September 2008
Community Paper
copyright ©2008 by Community Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.


From the Desk of City Commissioner Robert Stuart

Dear College Park Neighbor,

While many things are happening here at City Hall, I know the one subject that is on the top of my mind, and probably yours as well, is the City’s 2008-2009 budget and proposed millage rate. At 5:01 p.m. on September 8 and 7:01 p.m. on September 15, in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, we will hold our budget hearings where public input is the main component. Both of these public hearings will be preceded by a “Community Budget Open House” in the City Hall rotunda. The open houses will begin one hour before each public hearing. City finance staff and other key departments will be on-hand to distribute information and answer questions about the upcoming budget. Staff will also be available to provide residents an estimate of their City taxes. Additionally, City staff will be on-site to educate residents about core City services. It isn’t until after the second hearing that we formally adopt a millage rate, so please mark your calendars to attend these meetings and share your opinion before this important vote.

Many people have asked for more information about these topics. In order to assure that everyone has the latest information, the Mayor has created a special budget web page, www.cityoforlando.net/budget. It contains a budget summary, power point presentations and a narrative of the budget camp and following council workshop recap, as well as a tax calculator to see the financial impact on your property. I would encourage you to look over this information carefully as it addresses many of the questions I’ve received.

As we consider the downturn in the economy, one of the sectors most affected is our small business community. Whether you are an established business, a new business or just beginning the process here in the City of Orlando, please utilize our Economic Development Department and our many development partners such as the University of Central Florida’s Small Business Development Center for seminars, counseling and incentive programs. Check out the department’s website at www.cityoforlando.net/economic or call 407-246-2821. For more information on UCF’s center, please visit their website at www.bus.ucf.edu/sbdc or call 407-420-4850.

As I write this update, the City and its residents are preparing for Tropical Storm Fay. As we enter into the most active part of hurricane season, please continue to be diligent in your efforts to stay prepared and stay informed. “With that in mind, please know that you can receive emergency information during an event through the City’s emergency information line, 407-246-4268, the City’s emergency radio station, AM 1650 or the City’s website, www.cityoforlando.net/emergency.”

I also want to take this opportunity to thank all those residents who came out to celebrate National Night Out with the good men and women of the City’s Police and Fire Departments. Also, congratulations to the Palomar, Dubsdread and Maury Road Neighborhood Watch Groups who came together to host the North College Park National Night Out party and placed second overall in the event contest. For those who came out to National Night Out who aren’t already a part of our Neighborhood Watch program, please consider starting a group on your block or joining one that already exists. For more information, please call our Neighborhood Watch Division at 407-246-2369.

Also in September, the City and the IRS will join together to hold workshops at different locations where residents can get help in filling out the correct paperwork in order to obtain their economic stimulus payment and/ or 2007 tax return from the federal government if they have yet to receive them. More than 14,000 Orlando residents have not received these dollars that they are owed and the City wants to make sure that assistance is available if needed. Please check out the City’s website, www.cityoforlando.net, for more information about dates, times and locations, or call 211.

Once again, thank you for your support. Our city is already a Great City because of the involvement of our citizens. I’m proud to represent you and look forward to hearing from you at one or both of the City’s budget hearings!

As always, thanks for your continued support of our College Park community and our Great City!

Robert
Robert F. Stuart, District 3 City Commissioner
400 S. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407-246-2003; e-mail Robert.Stuart@cityoforlando.net
or check out Orlando's website (www.cityoforlando.net)