Town of Oakland sets Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget

The Oakland Town Commission has approved its final budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 at $25,931,440 with a millage rate of 6.3. The unanimous vote took place at the Oct. 12 commission meeting.

The fiscal year began Oct. 1. Elected officials maintained the same millage rate for a second year. The town typically lowers the millage rate every two years. The millage rate was 6.75 for FY 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18. In FY 2018-19, the rate was 6.65, followed by two years at 6.5 and one year at 6.4. It was lowered to 6.3 for FY 2022-23.

The FY 2023-24 budget was approved at $25,931,440. This breaks down to $8,574,987 for the General Fund, $5,443,585 for the Utility/Enterprise Fund, $5,307,307 for the Impact Fee Fund and $6,605,561 for Oakland Avenue Charter School.

Town Manager Andy Stewart shared details of the budget in a report to the commission.

The budget for the General Fund includes a 4% cost-of-living increase for town staff and a 4% increase to the employees’ health insurance premiums; two temporary succession-planning positions in finance and public works; and reallocates the administrative assistant position in the town manager’s office to the vacant facility rentals coordinator position at the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland. The reallocation will allow the center to extend operating hours during the week and enhance activities and programs for residents. The transfer saves the town $60,000 in payroll expenses.

The Enterprise budget funds a new utility service worker position in the water department and funds the design of the town’s Lake Apopka alternative water source project.

There were no changes to the Impact Fee budget.

IN OTHER NEWS AT THE SEPT. 26 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING

• Commissioners accepted the consent agenda, which included the adoption of an internet policy for Oakland Avenue Charter School and approval of the 2024 Best Foot Forward Pedestrian Safety Program, which aims to monitor and improve crosswalks throughout the town. It also included Town Manager Andy Stewart’s report, which included notice of a water rate increase of 4% based on the Consumer Price Index. The minimum bill for residential water will increase 78 cents — from $19.62 to $20.40.

• The commission approved a setback variance from the town design standards for a proposed single-family home at 15690 E. Oakland Ave. The applicant, Daniel Sedo, wants to build a house with three accessory structures — for a total of 10,891 square feet of gross floor area — on 1.01 acres on the eastern border of the town. He is asking for the setback variance to preserve some of the trees on the land.

However, commissioners denied Sedo’s variance requests relating to building size, number of accessory structures and setback for accessory structures.

• The town proclaimed Oct. 15 Blind Americans Equality Day and October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

IN OTHER NEWS AT THE OCT. 10 TOWN COMMISSION MEETING

• The Oakland Town Commission approved a resolution that will allow for the appropriate traffic control devices at the intersection of Oakland Avenue and Hull Island Drive to make this a three-way stop for the two streets and the West Orange Trail. This will take place on or around Jan. 1. The intersection has become increasingly busier as new development comes to that section of town, said Public Works Director Mike Parker.

• Commissioners passed a resolution to make the intersection of Oakland Avenue and Pollard Street a four-way stop. Oakland Police Chief Darron Esan said this will make it legal for golf carts to cross the street to go between the town’s north and south sides.

“This is the safest area of Oakland Avenue to the west to cross,” Esan said. “This is just step one. Future steps also would identify an area to the east to designate a golf cart safety zone.”

• In Stewart’s town manager report, he said the town is working toward Dark Sky Community certification to eliminate light pollution and to protect the night sky. Once certification is received, the town will retrofit all its lights and streetlights to make sure it is in compliance. Also in his report, Stewart said work on the roundabout on West Oakland Avenue is wrapping up and staff is working on a low-maintenance design for the center, possibly a brick planter with color in the center. The work will be paid for with transportation impact fees.

• The Town Commission got its first look at the town’s new street signs, which incorporate the acorn logo. The town has budgeted $30,000 to update some of the signs as part of the Complete Streets program. All street signs will be replaced in the next three to four years.

• The commission has canceled its second meetings, scheduled for Nov. 28 and Dec. 26, because of the holidays.

• Suzanne Neve, CEO of the Florida Festivals & Events Association, presented the Sunsational Award to the town of Oakland for hosting events that celebrate community and unite neighbors. The town received a statewide third-place nod for its Oakland Heritage Day event at the Oakland Nature Preserve out of more than 600 entries.

• The town proclaimed Oct. 16 through 22 Florida City Government Week.