The primary focus of the meeting was the tentative budget and proposed millage rate for the city. The city attorney presented an overview of the proposed millage rate, set at 4.950 mills. The finance director emphasized the challenging nature of this budget cycle, driven by flat taxable values and a recent downturn in the housing market. Despite these challenges, the budget prioritizes public safety, infrastructure, and quality of life improvements.

Public safety dominated the discussions, with Commissioner Oliver acknowledging the adjustments made since budget workshops and expressing satisfaction with the provisions for first responders. The police department faces significant recruitment challenges, with 15 vacancies attributed to less competitive starting salaries. To address this, the starting salary is set to increase from $50,000 to $52,000 on October 1st, with further salary enhancements planned for the 2025 budget. The budget also includes a $10 million allocation for a police training facility, skewing the data for that year. The fire department similarly faces escalating costs, particularly for equipment and replacements, with expenditures estimated at nearly $2.7 million.

Employee retention remains a concern, with costs surpassing inflation rates. Other municipalities have provided substantial salary increases to attract talent, prompting Ocoee to propose a 6% salary increase for all general employees. Healthcare costs also present a substantial challenge, projected to rise from $6.3 million to $10.2 million over five years.

During public comments, Dr. Jim Moyer highlighted the significance of upcoming historical milestones, particularly the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. He urged the commission to earmark at least $10,000 per fiscal year for patriotic projects over the next two years, emphasizing, “There won’t be an opportunity like this until this country turns 300 years old.” Moyer did not propose changes to the millage rate but praised the finance department’s expertise in managing the budget. His request received support from several commissioners, who recognized the importance of patriotic events and historical context.

Commissioner Wilson commended city staff for maintaining a millage rate of 4.950, contrasting this with neighboring municipalities that have increased their rates. He noted the value of city services, cautioning that the budget would be tight, potentially leading to the decline of some funding requests due to financial constraints.

Commissioner Kennedy inquired about the fire department’s budget, specifically seeking historical data on fire fee contributions. The finance director explained that the fire fees had remained unchanged since their inception, with a standard fee of $69.50 per fire protection unit, equating to approximately $140 annually for an average home. Kennedy expressed admiration for the staff’s ability to introduce new items in the budget despite a flat assessed fee.

The finance director presented the proposed millage rate, which required a majority vote and was subsequently approved. In response to Moyer’s comments on funding for patriotic events, it was noted that the contingency fund could be used for such initiatives. The budget discussions concluded with a motion to adopt the tentative millage rate and budget, which was unanimously approved.