City Council

City of Groveland Minutes Gity Council Special Meeting Monday, Septembe r 22, 2025 The Groveland City Council held a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, September 22,2025 in the E.L. Puryear Building located at243 S. Lake Avenue, Groveland, FL 34736. Mayor Keith Keogh called the meeting to order at7:01 p.m. with the following members present: Vice Mayor Barbara Gaines, Council Members Amy Jo Carroll, Judith Fike, and Mike Radzik. City officials present were City Manager Michael Hein, Deputy City Clerk Ciara Bender, SergeanlAt-Arms Chief Shawn Ramsey and City Attorney Anita Geraci-Carver. As an alternate option the public was provided with the opportunity to attend the September 22, 2025 City Council Meeting virtually in listen/watch mode only. A public notice with instructions to participate was posted to the City's website under "public notices" at www.qroveland-fl.gov, and in the display board at City Hall. AGENDA 1. Resolution 2025-60: Adoptinq and approvino the recommen ded non-ad valorem fire nt bv the 2025 Benesch studv (Julv 15.20251 to ide for fire protection and rescue services - Second Reading A resolution of the City Council of the City of Groveland Florida relating to fire protection and rescue services and non-ad valorem assessments to provide for such services; approving a methodology for the levy of fire protection and rescue non-ad valorem assessments for all non-exempt, specially benefitted property in the City of Groveland; determining that the methodology and assessment rates for all classes of non-exempt, specially benefitted properties in Groveland recommended by the Benesch study dated July 1 5,2025, constitute legally valid fire protection and rescue assessments; adopting and approving the recommended non-ad valorem assessments by the 2025 Benesch Study; providing for an effective date. City Manager Hein stated the resolution was the final step in the fire assessment adoption process. He reported items two (2) and three (3) were to provide guidance to the hardship program and the treatment of institutional and non-profit facilities. Nilgun Kamp, Benesch representative provided a presentation: City of Groveland Fire Assessmenf attached to these minutes, as Attachment 1. Ms. Kamp reviewed the background of the fire assessment, the technical study, and next steps. Next steps included the submittal of the Final Fire Assessment Roll and an increase in funding for the hardship program in fiscal year 2025-2026. Council Member Radzik asked for clarification that none of the fire assessment funds were going towards capital prolects. Ms. Kamp stated that was correct. Mayor Keogh reported he had several notes from people in the insurance industry stating we should not tell residents that insurance rates would decrease. Ms. Kamp noted the savings would 1  SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES depend on the insurance class; however, having a fire department with a class 5 or better automatically created a savings compared to having a higher class. Motion: Council Member Radzik moved to approve Resolution 202s-60: Adopting and approving the recommended non-ad valorem fire assessment by the 2025 Benesch study (July 1 5,2025) to provide for fire protection and rescue services - Second Reading; seconded by Council Member Fike. Public Gomment: Keith Calloway stated he understood the second reading of the resolution was only a formality; he asked that Council take another look at ending the fire assessment next year. Motion passed with all Council Members present voting aye 2. Hardshio Prooram & Outreach Efforts City Manager Hein stated the item was to discuss the efforts to engage the community that had taken place in the past, as well as the current period for the hardship program and outreach. Deputy Fire Chief Erich Thiemann reported the following outreach efforts had been conducted this year. . Fire Assessment information posted to the city website and social media platforms. o Trinity Lakes Neighborhood Huddle Presentation. . Digital flyer created in English and Spanish about the Economic Hardship Program. Printed applications were available to the Public Safety Building, the Marion Baysinger Memorial County Library, and City Hall. . A phone number to reach April Allman, Budget Analyst and Christie Higdon, Public Safety Executive Administrative Assistant regarding any questions about the fire assessment and the economic hardship program was provided on the flyers. . The Residential and lnstitutional Economic Hardship Program form was available to be completed manually or online. o An insert regarding the Economic Hardship Program application was included with utility bills that went out on August 1,2025 and September 1,2025 Deputy Chief Thiemann stated the fire department would be working collectively with the communications team in outreach efforts. He reported a new dedicated phone number would be available for residents to receive a