Chairman Jay Zembower

Present:

Vice Chairman Andria Herr

Commissioner Bob Dallari

Commissioner Lee Constantine

Commissioner Amy Lockhart

Additional Attendees: County Attorney Kate Latorre, County Manager Darren Gray, Clerk of

Court and Comptroller Grant Maloy, and Deputy Clerk Kyla Farrell.

II. INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Tekoa Pouerie, The Sharing Center, gave the Invocation. David Johnson, Property Appraiser,

led the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA

Chairman Zembower stated the purpose of tonight’s hearing is to present the Tentative

Millage Rates and Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and to allow for public comments. The

public should be reminded that the Board of County Commissioners does not have control

over the tax levies or budgets of the School Board, the Water Management District, the

Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, or any of the seven cities in Seminole County. Questions

regarding assessed property valuations should be addressed to the Property Appraiser, David

Johnson.

County Manager Darren Gray advised tonight is the first of two public hearings for the FY

2024-25 budget that are required by Florida Statute. The purpose of the meeting is to present

to the public the tentative budget for all funds and the proposed millage rates for the

Countywide District, Fire MSTU, Roads MSTU, as well as the rolled-back rates. By the State’s

definition, the rolled-back millage rate is a rate when applied to next year’s tax base (excluding

new construction) that will generate the same revenue as was raised in the previous year.

This public hearing was advertised through the “Notice of Proposed Property Taxes” that was

mailed to each property owner in August. The millage rates and budgets considered for

tentative adoption tonight are the end result of nearly a year of work. This year's budget

process started earlier than usual. In December of 2024, Departments were directed to

submit budget requests under new guidelines that focused on essential services and

discouraged discretionary increases. For the first time, these same guidelines were also

shared with the Constitutional Officers to promote consistency and transparency across all

budget participants. In March of this year, County leadership held a budget update with the

Board to review the revenue trends, cost projections, and the structural challenges the County

is facing. These discussions continued in March when the BCC held a retreat where staff

outlined potential solutions and emphasized the need for coordinated action.

Mr. Gray stated later in April, all department directors came together for a full-day retreat

focused on operational efficiencies. That session produced more than 40 "Seminal Moments"

designed to reduce costs, streamline processes, and improve service delivery. All of that

groundwork prepared them for the budget work sessions where the Commissioners reviewed

every Constitutional Office, County department, and service area in detail. Throughout the

process, the shared goal has been to balance fiscal responsibility with maintaining essential

services while meeting expectations of the growing community.

Mr. Gray discussed a few key highlights in the tentative budget including directing County

departments to submit a 0% increase to their base operating budget, reduction of positions,

and consolidating internal services through attrition and restructuring. He noted the budget

highlights some investments in the future such as SCOUT, an indoor sports complex,

continued redevelopment of Rolling Hills and Deer Run, stormwater and drainage

improvements in Midway, and planning and design for the Rosenwald Community Center

project. On the revenue side, to sustain the essential services to meet State mandates, the

budget does include a 0.5 mill increase to the General Fund millage. This adjustment was not

made lightly, but it is necessary to maintain critical services such as public safety,

transportation, stormwater management for flooding, and parks.

Mr. Gray stated the County's general fund reserves is projected at $69 million, or 18% of the

operating expenses and revenues. Water, sewer, and solid waste enterprise funds remain

fiscally sound with resources for ongoing operations and future capital improvements. The

tentative budget represents a balanced plan, and it invests in the needs they face today while

they are preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. It reflects a shared sacrifice and shared

progress from staff and the community they serve.

Accept Proofs of Publication

This public hearing was advertised through the “Notice of Proposed Property Taxes” mailed to

each property owner in August.

FY 2025-26 Tentative Millage Rates and Budget Presentation

FY 2025/26 First Budget Public Hearing - This is the First Public Hearing

to discuss and approve the FY 2025/26 Tentative Millage Rates and

Budget and set the date and time for the Second Public Hearing.

Countywide (Timothy Jecks, Management & Budget Director)

2025-876

Mr. Jecks addressed the Board and displayed a PowerPoint (as included in the agenda

backup). He reviewed the FY 2025/2026 Tentative Millage rates as follows: The

general countywide millage of 5.3751 mills is 16.42% above the rolled-back rate of

4.6168 mills. The Fire Rescue MSTU millage of 2.7649 mills is 5.43% above the

rolled-back rate of 2.6226 mills. The Unincorporated Roads MSTU millage of 0.1107

mills is 5.33% above the rolled-back rate of 0.1051 mills. The Tentative Aggregate

millage for all BCC taxing districts of 7.3663 mills is 12.70% above the aggregate

rolled-back rate of 6.5363 mills. Mr. Jecks advised the Tentative Countywide Budget of

$1,215,087,959 for all funds includes $12,990,504 in First Public Hearing adjustments.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

With regard to public participation, the following spoke: Leslie Grubl, Larry Meador, Brenda

Urias, Richard Glover, Bob Chabot, Judy Desrosiers, George Sellery (document received and

filed), Tom Haller (document received and filed), Joseph Humphreys, Nancy Harmon, Cindy

Haller (document received and filed), Virginia Creedon, Richard Creedon, Wafa Esposito

(document received and filed), Deanna Houston, David Leavitt, Pete Buis, Ron Ligthart,

Eunice Brown, Eric Fiedler, Fred Piering (document received and filed), Miguel Pico, Michelle

Smith, Tekoa Pouerie, Deidre Barnecott, and John Horvath.

Al Leiker submitted a Public Comment Form but did not address the Board when his name

was called.

Public Comment Forms were received and filed.

Written Public Comment Forms were received and filed from the following: Richard Daviduke,

Thomas Cave, William Ennis, Carol Canon, Dan and Melinda LaMay, Mary Jo Martin, Gail

Hoffmann, Arnaud Temporel, and Leslie Grubl (document received and filed).

No one else spoke and public input was closed.

BOARD DISCUSSION

The Commissioners shared their comments regarding public participation and their opinions

on the budget. Commissioner Dallari requested staff review what was presented during public

participation and provide the Board with information regarding public comments.

Commissioner Lockhart suggested the County should put a "Myth versus Fact" or an FAQ on

their website regarding some of the public comments made tonight.

Motion by Commissioner Constantine, seconded by Vice Chairman Herr, to adopt the FY

2025/26 tentative millage rates as presented.

Districts 2, 3, 4, and 5 voted AYE.

District 1 voted NAY.

Motion passes 4 to 1.

Motion by Vice Chairman Herr, seconded by Commissioner Dallari, to adopt the FY 2025/26

tentative budget of $1,215,087,959.

Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 voted AYE.

Chairman Zembower announced the second and final public hearing to adopt the County

millage and budget will be scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the

BCC Chambers.