City Commission Special Meeting on 2025-09-04 5:01 PM - Budget Special Meeting

Name: City Commission Special Meeting on 2025-09-04 5:01 PM - Budget Special Meeting
Start: 2025-09-04

Special Meeting

North Port, FL · September 4, 2025

Minutes

4970 CITY HALL BLVD City of North Port NORTH PORT, FL 34286 Meeting Minutes City Commission Special Meeting CITY COMMISSIONERS Phil Stokes, Mayor Pete Emrich, Vice Mayor Barbara Langdon, Commissioner David Duval, Commissioner Demetrius Petrow, Commissioner APPOINTED OFFICIALS Jerome Fletcher, City Manager Michael Golen, Interim City Attorney Heather Faust, City Clerk Thursday, September 4, 2025 5:01 PM City Commission Chambers Budget Special Meeting CALL TO ORDER Mayor Stokes called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: 5- Vice Mayor Pete Emrich, Commissioner David Duval, Commissioner Demetrius Petrow, Commissioner Barbara Langdon and Mayor Philip Stokes ALSO PRESENT City Manager Fletcher, Interim City Attorney Golen, City Clerk Faust, Board Specialist Lindner, Police Chief Garrison, Fire Chief Titus, and Budget and Performance Administrator Herrmann. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Carmine Miranda. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Stokes requested a motion to approve the agenda. A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried on the following vote: Yes: 5- Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor Stokes 2. PUBLIC COMMENT: Ms. Faust read the following eComments into the record: Jill Luke: Expressed support of Ordinance Nos 2025-26 and 2025-27. Maria Leslie: Expressed opposition to Ordinance Nos 2025-26 and 2025-27. Community Member: Expressed support of the Parks and Recreation Department and City of North Port Page 1 Printed on 9/24/2025 City Commission Special Meeting Meeting Minutes September 4, 2025 budget. In Person: Valdy Olender: Spoke to police presence and concerns with budget. Robin Vaccai: Expressed concern with budget increases. Carmine Miranda: Expressed support of Ordinance No. 2025-26. Lance Broat: Expressed support of Ordinance No. 2025-26. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. ORD. NO. An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Activating a 2025-26 Communications Department; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date. Mayor Stokes announced the item and requested a motion to direct the City Clerk to read by title only. A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich, to direct the City Clerk to read the Ordinance by title only. The motion carried on the following vote: Yes: 5- Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor Stokes Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only. Mr. Fletcher introduced the item. Commission questions and discussion took place regarding importance of good communication, budget increases, financial impacts, impact on functionality, commercial and residential tax base, public education, and unanimous vote requirement. Public Comment: Ms. Faust read the following eComments into the record: Susan Kostbar: Expressed support of the item. Michelle Moore: Expressed support of the item. In Person: Kathy Garrity: Expressed support of the item. Mayor Stokes closed the public hearing and requested a motion. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Langdon, to continue Ordinance No. 2025-26 to second reading on September 18, 2025. The motion carried on the following vote: Yes: 3- Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor Stokes No: 2- Commissioner Duval and Commissioner Petrow B. ORD. NO. An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Activating an Information 2025-27 Technology Department; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date. Mayor Stokes announced the item and requested a motion to direct the City Clerk to read by title only. A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich, to direct the City Clerk to read the Ordinance by title only. The motion carried on the following vote: City of North Port Page 2 Printed on 9/24/2025 City Commission Special Meeting Meeting Minutes September 4, 2025 Yes: 5- Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor Stokes Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only. Mr. Fletcher introduced the item. Commission questions and discussion took place regarding leadership and work of the department, impact on all departments, and importance of security. There was no public comment. Mayor Stokes closed the public hearing and requested a motion. A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich, to continue Ordinance No. 2025-27 to second reading on September 18, 2025. The motion carried on the following vote: Yes: 3- Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor Stokes No: 2- Commissioner Duval and Commissioner Petrow C. ORD. NO. An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Adopting the Ad Valorem 2025-24 Millage Rate and Rolled-Back Rate for the Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 2025, and Ending September 30, 2026; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date. Mayor Stokes announced the item and requested a motion to direct the City Clerk to read by title only. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Langdon, to direct the City Clerk to read the Ordinance title and required sections. The motion carried on the following vote: Yes: 5- Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor Stokes Ms. Faust read the Ordinance title and Sections 2.01 and 2.02 into the record. Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and read the reason as to why the ad valorem tax revenues are increasing. There were no Commission questions or discussion. There was no public comment. Mayor Stokes closed the public hearing and requested a motion. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Duval, to continue Ordinance No. 2025-24 to second reading on September 18, 2025. The motion carried on the following vote: Yes: 5- Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor Stokes City of North Port Page 3 Printed on 9/24/2025 City Commission Special Meeting Meeting Minutes September 4, 2025 D. ORD. NO. An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Adopting the Non-District 2025-25 Budget for the Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 2025, and Ending September 30, 2026; Adopting the Capital Improvement Budget and Program; Prescribing the Terms, Conditions, and Provisions with Respect to the Items of Appropriations and Their Payment; Providing for Supplemental Appropriations and Reappropriations; Providing for Findings; Providing for Posting of the Budgets; Providing for Conflicts: Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date. Mayor Stokes announced the item and requested a motion to direct the City Clerk to read by title only. A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich, to direct the City Clerk to read the Ordinance by title only. The motion carried on the following vote: Yes: 5- Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor Stokes Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only. Mr. Fletcher introduced the item. Commission questions and discussion took place regarding hiring freeze, additional personnel positions, and affordability. There was no public comment. Mayor Stokes closed the public hearing and requested a motion. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Duval, to continue Ordinance No. 2025-25 to second reading on September 18, 2025. The motion carried on the following vote: Yes: 4- Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor Stokes No: 1- Commissioner Petrow 4. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment. 5. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Stokes adjourned the meeting at 5:57 p.m. City of North Port, Florida By: _________________________________________ Phil Stokes, Mayor Attest: _________________________________________ Heather Faust, City Clerk City of North Port Page 4 Printed on 9/24/2025

