2020-09-03 Ex 01 (Items added)Ordinance No. 1216 Page 1 of 2
ORDINANCE NO. 1216
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA LEVYING THE AD VALOREM PROPERTY
TAX MILLAGE RATE FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES ON ALL TAXABLE
PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF STATE LAW FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING
OCTOBER 1, 2020 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2021; PROVIDING
THAT 7.6018 PER THOUSAND DOLLAR VALUATION SHALL NOT BE
LEVIED ON HOMESTEAD PROPERTY; THAT 7.6018 VALUATION
SHALL BE USED FOR GENERAL CITY PURPOSES; THAT SAID
MILLAGE RATE IS 6.03 PERCENT (6.03%) MORE THAN THE ROLL-
BACK RATE OF 7.1696 COMPUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
FLORIDA STATUTE 200.065(1); PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT AND
SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Section 200.001(8)(f), Florida Statutes, provides that “voted m illage” or
“voted levies” means ad valorem taxes in excess of maximum millage amounts
authorized by law approved for periods not longer than two (2) years by vote of the
electors pursuant to s. 9(b), Art. VII of the State Constitution or ad valorem taxes
levied for purposes provided in s. 12, Art. VII of the State Constitution; and
WHEREAS, Section 200.001(2)(a), Florida Statutes, provides that “general municipal
millage” shall be that non-voted millage rate set by the governing body; and
WHEREAS, Section 200.065, Florida Statutes, governs the adoption and levying of
millage rates and provides that the City Council of the City of Okeechobee shall
comply with the controlling provisions of Florida law in adoption of any millage
rates, including municipal debt service millage, voted millage and voted levies; and
WHEREAS, Section 200.065, Florida Statutes, provides that the City Council as the
governing body of the City of Okeechobee and as its taxing authority must adopt
a resolution or ordinance in order to levy any millage in the manner specifically
provided by general law or special act; and
WHEREAS, October 1, 2020 is the commencement of the fiscal year for the City of
Okeechobee, which shall end on September 30, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the City of Okeechobee, Florida, held public hearings as required by Section
200.065, Florida Statutes, on September 3, 2020, and September 21, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the City of Okeechobee, Florida has complied with all other requirements of
law.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Okeechobee,
Florida; presented at a duly advertised public meeting; and passed by majority vote
of the City Council; and properly executed by the Mayor or designee, as Chief
Presiding Officer for the City:
Section 1: The ad valorem property tax operating millage rate for municipal purposes is
hereby levied on the taxable property within the City Limits of the City of
Okeechobee for Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2020 and ending
September 30, 2021.
The City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, hereby levies a tax of
7.6018 per thousand dollar valuation on all real and tangible personal
property within the corporate limits of the City of Okeechobee, provided
however, that 7.6018 shall not be levied upon property in the City of
Okeechobee claimed and allowed as homestead on the general laws of the
State of Florida.
Section 2: The millage rate adopted is 6.03 percent more than the roll-back rate of
7.1696 as computed in accordance with Florida Statutes Section 200.065(1).
Ordinance No. 1216 Page 2 of 2
Section 3: That this Ordinance was proposed, considered, and adopted under the
provisions of Florida Statutes Chapter 166 and Section 200.065, in
conformance with applicable law and the State Constitution.
Section 4: The Finance Director shall furnish a certified copy of this Ordinance upon
second reading and final adoption to the Okeechobee County Property
Appraiser, the Okeechobee County Tax Collector, and the Florida
Department of Revenue as required by law.
Section 5: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
Section 6: The provisions within this Ordinance shall take effect October 1, 2020.
INTRODUCED for First Reading and Public Hearing on the 3rd day of September 2020.
Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:
Lane Gamiotea, CMC, City Clerk
PASSED AND ADOPTED after Second Reading and Final Public Hearing on the 21st
day of September 2020.
Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:
Lane Gamiotea, CMC, City Clerk
REVIEWED FOR LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
John J. Fumero, City Attorney
EXh i bt f :9102-
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Economic Council of Okeechobee
1679 NW 9f'' Street
Economic. Council of Okeechobee, Florida 34972
Okeechobee (863) 467-0200
September 31, 2020
Okeechobee City Council
City of Okeechobee
55 SE 3' Avenue
Okeechobee, Florida 34974
RE: Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget Priorities
Mayor and Members of the City Council,
In respect to the budgetary priorities and proposed budget for FY 2020-2021, the Economic Council
requests your consideration of the following in your efforts to be fiscally responsible and forward -
thinking:
1. Finalizing an interlocal agreement with Okeechobee County for fire rescue services will save the
City approximately $600,000 annually in redundant spending.
2. Increasing the prioritization of the general appearance of our City will create an environment that
fosters private investment and prudent growth. Historically the City's commitment to
landscaping, general aesthetics, and the related maintenance has been inadequate. Recent actions
of the City Council to improve this are wise, appreciated, and show careful thought to the future
economic wellbeing of the City and taxpayers.
3. An increase in Council support for the code -enforcement department and staff is urgently needed.
While many valuable changes have been made in the department in recent years (engaged legal
counsel, special magistrate, support staff), the benefits of an effective code enforcement system
have yet to be realized. We ask that your support be increased whether through added funding,
increased legal support for foreclosure processing and ordinance revisions, and/or the
reorganization of the department.
4. Continuing to fund and prioritize initiatives such as the charter review and comprehensive plan
review demonstrate prudent, long-term thinking for the future of the City.
In these uncertain times it is paramount that we continually evaluate the allocations of our very limited
tax dollars and determine what expenses are necessary for the long-term viability of our City. Prioritizing
the points above is in the best interest of our community and those you serve.
Respectfully,
Je ' er M. ewksbury
Executive Director
Economic Council of Okeechobee County, Inc.
Eco
Economic Council of
Okeechobee
CC:
John Fumero
Marcos Montes De Oca
India Riedel
Economic Council of Okeechobee
1679 NW 9h Street
Okeechobee, Florida 34972
(863)467-0200
Fa
3.aoa°
Lane Gamiotea b
From: Jennifer Tewksbury <jennifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee org> �r
utd
Sent: Thursday, September 3, 2020 4:32 PM
To: Lane Gamiotea
Cc: Bobbie Jenkins
Subject: Public comment RE budget hearing
Attachments: ECO letter to City RE budgetary priorities 090320.pdf
Hi Lane,
Please see the attached copy of the statement from the Economic Council for this evening's budget hearing. I
would like this to be read and entered into the record. I didn't know how appropriate that would be last time
during the workshop (not always a public comment format, understandably).
Anyway, please let me know if you have questions. I haven't yet forwarded this to CC so you are welcome to
do so!
Thank you,
0
A
Jennifer M. Tewksbury
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 111 X
863.467.0200
jennifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee.org
1679 NW 9th St • Okeechobee, FL 34972
www.economiccouncilofokeechobee.org