Casselberry City Commission Meeting - February 9, 2026

The Casselberry City Commission met on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers, 1st Floor, Casselberry City Hall, 95 Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry, Florida. The commission approved the January 26, 2026 meeting minutes, a legal services invoice, two ordinances on second reading, and a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board appointment, and heard public comments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda, including the legal services invoice from Garganese, Weiss, D'Agresta & Salzman, P.A. (Invoice No. 105478, $24,467.75), unanimously.

Proclamation

• Mayor David Henson read a proclamation recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month in Casselberry, in keeping with the 2026 national theme “A Century of Black History Commemorations.” The scheduled recipient, Alton Williams, Chair and Treasurer of the Evergreen Cemetery Trustees, was unable to attend.

Public Hearings

Both public hearings were advertised in the Orlando Sentinel on January 29, 2026.

• Ordinance 26-1628 (Utility Rates): The commission conducted the second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 86 of the City Code to update water, sewer, and reclaimed water rates and charges. Utilities Director Tara Lamaru and consultant Trevor McCarthy presented the utility rate study. The recommendations included a 3.25% rate adjustment effective April 1, 2026, after the 4% increase already implemented on October 1, 2025, and 7.25% annual adjustments thereafter. Reclaimed water rates were proposed to rise by an average of 6.2% in 2026 and 12.1% thereafter while remaining discounted at 65% of potable water rates. The increases were tied to an approximately $111 million capital improvement plan, with more than 60% of the rate need related to capital projects and debt service. The ordinance also updated system development charges, miscellaneous fees, annexation requirements, deposit refunds, fire hydrant fees, irrigation restrictions, and department references. Two members of the public spoke: Mark Harker, president of English Woods Metro, asked about annexation language and was told the change reflected current practice, not a new annexation effort; a resident expressed concern about fixed-income seniors and asked what the city would tell residents who could not afford higher bills. The commission approved Ordinance 26-1628 unanimously.
• Ordinance 26-1629 (Icon Commons PUD): The commission conducted the second reading of an ordinance amending the Icon Commons PUD Agreement and Concept Plan for the 1.04-acre parcel at 380 S.R. 436, described as a quick-service drive-through restaurant and bakery known as Mikado’s Cafe. Planner Hunter McFarn presented the item and staff recommended approval, conditioned on receipt of an executed consent and joinder from Valley National Bank subordinating its April 21, 2025 mortgage to the PUD agreement before recordation. No public comment was offered. The commission approved Ordinance 26-1629 unanimously with that condition.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michael Don Johnson, a registered candidate in the Republican primary for U.S. Congress, used the citizens’ comment period to criticize incumbent U.S. Representative Cory Mills, raising allegations involving unpaid loans, foreclosures, IRS liens, and investigations. Commission members did not respond.

Board Appointment

• The commission appointed Karen Nolan to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to fill the unexpired term of Neil Thomas through January 31, 2027. The other applicants considered were Andrea Boujon, Kimberly Crow, and Alexander Fortis. Commissioners noted Nolan’s previous part-time parks department experience.

Reports and Announcements

• The City Manager reported that he had presented on State Road 436 safety initiatives to the Council of Local Governments.
• The City Attorney gave no formal report but offered to discuss state legislation.
• The City Clerk announced the February 13 food truck event at Lake Concord Park from 6 to 9 p.m., the opening reception for the Seminole County Public Schools AP underclassmen art exhibit at the Art House from 6 to 8 p.m., and normal city operations on Presidents’ Day.
• Commissioners reported on community events, including a police foundation bowling fundraiser, a community legal services event, a chamber of commerce Top Golf fundraiser, leadership meetings, and Taste of the Art, which drew more than 160 attendees. The Mayor reported on league meetings, a Tallahassee trip, and a memorial service for former Commissioner Earl McMurlin.

Discussion Items

• Future Agenda Items: No substantive discussion occurred.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the January 26, 2026 minutes unanimously.
• Approved the consent agenda and legal services invoice unanimously.
• Approved Ordinance 26-1628 on second reading unanimously.
• Approved Ordinance 26-1629 on second reading unanimously with the mortgage joinder condition.
• Appointed Karen Nolan to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for the unexpired term ending January 31, 2027.
• There were no resolutions and no first-reading ordinances on the agenda.