[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6214435,"mediaKeyId","3667966-53b33363906f60c1b6088c0ccd275d73","parentId",3667966,"title","Ocoee staff begin sidewalk program work; commissioners press county on traffic signal request","audioSeconds",2157,"startMs",3035000,"endMs",5192000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3667966-53b33363906f60c1b6088c0ccd275d73&start=3035&end=5192","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3667966-53b33363906f60c1b6088c0ccd275d73/thumbnail_3035000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6214435/Ocoee/Orange-County/Florida/Ocoee-staff-begin-sidewalk-program-work-commissioners-press-county-on-traffic-signal-request","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214435-3417c4293408be6ef1131f57457d71db/orig.mp4?Expires=1775401338&Signature=jk5bzoTr3xFH9NLa2Oyrd1U-e034g954h8tb6hmu30lM~NFNPdCUdoTWW7w4z3J~bgKHu9DA8X0h-R2wLprZd-CZMHwHTOWfHgUYrJcmQwNHKOIiQg2gy98sZxEm5R0m45idfdKEAARU5ODh2jIFHfsqhwwfC73hbPnoVyRoAVmK5gpFTR-IZWihsiQnJreW86PlLh1ZhMWI0i-DJ7X9DVn8fbn7Tx-PUEP0vJo1Dy3tdlIOCWF-1KZqlQKwksJxpCJ-QCTsWMT51Z6AcLnS37P7eYf81Dx-WRBVaVQR58ajYctqftsuXF9SU0uWGXd7EYH9Zm-dhEYZLHf-dpMRYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Ocoee, FL","date","2025-06-04T14:19:26Z","article","City staff reported on June 3 that the sidewalk-repair program has begun on scheduled streets and that the administration is preparing an inventory and strategy to accelerate repairs in the coming fiscal year.

The staff presentation asked the commission to continue a variance hearing (item 9) to an uncertain future date while staff develops a global solution for a neighborhood issue. Later in the meeting City Manager and public-works remarks said crews were working in the Prima Vista neighborhood, had begun cutting and will return following a rain delay, and that the city expects to expend this year's sidewalk allocation before the end of the fiscal year.

City Manager told commissioners staff completed a sidewalk inventory and is considering proposing a larger, expedited program next fiscal year to avoid repeating the prior-year delay: \"We are working right now to see if there is a possibility we might be able to use some savings we've experienced in other projects to do even more. Public works department has done a complete inventory now of all the sidewalks.\"

Commissioner Oliver pressed for continued tracking of a previously identified $7 million list of needed golf-course capital projects; the manager and staff reiterated sidewalk work has already started and will continue until finished.

Traffic signal request and developer funding: Commissioner Oliver asked staff to send a letter to Orange County asking for progress on a traffic signal at McCormick Road and Apopka Vineland Road; the manager said staff would send a formal letter on behalf of the mayor and commission. Commissioners also discussed partial developer funding for a signal: staff noted a Wynwood subdivision developer already provided 50% of an earlier funding agreement and dedicated land and trail work, and commissioners discussed cost escalations since that agreement.

Hurricane season and preparedness: Commissioner Oliver reminded residents that hurricane season is active beginning June 1 and urged households to prepare now.

Discussion and next steps: Staff will continue sidewalk repairs (work underway in Prima Vista), provide the commission with a sidewalk inventory and possible funding strategies for a faster program next fiscal year, and will send a letter to Orange County regarding the traffic signal at McCormick and Apopka Vineland Road.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Ocoee's Commission Meeting Recorded on 6.3.2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff told commissioners sidewalk repairs have begun in Prima Vista and that the city may increase funding after completing a full inventory; commissioners also asked staff to send a letter to Orange County about a traffic signal at McCormick and Apopka Vineland Road and were reminded to prepare for hurricane season.","taxTitle","Ocoee, Orange County, Florida","taxId",54401,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6214441,"Forest Lake operator reports positive first month; city outlines RFP and youth First Tee program",2009,932000,2941000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3667966-53b33363906f60c1b6088c0ccd275d73&start=932&end=2941","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3667966-53b33363906f60c1b6088c0ccd275d73/thumbnail_932000.jpg","/articles/6214441/Ocoee/Orange-County/Florida/Forest-Lake-operator-reports-positive-first-month-city-outlines-RFP-and-youth-First-Tee-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214441-02c0a14f8f04e67d1c67537d81241db2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775401338&Signature=krstAtlyHojrAiynIdVnavoIzn6DguLUL-umgov5htgQmzXa-~gV5uokVwrNMqDk0R8rSAErhmVafq01Cxg1VnE8yS7Owh8YvZCV2fppykjOVPgOh7hT1yz-12l~b69Kv6w8XFiWdeuf9qtYV53Osy9nr-4QHtNtzRRGyy1YwiWrQ1wORoieKsQ1eWj23v4tt0et1vRCHNF0e6b3h353Gry~UVQFTpwU0fUnPaHYKye-rcULGKPjxmr92hz3mbcVJW00MoE7NTgzTRZqnW7vdyRKHHIi7RC88sP51j3TwRfUJJMcuRUbSAbTvWSvVHi~BXlwtaiMKG1Wxfik-mATfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Officials and the interim operator of Forest Lake Golf Course told the Ocoee City Commission on June 3 that first-month operations were largely positive and that the city has issued a prescriptive request for proposals for a long-term operator.

Robert Yutu of EHA introduced the 30-day update and asked Nick Dunleavy, regional manager for interim operator Down to Earth, to summarize revenue and operations. Dunleavy said month-one revenue was \"pretty positive,\" with a small year-over-year decrease \"about $11,000\" that he attributed mostly to weather. He added that operating costs should trend favorable in the coming weeks.

