When City Manager Greg Horwedel took the reins at Plant City Hall four years ago, he vowed to run a transparent government.
To that end, he launched his annual State of the City address, giving Plant City residents and business owners a detailed look not only into how the government spent tax dollars in the previous year but also a look into the year ahead.
City officials, prominent business owners and even state Rep. Dan Raulerson were among the audience when Horwedel delivered his 2013 State of the City address June 10, at City Hall.
Like last year, Horwedel concluded Plant City “continues to be stable and improving.” He outlined several statistics that hint at a recovering economy, most notably a $2.4 million increase in sales tax revenues and a 146% increase in dollars from commercial expansion/renovation permits.
FY 2012-13 BUDGET RECAP
Total FY 2012-13 budget: $59.7 million (1% increase over FY 2011-12). This includes a $2 million increase for vehicle purchases. Without that increase, the budget was down 2.4%.
General fund revenue: $25.4 million (3.6% increase). This includes a $2.4 million increase (7.9%) in sales-tax revenue.
Water utilities revenue: $14.5 million (11.3% decrease). Decrease is because of a $1.9 million grant in the FY 2011-12 budget.
Sanitation revenue: $6.2 million (no increase)
Stormwater revenue: $2.8 million (14.4% increase). The increase was because of a 3% ordinance-mandated rate increase.
Property tax millage rate: 4.7157 mills. This is lowest rate in Hillsborough County and has remained the same for the last four budgets.
Undesignated fund balance (rainy-day fund): 34.2% of the budget (commission policy is 15%).
Stabilized Plant City’s contribution to the Public Safety Pension Fund. Baseline contribution is $2.3 million ($1.8 million required)
FY 2013-14 BUDGET PREVIEW
Property valuation: 3.4% increase. This would be the first in five years.
State sales tax estimates: 4.7% increase
Water and sewer revenue: 3% increase
Development services revenue: 15% increase
Stormwater revenue: 3% increase
No increase in property millage rate. However, property tax revenue will increase 3% because of valuation increase.
No increase in sanitation fees.
No increase in development fees.
Automative stormwater fee increase.
Water and sewer fee schedule will increase by amount of CPI deflator.
STAFFING CHANGES IN FY 2012-13
• Steven Singletary appointed to chief of the Plant City Police Department.
• Former Chief Bill McDaniel promoted to assistant city manager for public safety.
• Fire Chief George Shiley retired from Plant City Fire Rescue. Dave Burnett served as interim chief. City is searching for a permanent replacement.
MIDTOWN
• Stormwater bill passed the Florida Legislature. This will enable potential developers to obtain a single permit for multiple parcels.
• Wheeler Street realignment. The $1.6 million phase one is ready to begin. Phase two is estimated to cost $1 million. Project should be complete by January 2014.
• Village Green in design and engineering phase.
• Request for proposals for city-owned parcels. The city plans to open the project for developer bids after Labor Day 2013. Leaders expect selection and negotiation to be complete by January 2014.
NEW AND CONTINUING CITY PROJECTS
• Train-viewing platform
• Dr. Hal and Lynn Brewer Park (phase two)
• Ellis-Methvin soccer fields (phase two)
• James L. Redman Parkway and Alexander Street turn lanes
• Cherry Street traffic calming and pedestrian crossings
• Request for proposals for Plant City Stadium. Deadline is 2 p.m. June 28, with a bid award by October.
• Drainage improvements at Franklin/English streets, Cherry/Pennsylvania streets, Courier Field/Wheeler Street, Madison Street
• Reconstruction of Vermont and Howard streets
• Sidewalk improvements in Walden Lake
• Sanitary sewer condition assessment and mapping
CONSTRUCTION IN FY 2012-13
• Dr. Hal and Lynn Brewer Park. The park’s $173,000 phase one included the trail, benches and bike racks.
Mendonsa Road reconstruction. This $1.4 million project, which includes utilities, stormwater drainage and road reconstruction components, face delays because of weather and utility issues with Verizon. The road should be complete by the end of June.
• Eastside Canal retaining wall. This $119,000 city-funded project between Reynolds and Vermont streets includes a 100-foot-long, 7-foot-tall wall that improves channel flow and reduces flooding.
• Ball Street stormwater improvement. This $140,000 CRA-funded project included installing 1,340 feet of stormwater pipe to enclose the drainage ditch between Ever and Howard streets.
• Mobley and Palmetto streets stormwater improvement and road widening. This $136,000 city-funded project included roadway alignment and grade adjustments to facilitate stormwater flow.
• Ellis-Methvin soccer fields. Phase one, including underdrain piping, is complete. Bidding for the $760,000 phase two, which will include final grading and sod for six soccer fields, will be open soon.
• Street repaving program. The city spent $2.3 million to improve 10.1 lane miles throughout the city.
• Water fluoridation project. This $464,000 project ($380,000 funded through state and county grants) added fluoride to the city water supply beginning in February 2013.
• Sydney Road reclaimed water pipeline. This $4.7 million project ($2.1 million funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and $200,000 from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection) extended the pipeline to Walden Lake Golf and Country Club and industrial users on the west side of the city.