4970 CITY HALL BLVD

NORTH PORT, FL 34286

City of North Port

Meeting Minutes

City Commission Workshop

CITY COMMISSIONERS

Pete Emrich, Mayor

Barbara Langdon, Vice Mayor

Phil Stokes, Commissioner

David Duval, Commissioner

Demetrius Petrow, Commissioner

APPOINTED OFFICIALS

Jerome Fletcher, City Manager

Michael Fuino, City Attorney

Heather Faust, City Clerk

Friday, March 13, 2026

10:00 AM

City Commission Chambers

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Emrich called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

ROLL CALL

5 -

Present:

Mayor Pete Emrich, Vice Mayor Barbara Langdon, Commissioner David Duval,

Commissioner Demetrius Petrow and Commissioner Philip Stokes

ALSO PRESENT:

City Manager Fletcher, City Attorney Fuino, Deputy City Clerk Powell, Deputy City

Manager Yarborough, Assistant City Manager Bellia, Police Chief Garrison, Deputy

Police Chief Morales, Fire Chief Titus, Finance Director Kukharenko, Deputy Emergency

Manager Nevarez, Emergency Manager Aloisio, Development Services Director Ray,

Parks and Recreation Director Pfundheller, Assistant Finance Director Martinec, Grants

Division Manager Malingowski, Human Resources Director McDade, Public Works

Director Speake, and Budget Manager Gaub.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by City Manager Jerome Fletcher.

1. PUBLIC COMMENT:

Mr. Powell read the following eComment into the record:

Robin SanVicente: Spoke to presentation accessibility and sensitive land acquisition

funding.

In Person:

Tim Doyle: Spoke to word interpretation and boater community role.

2. GENERAL BUSINESS:

26-0376

Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding Fiscal Year 2026-2027

Budget Assumptions, Financial Projections, and Strategic Priorities.

Mayor Emrich announced the item.

Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided

a presentation including certification,

community input, Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) report on local

government spending, applying DOGE to North Port, personnel cost containment, and

Parks and Recreation cost recovery.

Commission questions and discussion took place regarding population growth, budget

amendment history, vacant houses, DOGE methodology, Parks and Recreation cost

recovery, staff accreditation, fleet optimization, capital improvement projects (CIP),

environmental protection fund, merit awards, trailer maintenance, infrastructure needs,

growth management, and limiting overtime.

Public comment:

In Person:

Tim Doyle: Spoke to DOGE efficacy, City priorities, and prioritizing departments.

Pam Tokarz: Spoke to equipment usage, budget options, incentives, and accreditation.

Mr. Fletcher continued the presentation including fund balance changes 3-year review,

fund balance analysis fiscal year (FY) 26, general fund ad valorem assumptions, local

municipalities and counties, peer municipalities, taxable value, active grants, overall

budget assumptions, compensation impacts, and general fund estimated changes 2026

to 2027.

Commission questions and discussion continued regarding CIP clarification, road bonds,

budget reduction amount, taxable value, grant revenue growth, Road and Drainage district

revenue versus expenditures, building fund revenue, collection rate, local comparisons,

open versus active grant project, deferred maintenance, health insurance costs, building

cost recovery, lien expiration timeline, and health clinic implementation.

Public comment:

In Person:

Tim Doyle: Spoke to building funding, insurance costs, revenue generation, lien

enforcement, and union versus non-union pay structure.

Recess was taken from 11:54 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Mr. Fletcher continued the presentation including defining priorities, 2026 adopted budget

by pillar, reductions to electric public service tax, revenue neutral approach, timeline,

payment in lieu of franchise fee, property tax reform and usage, millage rate history,

taxable values, timeline of key elements, general fund impact, service impacts, funding

options, and Winchester Ranch annexation.

Commission

questions

and

discussion

continued

regarding

Winchester

Ranch

annexation, County resources and funding, pillar and project prioritization, residential

revenue versus services provided, Florida Power and Light (FPL) rate increases, transfer

station, water revenue, retained taxes, River Road widening project, and property sales

impact.

Public comment:

In Person:

Tim Doyle: Spoke to monopoly of services and Winchester Ranch annexation.

Mr. Fletcher continued the presentation including 10-year capital needs assessment,

capital planning matters, utilities water and wastewater master plan, capital plan projects,

project evaluation and ranking process, capital needs summary, potential projects for

borrowing, projects recommended for CIP removal and closure, and recreation district.

3. PUBLIC COMMENT:

In Person:

Tim Doyle: Spoke to utility funding, Cranberry Boulevard and Toledo Blade intersection,

and property taxes.

4. ADJOURNMENT:

Mayor Emrich adjourned the meeting at 1:41 p.m.

City of North Port, Florida

By:

_________________________________________

Pete Emrich, Mayor

Attest: ________________________________________

Heather Faust, City Clerk