Okay, can you guys hear me? >> Can you hear me now? We can hear you online. [Music] >> Here's something. >> I'm going to text. That was me. >> I hear you now.
>> That's me. >> I got you on the 10-second delay. >> Just to be sure >> that that that would be really interesting, >> Mr. Britain. And then nine, eight, seven,
How How' the uh swim meet? How the swim? Was it cool? >> What? What does he swim? [Music] >> Okay. >> Okay. Okay.
>> I have not I didn't know. >> Did we get Jeff on? >> Yeah. Yeah, I did. Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. I don't think you heard me. I said keep it ty.
>> We'll do. >> I heard you. >> I feel like I have to look up there, but he's not. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> See, I got the teeth. >> He knows who's doing it. >> Speak around. This is hilarious. We should at least have their pictures
up there, you know, like on TV on the phone. >> He's signing on. [Music] That's I I know >> weird to me to do the budget first. I
understand why it's that way. >> Yeah. >> People come for that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. If it's budget related, >> it might be state statute. >> Yeah. Oh, there you go.
The first meeting I came to, there were two ceremonial items for crew teams. There was like all these people here but there was a budget thing that had to happen first. >> So everybody said understood the budget thing.
>> Uh no. >> Yeah. So it was a lot. >> I mean I was probably 2019. >> We almost had a Oh, really? >> It's like a a norally high percentage.
>> We didn't have such a thing in my high school. >> Oh, I didn't. >> It wasn't. >> Oh, in college. Okay. >> Oh, really? Oh yeah. Greetings from Ireland. >> Oh, >> hey. >> This is probably like a record for the
most countries we have in a city council meeting. >> It's It's 1:30 in the morning where Keith is and it's 11:30 at night. >> Don't worry, I'm fine. >> Pirates in the ocean.
>> All right, you guys ready? >> Yep. >> You guys ready? And what time is it over there? >> Uh I'm hoping it's 6:30 over there, but it's not. But >> it's uh >> Are you guys ready? >> 1:30 where Keith is.
>> Yes. And it's 11:30 where Jeff is >> Jeff. Keith, you guys ready online? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Good evening. Welcome to the city of Ovito City Council chambers. If you can please join me in the pledge of allegiance. To the flag of the United States of
America and to the stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Please join me in a moment of silence. [Music] Okay, we have all members of council presence. I will call this meeting to
order at 6:30 p.m. We will move on to our first item on the agenda, which is resolution number 4637-25 and 4638-25. the first public hearing to adopt the tenative fiscal year 202526
millillage rates and budget. Mr. Cobb. >> Uh thank you, Deputy Mayor. This is a request for the city council to conduct a public hearing to adopt the tenative millage rates and the tenative budget for fiscal year 2025-26. Uh at its July 21st 25 meeting, the city
council adopted resolution number 4622-25 approving a tentative operating millage rate of 5.9610 mills or 5.9610 per $1,000 of assessed valuation and tenative general obligation bond debt
service millage rate of 0.1140 mills or $114. >> One second, Mr. Cob. >> Sure. Can I ask the members online to please mute? >> Okay, I think we're good. >> Okay. Or $11.40 for $1,000 of valuation
assess valuation for fiscal year 202526. The total millage rate, the operating millage rate of 5.961 plus the general obligation bond millage rate of 0.1140 is 6.07. 0750
mills which is the same total millage rate that was for fiscal year 24-25. The tenative FY2 202526 budget is balanced using the approved tenative mill rate of 5.9610 mills for the city's
operations. The tenative operating millage rate of 5.69610 69610 mills will result in 25 million4,263 in advorum revenue to support the general fund. This will be an increase of 1,879,591
over the fiscal year 202425 adopted general fund budget. Additionally, $10,000 is budgeted for delinquent collections, bringing the total adalarm revenues to $25,14,263. The tenative operating operating millage rate of 5.9610
mills will result in a city-wide tax increase of 6.10% over the rolled back rate of 5.6184 mills. Resolution number 4637-25 adopts a tenative operating millage rate
of 5.9610 mills and a tenative general obligation bond debt millage rate of 0.1140 mills for a total millage rate of 6.0750 to be levied in fiscal year 2526. Resolution number 4638 adopts the
tenative fiscal year 2526 annual budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1st 2025 and ending on September 30th 2026. The tenative budget is the culmination of city council's May, June and August work sessions where there was promoted
of open discussion of the issues facing the city. Uh we I want to thank the city council for working with us and guiding us and giving us good direction as we pro that was provided during the work sessions. The fiscal year 2025
26 tenative budget maintains the fiscal year 2425 service levels. It funds a 4% salary for increased salary increase for general government employees. It funds salary increases for police and fire bargaining units in accordance with the collective bargaining agreements. It has
it funds a paid internship for development services. It funds an increase of a 0.25 full-time equivalents for the police records specialist to transfer that position from a part-time position to a full-time position. It funds a new facilities maintenance
technician for the facilities division in recreation and parks. And it also funds the reclassification of a fire marshal position to the firefighter EMT position. It funds the vehicle replacement plan. It funds capital items. It funds debt service costs for 2025-26
and it also complies with the government finance officers association best practice of 16.67 target reserve fund balance and complies with the city's budget and financial policy of maintaining a minimum 15% reserve fund balance.
