Finance Director Jim Ingram presented the details of the budget, highlighting key allocations such as $4,855,500 for water and sewer infrastructure and $7,766,200 for capital projects funded mainly through unassigned general fund reserves. Notable projects include the $3 million Riverside Park construction and the establishment of a new City Emergency Operations Center, supported by a $4.45 million state grant. The budget also includes a 5% increase in sanitation rates for single-family residential and commercial services, effective October 1, 2024.

Council members engaged in a thorough discussion about the proposed millage rate and the overall budget breakdown. The finance director explained that the millage rate, although higher than the rollback rate, was necessary to cover proposed salary adjustments for city employees, funding for new union contracts, and rising insurance costs. The city manager provided additional context, comparing the millage rate to that of neighboring Tampa and emphasizing Temple Terrace’s relatively stable tax rate over the years.

In addition to the fiscal discussions, the council addressed the implementation of a new business tax system aimed at simplifying the process for business owners. The current paper-based system has been deemed cumbersome, prompting the need for a more efficient solution. The proposed online-based system will allow business owners to log in, track their application status, and communicate directly with city officials. The new structure will consolidate 679 existing categories into more manageable groups based on units, inventory, square footage, and personnel.

The finance operations manager presented an overview of the current business tax receipts and the proposed changes, noting that the existing fee schedule had remained largely unchanged for over 50 years. The proposed ordinance aims to simplify the categorization from 359 main categories down to four, with a fifth category for applicable add-ons. This restructuring is anticipated to facilitate easier navigation for businesses applying for tax receipts and reduce complexity in taxation while maintaining equity.

During the public comment portion, council members raised concerns about the potential impact of the new tax structure on businesses of varying sizes. There were discussions about the financial implications, with projections indicating a potential revenue decrease of around 6%. Council Member Schisler emphasized the importance of understanding that property taxes are just a fraction of the total revenue necessary for the budget, incorporating various funding sources such as enterprise funds and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds.

The council also discussed amendments to the local business tax code, with Schisler expressing satisfaction with the improvements made to streamline the business licensing process. He commended the efforts to make the process more efficient and easier for businesses.

In other business, the council approved minor modifications to building elevations for a project on Davis Road, specifically for two parcels on Davis Road. The developer had initially proposed two-story homes but sought to explore one-story structures that would be architecturally similar. The council had expressed reservations during a previous public hearing, leading to the condition that the developer return with a complete elevation package.

The meeting also included a public hearing for the second reading of Ordinance 1569, which proposed amendments to the local business tax code. The finance operations manager highlighted the need to simplify the categorization and reduce the number of subcategories, which had become obsolete or redundant. The new structure aims to streamline the process and make it easier for businesses to navigate.

The council moved on to a first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 18 of the city code, which pertains to parks, recreation, leisure services, and cultural affairs. Leisure Services Director Carl Langfeld presented the updates, addressing various topics such as park hours, camping, drones, aviation, golfing, and the presence of animals in parks.

Additionally, the council addressed concerns related to recent flooding events, with Public Works Director Warrenfeltz providing details on the stormwater management system. He explained that debris, including yard clippings, had clogged outfall structures during a heavy rain event, overwhelming the system. The city is collaborating with the Florida Department of Transportation to address stormwater management issues in specific areas.