digital message regarding the fire assessment and other relevant information. The Groveland Senior Center and the Elese Tomlin Empowerment Center would be added as additional locations for residents to drop off forms and receive help if needed. Applications would be available from fire trucks upon request. Another Neighborhood Huddle is scheduled for September 30th. 2  SEPTEMBER22,2025 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Deputy Chief Thiemann stated that a member of the fire department would be available at the City's table during the next Second Friday Block Party at Lake David to engage residents with information about the Economic Hardship Program. Notices would also be posted on the marquee sign outside of the E. L. Puryear Building and mass texts would be sent out to residents. Deputy Chief Thiemann reported in 2024 eleven (11) institutions and thirty-eight (38) residents received economic hardship assistance. The total costs were approximately nineteen thousand dollars ($19,000). So far in 2025, two (2) institutions and thirty-four (34) residents submitted applications for a total of eleven thousand, three hundred and eighty-nine dollars ($11,389). As of last week, an additional nineteen (19) applications were received with four (4) being rejected as the criteria was not met. Council Member Fike asked why the four (4) applications were rejected. Chief Thiemann reported applicants may not have met the income threshold or did not complete the application. Council Member Fike inquired as to the requirement to turn in income tax returns for residents who were not required to file. Michelle Davis, Deputy Director/Finance Department stated she reviewed all applications; the applicant's total income was required, as well as tax returns only if they were filed. Ms. Davis noted most residents who were not required to file income tax would attach their social security benefit letter instead. Council Member Carroll suggested reaching out to and making applications available at the local Women, lnfants, and Children (WlC) office. Vice Mayor Gaines asked where the September 30th Neighborhood Huddle would be held and if someone would be available to assist the residents. Chief Thiemann reported the event would be held in the EOC Room in the Public Safety Building. Chief Carroll stated he would be in attendance to assist residents as needed. Mayor Keogh reported seventy percent (70o/o) of elementary school students were Title 1. He noted it may be helpful to provide information for students to take home. Mayor Keogh noted a great way to get the word out was through churches. Public Comment: Mike Randolph stated he was Head of Schools at Hope Preparatory Academy. He asked Council to reconsider the fire assessment fee for non-profits and 501(c)(3) organizations. Mr. Randolph noted he understood the need but felt the assessment would cause financial hardship among the various non-profits that the church supported. Sharnae Daniels stated she represented Hope lnternational Church as an Executive Director and the Assistant Principal of Hope Preparatory Academy. She expressed her concerns regarding the fire assessment fees, noting the church's community outreach programs would be directly affected. 3  SEPTEMBER22,2025 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Khrystyna Tremaine reported she was an Executive Director at Hope lnternational Church. She reported the church receiving a ten thousand dollar ($10,000) fire assessment fee. Ms. Tremaine stated she understood the importance of the fire assessment, as she was also a first responder having just returned from United States Air Force duty. She felt the assessment stood to be a significant financial burden on the church. Ms. Tremaine asked Council to reconsider the recommendation to allow churches to be automatically granted into the hardship program. City Manager Hein reported staff would continue outreach efforts and provide monthly updates to Council as to how many applications were received. He stated when the program initially rolled out in 2022 it followed the HUD qualifications of thirty percent (30%) of income levels. lt was found that not a lot of people qualified at that level, and Council voted to increase to sixty percent (00%). 