Uh at the um I'm going to jump off the script now u but at the work session on the 25th there were a couple of questions that were given to us. One was could we lower the millillage because we had increased state revenues. If you remember back from the August 25th work session, we reported that we had an
increase of uh of the sales tax revenues from the state. And so there was a question about lowering the millage bit to offset from the state revenue. We were also asked why we were renovating the second floor uh bathrooms in city
hall. And the thing was was that anytime we have to balance the budget. So when you have an increase in revenue, we have to have a dec we also have to bring in additional expenses to balance the budget. The city hall bathrooms were was the next thing on the uh on the the
priority list that met with the amount of money that we needed to to cover. Uh we've taken that out. That's uh that's no longer being funded. We took that funding and and reallocated it over to the vehicle replacement fund. This past
Friday, we uh well, last week we were also asked if we could reduce the millage by 0.1 mills. And we were also asked if we could use if we could have a program to pay down the debt. We have two currently two um two debt payments that are being done through the general
fund. And so we were asked if we could address that. Uh last Friday we were notified that we've got an additional $114,920 in communications taxes over what we had originally budgeted. Uh currently we've got that also allocated for vehicle
replacement fund. And we also were notified last week that we uh we're going to have $9,950 additional additional expense in our mowing contract. So getting back to the the question of can we reduce the millillage by 0.1 mills? Uh the answer
is yes. But we do have some pretty significant s concerns about doing that. We do have a plan for it and I'm going to have Miss Jones come up here in a second. She's going to walk you through it. Uh can we can we have a plan to play down the debt? Yes, we can. We have a
plan for that as well. Uh one of the things about it is that we for that plan we recommend maintaining the 5.9610 millillage rate and there will be a combination of different revenues to be able to do that as well as taking the uh
the bathrooms and rather than allocating them to to the vehicle fund, we would allocate that toward the paying down of the debt. And then uh we would also the increase in the uh communications tax would also go toward pay down the debt as well. So I'm going to have Miss Jones
come up here and she will walk you through the the couple of plans that we put together to address your questions and uh once she's done then I have a few other remarks that that I need to make. Deputy mayor and then we can get back put it back over to you all for public
hearing. >> Hi. Good evening mayor and city council members. So, um, Brian has introduced a lot of what we're going to talk about and just a quick presentation to go over a few things that have happened since the last budget work session was which was in, uh, August. So, as you recall
back in July, um, city council did approve the proposed millage rate for fiscal year 2526 at 5.9610 mills, which is currently 6.1% above the roll back rate. Um on August 25th is the last time we've had our last
budget work session. So since then um like Brian said, we have received the communication services tax estimate from the state which is just over 114,000. Um additionally we did remove the city hall second floor bathrooms from the budget. So the combination of those two,
so the increase of 114,000 and then you have the reduction in the uh expenses allocated to the bathroom, those are now going to be allocated towards additional vehicle replacements for next fiscal year. So since um the work session, like
Brian said, we were asked if it was a possibility that the mill rate could be lowered for next fiscal year. And um we were asked what point uh 0.10 10 mills would result in. So if we were to lower the millage rate for next fiscal year by
the 0.10 mills, it would result in a revenue reduction in the general fund of $419,464. Um, additionally, we were asked if the millage rate remained at 5.9610 mills, could we allocate funding
directly towards paying down some of the city's outstanding debts? So, right now, the general fund takes care of two debts, and it's the CIRN 2012b and the PIR 2013. So, the payoff on those two debts is uh,
as you can see, it's just over 1.6 million. Um budget policy requires that when it comes to balancing the budget, we cannot allocate more than 3% of revenues to use fund balance to balance the budget. So right now the 3% of
revenues for next budget year is 1.3 million. So we could not take fund balance and completely pay off both debts. So in the next couple slides, we'll go over how we can achieve these scenarios up here.
So reducing the millage rate by point 0.1 mil. So as I stated earlier, it would be a reduction in revenue to the general fund of just over 419,000. And how we could offset that is we could apply the communication services tax
revenues that we got of 114,000 and then we would have to use a slight amount on fund balance of just over 188,000. So that's the revenue side. So the expenditure side would be um you would have a slight decrease in the
city's reserve for contingency of 61,000. We would remove the city hall second floor bathrooms. And then um as Brian said, we do have a small adjustment for ultimate image and this is for the mowing around park and the
new parts of Geneva Drive. Okay, any questions on that? Okay, next slide. So if we keep the millage rate as it is and just allocate towards debt. So like I said earlier, we we cannot pay off both debts with fund balance. So what we've
what we chose to do is we just took the the 2012b. It's the older of the two. There's no rhyme and reason we could do either one, but for this scenario, we picked 2012b. Um the payoff on that note, as you can see, would be uh just over 700,000.
So again, what we could do is we could allocate the communication tax revenues that we received and this would require a use of fund balance of just over 470,000. And then the expenditures followed the same path. We could reduce reserve for
contingency. We took out the bathroom renovations and again just a small amount towards ultimate image. Um so that is how we could in that scenario keep the military the same pay off one of the debts. Now, the other debt could be paid off during the fiscal year. We
just can't we can we can request the use of fund balance during the year. We can't use it to balance the budget at this point. So, but the other one could be done next year as well if council chose that route. Next, and here's just the two debts. So, you can see those are the the two issues
that we have outstanding. The principal, the interest, this is interest to term. So, if we pay it off early, there'd be a slight reduction in interest. Um, and there's your totals. uh to pay them off. And then the annual debt service is the current amount in the budget for the
next budget year for next year's payments. And the 1.6 million is in addition to what is budgeted for next year. So just some of our concerns when it comes to these scenarios. So if you recall when we set the millage rate last
year, um we did set it to try and cover the three-year term of the public safety contracts. So 2526 is actually the second year contracts will go another year through 2627. Um pension costs have been increasing
pretty significantly. Part of it is due to the increase in the public safety salaries. Um the state recently updated the mortality tables which is just essentially saying that people are living longer so the pension costs have to go for a longer period of time than they have in the past. Um, and then you
know the city's contribution to pensions are always kind of based on the expected rate of return. So if the market does well, it does help with the city's contribution, but if it's a lower market year, lower rate of return, the city would pick up any difference that would
have to go into the plan. Um, the projected cost right now, we we did ask our actuary just for a quick estimate. So for 2627 um we are expecting to see about $867,000 increase in pension expenses from what
is currently in the budget for uh 25 and 26. Um the next concern we have is you know we have seen increases in state revenues and we are fortunate for that. Um but we can't rely on them all the time. They are market driven. Um where
with Avalor we do have more control over setting the rate and knowing what the city will be able to collect. Uh the uh last concern we have is and we brought this up for this budget year but the timing was a little off is you know we would like to try to be able to if
possible um when we issue the GO bonds next year is instead of assessing a millage rate increase being able to reduce the general fund mill rate slightly to offset that. So there's no increase in overall millage to the citizens.
