but also at the 30,000 foot overview, what does it mean to us when it comes to chasing that moving target.
So, I have no problem with uh you know with with this this methodology that you want to bring back because it it also gives me the opportunity to hear from the mayor who's not here. It gives me an opportunity to hear from district one commissioner who's not here and I want
to be able to take all this into consideration before making any final decisions. >> Um if I if I may, Mayor Pro Tim, respond. Um, I'm glad you mentioned that, Commissioner Oliver, because, you know, we are planning, uh, to do
education this year, um, in advance of the budget workshops. Um, we we're working with a public relations consultant. As a matter of fact, um, the first level of this approach was the community survey that we have um on our
website that we've had QR codes at some of our city events. Uh, to date, we've only had about 500 responses. um most of them overwhelmingly picked police and fire as their most important
city service that we provide. Okay. Um >> I took that survey. >> We are we are and if you haven't and you're in the audience, um I'm encouraging you to do so. Um but what what we're all being forced into um with this new era of fiscal
reform is to help educate the citizens on what costs look like for all the services we provide and help them um identify what's most important because at some point we're going to be having to cut back and that um education is
going to be vital because um we we all want everything and we don't want to pay as much as as as it costs sometimes to to have it. And so, um, that's going to be valuable information for the elected
officials as well as as our staff here, um, as we work to try to navigate this. >> I have more questions. Okay, there's no more questions. I'll need a motion. What do we need the motion to say exactly that we to bring this back? I
mean what's the the term what's the >> utilize the demand availability methodology and set the rate at uh >> 40% >> 40%. Covering 40% of the
budget >> and this is what will be brought back to us >> in a form of a resolution. It'll be an initial resolution that you will adopt and then we take that rate that you adopt and then we have to put it in a
mailer and mail all the property owners. >> Okay. I'm going to read into the record if you don't mind the um recommendation from the staff report. >> Hold on. Okay. Wait a minute. We're not adopting a resolution tonight. We're >> correct. We're only proposing that you
bring back we that you bring back a proposed resolution using this methodology. >> Yes, you're authorizing us to do that. >> Would help you for for motion purposes. Staff recommends the honorable mayor and city commission authorize staff to update the city's existing fire services
special assessment program to fund assessible costs associated with providing fire services and set June 16, 2026 as the hearing date to adopt the initial assessment resolution. >> I will make I will make that motion.
>> Okay. Motion made by Commissioner Wilson. >> I'll second it. >> And seconded by Commissioner Oliver. >> Can you say something at this point? I don't know if this really adds to it, but I'm just looked at my property tax
assessment and I paid $3442 to have my garbage picked up, which is very important >> and it's going up >> and but I'm just saying and we're looking at $34124 to have for our fire service. And I I look at that and I think that
yes, my trash pickup is very important, but also safety is very important. And there's not that much difference between the two of them that we're looking at. I mean, I understand my taxes. I'm I'm looking at it that we're 4.9. Give me the numbers. Four. Our millage rate is
4.9. >> 4.95. >> 95 is I go to sleep thinking about that. But um I'm looking at the aspect that I pay the county 24% of my taxes. I paid them um 4.4
and I'm looking at ours. And I'm just thinking that when I'm when you were talking about this in the whole scheme of things, I'm paying basically for my safety when I'm paying my trash. >> Yeah. >> I mean, it's it's it's the way it looks.
Um, and I'm just looking at my tax bill here. That's why I was doing I'm sorry if I was doing this while we're talking, but I never really thought about $344 as my trash pickup versus $341 for my safety. >> So, sorry. I just want to throw that in.
>> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Let's vote. >> Motion carries unanimously. So, you are so directed to bring that back to us. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh, comments from commissioners.
Commissioner Wilson. >> I don't have anything, but I know the mayor usually has this a piece of paper see something for you to read. Not that I'm trying to take over here, but he usually has announcements. >> Oh, thank you. All right. Mayor's announcements.
>> Mayor's announcements. >> Community survey. The city of Okoey wants to hear from you. Share your thoughts about city services, community priorities. Your voice matters. Visit okcoeye.org to take the survey. The aquatic center
is now open. The pool at Jim Beach Recreation Center is now open for the season. The cost is $2 for adults and $1 for children and seniors. May events memorial memorial day
ceremony happening on Thursday, May 21st at 11:00 a.m. at the city Lakeshore Center. The ceremony is open to the public. Refreshments will be provided after the ceremony. June events, cookies and milk with a
cup, happening on June 12th and the 26th, July 10th and the 24th at the West Oaks Library from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Children can enjoy story time with the Okoe Police Department. Registration
is required. Visit okoe.org for more information. Fourth of July and 25th c 250th celebration will take place on Saturday, July 4th from 5:00 p.m. to 900 p.m. at
Bill Breeze Park. Come and enjoy rides, games, live music, food trucks, and fireworks. And finally, family recreation day happening on Saturday, July 18th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Jim Beach
Center. Enjoy a day with your family and join us for rides, games, and free pool admission. Commissioner Oliver. Um
I think it's important um for us as leadership or community leaders or anyone that understands the implications of tax reform and what it could possibly mean to the city and the services that we enjoy and sometime takes for granted
because we don't use them. Uh sometimes you don't know what you need until you actually need it. Um again, fire in your house or needing a police presence. Um those things are important and I think it's going to be important that we um we we we're almost
in June June and these conversations going to start start having we're going to start having conversations about tax reform and we're going to know what's going to happen sometime around around August and I think it's important that we uh educate uh the public uh as much
as we possibly can and encourage others to do the same about the importance of of um uh the that the the uh property taxes and how we use them uh for first responders and and our life saving um um
operations of the city. So I just wanted to just say that just can't say it enough. But I will also leave you with this. Maybe you don't feel like enough, but neither did five loaves and two fish.
Look what God did with that. It's all I got. >> Okay. So that is it for tonight.