- July 14, 2026
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In preparation of the possible implications of property tax reform, the Ocoee City Commission is considering not hosting the city’s annual Music Fest this year.
Mayor Rusty Johnson made the suggestion during commissioner comments at the Ocoee City Commission meeting Tuesday, July 7.
“With what’s going on with the state, what’s going on with the fire fees, I’ve asked the city to postpone it,” Johnson said. “We need to take a look at it and see what happens with the budget and not do it this year. … I think it’s time we hold back and use that money to help the citizens with the fire fee and everything like that.”
Johnson recommended the city host a music night once per month for two to three months in the fall instead of Music Fest so there still are opportunities for the community to gather and listen to music.
District 2 Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen and District 4 Commissioner George Oliver III agreed, stating with all the uncertainties when it comes to budgeting with taxes and fees, the city should pivot to a smaller event.
District 1 Commissioner Scott Kennedy said he would like to discuss the matter further during the commission’s budget workshop Wednesday, Aug. 5. He questioned whether there was a way to differentiate between Ocoee residents and others during the event to potentially charge tickets for those who live outside the city.
The approval of an access easement agreement with Silvestri Investments of Florida, Inc. for a proposed 7-Eleven with a gas station and car wash on a 2-acre parcel within the Prairie Lake PUD failed after the Ocoee City Commission voted 2-2 on the matter.
District 3 Commissioner Richard Firstner was absent.
A tie vote resulted in the motion failing.
Oliver voted against approving the agreement because of a stoplight on the corner of Ocoee Vista Parkway and Clarke Road, and two deceleration lanes on Clarke Road not being on the site plan. He said not having the stoplight and deceleration lanes poses a threat to public safety.
Development Services Director Nick Lepp said the city and the developer, V3 Capital Group, still are discussing the off-site improvements, but the developer agreed to the signal light.
The commission unanimously approved an ordinance regarding micromobility vehicles.
General operating requirements under the amendment are in compliance with state law for operation of all devices under Chapter 316, Florida statutes; no person should use them in a reckless or unsafe manner; no device can carry more people than it’s designed for; users are required to provide an audible warning before they pass pedestrians on sidewalks or multi-use paths; and using the devices between sunset and sunrise requires a front white lamp, a red rear light and a real reflector.
While using the micromobility devices on a sidewalk or shared-use pathway, the speed cannot exceed 10 mph, and users always should yield to the right-of-way pedestrians.
Helmets will be required for all users under age 16, and no stunt riding, wheelies or racing are allowed on public property.
The commissioners unanimously denied a variance for the Walmart Neighborhood Market sign.
The neighborhood market is located at 10738 Clarcona Ocoee Road.
The applicant sought to have a sign height of 10 feet by 4 inches in lieu of the maximum 3 feet for the north sign elevation; a sign height of 7 feet by 9 inches instead of the maximum 3 feet for the east sign elevation; a sign area of 459.7 square feet instead of the maximum 100 square feet for the north sign elevation; a sign area of 159.8 square feet in lieu of the maximum 100 square feet for the east sign elevation; a sign height of 1 foot by 6 inches in lieu of the maximum six inches for the north canopy; and a sign width of 22 feet in lieu of the maximum 21 feet for the north canopy.
“It’s super frustrating to me personally, having been a member of Planning & Zoning, that we spend months a year writing land development code (and) designing standards,” Kennedy said. “There’s absolutely no justification for a variance here at all.”