Agenda

4970 CITY HALL BLVD City of North Port NORTH PORT, FL 34286 Meeting Agenda City Commission Special Meeting CITY COMMISSIONERS Phil Stokes, Mayor Pete Emrich, Vice Mayor Barbara Langdon, Commissioner David Duval, Commissioner Demetrius Petrow, Commissioner APPOINTED OFFICIALS Jerome Fletcher, City Manager Michael Golen, Interim City Attorney Heather Faust, City Clerk Thursday, September 4, 2025 5:01 PM City Commission Chambers Budget Special Meeting PUBLIC COMMENT: Properly submitted comments will be accepted and included in the official record of the meeting pursuant to City Commission Policy No. 2020-04. Public comment may be submitted in the following ways: In Person Attendance: Submit a comment card to the City Clerk. Comment cards with completed information may be submitted until the Mayor closes Public Comment for the agenda item. Public comment is limited to three minutes per person. Online: Submit a written eComment using the eComment link at cityofnorthport.legistar.com/Calendar. The link will be available online at 8:00 a.m. the day before the meeting until one hour prior to the start of the meeting. Your public comment is limited to 2,000 characters. Voice Mail Message: Leave a voice mail message via telephone at 941-429-1032. Voice Mail messages will be accepted the day before the meeting from 8:00 a.m. until one hour prior to the start of the meeting. Please provide information as listed in the City’s outgoing message. The message must not exceed two minutes, fifteen seconds. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 2. PUBLIC COMMENT: (The purpose of the Public Comments Section of the Agenda is for members of the public to speak to the City Commission/District Governing Body on any subject pertaining to City Business whether or not it is on the Agenda, with the exception of Quasi-Judicial Items.) 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS: City of North Port Page 1 Printed on 8/26/2025 City Commission Special Meeting Meeting Agenda September 4, 2025 A. ORD. NO. An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Activating a 2025-26 Communications Department; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date. Attachments: Ordinance No. 2025-26 Business Impact Estimate B. ORD. NO. An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Activating an Information 2025-27 Technology Department; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date. Attachments: Ordinance No. 2025-27 Business Impact Estimate C. ORD. NO. An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Adopting the Ad 2025-24 Valorem Millage Rate and Rolled-Back Rate for the Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 2025, and Ending September 30, 2026: Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts: Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date. Attachments: Ordinance No. 2025-24 D. ORD. NO. An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Adopting the 2025-25 Non-District Budget for the Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 2025, and Ending September 30, 2026; Adopting the Capital Improvement Budget and Program; Prescribing the Terms, Conditions, and Provisions with Respect to the Items of Appropriations and Their Payment; Providing for Supplemental Appropriations and Reappropriations; Providing for Findings; Providing for Posting of the Budgets; Providing for Conflicts: Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date. Attachments: Ordinance No. 2025-25 Change Since July 23 General and Building Fund Balance Reports 4. PUBLIC COMMENT: (The purpose of the Public Comments Section of the Agenda is for members of the public to speak to the City Commission/District Governing Body on any subject pertaining to City Business whether or not it is on the Agenda, with the exception of Quasi-Judicial Items.) 5. ADJOURNMENT: City of North Port Page 2 Printed on 8/26/2025 City Commission Special Meeting Meeting Agenda September 4, 2025 NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF REPORTS - The Agenda is a summary of the proposed actions to be taken by the City Commission. For almost every agenda item, the City staff has prepared materials for Commission consideration and provided a staff recommendation. All of these materials are available at the City Clerk's Office, during normal business hours, for inspection and (for a fee) copying. Questions on these materials may be directed to the staff member who prepared them, or to the City Clerk's Office, who will refer you to the appropriate person. AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990 - The North Port City Hall is wheelchair accessible. Special parking is available on the west side of City Hall and the building may be accessed from the parking area. Persons with hearing difficulties should contact the City Clerk to obtain a hearing device for use during meetings. NONDISCRIMINATION: The City of North Port does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, family or religious status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or physical characteristic in administration of its programs, activities or services. No stenographic record by a certified court reporter is made of these recordings. Accordingly, anyone seeking to appeal any of the decisions involving the matters herein will be responsible for making a verbatim record of the meeting/testimony and evidence upon which any appeal is to be based. Copies of the recordings are available (for a fee) at the City Clerk's Office. City of North Port Page 3 Printed on 8/26/2025