If the tentative budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year is approved at the Monday, Sept. 28, City Commission meeting, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce will continue to be financially supported, in part, by the City of Plant City.
“We think the chamber’s doing an outstanding job in our community,” Mayor Rick Lott said.
The tentative budget was reviewed at the City Commission meeting Monday, Sept. 15.
The funds set aside for the chamber total $65,000. They are part of $116,000 from the general fund that will be awarded to different Plant City organizations, such as the Improvement League of Plant City and the 1914 Plant City High School Community Building. The City Commission will review the funding for the chamber each fiscal year as the city prepares the budget.
An additional $175,000 will be awarded to Plant City’s Economic Development Corporation for marketing purposes.
This summer, Commissioner Mike Sparkman asked for a breakdown from the chamber on how the money it receives from the city is spent. If the chamber hadn’t focused the funds on economic development, he wanted to put the funds into the EDC instead. The chamber was not able to provide a line-item budget of the funds.
“I think that’s very appropriate,” Commissioner Mike Sparkman said of the $175,000 set aside for the EDC. “On the chamber … I’m still debating what’s going to occur there.”
The total proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year is $66,312,812. Out of that, $27,235,168 makes up the general fund. The proposed budget is a $139,411 decrease from the previous fiscal year.
Because economic development is a focus for the city, proposed projects for the upcoming year are central to the continued growth of the city.
One is a third fire station. It will enter the design stages in 2016 and is planned to be 7,000 square feet. Construction costs, estimated at $1.9 million, will be part of the 2016-17 fiscal year budget.
Currently, city leaders are looking at locations on Park Road for the new station, including Mike E. Sansone Park. The station is in anticipation of the Varrea housing development, which will consist of 2,640 single- and multi-family dwelling units in the northeast part of the city.
“Our city is growing,” Herr said. “[We’re] trying to improve our response time city-wide.”
The proposed budget also includes making sidewalks near schools safer. The cost is estimated at $50,000 per year over the next four years.
The streets fund has started to decrease because of the number of recent improvements. In the upcoming year, a study will be done on roads, traffic and storm water maintenance.
“I’m very happy with this budget,” Lott said. “[We’re] maximizing the dollars available.”
City commissioners will vote on the final budget at the next meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28.
IN OTHER NEWS
The City Commission approved the city’s legislative priorities for 2016.
One priority is to support funding from the Florida Department of Transportation to assist with creating quiet zones in Historic Downtown.
If a quiet zone is developed, trains will go through downtown without blowing a whistle.
The quiet zones will primarily be in the downtown and historic districts.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
FAST FACTS
Total proposed budget: $66,312,812
General fund: $27,235,168
Millage rate: 4.7157 (same as 2014-15)
Economic Development Council: $175,000
Aid to organizations (including chamber): $116,000
City employees salary increase: 2.5% (non-step pay plan employees)
Tuition reimbursement for city employees: $10,000
Total city workforce: 417
Upcoming Capital Improvement Projects
Midtown wastewater collection system | Construction of a new gravity sewer collection system, wastewater lift station and force main to service the Midtown redevelopment project at a total cost of $600,000.
Waller Street improvements | Reduce flooding and run-off impacts for surrounding property owners, which includes curbing, drainage, water line relocation and new sidewalks. Engineering in 2015-16 and construction in 2016-17 will total over $1 million.
Reclaimed water storage pond expansion | Modify the existing water pond to increase storage. The project will cost $2.5 million in 2016-17 with 50% coming from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
McIntosh Tract | Develop 263 acres of land into a passive recreational facility with trails, picnic areas and wildlife observation areas that will focus on three areas: natural resources preservation, recreational activities and wetland restoration. Construction costs of $100,000 over the next three fiscal years.
Fire Station No. 3 | Construction of a third fire station of 7,000 square feet. Design in 2015-16 and construction costs of $1.9 million in 2016-17. This will improve response times in all three response zones in city limits, help improve the city’s Insurance Service Organization rating and provide services for future growth, such as Varrea.
Sidewalk improvements | Provide safe paths to elementary and middle school areas and create connectivity between various public buildings at a cost of $50,000 per year over the next four years.
BREAKDOWN BY ORGANIZATION
Out of the general fund, $116,000 is budgeted for different Plant City organizations. Here are some of the organizations benefitting:
Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce: $65,000
Improvement League of Plant City: $2,000
Black Heritage Celebration: $2,000
Christmas Parade: $2,000
1914 Plant City High School Community Center: $15,000
Boys & Girls Club of Plant City: $20,000