City Commission Workshop on 2025-06-16 9:00 AM - City Manager Recommended Budget — North Port, FL
Date: 2025-06-16

4970 CITY HALL BLVD
 City of North Port NORTH PORT, FL 34286



 Meeting Agenda

 City Commission Workshop
 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

Monday, June 16, 2025 9:00 AM City Commission Chambers


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. 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.)


2. GENERAL BUSINESS:

A. 25-2391 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 City
 Manager's Recommended Budget.

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City Commission Workshop Meeting Agenda June 16, 2025


 Attachments: FY 2026 City Manager Recommended Budget
 FY 2026 GovMax Worksheets
 Fund Balance Reports
 FY 2026 Part 1 Recommended Presentation
 FY 2026 Part 2 Recommended Presentation

B. 25-2368 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026
 Human Resources Department Recommended Budget.
C. 25-2378 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 Police
 Department Recommended Budget.
D. 25-2371 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 City
 Clerk Department Recommended Budget.
E. 25-2372 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 City
 Commission Recommended Budget.
F. 25-2373 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 City
 Attorney Department Recommended Budget.
G. 25-2374 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026
 Information Technology Division Recommended Budget.
H. 25-2375 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026
 Non-Departmental Recommended Budget.
I. 25-2376 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 Parks
 and Recreation Department Recommended Budget.
J. 25-2377 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 Social
 Services Division Recommended Budget.
K. 25-2369 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026
 Finance Department Recommended Budget.
L. 25-2370 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 City
 Manager, Communications, and Emergency Management Department
 Recommended Budget.
M. 25-2379 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026
 Development Services Department Recommended Budget.

3. 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.)


4. ADJOURNMENT:




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City Commission Workshop Meeting Agenda June 16, 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 6/17/2025

4970 CITY HALL BLVD
 City of North Port NORTH PORT, FL 34286



 Meeting Minutes
 City Commission Workshop
 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

Monday, June 16, 2025 9:00 AM City Commission Chambers


CALL TO ORDER

 Mayor Stokes called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

ROLL CALL

 Present: 5- Vice Mayor Pete Emrich, Commissioner Barbara Langdon, Commissioner David
 Duval, Commissioner Demetrius Petrow and Mayor Philip Stokes

ALSO PRESENT

 City Manager Fletcher, Interim City Attorney Golen, City Clerk Faust, Board Specialist
 Lane, Police Captain King, Fire Chief Titus, Performance & Accountability Officer
 Griffin, Human Resources Assistant Director Knowles, Police Chief Garrison, Assistant
 Parks & Recreation Director Sturgess, Parks & Recreation Director Pfundheller, Social
 Services Manager Carrillo, Assistant Finance Director Kukharenko, Emergency
 Manager Aloisio, Communications Manager/PIO Bartolone, and Development Services
 Director Ray.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Performance & Accountability Officer Kaitlyn
 Griffin.

1. PUBLIC COMMENT:

 John Krebsbach: Spoke to Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) rewrite regarding
 commercial projects.
 Susan Balmer: Spoke to educating citizens on the budget.
 Pam Tokarz: Spoke to various budget topics.

2. GENERAL BUSINESS:


 A. 25-2391 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 City
 Manager's Recommended Budget.
 Mayor Stokes announced the item.

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 Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation including mission and
 vision, commissioners’ strategic pillars and priorities, community highlights, annual
 budget process, Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) ready, items for City
 Commission consideration, staffing levels versus population growth, employees per
 1,000 residents, government spending per resident, police department staffing and
 space, City Manager compensation, increased expenses versus revenues, millage
 rates 2015-2016, Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 ad valorem, ten-year taxable value history,
 major general fund revenues, general fund budget overview, general fund budget
 overview by department, general fund key changes, divisions to departments including,
 Information Technology and Communications, total budget by department, grants,
 historical Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement timetable,
 pending (FEMA) reimbursement, Road and Drainage District, Fire Rescue District, Solid
 Waste District, Building Fund, Utilities Fund, and Fleet Management Fund.

 Commission questions and discussion took place regarding taxable value increase,
 breakdown, City of Sarasota taxable value, merit increases, salary increase, and cost of
 living adjustment (COLA), funding reserves, State Legislator, police funding, growth,
 infrastructure, challenges, millage rate, FEMA reimbursement, ambulance funding, and
 Solid Waste Transfer Station increase.

 Ms. Faust read the following eComment into record:
 Debbie McDowell: Spoke to concerns over budget priorities.

 B. 25-2368 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026
 Human Resources Department Recommended Budget.
 Mayor Stokes announced the item.

 Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation including organizational
 chart, performance measures, budget summary, impact of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025
 funded proposal, and impacts of FY26 unfunded proposal.

 Commission questions and discussion took place regarding health care cost, including
 family care, health clinic, operating expenses, return on investment, private industry ’s
 health care insurance, cost sharing, cost sharing model, insurance cost for
 Commissioners, single coverage, and employee contribution.

 There was consensus for the city to absorb 100% of the healthcare cost
 increases for the FY26 budget with Commissioner Duval opposed.
 There was no public comment.

 Recess was taken from 10:50 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.


 C. 25-2378 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026
 Police Department Recommended Budget.
 Mayor Stokes announced the item.

 Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation including organizational
 chart, performance measures, budget summary, impacts of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025
 funded proposal, recommended FY26 proposals, and impacts of FY26 unfunded
 proposals.

