Great News For Students, Inquisitive Minds and Book Borrowers!
The Lake County Library System and Lake Sumter State College had recently gone before Clermont City Council requesting $77,000 to extend Cooper Memorial Library’s hours of operation. The county and LSSC explained that each was on a maintenance budget and could not afford the additional money.
Finalization and approval of the 2019 budget will be voted on September 20 at 6:30 pm.
During Clermont’s first of two 2019 budget approval meetings, held on Thursday, September 6, Clermont City Council voted unanimously to fund approximately $77,000 so the library can provide extended operating hours to its users. Once in effect, the library will remain open Monday – Thursday (8 am until 8 pm) and Friday and Saturdays (8 am until 5 pm).
Presently library hours are Monday – Thursday (9 am – 7 pm) and Friday and Saturday (9 am – 1 pm.)
Other News Taken From the Budget Meetings
Councilman Ray Goodgame boasted that Clermont is the best-managed city around and he is proud of what has been accomplished. “The city is growing, housing values are increasing and the master plan projects are ongoing. He went on to “unofficially” confirm that
The millage rate will remain the same for the 4th consecutive year, 4.2061, which is the lowest millage rate of cities offering comparable full services. The Council decided to keep the city’s millage rate the same as last year and not adopt the rolled-back rate which would produce the same amount of Property Tax Revenue as 2018.
Citywide budget totals $148.7 million, which is $7.4 million less than 2018 budget. Reserves go to $55.8 million.
The General Fund Budget totals $41 million, which is $2.3 million more than the present year, primarily due to additional Police and Firefighters.
The property taxable values increased by 11.57% or $1.1 million more than 2018.
“The Olympus Project will get underway in 2019 and I can tell you that there are amazing things to come”, said Goodgame. The councilman is referring to a 250-acre master plan estimated to create 6,000 jobs and $1.4 billion in economic impact.