Uh this is just a graph of pension costs. They have just increased um pretty dramatically over the last few years. And lastly, so this is this is the geo bond mill. This is our estimate. So we took the last estimate that we got from
the city's financial adviserss as far as the different issuances and the different debt service costs for the year. So, we have a 15-year bank note, 20-year bank note, and then a 30-year bond. And so, as you can see right here, the city's annual debt service right now is about 678,000.
So, it's almost equivalent to the annual debt service of a 30-year bond. So, you know, the the staff's hope is that we could always sort of pay off the debt, have that savings, and be able to apply that that military equivalent towards
the go bond. If we chose to go to a 15 or 20, um we might not be able to do that one for one, but it's definitely something we can work within um to try to assist there. So, that is my presentation. If you have any questions,
>> do you have any questions? What's the current fund balance >> current? So, as of the last audit, which is, you know, actuals, it's right around 20 million. >> Okay. And that ends up being what? 16.
It's more than 16%. So, 16 15% of I think it's I'm sorry 34. >> Okay. It's it's big, right? We got a lot, >> right? >> Okay. So, it's 20 million. And about how much uh what percent return on
investment are we getting for it sitting wherever it's sitting? >> About four >> 4%. >> 4%. >> Okay. Which is greater than the interest we're paying on all these loans. So I appreciate that info earlier this week. That's that is a key bit of information
that makes me not interested in paying down that loan unless there's sort of a strategic >> purpose to do it because it would liberate ongoing payments. So that makes sense. it >> well the strategic plan would be to not have to increase the millage in in the
next year or so. That's you know that's essentially how this kind of all came about >> is to do that in order to if we issue the bonds we're not increasing the overall millage to the citizens so we can kind of offset it so it stays the same. >> All right. Thank you.
So I think one uh one thing that's different is is it's growing in the fund balance right at that 4%. But we are limited in only being able to use 3% of that to balance the budget. So
if we wanted to spend that at any time or use it budget-wise, we're kind of limited in how we can do that. So, it's kind of like, >> well, you can only use 3% to balance the budget. So, once the budget is balanced and approved by city council, we can
come back at any time during the year and request use of fund balance. There's no restrictions at that point. >> That's true. Right. >> Right. >> So, I guess it doesn't really change much in that respect. >> So, we could do all of the things hypothetically. We could reduce the millage rate by 0.1 and we could use fund balance to wipe out the debt
because we're sitting on a lot of money. Hypothetically, >> we're also planning to use uh how much of it when we issue the um the geo bond for the for the police station. >> So, we requested um about we've asked of
you 2.2 million of general fund fund balance to be applied to the police construction fund just to give extra because we tried to get the funding to 15 million not exactly knowing where we had to be. So we we would have the general fund
contribute that um based on how the project ended. Anything remaining would go back to general fund. >> So that is to jump start it then we issue the bonds repay fund balance. Okay. >> We could as as long as we stay within
our budget. >> Okay. >> Do we have any uh questions online? >> No. I feel like we might have a slight delay there. >> Not yet. Sorry. >> Okay. No, you're good. All right. You guys have any further questions? >> Okay. >> Thanks.
>> I don't think so. >> Then I will uh go back to Mr. Cob. >> Uh thank you, Deputy Mayor. Uh as Miss um Miss Jones stated, we recommend maintaining the 5.9610 mills millage rate. uh in large part for
it was because of the three-year plan to get us through the uh through the collective bargaining agreements and with the different changes that have occurred with the law enforcement labor market over the past year with the projected uh increases that are coming down the down the road for the uh the
pension plans. When we presented that three-year plan, we said yes, we could take care of 2425. We could address 2526. The 2627 was still uh it wasn't certain that we were going to cover everything, but we felt like it wasn't a man, it was
manageable. We felt like we could address it because it looked like any other budget that we could look at in January. And so that was one of the things that we looked at. Plus also with having the concern about one of the concerns is that having the geo bond lay
on top of the the operating millage and wanting to lower the millage at the time to be able to offset the the millage increase for the geo bond. That is another reason why we would recommend maintaining the 5.9610 mills. Uh we'd recommend that you you adopt that that millage rate and we'd recommend that you
adopt the tenative budget. >> Thank you, Mr. Cobb. So at this time I will open the public hearing on the tenative fiscal year 202526 millage rates and budget. Uh the tenative millage rate for the city of Ovido of 5.9610
mills is a tax increase of 6.10% over the rolled back tax rate of 5.6184 mills. Uh at this time I will open public comment. Um I do not have any written requests to speak. So if anybody would like to address council at this time please come up to the podium.
Hearing none, I will close public comment. See, uh, and I will ask the city attorney to read the title of tenative millillage levy resolution number 4637-25. >> Thank you, deputy mayor. This is
resolution number 4637-25, a resolution of the city of Ovito, Florida, establishing the tenative millage rates to be levied for fiscal year 2025 2026 by the city of Ovido government. Adopting the tenative millage rates for the 2025 2026 fiscal
year for the city of Ovido at the overall rate of 6.0750 0750 MS with 5.9610 MS for the city's operations and 0.1140 mills for payment on the 2003 general
obligation bond issue providing for legislative and administrative findings and intent and providing for implementing administrative actions scriveners errors conflicts severability and an effective date. >> Thank you Mr. Bose. Uh at this time, what is the pleasure of city council?
>> I move we adopt the tenative millillage levy resolution number 4637-25 setting the tenative millage rate at 5.8610 mills which is 4.32% higher than the rolled back rate of 5.618 mills or 8
5.6184 6184 MS and combined with a general obligation bond issue of 0.1140 mills, the overall millage rate is 5.9750 mills.
