City's proposed budget increases spending to over $100 Million

The Apopka City Council will be reviewing a $102 Million proposed budget during four workshops scheduled over the next two weeks.

The proposed 2016-2017 (Fiscal Year 2017) budget represents an increase of $12.5 Million or 13.9 percent over the FY 2016 budget.

Major expenditures include:

• A new fire station, including equipment and personnel ($1.3 Million)
• Construction of a second communication tower for dispatch ($2.8 Million)
• Increased debt service ($600,000)
• Downtown improvements ($2 Million)
• Construction of a skate park ($750,000) and a splash pad ($200,000)
• Continued construction at the Sewer Treatment Plant ($16 Million)

The proposed budget includes 18 new personnel positions.

• 12 firefighters to staff the new fire station
• 2 Fleet Mechanics
• 1 HR specialist to replace the Payroll Specialist that was transferred to Finance
• 2 Dispatchers to reduce the overtime in the Communications Center
• 1 City Engineer

The proposed budget lists several "Budget Priorities," including:

• Fire Station and furnishings
• Fourteen new vehicles, including eight police vehicles
• Fire Engine
• Ambulance & Power Load Stretcher
• Asphalt truck & Skid Steer Milling Machine
• Stormwater drainage upgrades
• New sidewalks
• Water, reclaimed water and wastewater line upgrades
• Sewer Treatment project – Phase II
• Street resurfacing
• Two automated side-loader garbage trucks

At this point the proposed budget does not propose an increase in property tax rates. It does propose to use $2.6 Million of unrestricted reserves to keep the budget in balance.

You can use this link to download the entire 753-page FY 2017 Apopka Budget Book for Workshops or this link to read the seven-page Apopka FY 2017 Proposed Budget Overview.

The proposed budget will be discussed by the City Council and City Staff during the budget workshops. If history is any guide there will be many changes before the Council receives public comment next week.

The first two Budget Workshops are scheduled for tomorrow and Wednesday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.