A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the projected increase in transmission costs for Leesburg’s electric utility, estimated at about 20%, translating to an additional $2 to $3 million in expenses. This increase, attributed to changes from Duke Energy and Florida Power & Light (FPL), prompted concerns about the fund’s sustainability. These rising costs led to questions about previous decisions to lower rates, with responses indicating that while rates were reduced quickly to provide relief during high-demand summer months, the city has been balancing financial sustainability with customer relief. A power cost adjustment is scheduled for implementation on October 1, with customers to be informed via press releases and updates on the city’s website.

The commission also discussed the allocation of American Recovery Plan (ARP) funds, particularly the $2 million for the Susan Street project and $1 million for a marina project. There was a sense of urgency to expedite these projects, with a participant stressing the importance of securing a signed contract by the end of the year to ensure that the funds would be spent by the end of the following year. However, potential changes in federal policy could impact this timeframe.

The meeting addressed the 44127 Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) budget, noting its substantial cash reserves accumulated over the past decade due to strategic financial planning. The city plans to allocate $2 million towards the Susan Street project, which was emphasized as a significant investment. There was also mention of potential funding from the county through a $1 million grant from the Tourist Development Council (TDC), although there were indications that a scheduled $2 million grant request might be postponed due to the county’s unfinished Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

A key item was the introduction of a resolution concerning the conversion of Orange Street parking to three-hour parking only. This proposal received support, with a commissioner underscoring the necessity of maintaining enforcement to prevent abuse of parking regulations. Morrison United Methodist Church’s offer of free parking to downtown business employees was welcomed as a means to alleviate parking congestion and encourage customer visits to the downtown area. Public comments reinforced the importance of changing parking culture to ensure downtown vibrancy, with recognition that the availability of 70 additional parking spaces could benefit local businesses.

The potential construction of pickleball courts was another topic of interest, prompted by community interest and suggestions from the Recreation Advisory Board. Options included converting four existing tennis courts on Palmetto into pickleball courts or constructing new courts on city-owned property where an old Public Works shed is located. Funding for the construction was debated, with suggestions to allocate funds from approximately $1.5 million in unspent District Special Tax (DST) funds earmarked for downtown improvements. The urgency of the pickleball courts was weighed against the need to address longstanding parking issues downtown. There was a clear divide in opinions regarding whether to prioritize pickleball court construction this fiscal year or to delay it to ensure that downtown parking improvements do not suffer.

The City Attorney provided an update on the Blue Rock deal, noting that the amendment to extend the closing and governmental approval period had been signed and delivered.

The City Manager highlighted the necessity of maintaining a reserve of $3 million for the electric fund, describing a concerning trend where the current power cost adjustment rate could lead to a negative balance by early 2024. It was suggested that an increase in the power cost adjustment rate to two cents per kilowatt-hour would stabilize the account, with a subsequent increase to 2.5 cents planned for April. Despite the increase in costs, the utility would remain competitive compared to regional providers.

The meeting continued with a transition to code enforcement discussions, where concerns were raised about the status of a facility owned by a company referred to as KATR, which had been closed since July 31. The potential for the property to become blighted if no action is taken was highlighted, with a request for code enforcement to monitor the site to prevent deterioration.