>> We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> And we have a second with council member Bford online. Um, at this time I will ask if the city attorney can reread by title only since we are looking at the reduction of 0.1 option. >> Absolutely. And so this will be rereading the title for this resolution
with the numbers that were in the motion. This is resolution number 4637-25 resolution of the city of Oto, Florida establishing the tenative mill rates to be levied for fiscal year 2025 2026 by the city of Ovido government. adopting
the tenative millage rates for the 2025 2026 fiscal year for the city of Ovido at the overall rate of 5.9750 mills with 5.8610 mills for the city's operations and 0.1140
mills for payment on the 2003 general obligation bond issue. providing for legislative and administrative findings and intent and expression of intent to reimburse and providing for implementing administrative actions, scriveners errors, conflicts, severability, and an
effective date. >> Thank you. Uh any discussion, Mayor Slitic? Um, I I'd like to see us over the next couple of weeks before we do the final adoption of the budget, um, rather than dipping into fund balance to balance the budget, uh, I'd like to see
us pick some things to to trim down. And, um, I appreciate staff sending the 500 something page breakdown of all the things. There's people who have been uploading it to chat GPT and just, you know, looking through it on their own. I
maybe we can crowdsource this thing and find some some items that are maybe not as valuable as we have have assumed that they might have been. Um, and I do like the idea also of over time pondering if
if we should wipe out some of that debt. Um, it's going to get harder and harder for us to keep on managing when we when we operate continually in debt. I understand perhaps the need to do that for our water utility and our storm
water utility and I like the idea of us having a a dedicated funding source for the police department, but we we we've got to figure out how to not have general debt that's just
hanging over us. That's it. >> Okay. Uh, council member Bodford, >> I have nothing to say. >> Okay, council member. >> So, I mean, as far as as far as the debt goes, I mean, what you know, we talked
about with those with those two bonds is that it is strategic to carry those. Um, but what is it specifically you're looking at? I don't know if we are >> how do we go about that?
>> If there's anything that has a a higher interest rate than 4%, it would make sense to figure out how to pay those things off. even if they're in a utility, if the utility could then reimburse the general fund and and I don't know what all the accounting rules
are or if that's even feasible. But if it is like I'd like to know and figure out, you know, do we have anything that is is dragging us down more than lifting us up. But yeah, if if we're carrying debt that's lower than the rate of inflation, it doesn't make any sense to
pay that off, >> right? >> Yeah. I think That's maybe all I've got. >> Okay. Council member Britain. >> Can you hear me now? >> Yes. >> Um, that makes sense. you know, if you have
a uh% loan on your house and you're making four or five% on your IRA, it makes sense your house. That that's a good good uh scenario. I just like to say that we have a ted
contract with staff to do the things that we need to do in the city. There may be some things that we as a group could agree or disagree on that have value or not value, but um we need to have some stability in staff. And what
we did last year was was uh adopt a budget and a military to get us through the the next couple of years without having to raise the military. I'd hate to see us lower it this year and then have to raise it next year because that that would just create a bunch of
confirmation. So, you know, I'm leaning towards recommending uh sticking with the staff recommendation. >> That's all I have. >> Thank you. Um, as far as where I sit, I I agree with what council member Britain said. You know, I don't want to lower it
by 0.1 just to have it come back next year for what what we funded for three years. I want to make sure we can still fund that. But I'm also fully aware we need a, you know, fourperson vote on this. And I do think we should make a decision tonight that we can all come to the table on and decide on as far as
what we can pass here for a budget. So, um, whatever option that may be, I I would like to hash that out and get that done tonight. >> Go ahead. >> Uh, so so that I that I may understand because I might I might be wrong. We
need uh a fourperson vote to pass the >> uh >> we need a threeperson vote tonight, but to pass it at the next meeting, we need four votes to pass it. >> Right. >> So, >> do do we need four votes? >> Hold on, Mr. Fix that if I'm wrong. >> And
I may need Miss Jones to to to confirm this for me, but 5.9610 meals. Yes. On the 15th, you will need four votes to to pass that with the 5.86. 86. I think you can pass with three votes. >> Okay. >> Right.
>> Okay. >> So, I guess that would kind of make it easy. Do we have four votes for a 5.9 61 mills? Like, do we have Are you guys in favor of that? >> I want to lower it. You want to lower
it? >> Be nice to lower. >> I came in here thinking about paying off the debt and then uh got new information about the the interest rate, right? Um, if I can ask a question about the the proposed debt payoff slide. Um,
>> you want Miss Kelly to come back up? >> Miss Jones. >> So, in the example, um, we were looking at the uh, 2012, right? So, that's saying that the total So, this is the total outstanding on that is 700,000.
Our annual debt service 353,000. Does that mean in two years this is all going to be clear anyway? >> I think it died. >> Nope. You want to ask one? >> Oh, >> she's got Yes. So these this is the payoff beyond
2526. So the first one the 2012b has two more years. So it would it would be paid off in October of 2027 and then the 2013 issue would have uh one more year. So it would be paid off
in October of 2028. >> So these are very close to being paid off anyways. >> They are. And I and I did try to do an analysis this afternoon and I I don't remember the exact number but I tried to look at you know based on the interest payments we have based on the interest
we would earn strictly on those debt issuances. Um so strictly on the the amount that we would keep if we didn't pay it off until we had to make payments. Um kind of taking into account that there could be slight reductions in the interest rates over the next year. I
think it was a difference of about 20 to $30,000. >> 23720. Okay. Yeah. Totally. Just Well, that's at one and a half percent. If we're skimming one and a half percent because it's.3 it's not a huge number. I mean, but like so if you did decide to pay it off, that's the interest rate earnings
potentially. That would right. But but we would also have interest s we would have savings here because as you pay it off the interest is readjusted based on the payoff amount you know so they'll readjust that slightly. >> So uh so if we did pay it off that
interest payment of 19,000 in the first example would be less than that is is >> Yes. Okay. >> So and and um our attorney would work with the the banks or whoever holds the notes and we would get payoff information that would include all that.