3. Discussion & Direction: T nt of lnstitutional Facilities Chief Carroll noted it is important to draw a definitive line between the Economic Hardship Program and any possible institutional discounts as they were two (2) separate items. Chief Carroll reported there were a total of twenty-seven (27) properties classified as institutional. To dismiss the full amount for all of them would be fiftytwo thousand, one hundred and eighty-six dollars ($52,186). Currently, a seventy-five percent (75%) discount is allowed for all institutional properties. Lake County provided a discount of sixty-four percent $a%) to institutions. Each institution paid the remaining thirty-six percent (36%). Mayor Keogh asked for confirmation the City would be responsible for the remaining balance of what was not paid by the institutions. City Manager Hein stated that was correct, as any reduction from the fire assessment would be recovered from the General fund. Dr. Brandon Dixon, Chair of the City of Groveland Fire Assessment Committee stated the committee recommended Council re-examine the discount policy applied to properties categorized as institutional to better understand how spaces such as gymnasiums, classrooms, and sanctuaries were assessed. Chief Carroll brought forurard three (3) options for Council to discuss and decide on: o No discounts at all . Religious facilities could have sanctuary square footage discounted or exempted . Religious facilities and charitable non-profits could receive a full discount for the entire property. All non-religious and non-charitable organizations would pay the full assessment for their institution. Chief Carroll noted there was an application specifically for institutional hardship. There was one (1) applicant in the previous year. A checklist was required forthe institution to provide quantitative 4  SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES and qualitative documentation that proved how the services they provided to the community would be adversely impacted by the fire assessment fee. Council Member Carroll stated she leaned more towards offering no overall discounts with the caveat that institutions would bring forth their request on a case-by-case basis to Council. Vice Mayor Gaines stated in the name of fairness and shared commitment, she felt there was a discrepancy with smaller churches. Council Member Carroll noted the impact would be relative to the size of the church Vice Mayor Gaines reported she would like to see fairness and balance amongst the churches, regardless of size. Council Member Fike stated she was of the same mindset as Council Member Carroll Council Member Radzik asked how much was anticipated from institutions without discounts. City Manager Hein reported fiftytwo thousand, one hundred and eighty-six dollars ($52,186) was anticipated at one hundred percent (100%). At seventy-five percent (75%) the General Fund would need to contribute thirty-nine thousand, one hundred thirty-nine dollars and fifty cents ($99,t39.50). At sixty-four percent (64%) the General Fund would need to contribute thirtythree thousand, three hundred and ninety-nine dollars ($33,399). Council Member Radzik stated institutions should be discounted at one hundred percent (100%) or the hardship funds should be increased to allow for more applications. Mayor Keogh felt the process needed to be equitable and not complex. He added there needed to be a clear definition of which 501(c)(3) organizations would be included. Mayor Keogh stated he was moving towards the 75125 split across the board. City Manager Hein reported once a consensus was developed and accepted, staff would come back with a policy for Council to approve. He stated the Fir:e Department would screen applications for completeness and then present to Council for the ultimate decision. Public Gomment: Khrystyna Tremaine apologized for speaking under the wrong item. She stated she agreed with Vice Mayor Gaines and Council Member Carroll that fairness was important. Ms. Tremaine reported the Fire Assessment Fee would directly affect Hope lnternational Church's ability to serve. She also noted a large church did not always equate to more money, as every dollar went back into funding the mission and working with Groveland to better support the residents. 5  SEPTEMBER22,2025 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Ms. Tremaine reported Hope lnternational Church would be celebrating their anniversary on October 26th. Vice Mayor Gaines pointed out the City often partnered with Hope lnternational Church and provided assistance. She felt smaller churches in the area should have the same opportunities. City Manager Hein stated while the City did have strong partnerships with Hope lnternational Church, the City did not provide direct funding for events such as the Back to School Backpack Giveaway. Mayor Keogh asked for a consensus on allowing a seventy-five percent (75%) discount for 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) organizations with the option to apply for a hardship as needed. All Council Members present concurred. