Maitland City Talk

On Monday, Sept. 26, City Council voted to adopt the FY 2012 budget. This concluded a process that began with the City Council strategic planning session held in April. City advisory boards held meetings to discuss the Capital Improvements Program and establish time lines for the improvements, which was adopted by the Council in June, with final adoption at the public hearing in September. Over the summer, there were several opportunities for residents to share their thoughts on the budget at workshops and public hearings held at City Hall. Special workshops were held to discuss the Cultural Partner contribution requests, General Fund budget, enterprise fund budgets and rates, and the Community Redevelopment Agency budget.

The result is an adopted general fund budget, which totals just less than $22 million, and draws down fund balance by $345,000. Total FY 2012 expenditures are 7.9 percent less than the FY 2011 budget. The budget supports our primary business of providing core municipal services such as police and fire protection; maintenance of streets, parks, physical properties, computers, vehicles, equipment, street signs, and traffic signals; recreational programming; building construction review; and administrative services including planning, zoning, fiscal management and personnel administration. In addition to providing core services, this budget focuses on several key initiatives identified by the Council in their strategic planning session. These initiatives include improving communications with residents, developing a West Side park, completing revision of land development regulations, revising the sign code ordinance, creating a downtown, working with cultural and strategic partners in economic development, promoting green initiatives, and completing the new fire station and City Hall.

This budget projects General Fund revenues to increase 1.3 percent over realized 2011 revenues. Revenues are generated from a variety of sources including taxes, user fees, licenses and permitting fees, intergovernmental revenues, charges for services, and fines and forfeitures. Ad Valorem Tax is the single largest revenue producer for the city, accounting for about 34 percent of total revenues. The amount generated is determined by the taxable value established by the Orange County property appraiser and the millage rate set by the city. Like most communities in Florida, Maitland experienced a significant decline in property valuation during the last two tax years; however, this year Maitland’s total taxable value including new construction of $30.6 million, increased slightly at less than .1 percent. As adopted, Maitland's millage rate is set at 4.38 mills (3.88 mills to operate the government and 0.5 mills to cover voted debt associated with city facilities upgrades).

For additional details on the budget or CIP, please visit ItsMyMaitland.com. Hard copies of the FY 2012 final budget may also be viewed at City Hall or the Maitland Public Library.

—Sharon Anselmo, Director, Management Services

City Council Agenda of Oct. 24

City Council meets the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 6:30 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 24 in the Council Chambers, 1776 Independence Lane. Below are items that will be addressed at that meeting:

Special Presentations

Proclamation – Week of the Family

Public Hearings:

• Amendment - Uptown Maitland, LLC Development Agreement

• Ordinance - Petition #2011-02 Chapter 7.5 Land Development Procedures

• Ordinance – Petition # 2011-01(AZ) and Land Development Regulation Amendment

• Ordinance Modifying Qualification Period – Florida Presidential Preference Primary

Consent Agenda:

• Approve Council Minutes of October 10, 2011

• Renewal - Independent Auditor Contract

• Senior Center Operating Hours – December 2011

• Resolution – Local Area Program Agreement Arapaho Sidewalks

• Resolution – Local Area Program Agreement – Thistle Lane Calming Devices

Decision Item:

• Utilities Issue - Gem Lake Apartments

• Reimbursement Resolution – City Hall Financing

• Change Order – Station 45 Landscaping

Discussion Item:

• Time Limit for Speakers – Council Meetings

For updates, please check our website at www.itsmymaitland.com