Okay. Um, one thing that uh, Mr. Boop said to me was uh, when we were talking about um, the the possibility of 5.86 mills was that um, uh, which slide is it here? I'm
sorry. Uh when we were talking about the maybe it's not on here the public safety building uh geo bond >> I don't think >> oh right here yeah uh geob bond millage
rate um doesn't have a page number >> geob bond village rate yeah >> it's probably the last one if you just scroll through we'll find it >> that yeah >> that um if we were to lower to the 5.86
ms that we might not well okay so if uh let me not misrepresent what you said Mr. Boop um that if we were to stick with 5.96 that we would be in very good position
to issue a 20-year bank note instead of a 30-year bond but that if we were to lower it to 5.86 86 then it would put that in jeopardy or
we would not be able to do it or I just don't remember the magnitude of of that. >> Oh like it would impact our credit rating? >> No. Uh basically you if we keep the millage rate at the proposed rate of 5.9610
uh with the appreciation that would take place next year in the taxable values that could place us in a better position to look at a 20-year bank note in lie of a 30-year bond. And one of the things that we discussed yesterday with our in our sessions with you was that when we
issue a bond, the bond issuance is much more expensive. It'll cost us about $150,000 more to issue a bond than it would be a bank note. So, it would be in our favor if we could try to issue a 20-year bank note, okay, to do so because the issuance cost will rest
probably between about 85 and $100,000. So, that savings in itself will go towards the construction fund. So, that's something significant to consider as well. And so the other thing that Miss Jones did an excellent job of
explaining a few moments ago too is that we are in a declining interest rate environment. So we know that that margin that we're looking at to capture between what we're currently paying and what we might be earning is going to decline going forward. So that's something we
have to be very mindful of. So a lot of things to consider. There's some things that could work out in our favor. But if we lower the millage rate, it kind of places some of those other options that we've been looking at and discussing in jeopardy. So, >> does that answer your question?
>> Are are you just saying that we couldn't have a break even military and we would have to actually charge the geo bond cost or whatever it is. I guess we can we call it geo bond even if it's whether it's a note or a bond. >> It's a geo issuance whether it's a node
or bond. I guess >> so. If we were interested in simply charging whatever it is and keeping the millage rate lower, we could there's no that wouldn't change anything. Making the tax rate lower now
just it doesn't change the cost of >> doesn't change the cost. It changes the fundability. >> Okay. >> Changes the what >> the fundability. How are you going to fund it? are you going to increase the um the milling rate next year to cover the difference in cost, you know, if we
don't have enough margin in there to be able to do so. So, those are things that, you know, we're all trying to consider at this point. And so, um you obviously maintaining the current millage rate provides us a better position to be in as we go into the next fiscal year. Lowering it is less
favorable and that's the only thing the only story that we're trying to tell with this at this point. So, you know, one thing that's been said is, um, I think you said it, um, deputy mayor, was that you'd hate to lower the millillage this year just to have to
raise it, uh, next year. Um, if we were to if we were to do that, um, we could raise it next year and be in the same spot with regard to this particular loan, right? 20 year, 30-year. That's absolutely your option.
>> Yeah, I I would say that in general I'm I'm not terribly worried about having to undo lowering it now and coming back next year. I think um
even if we had to do that, we've still given the residents um you know, one year of something that we were able to do that we tried and if we have to bring it up next year, um you know, I I think it's a an easy thing
to understand uh explaining to the residents. You know, some people might be upset like how come you can't leave it lower? It's like, well, we could have left it higher. And um you know I mean >> I don't fully disagree with you as far as 0.1 though. What I mean I I guess I asked this I don't know if we looked
into what does that actually save the average household. >> Did you do you have that? >> I mean I don't >> so for and we just had to pick a number because there's such a range and I think we looked at like $350,000
for uh taxable value. I think it's $36. >> Okay. So, we save them $36 maybe this year and then add it back next year. Like again, I just don't think we're talking regardless of what we choose here, it we're not swinging
making big swings here. So, I'm not against any option on the table. I would just like to find consensus to clear that up. But yeah, I don't I don't disagree. It's not a big deal to lower it, save residents $36 their Netflix subscription, and then charge it again next year. But uh
I'm just looking for consensus here. I think we have decent options on the table here. >> So yeah, thank you. >> Oh, you're welcome. >> Uh so is I mean it sounds like you're looking to lower the military by 0.1,
>> which is fine. >> Yeah, I I'm not really hearing why I shouldn't do that. I is like I hear the arguments and I I think I'm okay with them. So, yeah. So, put me in that. >> I think that's fine. So, if that's the
case, um, does anybody else have any further questions online? >> So, the motion was to lower it 1.1, right? >> By 0.1. Correct. >> 0.1. >> Yes. Did you have a question?
>> I don't have a question, but I'm going to change my vote. >> Change your like your second. >> I am changing my second. >> Okay. So, we is retracting his second. Did someone else want to second that motion? >> I'll second. What the heck?
>> All right. So, do we >> We all know where it's going. Do we have any discussion now that we have remotioned and second? >> Well, for for peace of mind for those who are are online joining us from our our council colleagues, some of them are not physically present with us today. Um
I I feel very differently about having a tax that's tied to something people voted on the the general obligation bond to pay for the police department than I do about property taxes. The the residents asked for us to tax them. they gave permission to be taxed for that. So
if we have to raise it as a separate thing like I look at that and I say like you voted like we're not even doing that. You have asked us to build the police station and given us permission to do so. So I think our our role as
council members in addition to having asked the public whether they would like to have us levy taxes to do this thing that we have all as a community agreed to do our role other role is to keep them as low as we can outside of that separate geo bond
issuance. So I don't know I think it's the right thing to do now. Council member Butterford, I >> think we all know the county is raising their their military in order to take care of their public uh public safety uh
group. I mean, we're not technically technically we are to roll up on the on the bond, but we need to be able to if we can actually fund a police station and not raise the mill next year, I think it's what we need to do. Um, but
the county is rolling up their uh their taxes. And then we also have the other issue of the Santis has already come out and said that they're going to try to like push through and like getting rid of the property taxes and then what do we do there? So that's a different subject at a different time, a different place to
do that one. But at this point, I think we just I think we do what we need to do. We need to get the funding in there to get that police station taken care of and we don't raise the military next year for people. >> Once again, I don't disagree, but we
need four votes here. So, >> uh, if there's no further questions, did you have one? >> Uh, you go ahead. No, I was going to >> You're probably going to answer what I >> Oh, >> so it's now >> The motion on the table is 5.86,
>> correct? >> Okay. >> 5.8610. >> Yes. >> Oh, sorry. Yes. >> 5.8610. Um, so we'll vote on that and we'll see what happens and then we might come back and vote on something else potentially. >> Okay. I will ask the clerk to call the
role. >> Motioner, Mayor Megan Slate. I >> seconder council member Alan Aught >> I. >> Deputy Mayor Natalie Tukurt >> I. >> Council member Keith Britain. >> Uh nay.
