- April 19, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
The City Commission gave the final approval for the millage rate and budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 at their meeting on Sept. 29.
The millage rate, 4.1181, is 4.1% above the rolled back millage rate of 3.9559, which would bring in the same amount of money. The millage required to pay debt on voter-approved items, 0.2879, makes the total millage 4.4060.
Homeowners can expect to see an increase in their bill, because of increased home values. A person who owns a home valued at $150,000, and with exemptions totaling $50,000, will pay $8 more in property tax this year than they did last year.
The final budget for the city is $61,610,979, which is funded by many sources including fines, charges for services, licenses, permits, franchise fees, etc., as well as property tax. Property taxes provide about $9 million.
No speakers came forward to comment on the budget or the millage rate.
Before the meeting, commissioners met in a “brainstorming” session.
Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine law, enacted in 1967, requires public access to government meetings, The law prevents officials from discussing matters which might come before them as a commission.
The “brainstorming” sessions are public meetings where the commissioners can casually discuss whatever is on their mind.
In the meeting, Commissioner Troy Kent brought up the problem of businesses that are vacant for a long time, and have an unkempt appearance.
“We need a discussion on what can be done when businesses go that way,” he said.
City Manager Joyce Shanahan said that city staff is working on proposed new regulations for businesses and would have them for the commission to consider later this year.
Commissioner James Stowers said that other communities, such as Daytona Beach and Daytona Beach Shores, have hotel developments coming in the future, but nothing was happening in Ormond Beach.
“I’m not seeing it in our area,” he said. “I know we’re limited because of the 75-foot height limit.”
He said he would like to see creative ideas for development.
Mayor Ed Kelley said that perhaps the city needs a mechanism for people to suggest ideas, without having to invest a lot of money.
“What we require is a full-blown set of plans before we consider it,” Kelley said. “We don’t have a mechanism for people to just present an idea.”
City Manager Joyce Shanahan cautioned that without a detailed set of plans, the city might end up with a development different than the proposed idea.
City Attorney Randy Hayes suggested that the Land Development Code should be looked at. He said a blue ribbon committee of planners could look at the code and update it.
Hayes also asked the commissioners for direction on medical marijuana, in case it is approved by voters on Election Day. The officials generally agreed that there will be time to consider zoning or other matters for medical marijuana if the law passes.
Several other topics were discussed at the meeting.
