4970 CITY HALL BLVD  
NORTH PORT, FL 34286  
City of North Port  
Meeting Minutes  
City Commission Workshop  
CITY COMMISSIONERS  
Alice White, Mayor  
Phil Stokes, Vice Mayor  
Pete Emrich, Commissioner  
Barbara Langdon, Commissioner  
Debbie McDowell, Commissioner  
APPOINTED OFFICIALS  
Jerome Fletcher, City Manager  
Amber L. Slayton, City Attorney  
Heather Faust, City Clerk  
Monday, June 24, 2024  
9:00 AM  
City Commission Chambers  
CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor White called the meeting to order at 9:16 a.m. and provided required notifications  
regarding conducting a hybrid meeting.  
Commissioner Emrich stated he will be attending the hybrid meeting via Communications  
Media Technology (CMT) due to experiencing a medical condition.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,  
to accept the use of CMT for a hybrid meeting. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
4 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes and Commissioner  
Langdon  
1 - Commissioner McDowell  
No:  
ROLL CALL  
5 -  
Present:  
Commissioner Pete Emrich, Commissioner Debbie McDowell, Mayor Alice White,  
Vice Mayor Philip Stokes and Commissioner Barbara Langdon  
Also Present:  
Fire Chief Titus, Police Chief Garrison, City Manager Fletcher, City Attorney Slayton,  
Assistant City Clerk Powell, Risk and Benefits Manager Knowles, Grants Division  
Manager Malingowski, Assistant City Manager Bellia, Public Works Director Speake,  
Communications Manager Bartolone, Development Services Director Ray, Business  
Services Coordinator Cigich, and Information Technology Manager Ryan  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Kimberly Williams.  
1. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
There was no public comment.  
2. GENERAL BUSINESS:  
24-0810  
A.  
Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fiscal Year 2025 City  
Manager's Recommended Budget.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Ms. Malingowski provided a presentation regarding fund rules, project status report, and  
staff recommendation.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding federal requirements, other  
projects the grant money can be used for, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), bonds,  
general funds, money allocation, and procurement list.  
Mr. Fletcher provided  
a
presentation regarding commissioners strategic pillars  
&
priorities, millage rates and ad valorem collections, ten year taxable value history, major  
general fund revenues, fund balance, general fund budget proposal not currently funded,  
general fund budget by strategic pillar, Road and Drainage District, Fire Rescue District,  
Solid Waste District, building fund, utilities fund, fleet management fund, staffing  
changes, and new positions.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding Hurricane Ian expenditures,  
Tree Fund, position cuts, additional police officer duties, tree fund expenditures, cleaning  
charges, Hillsborough/Cranberry project funding, and ARPA funds.  
There was no public comment.  
24-0856  
Human Resources Department  
B.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Ms. Knowles provided  
insurance increases.  
a
presentation regarding human resources positions, and  
Ms. Bellia spoke to Employee Health Center and a special meeting in July.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding insurance budget, funding  
options, private sector jobs, and city benefits.  
There was consensus for the City to absorb the 1.3% in the self-funded health care  
costs 100%.  
Mr. Fletcher provided a presentation regarding performance measures, budget summary,  
and budget proposals not recommended.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding salaries.  
There was no public comment.  
24-0857  
Finance Department  
C.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation regarding organizational  
chart, strategic pillar and priorities, and performance measures.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding financial projections, tax  
increases, capital improvement, consultant, borrowing capabilities, revenue expenses,  
computer modeling, software, 2025 budget, ongoing management, debt management,  
Lean Sigma training allocation, and vacancy reduction.  
There was no public comment.  
24-0858  
City Manager/Communications Department  
D.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation regarding strategic pillar and  
priorities, performance measures, performance measures grants, performance measures  
communications, and budget summary.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding rebranding, population  
increase, economic development, smart growth and innovative actions, quarterly  
newsletter, salary, contingency accounts, emergency partnership, and radio partnership.  
Recess was taken from 11:27 a.m. to 11:37 a.m.  
There was no public comment.  
24-0859  
City Clerk Department  
E.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation regarding strategic pillar and  
priorities, and performance measures.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding tools needed.  
There was no public comment.  
24-0860  
City Commission  
F.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation regarding strategic pillar and  
priorities, and budget summary.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding National League of Cities,  
challenge coins, and professional contract services.  
There was consensus to not fund the National League of Cities membership.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding challenge coin budget.  
There was consensus to not fund challenge coins.  
There was no public comment.  
24-0861  
City Attorney Department  
G.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided  
measures, budget summary, and budget proposals.  
a presentation regarding performance  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding lawsuits, budget proposal,  
retirements, and legal services.  
There was no public comment.  
24-0862  
Information Technology Division  
H.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation regarding organizational  
chart, strategic pillar and priorities, performance measures, budget summary, and budget  
proposals.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding firewall replacement, Mitel  
system funding, service desk technician, and new positions.  
There was consensus to fund Budget Proposal 27-49 in the amount of $75,600.  
Recess was taken from 12:22 p.m. to 12:52 p.m.  
24-0863  
Non-Departmental  
I.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided  
a presentation including organizational  
chart, strategic pillar and priorities, and performance measures.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding general fund, City Manager  
contingency fund, past contingency fund expenses, and charter referendum.  
Consensus was requested to reduce the City Manager's contingency fund from $150,000  
to $100,000.  
There was no public comment.  
24-0864  
Parks and Recreation Department  
J.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation regarding strategic pillar and  
priorities, performance measures, and budget proposals.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding public area rugs, Italy  
Avenue CIP project, park impact fees, Warm Mineral Springs building rehab, Atwater and  
Narramore field maintenance/renovation, Morgan Center flooring, existing equipment, gym  
repairs, Aquatic Center monthly expenditures/revenues, surtax allotment, quality of life,  
Aquatic Center closure, other revenue sources, 360 video, outreach, and advertisement.  
There was no public comment.  
24-0865  
Social Services Division  
K.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation regarding strategic pillar and  
priorities, performance measures, budget summary, and budget proposal.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding funding, family self  
sufficiency program, North Port Non-Profit United (NP2) budget, county model, and Palm  
Port support.  
There was no public comment.  
Recess was taken from 2:05 p.m. to 2:10 p.m.  
24-0866  
Police Department  
L.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and provided a presentation regarding organizational  
chart, performance measures, budget summary, and budget proposals.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding Toledo Blade extension,  
response time, federal average response time, road safety, speed sensors, police officer  
pay and the grant revenue offset, last years unfunded equipment, crime scene technician,  
Crime Prevention Practitioner, Budget Proposal #2765, detectives for electronic  
surveillance positions, vehicle up-fitting, public safety, position vacancy, trailer amount,  
SRO charter schools supervisor and funding, asset specialist, police training, forensic  
extraction support, criminal investigations chairs, leasing as opposed to buying portable  
trailers, and leasing building.  
There was no public comment.  
3. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
There was no public comment.  
4. ADJOURNMENT:  
Mayor White adjourned the meeting at 2:57 p.m.  
City of North Port, Florida  
By:  
_________________________________________  
Alice White, Mayor  
Attest: _________________________________________  
Heather Faust, City Clerk