>> Council member Jeff Bifford. >> Nay. >> The motion carries which is there we go. We'll see how it shakes out the next meeting. Um okay. Uh the tenative operating millage rate for the city boto
is set at 5.8610 8610 MS which is 4.32% higher than the rolled back millage rate of 5.6184 MS and combined with the general obligation bond issue of 0.1140 mills the overall millage rate is 5.9750
mills uh would Mr. proposed. Please read the title of the tenative budget resolution number 4638-25. >> Yes. Thank you, deputy mayor. This is resolution number 4638-25. A resolution to the city of Ovidto, Florida, adopting the city of Ovito's
tenative annual operating budget for the 2025 2026 fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025. >> Hold on. >> Can we please uh mute those members that are online? >> No problem. All right, continue.
>> I'm having some connectivity issues getting >> I'll go ahead and start over. Just make that go ahead. >> Record clear. This is resolution number 4638-25. A resolution of the city of Ovito, Florida, adopting the city of Ovito's tenative annual operating budget for the
2025 2026 fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025 and ending September 30th, 2026. providing for legislative and administrative findings and intent and providing for implementing administrative actions, a savings provision, scrier's errors, conflicts,
severability, and an effective date. >> Thank you. And then can you is did you already read the title number 13 budget resolution 46 3825? >> That's what he just read. That's what he just talit. Uh, I will entertain a motion to adopt resolution number 4638-25
adopting the fiscal year 2025 2026 tenative annual budget of 104,000 or sorry 104,551,863 net of inner fund transfers. So moved. We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. We >> have a motion and a second. Any
discussion? Council member. Council member Bford. >> Sorry. No. >> Council member Britain. >> You're muted if you're responding. >> He said, >> uh, no, I had some connectivity.
>> Okay. >> So, sorry. No problem. Um, I will ask the clerk to call the role. >> Motioner, Mayor Megan Slidic. >> I, >> seconder, council member Alan Aught. >> I, >> Deputy Mayor Natalie Tukurt.
>> I, >> Council Member Keith Britain. >> I, >> Council Member Jeff Bterford, >> the motion carries. At this time, I will close the public hearing on the first reading of the millage rates and the budget. I will entertain a motion to
schedule the second public hearing for Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at Ovito City Hall, Ovito City Council Chambers at 400 Alexandria Boulevard, Ovito, Florida 32765. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> I'll ask the clerk to call the role. >> Motioner, Mayor Megan Slick, >> I. Secer, council member Alan Aught. >> I, >> Deputy Mayor Natalie Tukurt. >> I, >> Council Member Keith Britain, I >> council member Jeff Bterford.
>> The motion carries. Okay, we made it through our budget item number one. We do not have any ceremonial items or presentations. So, we will move on to item number three, which is the approval of the minutes. What is the pleasure of councel?
I move we approve the minutes for the July 21st, 2025 regular session. >> Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? >> None here. >> Nope. >> I will ask the clerk to call the role or uh all those in favor, please signify by saying I.
>> I. >> I. >> I. I. >> All right. Motion carries. Uh we'll move on to the public comment section. I do have one written form requesting to speak. So when I call your name, please come up and state your name. Uh I have Anatoma.
My name is Anatoma and I'm a resident of Aido 924 Woodrest Way. I just want to introduce myself. I'm here as I've been appointed it to the observer corps for the League of Women Voters. So I will be here observing. You'll see me. I'm also on the public arts board. So you'll see
me lurking around. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for coming out. I don't have any other written requests to speak. Is there anybody in the audience wishing to address council at this time? >> Hearing none, I will close public comment. We do not have a consent agenda, public hearings, first reading
ordinances, resolutions, or discussion items. So we're moving right to our city manager report. >> Uh thank you, deputy mayor. If you'll recall back on the August 25th, council passed a resolution to establish a special qualifying period for the election uh to be held in November. I
I'm happy the that uh uh qualifying period ended today at noon and I'd like to congratulate Mayor Sladic and Deputy Mayor Tukurt on your reelection and look forward to working with you. Uh I also wanted to remind council that I will be
out next week uh on leave. I have some leave that has to be taken for the 13th or I lose it. So, I will be out next week and but if you need me, I'm still be available uh by cell or by email and uh Mr. Kelly will be serving as as acting city manager.
>> That's all I have. >> City attorney's report. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. I have nothing to report. >> Okay. Up next is uh deputy mayors. Um, I actually attended the calendar meeting last night in Sanford and they hosted it at Decision Tactical. Um, which I
believe our police have trained there before. >> We're working on it. So, it was actually a really interesting facility. um one that I have never been to before, but uh they've partnered with some folks from
Fullale and made a they retrofitted the movie theater out there into a training facility and they train a lot of police officers on real life simulations. Um so versus going to a gun range, it was interesting because they actually like built almost like a movie scene and they
they had us like do some to check it out. um you go through a a room, it actually like trains the electronic guns they have and and the entire time they're they're teaching you how to react the right way and put the stress of almost a real situation on people to
um make it safer. Uh so it was really interesting to go out there. Um Sanford did a great job talking about their new development and everything like that in the Calo meeting. Um and then we also had the county staff go out there. So Deborah Bowerer, who's on our arts board now, so she is the lead for seminal 250
celebrating America's 250th birthday next year. So uh she did ask us all to go back and ask our staff to promote. I know we've already discussed it here, so I think we're on it. Um, and the last thing that was interesting that came up, they've brought it up before, but uh, the soil and water board, uh, Karen
Harriet was is the member that goes to Calo, but they have a grant for I believe it's like urban farming or something to do with that, but it's not a high threshold and they're looking for more applicants. Um, the deadline is October 3rd. So if you know anybody
looking for a uh environmental urban food producers even like backyard like tomato gardens that kind of thing it was not a high threshold they are looking for people to apply for that grant. And the last thing I want to say is I want to I want to thank our staff. So our finance team does an outstanding job
every year year. We are one of the few cities that gets awards for how transparent we are with our budgets. Um and they I had three different options here tonight and we were ready for them. So they did a great job breaking it down for all of us going through the options and they always do an outstanding job
putting the budget together. So thank you for your work on that and that's all I have. So I will go to Mayor Slitic. >> All right. And I got to echo the thank you for all the various options and breakdowns and extra info so everybody
can see 500 pages and just think and think and think and be happy knowing that you know we've invited everybody to give ideas that are productive. So uh we get to sort through the productive ideas shortly here. Uh a few things though I wanted to follow up. Uh, we had
previously talked about getting on the agenda the open checkbook idea that was offered as a free service through the seminal county clerk of court. I think that would be a really good transparency thing for us to to work on. So, I guess that's sort of a question for for Mr.
