Maitland City Talk

FY 2013 budget highlights

On Monday, Sept. 24, City Council unanimously voted to adopt the FY 2013 budget. Many steps were taken to ensure citizen participation in the process. These include holding advisory board meetings to discuss the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and establishing timelines for the improvements and holding a strategic planning session with the City Council. Over the summer there were numerous opportunities for residents to share their thoughts on the budget at workshops and public hearings.

The proposed FY 2013 General Fund Budget totals just over $21 million, which is 4 percent less than FY 2012 original budget. This 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 increasing communication with citizens, implementing the downtown and west side master plans, improving transportation in Maitland, increasing legislative advocacy, maintaining quality public safety programs, and continuing with the city’s green initiatives.

This budget estimates General Fund revenues to decrease 4 percent over projected 2012 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 approximately 33 percent of total revenues. The amount generated is determined by the taxable value established by the Orange County Appraiser and the millage rate set by the city. Like most communities in Florida, Maitland has experienced four consecutive years of property devaluation, and the city’s current taxable value is just greater than $1.9 billion (23 percent less than the high of $2.5 billion in FY 2009). As adopted, Maitland’s total millage rate is 4.32 mills (3.88 mills to operate the government and .44 mills to cover voted debt associated with new city facilities), which is 1.4 percent less than the FY 2012 total millage rate of 4.38 mills. On average, homeowners in Maitland will be assessed about $864 for the coming year, a reduction of $10 over the current year. Additionally, City Council voted to keep the rates unchanged for other city services, such as solid waste, water, sewer, irrigation and stormwater.

For additional details on the budget please visit the city website at itsmymaitland.com. Hard copies of the FY 2013 Budget may also be found at City Hall or the Maitland Public Library.

—Sharon Anselmo, CPA

Assistant City Manager

City Council Meeting of Oct. 8

The Maitland City Council met on Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Below is a synopsis of that meeting.

Special Presentations:

• Mayor Schieferdecker presented Fire Chief Ken Neuhard with a Retirement Resolution in appreciation of his 25 years of faithful and devoted service to the city as a member of the Fire Rescue Department, and wished him continued good health and prosperity during his retirement years.

• Amanda Day and Brad Kuhn spoke on the success of the “International Walk to School Day” held last week and Dommerich Elementary School, and thanked the mayor and Council for their support of the “Best Foot Forward” initiative.

Consent:

• Amended the FY 2012 General Fund budget, Transfer to Space Needs Capital Project Fund, by an amount not to exceed $1,725,000 to complete the Space Needs plan of finance.

• Approved Change Order Summary CH 2012-10 to the City Hall contract with Wharton-Smith, adjusting the contract from $3,317,555.41 to $3,319,362.67.

• Passed a Resolution and Supplemental Local Area Program (LAP) Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the design and construction of intersection improvements on US 17-92 and Horatio Avenue.

Decisions:

• Councilwoman Bev Reponen was elected vice mayor.

• Appointed Larry Schnaper and Lawrence Swett to the Board of Zoning Adjustment, effective Sept. 27, each for a two-year period.

• Authorized the city manager to execute an agreement for federal lobbying services with Alcalde & Fay.

To listen to a recording of the meeting, please check our website at itsmymaitland.com