Dana O'Connor
Key Points
- Apopka commissioners will consider a $237.3 million FY2027 budget and a proposed $93.60 stormwater assessment for an average home at a 5:15 p.m. hearing Sept. 16. A separate regular meeting at 6 p.m. will take up a citywide stormwater master plan.
- The commission will consider setting the property-tax rate at 4.6761 mills, 10% above the rolled-back rate. The rate is projected to generate about $41.2 million in property-tax revenue.
- A $400,000 grant-funded stormwater plan will assess drainage, flood risks, and recommend water management improvements in Apopka.
The Apopka City Commission will consider a $237.3 million budget, a higher stormwater assessment and a grant-funded stormwater master plan during two meetings Wednesday, Sept. 16.
The commission will hold its final budget and millage hearing at 5:15 p.m., followed by its regular meeting at 6 p.m. Both meetings will take place in the City Hall Commission Chambers, 120 E. Main St.
The proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget totals $237,254,333 across all city funds, an increase of approximately $1.54 million, or 0.7%, from the current year’s adopted budget.
Commissioners will consider setting the property tax rate at 4.6761 mills, the same rate they tentatively approved Sept. 3. The proposed rate is 10% above the rolled-back rate of 4.2510 mills and is expected to generate approximately $41.2 million in property tax revenue.
The rolled-back rate is the rate that would generate approximately the same property tax revenue as the previous year, excluding revenue from new construction and certain other changes to the tax roll.
The proposed rate also exceeds the current 4.4376-mill rate. One mill equals $1 in tax for every $1,000 of taxable property value.
During the budget hearing, commissioners will also consider proposed annual stormwater assessments. For an average single-family home with 3,600 square feet of impervious surface, the proposed assessment is $93.60. The assessments are projected to generate approximately $3.19 million for flood control and water quality projects.
At the regular meeting, commissioners will consider accepting a $400,000 agreement to develop a citywide stormwater master plan. The project would receive $300,000 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, with a $100,000 nonfederal share.
The plan would inventory existing drainage systems, identify known problem areas and locations with high flood risk, conduct flood modeling and recommend improvements for managing water quantity and quality.
Commissioners will also consider requesting Orange County’s approval to extend the sunset date of the Apopka Community Redevelopment Agency. A proposed resolution says redevelopment work remains necessary to address blighted conditions, complete capital projects, improve housing and encourage private investment. The agenda materials do not identify the CRA’s existing sunset date or the requested new date.
Other business includes reviewing the commission’s discretionary funds policy and considering a concession contract with Mr. Grill for the Northwest Recreation Complex and other approved city locations. The proposed concession agreement would have an initial one-year term with four possible one-year renewals. Mr. Grill would pay the city $6,550 per month plus 10% of net concession revenue.
Bike/Walk Central Florida Executive Director Emily Bush and city Senior Planner Jean Sanchez are scheduled to present information about active transportation, trails and pedestrian safety initiatives.
The commission will also conduct final votes on future land-use changes for the Kelly Park Road Commercial and Twin Fountains Commercial properties and the annexation of part of Fudge Road associated with Floridian Town Center. Commissioners advanced all three measures on first reading Sept. 2.