Cobb. When when do we expect that to be presented to everybody for consideration? >> That was like a month or more ago. >> We could probably do October. >> October. Okay. So get the budget passed and then we do it. Okay. Very good. I will look for that in October. Um also
wanted to uh propose an idea uh of vacating the ride ofway near Brisket's Barbecue. >> I have a map. >> You've got a map. Okay. This is fantastic. >> Annie, if we could pull up the map for that. >> So as a general rule, I I like the idea
of hanging on to property that the city could potentially use for roads. So, as as you remember for the PY development, I I was not in favor of vacating that rideway because it could have hypothetically been utilized by the city. In this instance,
with the dimensions that you're seeing here, uh we're looking at like, you know, 120 ft one way, 100 like there's there's another intersection less than 200 feet away. I do not see how that could possibly be utilized by the city, but it could be a great benefit to the
people adjacent to those properties to let them make their property more useful. So, I think it would be a sensible thing for the city to just spontaneously vacate that rideway. And I think it's something we're allowed to do. >> The ride ofway is only 25 ft wide, so it
would be 12 1/2 ft to each side. And so far we haven't found any public utility or need within the right of way >> and that might not even be wide enough for what we require. >> It's a half rightway.
>> Yeah. So >> under today's standards. >> So it's just kind of confusing things over in that area. Are you is that something I don't know if it we should ask for consensus or if the >> step that I would I would need direction to move forward.
>> Okay. What what do you guys think of this idea? >> Well, it's new to me, so I'd like to maybe uh bring it back at the next meeting or two and uh discuss it with the staff and see what they think. >> So, maybe bring it back as a discussion item or something
>> or or just talk to them about it ahead of time. >> I I agree with that too. So, I think we should bring it back. And I would also like to have the property owners come out and, you know, >> say if they'd like to do it, you're
right. Why do something without I mean, I I know there's a need, but I would like to put it out there. >> Yeah. Okay. Uh the next up on my little list here is uh I was at met the metrop plan uh meeting this morning and there was discussion of vision zero and metrop
plan coming out with a white paper related to e devices like you know micromobility devices and uh one of the questions I asked was hey are you thinking about coming up with some kind of proposed regulatory scheme that cities and counties could could propose
to use and and have some kind of unified system for Central Florida. Uh at this time they don't don't they're not contemplating that but I just want to put it out there in case anybody in our orbit was thinking about creating something independently. Um metrop plan
it does have kind of a working group. So, like let's make sure we connect with them. And I know I had asked about that because the the state has said that the local governments can regulate in some way and and a lot of people have reached out suggesting that it would be a good idea for the city to do that. And kind
of sort of on that note, >> yeah. >> Um you're talking about like ebikes. >> Is that what you're talking about? >> Yeah, ebikes. There's the like these skateboard things that have a single wheel on them and they just kind of go. There's a lot there's a lot of little funky things. I I saw a whole bunch of
middle schoolers riding electric scooters the other day. Uh but the one-wheelers like that seems to be kind of up and coming and and they were on the sidewalk and they were going faster than the walkers and some of them were better at aiming than others. So, you know, they we we need to come up with
some kind of if nothing else an educational effort. Uh you know, who gets priority on the sidewalks? What do you do if you if you don't know what to do? Jump off maybe, you know, if it's one of the one wheelers. I don't know. >> And you're saying that at the meeting what was discussed was that there aren't
really regulations >> there. Yes. So current there there all this stuff is so new that there are no state level regulations on this and it's all just sort of willy-nilly >> ad hoc. >> Yeah. >> Uh so I know that there is some interest
by some state level legislators and trying to make some kind of unified thing but in the meantime everybody's just >> Are there county regulations? There's not >> not yet. >> I I think Orlando is the only Yeah. >> local government that actually has a
microransit >> uh ordinance if I remember correctly last time I looked into it. >> But I think the default is you're not supposed to use any motorized vehicle, including these microtransit options on a sidewalk that is narrower than either
8 or 10 feet. And we have a lot of 3-foot and 4 foot sidewalks and that's where people are using them which you know is it good? Is it bad? I guess we have discretion according to the state to make those calls. So anyway, now now that's out in the open. So you know
metrop plan kind of has it on their radar and maybe we don't want to go rogue entirely or reinvent the wheel or invent the wheel. They're working on it collaboratively. Uh, and last thing kind of related to that, I guess is probably for a police
chief, the golf cart program. Do we have anybody who has registered a golf cart for our golf cart city effort? Because I I know we did it back in 2017, zero people registered. Are we finding ourselves in the same
position for this one, >> please? [Music] The the short answer is no, we do not. And probably the biggest answer is the the ordinance is in place, but the signage is not. And when we um looked at
doing the city as far as how much signage that we got, the cost was pretty expensive and funding hasn't been appropriated yet for that uh to to make it so we can do it legally. >> Okay. So, we can't we can't actually implement the ordinance because we don't have the funding to put in the legally
required signs. Is that correct? >> Correct. We've gotten permission from the state where we needed to and the county where we needed to. Okay. that and can I segue back to your your mobility on the uh we are doing some education where I think two of the elementary schools are going to be
holding a bike rodeo for the kids and we did a real quick informal survey on how many kids ride uh electric bikes, scooters, something electric to school and elementary school it's probably 10%
and middle school it's closer to 50% of the kids that ride their bikes there just as a So half of the kids getting to school by >> I mean it's not it's not the number of kids cuz not everybody rides >> the percentage of the ones you get there. >> The ride I didn't think it'd be so high.