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Keogh adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m (? -dF Groveland FLORIOA ciry hilrr Nahrrol (:iarn Keith r Attest: Ciara Bender, ep uty City Clerk 6 ATTACHMENT 1  (? -.F Groveland FLORIDA Ciry *.it l,\'cturul Chcrm City of Groveland Fire Assessment September 22,2025  Presentation Overview ar/ t/ Backgrou ndl Technical Next Steps Purpose Study Z benesch  Fire Services Assessment ' Non-ad valorem special assessment to fund capital and operating costs associated with providing fire protection and first responder se rvtces ' Wide-spread use in Florida under home rule authority ' Have been upheld by lower courts as well as Florida Supreme Court ' Florida courts have held that multiple calculation approaches may be fair and reasonable and valid ? benesch 3  Backgro und/Purpose ' Groveland Fire Department (GFD) provides fire protection and EMS to a population of =25,000 within 27 square miles . ISO Rati ng: 2/2X /lnsurance premium reductions o Fire assessment program was first implemented in2O22 ' Update the existing program to explore methodology options and reflect cu rrent data Z benesch  Backgro und/Purpose . City appointed a Fire Assessment Committee to review methodology options and make recommendations {Committee composed of Groveland residents . Committee Recommendations: /Use of availability and resource allocation combination /lnclusion of additional tiers for residential and non-residential uses Z benesch  Presentation Overview t/ J Backgrou nd/ Technical Next Steps p i{i Purpose Study Z benesch  Fire Assessment Calculations o Methodology /Calculation methodology established special benefit to property and reasonable allocation of costs /Determin ing Assessa ble Budget o Fire protection & first response o Excluded costs related to Advanced Life Support (ALS) /Demand Component o Resource-based (benefit from utilization of the service) o Availability-based (benefit to property) (4 benesch  Fire Assessment Calculations 1) Assessa ble Budget 2l Demand by Land Use 3) Budget Allocation by Land Use 4) Units by Land Use 5) Calculated Assessment Rates Z benesch  Fire Assessment Calcu lations FCalculated Assessment Rates - Residential llOy" of the budget is distributed equally among units o Reflects availability of the Fire Department 24/7 {ZaN of the budget is distributed based on incident data o Reflects active time used by properties o Expanded from 5 square footag e tiers to L1 tiers ? benesch  Fire Assessment Calculations FCa lcu lated Assessment Current Calculated Rate per Rate Unit Rates Residential Less tha'n 500 sf Du s22s.42 s2se.s0 - Residentia I 500 - 999 sf Du Szzs.4.z $zta.eq 1,000 - 1,,499 sf Du Sz+s.sg Sgor.es 1_,500- 1,ggg sf Du 5269.29 Sgzs.oe 2,000 - 2,499 sf Du $zsg.rs $sqe.zq 2,500 - 2,ggg sf Du 5319.78 Sgzg.+s 3,000 - 3,499 sf Du $grg.ze Sggs.ee 3,500 - 3,ggg sf Du Ssrg.zg S4z4.8s 4,000 - 4,499 sf Du Ssrg.zs Sqqa.ot 4,500 - 4,ggg sf Du Sgrg.zs 5+zs.go 5,000 sf or more Du Sgrg.zs $sgz.zs fl benesch  Fire Assessment Calculations 95% of units with < Sso increase ) Rate Comparison Calculated Rate per s Units Unit Distr, Difference Unit - Residential Residential Less than 500 sf Du $zzs.qz Szsg.so +$34.08 54 o.6% 500 - 999 sf Du s22s.42 5276.64 +Ssr.zz 247 2.8% 1_,000- r,499 sf Du Szaa.sg $sor.ss +$53.26 848 9.6% 1,500 - 1,999 sf Du 5269.2e Sgze.os +$56.77 4,4t5 50.0% 2,000 -2,499 sf Du Szsg.rs SEqs.zq +$59.09 r,8L2 20.s% 2,500 -2,999 sf Du SErg.zs SEzg.+s +$53.67 984 LL.L% 3,000 - 3,499 sf Du $:rg.zs Ssge.se +5zg.sa 333 3.8o/o 3,500 - 3,999 sf Du s3le.78 5424.sg +Sros.ro 1_05 L.2% 4,000 - 4,499 sf Du $:rg.zs Sqqe.ot +$128.29 33 o.4% 4,500 - 4,999 sf Du Sgrg.zs S+zs.so +Srss.sz 5 o.L% 5,000 sf or more Du s319.73 Ssgz.zg +S213.00 2 o.0% fl benesch  Fire Assessment Calculations FCalculated Assessment Rates - Non-Residential /lO% of budget distributed equally/ 30% of budget distributed based on resources /Expanded from 10 sq ft tiers to 34 tiers; cap increased from 50k to 750k so ft /Calculated rate ranges: . Commercial: from Sf6S to 5123,750 per parcel . lndustrial/Warehouse: from SgZ to SOS,ZSO per parcel . lndustrial: from 5269 to 5201,750 per parcel Z benesch  Fire Assessment Calculations Current Calculated FCalcu lated Assessment Commercial 1, - 1,999 parcel 52s4 s165 Rates - Non-Residentia I 8,000 - 9,ggg 30,000 - 34,999 parcel parcel 5L,472 s8,831 - 51,320 54 9so /Example Tiers 90,000 - gg,ggg parcel S:a.,tts S14,850 750,000 or more parcel 514,7L8 s!23,750 / Com mercia l: Decrease lndustrial/Warehouse 1- 1,999 parcel s200 587 g,ggg for 108 out of 11-0 parcels 8,000 - 30,000 - 34,999 parcel parcel Sr,ooz Ssge s6,012 s2,6LO / lnd ustria UWa rehouse: 90,000 - 9g,ggg 750,000 or more parcel parcel S1o,o2o S1o,o2o s7,830 s65,250 Decrease for 48 out of 58 lnstitutional* 1 - 1,999 parcel S1OS s26e pa rce ls 8,000-9,999 parcel SSZS Sz,l5z 30,000 - 34,999 parcel 53,L7L 58,07o 90,000 - 99,999 parcel $5,285 s24,zLA 750,000 or more parcel 55,285 s201,750 * Current institutional rates retlectTS% discount fl benesch  Fire Assessment Calculations )Calculated Assessment Rates - Vacant Land Calculated Budget Total Current Land Use Rate Per Allocation Parcels Rate Parcel Vacant Land SZOg,ggO i.,604 Srso.zs s34.34 Z benesch  Presentation Overview ,/ ,/ Backgrou ndl Technical Next Steps Purpose Study Z benesch  Next Steps . September 22: Adoption Hearing . Submittal of Final Fire Assessment Roll . FY 2025/2026: lncreased funding for the hardship program Z benesch  -c U v, o c o .o t\ (\o ln F I o OI *, vt o I J d