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News You Can Use...The Apopka Update

Dear Friends,

August means the end of summer vacation for many of our families and preparations for another school year in Apopka. And what an exciting year it will be for the staff, students and families at Apopka Middle School! I'm looking forward to touring the new school next week, and hope you will mark your calendars to join me. (Details included at right)

 

August also means the City is beginning work on our FY 2011-2012 budget. The proposed millage rate was approved at the August 3rd council meeting at 3.5164. This is 6.18% below the rolled back rate and slightly lower than our current millage of 3.5166. Property tax revenues declined again this year by 4.76%, but the good news is the decline is less than last year which was 13.69%. Since 2009, property tax revenues have declined 27.33% in the city of Apopka.

 

The budget hearing is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 5:15 pm in the City Council Chambers. As always, the public is welcomed and encouraged to attend. Please take advantage of these public meetings to share your comments and suggestions.

 

Until next month, let's stay in touch!

 

Commissioner Kathy Till

407-484-3597
Council Update

July 20th Meeting - The Council approved the second reading and adopted Ordinance #2220 (Small Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment) & Ordinance #2221 (Changing the Zoning) of property located at 1017 and 1027 Rock Springs Road. The property owner has requested it be re-zoned to Commercial (C-1).  

 

August 3rd Meeting - In addition to approving the proposed millage rate, the Council authorized the execution of the Stipulated Settlement Agreeement in response to the Florida Department of Community Affairs objections of certain areas of our comprehensive plan.  After several months of collaborative discussion and debate between our staff and FDCA, remedial actions were identifed that will result in a determination of "In Compliance".

 

The Council accepted the first reading of Ordinance #2224, amending certain cemetery fees. After in-depth research by our staff, it was determined that fees charged by the city of Apopka were considerably lower than surrounding cities. These changes will bring our fees more in line (slightly lower) with other communities.

 

ECONOMIC UPDATE...WHAT'S HAPPENING IN APOPKA 

This month I'd like to highlight some of the restaruants I've visited during my Dine Around Apopka tour. These businesses are surviving through very difficult economic conditions, and  some are even hiring new employees! They give back to our community in many ways and as I'm discovering, serve a wide variety of very good food right here in our city.

  • Chuck's Wagon - 60 E. Main Street
  • Subway - 101 W. Main Street
  • Garden on Park - 515 N. Park Ave., Suite 105
  • Garibaldi Mexican Restarunt - 2279 E. Semoran Blvd.
  • Bayridge Sushi - 2189 E. Semoran Blvd.
  • Bubbalou's Bodacious BBQ - 1701 N. Rock Springs Road
  • McDonald's - 233 E. Main Street
  • Anthony's Pizza - 1539 N. Rock Springs Road

These businesses provide tax revenue for our city and jobs for our residents. It is my sincere hope you will join me in discovering the diverse menu options we have in our city by patronizing these businesses and saying "thank you" for being a part of Apopka.

YOUR SAFETY MATTERS!

With the threat of Tropical Storm Emily and other possible storm/hurricane activity, below is some important safety information from Progress Energy if you experience a power outage.   

 

 Progress Energy's 24-Hour Reporting Number:

800-228-8485

 

Online Outage Reporting Link:

www.progress-energy.com/storm

 

Online Outage Map:

www.progress-energy.com/outagemap

 

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN APOPKA.
City Council Meeting
8/17/11- 8:00 pm
9/7/11- 1:30 pm
 
Grand Opening Celebration of Apopka Middle School
8/10/11 - 9:00 am
425 N. Park Avenue
APOPKA'S TEACHERS NEED YOUR HELP!
Each year our local teachers spend lots of their hard earned money buying supplies for their classrooms. To help defray this expense, the Apopka Chamber Leadership Class III is collecting supplies and monetary donations to help our teachers have the supplies they need.
  
Items such as copy paper, dry erase markers, flip files, note patd, notebook paper, pencils, pens, post-it-notes and much more. 

 

YOU CAN HELP BY PURCHASING SUPPLIES OR MAKING A MONETARY DONATION. 

 

For drop off locations, list of supplies or to learn more about how you can help contact: 
Linda Laurendeau at:
407-889-9792