>> I just thought I'd give you that >> the percentage of what the >> number I just said go out and look at the bike racks and how many of them are electric. >> Oh the >> you know this is a very informal there's no scientific just picked one day and they went out there and looked at them and gave me a ballpark number and it
worked out to about and a percentage roughly. >> I think that tracks what I've seen. That's a lot. Yeah. So, >> it's the really popular. >> I thought you thought you'd appreciate >> Yeah, this is interesting. >> And that's all I got for now. >> All right, Council Member Morat. >> Um,
I'd like to also thank staff for uh everything that went into this budget and uh it's it was really great um working with everybody on it. And uh I I just I just really appreciate the level that um the level of access that we have
as council um to the staff because it's not like that in every city. Um the only other thing I have is we have the water conservation expo is going to be next Wednesday at 1:00 at the um
cultural center. Is there uh is there anything uh to be said about does anybody want to say anything about that? >> I guess my question is because that's the middle of the day. Is that going to be recorded >> for later or I just know a lot of people work during the day. So I was kind of
surprised to see it at 1:00. >> Uh I thought it started Mr. Kelly. >> I could record it. I could FaceTime live Facebook live >> starts at one. >> Okay. Starts at one. I I don't know of any any recording of it to be honest. I I'll make this I'll make it happen. >> I'll be there.
>> I'm just wondering if we could get one on like the city website, >> but continue. That was my question. >> Oh, yeah. >> No, I I was asking uh if anyone from staff had anything to say about what we might be expecting or anything like that. >> Oh, actually M Mr. Kelly's been helping
helping with the organization of it and working with uh he's been working with the St. John's River Water Management District. Uh public works. Uh I think soil and water's also going to be there. Everybody's going to be there and it's also approved for a lot of continuing education credits for different trade or or different professional organizations.
So it's it's a big deal thing that we we're starting here. >> So again, uh mayor, deputy mayor, council members, council members online. Um yeah, again, September 10th from uh 1 to 3 p.m. uh at the cultural center,
Center Lake Park. Uh we'll have Jay Stainer aka Mr. Aquaman there presenting uh on behalf of the city's water conservation efforts. Uh the uh main protagonist in the situation would also be uh St. John's River Water Management
District uh Dedra Irwin. Uh she will be there speaking on their water conservation efforts as well as uh Jacob Burus uh who is on speaking about Florida friendly landscaping and he's with the UF uh IFAS extension here in Semino County. And then we also have
another uh UFIUS uh individual called Claire Mitchell speaking and she does education as well. So they're going to each have a present individually on uh their particular expertise. They're going to have a panel discussion and then they're going to
answer questions individually. Uh in addition to that, we're also going to have uh some vendors on site that uh like uh uh irrigation companies. Uh Hunter I believe is one. Toro and Rainberg were also invited. I'm not sure who is confirmed uh as far as that goes.
Uh we have our last organizational meeting will be held tomorrow morning uh to kind of you know dot all the eyes and cross all the tees. So uh that if you have any questions happy to answer them as best I can at this point. >> All right. Thank you.
>> And that's all I have. >> All right. Council member Bifford. >> Yeah. So, I mean, back on the water thing, I don't know why we did between 1 and 3 in the afternoon. I mean, that's I think somebody pointed out that that's
tough for people to work during the day. >> Well, if you're a community association manager, you only work during the day or you're working with your clients at HOA meetings and stuff. So, that part of the the main reason for that time period working is to get more people the to get
the target audience there. The target audience is not regular residents. It is the people who manage the HOAs and the communities for the for this level of bird's eye view stuff. >> Interesting. Okay. All right. Well, we'll see see how that comes out. Very
good. >> I don't have much to say like I said on the country. And then the other thing I had to say was again the the press we had out on our two K9s Xandria with
SRO Ashley Pierce. It's great to see that. And then obviously Nitro as well. So I love to see the dogs get recognized. So congratulations to them chief. Appreciate that. And the only other thing I would say is both chiefs.
It's like how many of these bugs over here in Ireland and there's like patches everywhere. I had nohere idea how many of those if anybody from Mobile has ever put up a patch and what pups in the internet. So
I don't know. Can we get a list? >> It's 2:30 a.m. >> Is that all? I don't have anybody else. >> Thank you, Council Member Butterford. Uh, Council Member Britain.
>> Uh, yeah, I'm out of country, too. And and I was on a tour yesterday at a uh at a running site. And uh the fellow I was with, we were in Turkey. I asked him if he knew the mayor
of the city we were in. Said, "Yeah." And I said, "I'd like to meet him." and he said, "I'll I'll get a hold of it." But the the mayor of the city was at another city because the government uh the head of the government had threatened that mayor's husband with
death if the if they didn't transfer their support to his party. So, uh we have a lot to be thankful for where we're at, you know, and uh one thing he told us was uh and this goes to what we talked about
tonight. He said, you know, yesterday was history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today's a gift. That's why they call it the present. And so, we need to think about what what we might have in the future that uh we need
to anticipate and and just be mindful when we make these decisions that uh we don't know what's going to happen in the future. and and I think uh it goes for a credit to our staff for looking at those things and doing the best they can to to
let us know what what kind of threats we face and and trying to address that so that we have contingencies and stuff in place to to address those pieces. So, but anyway, I'm having a good time on Ocean and uh we'll see you guys in a
week or so. >> All right. Thank you, Council Member Britain. With that, we'll move to future meeting dates. We have Monday, September 15, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. we have a regular session. Monday, September 22nd at 20 2025, 5:30
p.m. we have a work session. Tentative, >> very tentative. >> Very tentative. So maybe >> uh and Monday, October 6, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. we have a regular session. Is there anything else for the good of the order? The only thing I want to add is that I want to thank uh the finance group for
what the job they did and I apologize I didn't say it earlier. So, but great job to Jerry, you know, and everybody on his staff, you know, for everything they did. >> All right, anybody else? It is 7:38 p.m. and I adjourn this meeting.