Current Agendas and meeting minutes

For updated commission meeting agendas or meeting minutes please go to: http://www.lakemaryfl.com/minutes.cfm?eventid=City%20Commission

Farmer's Market new hours

The Lake Mary farmer's market hours have changed from 7AM-1PM to 8AM-1PM.

Also, please remember pets are not allowed for sanitary reasons. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation!

Animal Control Ordinance

The proposed animal control ordinance that would limit residents to a maximum of 5 domesticated pets was dropped. I am very pleased as I felt it was a bad move and would turn the 99% of residents who are responsible pet owners in to criminals in order to deal with the 1% that are not. Instead the City will adopt the Seminole County animal control ordinances which we must do in order to have the power to enforce them. Our attorney has been asked to review the Seminole County ordinances to see if there is room for strengthening the code as well.
I would like to encourage residents to please be responsible pet owners! Your neighbors will greatly appreciate it! It helps keep our community #1. Also, if you do have a complaint whether it be of a neighbor or a stray animal please call Seminole County Animal Control at 407-665-5110.

The next reading will be at the first commission meetingin February unless otherwise noted. Please visit www.lakemaryfl.com for updates on the agenda and minutes of the meetings.

Property Tax Reform

Monday, I attended a meeting with a representative from the Leaugue of Cities regarding the upcoming property tax bill that will be on the ballot in January. Several other Cities were represented there as well as the Seminole County School Board and Property Appraiser, David Johnson.
This is a very confusing bill to read and understand for many people but the bottom line is what we need to look at – what will it cost and what will I really save? Number one – I do not believe in tampering with the constitution unless it is absolutely necessary for the safety and betterment of our lives. We as constituents need to ask “what is the cost vs. the benefit?” Too many bills have passed without enough research in this area such as the class size amendment bill. While I, as a mother, am not against smaller class sizes, nobody bothered to consider or explain what it was going to cost the taxpayers if they voted for the class size amendment bill nor did they offer how it was to be paid for and yes, it does cost something. Add to this other unfunded mandates the legislature has passed down to local governments, which end up putting a greater burden on local government budgets ultimately affecting the local taxpayers.
The bottom line is that if the property tax amendment passes it will only save the average homeowner about $20 a month. This does not apply though to non-homestead properties that will not receive any savings. Businesses are not protected either.
What is the cost of this? For one thing the Seminole County School Board will face another 6 billion in budget cuts on top of the cuts they are already experiencing. Again, as a mother who enjoys the quality of our schools here in Seminole County, this scares me.
Also consider the cuts our local County and City governments will experience from loss of income if this bill passes. Granted, there is always room for cuts and trimming off the fat in any government budget, but what if the cuts are so excessive that fire and police men and women have to be laid off? Nobody knows how much the cuts will be. What if teachers have to be laid off? How can they be expected to fulfill the class size amendment if they cannot afford to hire or keep good teachers? While I am not against tax cuts, I believe we need to do our due diligence and make educated cuts rather than haphazard cuts. I want to encourage everyone to please contact your local state representatives and voice your concerns and ask questions, Make an educated vote – please! You can go to David Johnson’s web site (http://www.scpafl.org/scpaweb05/index.jsp) for more information and also visit Sandy Robinson’s web site (http://sandyseminole.com/My_Homepage_Files/Page5.html) for information related to school board budgets.

You can also download a copy of the plan as it will be on the tax bill by clicking on the picture below.

Swearing in Ceremony

Thanks to everyone who came out for the ceremony and reception. I greatly apreciate all the support I received from my family and friends and for the new friends I have made. I want to especially thank God for his blessings and this awesome opportunity to make a difference in our community.
In case you missed it. Here are some pictures from my swearing in ceremony last night.



Taking the oath of office.



Me and Mayor Tom Greene.



Me and County Commissioner Mike McLean.

Welcome

Welcome to A Fresh Perspective. This week has been a bit of a whirlwind, but I'm looking forward to Thursday when I am officially sworn in as the new Commissioner for Seat 4.

Thank You

Thanks to everyone for making my campaign for Lake Mary City Commission successful. I look forward to serving Lake Mary in my new role as Commissioner.