Evelyn Guffey

The council approved budget includes discussions on estimated revenues such as ad valorem taxes, local option taxes, utility services taxes, communications services taxes, local business tax, building permit fees, franchise fees, federal and state grants, state shared revenues, shared revenues from other local entities, general government revenues, culture/recreation revenues, and court-ordered judgments and fines. It also covers appropriations for various departments including legislative, executive, city manager, deputy city clerk, human resources, assistant city manager, finance, accounting, customer service, legal counsel, code enforcement, planning, other general government functions, sheriff, fire, permits/building, streets, multi-purpose facility, library, community center, historical museum, office, equestrian center/outpost, parks, and support services.

The ordinance establishes a Community Redevelopment Trust Fund for the Fort Meade Community Redevelopment Area Redevelopment Plan, outlining the obligation of taxing authorities to appropriate funds annually and the payment of incremental increases in ad valorem taxes into the fund. It details the annual appropriation of tax increment, establishes a special district exemption process, and defines the relevant tax roll. The ordinance also covers the computation of the tax increment based on assessed property value, the implementation and management of the fund, and the requirement for an independent financial audit each year.

The City Commission will conduct a tentative review of wages and benefits. The commission will also review the General Funds Operating Budget (Expenditures) and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for various departments, including Legislative, City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Legal Counsel, Deputy City Clerk, Human Resources, Finance, Code Enforcement, Library, and Customer Service. There will be reports or comments from the City Manager and City Attorney, as well as reports and comments from the City Commission.

The City Commission conducted a public hearing regarding the City of Fort Meade Wastewater Treatment Facility Resiliency Plan and Water Treatment Plan Improvements. The commission discussed a legislative update, city manager recruitment, preliminary fire and stormwater assessments, and formal adoption of proposed drinking water facility plans for wastewater treatment plant and system improvements for resiliency. The commission also discussed a grant administration award, street scape bid award, updating enterprise administrator access to BS&A Software, the Kidz Pack Just Feed Kids Program, a bucket truck purchase, and FCCMA assistance with ICM Replacement. Additionally, the first reading of ordinances related to amending the Future Land Use map and Official Zoning map were discussed, as well as the Fort Meade Fire Station Project site selection and development overview and a utility billing audit.

The Fort Meade Planning and Zoning Board meeting addressed several key items. These included considering a Future Land Use Map Amendment and a Zoning Map Amendment for parcels located north of 9th Street NE, to change the land use from Unassigned to Single Family Residential and the zoning from Unassigned to Planned Unit Development (PUD). The purpose of these amendments is to allow for the development of a ninety-five (95) lot single-family subdivision. The board also reviewed the Land Development Code Text Amendment regarding parking requirements and a Special Exception Approval to allow a Mother-in-Law Suite in R1-B Single Family Residential.