Local News Auburndale to look at budget, police grants
By KRISA SLOCUM News Chief
AUBURNDALE -- Money is on the agenda for the Auburndale City Commission, scheduled to meet at 7:30 p.m. today at City Hall.
The public hearing adopting the 1998-99 fiscal year budget will kick off the meeting.
Following previous workshops, the commission has set the tentative millage rate at 4.516 mills, the same as last year. The rate means for every $1,000 assessed in property value, $4.516 will be paid in ad valorem taxes.
While millage rates are not increasing, the proposed $12 million budget will operate on an increase in property values.
Following the public hearing and the decision on two ordinances accepting the millage and budget, a hearing on law enforcement block grants will be held.
The Auburndale Police Department hopes to benefit from $18,000 in grants to help make technological improvements and upgrades to its phone system and console equipment.
According to Assistant City Manager Jeff Brown, the grant would fund recording of non-911 phone calls to the department and upgrade of the existing equipment.
Auburndale Police Chief Dean Longo said the recording will help the department.
"The new system will record all non-emergency calls. Previously, all 911 calls were recorded. Recording the non-emergency calls allows us the benefit of going back to verify statements and do quality control in the customer service area," Longo said.
The last matter of money on Auburndale's agenda is the negotiating of contracts with Architects Design Group Inc. of Winter Park. If negotiations are successful, ADG will design the new fire station on Ariana Boulevard and redesign the current fire and police station into the new police facility on Tampa Road, across from City Hall.
Also scheduled for action by the commission is a vote on vacating a portion of Bishop Street; a request by Chamber-Mainstreet to close Park Street for the annual Bloodhound Bash; annexation of property on Dairy Road; and the preliminary plat approval for Winona Park subdivision.
The Auburndale City Commission meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.