Plant City residents experienced what was arguably one of the most loaded commission meetings of the year last week.
A variety of presentations on studies and organizations that impact the city, the approval of resolutions to begin the creation of two massive Master Plans, an amendment to the current budget that ends on Sept. 30, discussion regarding the upcoming fiscal year’s budget, a vote approving the rezoning of approximately 162 acres from agriculture to residential use and the creation of three new public hearings all were packed into a two-hour meeting.
On Sept. 24, Plant City residents can expect to take part in the final public hearing on the 2018-2019 fiscal year budget for the city, which will finalize how the city plans to spend its allotted $76,055,834.
Highlights for the proposed spending for community investment include an $875,254 budget for the Bruton Memorial Library, $500,000 for an online building permit solution, $300,000 for street improvements in the Madison Park neighborhood, which is pulled from the Community Development Block Grant Program funds, $5,821,752 for the Recreation & Parks Department, $10,935,958 for the Plant City Police Department and $5,853,453 for the Plant City Fire Department, which includes $130,000 for a new roof for Fire Station 2 and $25,000 to design the remodel of its interior.
The next commission meeting will also have a public hearing regarding the amendment of the Solid Waste Fund. Originally it was scheduled to have a 3% increase in the upcoming year, but City Manager Bill McDaniel said the “financial condition of the Solid Waste Fund was strong enough that the scheduled 3% rate increase was unnecessary.”
McDaniel recommended they forgo changing the rate and keep it the same as it is currently. Plant City has chosen to not raise the rate for years. Remaining at its current rate, rather than increasing, will save single-family residential customers $0.84 per month, or $10.08 annually. Each year the annual adjustments of 3% are reevaluated based on the current soundness of the Solid Waste Fund. If approved, this would eliminate an estimated $192,000 in revenue.
Commissioners did voice their concern over continuing to keep the rate where it is. Several of them said they don’t want taxpayers to have to one day deal with a sudden drastic increase to catch up to a new demand. A study currently underway will provide a better understanding of the future of the solid waste department in Plant City and after its completion, the city will be able to plan accordingly for future rates.
There will also be a public hearing set to discuss the adoption of a Capital Improvement Plan budget for the fiscal year 2018-2019 and the following four years. Capital Improvement Plans are short-range plans that identify capital projects and any necessary large equipment purchases. The presentation will encompass a planning schedule and budget to get all of the proposed assessments accomplished. If approved, the budget will be set and it will include an asset management program. This is all included in the $76,055,834 proposed budget for the fiscal year 2018-2019.
A public hearing on a final plat within the County Line Road and Rice Road Planned Development District will also be held this Monday. If approved this will create a seven lot industrial subdivision, approximately 72 acres, on the west side of South County Line Road, north of Rice Road and east of South Wiggins Road.