 Commission questions and discussion took place regarding open positions, community
 service proposals, increasing efficiencies, budget summary reductions, density
 consideration and geographical considerations,, public safety, revenue, fund balance,

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City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes June 16, 2025

 police headquarter funding, integration with information technology (IT), challenges,
 density population, gated community patrolling, quarterly updates, electronic
 surveillance unit, traffic, and school zone cameras.

 There was consensus to direct the City Manager to increase the Police
 Department budget by $500,000 for budget proposals that impact the proficiency
 of the department.
 There was no public comment.


 D. 25-2371 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 City
 Clerk Department Recommended Budget.
 Mayor Stokes announced the item.

 Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation including organizational
 chart, performance measures, budget summary, and impacts of FIscal Year (FY) 2026
 unfunded proposals.

 Commission questions and discussion took place regarding public records request cost
 and revenue, Deputy City Clerk salary, EasyVote budget proposal, retirement
 contributions, and goal percentage.

 There was no public comment.

 E. 25-2372 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 City
 Commission Recommended Budget.
 Mayor Stokes announced the item.

 Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation including budget
 summary.

 Commission questions and discussion took place regarding salary increase, possible
 charter referendum, Commissioner compensation, population growth, salary formula,
 government positions, and comparing compensation.

 There was consensus to direct the City Manager to bring back a recommendation
 for Commission compensation increases early next year.
 Ms. Faust read the following eComment into record:
 Debbie McDowell: Spoke to Commissioner salary increase.
 Recess was taken from 12:40 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.


 F. 25-2373 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 City
 Attorney Department Recommended Budget.
 Mayor Stokes announced the item.

 Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation including organizational
 chart, performance measure, budget summary, and impact of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025
 funded proposal.

 Commission questions and discussion took place regarding Police Legal Advisor, and
 City Attorney additional workload.

 There was no public comment.


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 G. 25-2374 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026
 Information Technology Division Recommended Budget.
 Mayor Stokes announced the item.

 Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation including organizational
 chart, performance measure, budget summary, impacts of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025
 funded proposals, recommended FY26 proposals, and impacts of FY26 unfunded
 proposals.

 Commission questions and discussion took place regarding position reclassification,
 compensation study funding and timeline, software cost, and computer replacements.

 There was no public comment.

 H. 25-2375 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026
 Non-Departmental Recommended Budget.
 Mayor Stokes announced the item.

 Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation including budget
 summary.

 There were no Commission questions or discussion.

 There was no public comment.

 I. 25-2376 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026
 Parks and Recreation Department Recommended Budget.
 Mayor Stokes announced the item.

 Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation including organizational
 chart, performance measures, Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 cost recovery, Warm Mineral
 Springs cost recovery, aquatics and recreation, parks maintenance, signature events,
 revenue impacts, efficiencies and opportunities, budget summary, impacts of FY 25
 funded proposal, recommended FY26 proposals, and impacts of FY26 unfunded
 proposals.

 Commission questions and discussion took place regarding annexation, annual fee
 schedule, security system, parks maintenance, in -house mowing, Aquatic Center,
 Warm Mineral Springs (WMS), conservation, artificial turf, WMS cost recovery, water
 and sewer, facility rentals, efficiencies and opportunities, extended facility hours, and
 revenue.

 There was no public comment.

 J. 25-2377 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026
 Social Services Division Recommended Budget.
 Mayor Stokes announced the item.

 Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation including organizational
 chart, performance measures, and budget summary.

 Commission questions and discussion took place regarding the impact of Sarasota

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City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes June 16, 2025

 County Social Services.

 There was no public comment.

 K. 25-2369 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026
 Finance Department Recommended Budget.
 Mayor Stokes announced the item.

 Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation including organizational
 chart, performance measures, budget summary, and recommended FY26 proposals.

 There were no Commission questions or discussion.

 There was no public comment.

 L. 25-2370 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 City
 Manager, Communications, and Emergency Management Department
 Recommended Budget.
 Mayor Stokes announced the item.

 Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation including Emergency
 Management organizational chart, performance measures, budget summary, and
 recommended FY26 proposals.

 Commission questions and discussion took place regarding Florida Retirement System
 (FRS) contribution, emergency management budget summary, salary increase, and
 Communication Division.

 Mr. Fletcher  continued his  presentation including Communication Division
 organizational chart, performance measures, budget summary, and recommended
 FY26 proposals.

 There was a consensus to direct the City Manager to not include the change of
 the Communications Division to a department in the FY26 budget with Mayor
 Stokes and Commissioner Langdon opposed.
 There was no public comment.


 M. 25-2379 Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026
 Development Services Department Recommended Budget.
 Mayor Stokes announced the item.

 Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation including organizational
 chart, performance measures, budget summary, unimproved lot program, impacts of
 Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 funded proposal, recommended FY26 proposals, and impacts of
 FY26 unfunded proposals.

 Commission questions and discussion took place regarding additional positions, bonds,
 unimproved lot program, administrative cost, retaining planners, tree fund budget,
 revenue sources to plant trees, liens, recovery cost, and lot registration.

 Ms. Faust read the following eComment into record:
 Debbie McDowell: Expressed concern to the item.



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3. PUBLIC COMMENT:

 There was no public comment.

4. ADJOURNMENT:

 Mayor Stokes adjourned the meeting at 4:07 p.m.

 By: _________________________________________
 Phil Stokes, Mayor


 Attest: _________________________________________
 Heather Faust, City Clerk




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