Oakland continues talks with Orange County Fire

The Oakland Town Commission was stunned after proposing a balanced budget with a 6.3 millage rate and then learning Orange County Fire Rescue was increasing the fire taxes it charges the municipalities it services. This forced Oakland to consider raising its millage rate to 6.9 to cover the extra cost.

After OCFR announced it was increasing the millage to its Municipal Service Taxing Unit rate by .6, town staff has been reexamining the proposed balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25, looking for expenditures that can be reduced or any additional revenues the town might be able to generate for the upcoming fiscal year.

“The end goal of revisiting the budget is to find creative ways to reduce the tentative millage rate without effecting service delivery to town residents,” Town Manager Andy Stewart wrote in a report to the commission.

“Town staff has started to look at expenses,” he said during the Tuesday, Aug. 12, commission meeting. “We’re doing all we can do. We’re looking at health insurances to get some quotes to see if we can save some funds there. … We’re also looking to get a meeting with Florida Investment. … We’re looking at every little penny we have without cutting services to our residents.”

Public hearings will be held in September, and town staff will bring back a balanced budget with the lowest millage rate possible.

The town continues to be in discussions with Orange County as it relates to the proposed fire tax increase.

LIVE LOCAL ACT

The Oakland commission passed a resolution pertaining to the Florida Legislature’s Live Local Act, which intends to increase workforce and affordable housing through the state.

The Live Local Act requires all Florida governments to approve a multi-family or mixed-use residential project in any commercial, industrial or mixed-use zoning district. The proposed project must provide that at least 40% of the rental multi-family units are rented at a rate that is considered affordable, as defined by the state for persons with an income less than 120% of the area median income for a minimum period of 30 years.

Also, all governments must approve the project to develop at the highest density allowed anywhere within the jurisdiction, or 150% of the highest floor area ratio allowed anywhere within the jurisdiction, and must consider reducing parking requirements if the project is within one quarter of one mile of a transit stop.

In Oakland, any properties that have a commercial, industrial or mixed-use zoning are potentially developable under the Live Local Act — but the town’s percentage of its total land area that can be used for commercial or industrial uses is only 16.9%, which requires any Live Local Act to be a mixed-use residential development and not a stand-alone multi-family project.

Municipalities cannot opt out of this act or place a moratorium on such projects.

“Unfortunately, our hands are tied,” Taylor said.

“Our small size saves us because we don’t have that much land,” Commissioner Joseph McMullen said.

IN OTHER NEWS

• Under the consent agenda, the Oakland Town Commission authorized Mayor Shane Taylor to sign an extension of an agreement with the state of Florida for payback of the $320,900 State Revolving Fund loan. The design of the Alternative Water Project was delayed, and the completion date was moved from February with repayment of the loan to begin in August. The date of the first payment now is Nov. 15.

• Town Manager Andy Stewart congratulated Oakland Avenue Charter School for earning an A grade from Orange County Public Schools for a second consecutive year. OACS students scored 91% in proficiency, placing them fourth in Orange County.

• Taylor recognized eight town employees who have been with Oakland for more than 10 years. Public Works Director Mike Parker has worked for the town for 12 years. At the charter school, Amanda Kohmetscher, technology specialist, guidance counselor Karen Kieffer and teachers Muffet Young, Joann Brouty and Melissa Keating all have served for 18 years; teacher Andrea Wanuck, 12 years; and teacher Michele Murphy, 11 years.

• The town is advertising for a new auditing service following the departure of the current auditing firm, Brynjulfson CPA. A selection committee will review all submitted proposals.