Casselberry City Commission Meeting - July 27, 2026

The Casselberry City Commission met on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 5:30 PM in City Commission Chambers. The meeting included a moment of silence, pledge of allegiance, approval of previous meeting minutes, a proclamation for Water Professionals Month, action on the consent agenda, discussion of several resolutions and ordinances, a public hearing, and citizen comments. Key actions included approving the purchase of a 2.6-acre property along U.S. Highway 17-92 for $1,100,000, approving a voluntary annexation for a self-storage facility, setting the proposed millage rates for Fiscal Year 2027, and designating the voting delegate for the Florida League of Cities conference.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of June 22, 2026 (Regular Meeting) and July 13, 2026 (Budget Workshop).
• Approved Proclamation: August 2026 as Water Professionals Month in Casselberry, presented to Water Production Superintendent Fred Schwarz.
• Approved the following consent items (all items except M and N): Legal Services Invoices (Garganese, Weiss, $24,068.29; Fishback Dominick, $2,310.25); Resolution 26-3579 (Sausalito Assessment Area Annual Rate); Resolution 26-3580 (IPTM Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Contract Program and Budget Amendment #26-037, $5,000); Resolution 26-3581 (School Resource Officer Agreement with Seminole County School Board); Resolution 26-3582 (Master License and Maintenance Agreement with Casselberry Elementary PTSA for Little Free Libraries); Resolution 26-3583 (Funding Agreement with MetroPlan Orlando for FY 2026-2027, $2,340); Updated Duke Energy agreement for lighting improvements ($317.27/month); Task Authorization No. 2 with Schenkel and Shultz for Land and Water Conservation Fund grant assistance ($27,088) and Budget Amendment #26-039; Task Authorization No. 2 with Burgess & Niple for Queen's Mirror Septic-to-Sewer and Lift Station Relocation Project design ($554,626) and Budget Amendment #26-040; Budget Amendment #26-035 recognizing PFAS Settlement Funds ($264,607 from 3M); Application for Land and Water Conservation Fund grant (up to $1.5 million with equal local match) for Brightwater Phase I; Application for COPS Community Policing Development Microgrants (up to $200,000 for drones and UAV systems); Donation of four obsolete Pro-Lite laser speed measuring units to Westport, WA Police Department (Item M, discussed separately below); and Employee Health Insurance Renewal with United Healthcare for FY 2026-2027 (Item N, removed from consent agenda and not discussed further at this meeting).
• Item M (Donation of speed measuring units) was pulled for discussion and subsequently approved by a vote with one opposing.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lindsay Feist (516 Bridal Cat, Casselberry) urged the commission to consider the broader impact of the millage rate increase, noting that Casselberry's consolidation of fire services with the county results in a combined tax burden higher than some neighboring municipalities. She asked whether all efficiencies had been explored before raising taxes.
• Amanda Hart (461 Iris Road, PTSA President of Casselberry Elementary) thanked the commission for cooperation on installing a Little Free Library at the new Aquatics Park and encouraged the community to donate appropriate books. She also promoted PTSA memberships.

Discussion Items

• Donation of Obsolete Laser Speed Measuring Units (Item M): Deputy Chief Derek Becton and staff explained that four Pro-Lite laser speed measuring units were obsolete and would be donated to the Westport, WA Police Department, whose chief is a former Casselberry sergeant. The recipient would pay shipping and maintenance. Commissioner Kirk expressed concern that the units could be sold on eBay for approximately $450-$500 each, and that during a time of proposed tax increases, the donation did not benefit the city's budget. He suggested donating to a Florida jurisdiction instead. Commissioner DeVita supported the donation, noting the units were obsolete and selling on eBay was not appropriate. A motion to approve Item M passed with opposition.
• Resolution 26-3584 – Purchase of Property along 17-92 (Lake Concord): City Manager explained the city had entered into a contract to purchase 2.6 acres of land (Parcel ID: 08-21-30-545-0000-0010) from CASTO Casselberry North LLC for $1,100,000. The property, part of the former Concord Center, had been sold to CASTO in 2014 with a promise to repay the purchase price for site improvements, but the property remained undeveloped and blighted. The city now seeks to reassemble it with the adjacent former police station lot (also demolished) to create nearly 5 acres for potential public or private development, such as lake water quality improvements, parking, or a restaurant. Funding would come from the Central City District Fund (former CRA residual funds), leaving approximately $2.7 million after the purchase. The property's appraised value exceeds the contract price. A motion to approve Resolution 26-3584 and Budget Amendment #26-041 passed unanimously.
• Public Hearing – Second Reading of Ordinance 26-1636 – Voluntary Annexation of 1264 Merritt Street: Planner Hunter McFerrin presented the annexation of a parcel contiguous to city limits, owned by the applicant who recently completed a self-storage facility on the site. The annexation meets state law requirements (Chapter 171, Florida Statutes). The applicant, attorney Joseph Kobishesh, confirmed the annexation complies with an annexation agreement from February 2024. The commission approved the ordinance on second reading unanimously.
• Emergency Purchase of Reclaimed Flow Meter for Golf Course (Budget Amendment #26-038): Utilities Director Tara Lemaro explained that a reclaimed water flow meter at the Casselberry Golf Course had failed. The city needed a replacement ($6,126) with a 6-9 week lead time. An existing unused meter was temporarily transferred, missing only two weeks of data. Regulatory agencies were notified and allowed averaging. The emergency purchase and budget amendment were approved.
• Selection of Voting Delegate for Florida League of Cities Annual Conference: Among commissioners attending the conference (Mayor Henson, Commissioner Kirk, Vice Mayor Mandia), the commission appointed Mayor Henson as voting delegate. Mayor Henson noted he would already be attending as a board of directors member.
• Proposed Millage Rates for Fiscal Year 2026-2027: City Manager presented the proposed operating millage rate of 4.2613 mills (an increase from the prior year's 3.9999 mills) and a voted debt millage of 0.5911 mills for park bonds. The increase would generate approximately $1,052,000 more than FY 2026. Commissioner Kirk expressed concerns about the impact on businesses' tangible property taxes, citing a local rental company whose tangible tax increased $2,106 from 2024 to 2025. A motion to set the proposed millage rates passed, with Commissioner Kirk voting nay.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes, proclamation, and most consent agenda items (except N, which was removed and not addressed).
• Donated four speed measuring units to Westport, WA Police Department (approved with one opposing vote).
• Authorized purchase of 2.6-acre property along 17-92 for $1,100,000, funded from Central City District Fund.
• Annexed 1264 Merritt Street (self-storage facility) on second reading.
• Approved emergency purchase of flow meter for $6,126.
• Appointed Mayor Henson as voting delegate for Florida League of Cities Annual Conference.
• Set proposed millage rates: operating at 4.2613 mills and voted debt at 0.5911 mills for FY 2027 (passed with one nay).
• Noted that Item N (Employee Health Insurance Renewal) was removed from the consent agenda and not discussed; its status is unclear from the record.