4970 CITY HALL BLVD  
NORTH PORT, FL 34286  
City of North Port  
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  
Wednesday, July 23, 2025  
10:00 AM  
City Commission Chambers  
CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Stokes called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.  
ROLL CALL  
5 -  
Present:  
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, Administrative  
Service Specialist Lane, Police Chief Garrison, Fire Chief Titus, Grants Division Manager  
Malingowski, Development Services Director Ray, Deputy City Manager Yarborough, and  
Public Works Deputy Director Wisner.  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Grants Division Manager Valerie Malingowski.  
1. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
There was no public comment.  
2. GENERAL BUSINESS:  
25-2482  
A.  
Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 City  
Manager's Proposed Budget.  
Mayor Stokes announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation including Commissioners  
strategic pillars, annual budget process, June workshop actions, proposed budget key  
factors, changes from June workshop, general fund, Human Resources Department,  
budget summary, fund balance, Police Department, City Clerk’s Office, City Commission,  
City Attorney’s Office, Information Technology Department, Non-Departmental, Parks and  
Recreation Department, Social Services Division, Finance Department, City Manager’s  
Office, Development Services Department, Fire Rescue Department, Utilities Department,  
Public Works Department, Road and Drainage Department, Fleet, Capital Improvement  
Projects (CIP), and 5-year CIP overview.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding budget memo changes,  
additional funding to the Police department, surtax, revenue concern, annual cost to rent  
trailers, personnel cost increase, homestead tax, personnel hiring freeze, move -in rates,  
proposed new positions, Code Enforcement violations, revenue growth, cutting level of  
services, Police personnel, commercial footprint, City growth, Florida Retirement Services  
(FRS) increase adjustments, Police budget adjustments, fund balance balancing general  
fund, Commission contingency reduction, travel expenses, reduction for the US41 access  
road, Tree fund revenues, payroll personnel, operating expenses, Warm Mineral Springs,  
and Communication Division to Department.  
There was consensus to support the City Manager creating an agenda item for  
discussion regarding the transition of the Communications Division to  
Department.  
a
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding 5-year CIP overview including  
police headquarters, funding, round table possible citizen discussion, and Utilities capital  
increase.  
Recess was taken from 12:18 p.m. to 1:01 p.m.  
There was no public comment.  
25-2530  
B.  
Discussion and Possible Direction for the 10 Year Capital Improvement  
Plan.  
Mayor Stokes announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation including 10-year Capital  
improvement Plan (CIP) at a glance, priority ranking guidelines, summary of funding  
status by priority, funding status and funding sources, and potential funding options.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding Solid Waste Transfer Station  
project, funding options, capital funds for projects accounted for, delayed project funding  
increase, utilizing the funding methodology, implementing mobility fees, repurposing the  
Mullen Center, unfunded training program, Emergency Operation Center (EOC) project,  
Wellen Park building funding, and training complex for Police and Fire.  
Consensus was requested to explore and draft an official proposal for sharing the Building  
Training Program with the neighboring communities.  
Recess was taken from 2:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding Mullen Center.  
Consensus was requested to direct the City Manager to work with staff to identify the  
most suitable purpose for the George Mullen Activity Center or other City-owned  
properties, determining potential user groups, and developing a preliminary budget for  
repurposing the Mullen Center or other properties.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding Mullen Center.  
There was consensus to bring back, before the end of the calendar year,  
a
proposed path forward, including key milestones and timelines for establishing a  
special district in East North Port to fund infrastructure improvements supporting  
commercial and industrial development.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding Price Blvd. Phase 2 and 3  
funding, and Legacy trail.  
There was no public comment.  
3. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
There was no public comment.  
4. ADJOURNMENT:  
Mayor Stokes adjourned the meeting at 3:39 p.m.  
By: ___________________________________________  
Phil Stokes, Mayor  
Attest: _________________________________________  
Heather Faust, City Clerk