Dunleavy said the interim operator introduced a 10% discount for Ocoee residents (applied to four local ZIP codes) and had started summer rates. He described maintenance work under way, noted new equipment arriving, and said the company had added a credentialed superintendent and assistant. The interim operator reported ongoing hiring for service and kitchen staff and said food service hours are currently full-service between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., with expanded hours planned once staffing stabilizes.

First Tee youth program: Scott Wellington, a PGA of America board member and First Tee board participant, and staff announced that the First Tee of Central Florida began free summer classes at Forest Lake on June 2 (program dates noted as June 2\u0000to\u0000July 29). Wellington described First Tee as a national youth program that focuses on life skills as well as golf and said the Central Florida chapter runs programs for ages 7 to 18; the commission was told the local sessions were offered at no cost to learners.

RFP and capital needs: Robert Yutu and staff said the city has released a detailed RFP for a long-term operator. The RFP requires a mandatory on-site preproposal meeting on June 16; proposals will be due Aug. 5. Yutu said scoring will weight capital-investment approach heavily (\"30 points for the capital investment strategy approach\"), and that proposers must demonstrate experience operating modern, multipurpose golf and food-and-beverage venues.

Deferred maintenance: Staff reiterated earlier assessments that the property has roughly $7 million of deferred maintenance needs identified in prior work; the RFP asks proposers to describe capital plans to address such needs. Yutu said the interim operator is tackling high-priority turf and maintenance items but that long-term capital investment will be required from the successful proposer.

Operational points raised by commissioners and residents: Commissioners and members of the public asked about pricing stratification for residents versus visitors, range-ball prices (raised from $9 to $10), beverage-cart hours, staffing timelines, and donation/publicity for youth equipment. Commissioner Kennedy asked for differentiated resident pricing; Commissioner Garson and others encouraged more resident discounts and asked staff to publicize equipment-donation options for the youth program. A public commenter warned the city against seeking a private-club model and urged clarity on how capital costs would be funded.

The city emphasized that the RFP will be prescriptive and that the commission will participate in shortlisting and final operator selection. Staff also noted that the mandatory preproposal conference is required for proposers to have a responsive submission and that details including on-site address and preproposal attendance rules will be part of RFP materials.","Interim operator Down to Earth reported mostly positive first-month revenues at Forest Lake Golf Course, introduced resident discounts and a free First Tee youth program; city staff released an RFP for a long-term operator with a mandatory preproposal meeting and scored capital-investment plans heavily.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6214446,"City of Ocoee receives clean audit opinion for fiscal year ending 2024",673,269000,942000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3667966-53b33363906f60c1b6088c0ccd275d73&start=269&end=942","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3667966-53b33363906f60c1b6088c0ccd275d73/thumbnail_269000.jpg","/articles/6214446/Ocoee/Orange-County/Florida/City-of-Ocoee-receives-clean-audit-opinion-for-fiscal-year-ending-2024","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214446-cd1113e0f7eb28c8c72df1ad3842f635/orig.mp4?Expires=1775401338&Signature=kiimHUIq0v3dOB4q9NmBzWJgJFt8IvQn74eUzCRtWfvAXUdGbCvyP1mYmYKuoBHlR8oungyeGAyfte5X0G9csixwQukKZFg4gXnsXfmTO-hgkBAOFOov~NWWS0FSXRD90sex5toZv8AGxpB3foloBsOMl3W6DC-TJ-Wgg8HI8Wo2hh9qheLXQtmVP~RoPhn3bp2BJ3rnLs7RoGhjl7VVZcHF~fTM4lP2Eof4Mvuxm6fPBYyVa~XUzul36E328-a94qHA4ObuxgHmDoB-P3YOFdFRYdDKe67sS2BrEmZVURk6uJMuQMNONhnoMdyt0MuMo~TenlPncCcK1EJIZZKAgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Ocoee received an unmodified — or clean — opinion on its audited financial statements for the year ended Sept. 30, 2024, auditors told the City Commission on June 3.

The conclusion came during a presentation by Tim Westgate, audit partner on the engagement, who said the firm had \"issued a clean opinion, an unmodified opinion that is the highest level of assurance\" and that the financial statements meet requirements of Florida statutes, the Florida Auditor General, lenders and federal and state grant programs.

The audit also produced clean compliance reports on investment rules and on the city's federal single-audit. Westgate said the coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery fund program (the city's identified major federal program for the audit) was examined and auditors issued an unmodified compliance opinion on that program.

Why it matters: a clean opinion is the strongest assurance an external auditor gives that statements fairly present a government's financial position, and compliance findings can affect future grant eligibility and bond market access.

Key findings and management recommendations: the auditors reported no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in financial reporting. They did note items for management attention, including a continuing deficit in the solid-waste fund (an $843,000 deficit improved from the prior year) and an instance of one department exceeding its general-fund budget by about $78,000. Westgate described the $78,000 instance as a late discovery that could not be corrected by a budget amendment because the allowed timeline had passed; auditors recommended reviewing budget-monitoring and amendment timeliness.

The audit presentation included highlights of fund balances: most major governmental funds (general fund, road impact fee, ARPA funds) increased in fund balance except the capital projects fund, which decreased as budgeted. On the proprietary side, net position increased overall. Employee retirement trust positions showed an overall $22 million increase: the general-employees plan was roughly 94% funded and the police-and-fire plan was just under 96% funded, Westgate said.

Auditors also recommended continued IT risk assessment and some policy updates to strengthen cybersecurity posture, noting ransomware and other IT threats in the current environment.

Discussion and next steps: Commissioners asked about the GFOA (Government Finance Officers Association) recommended reserve levels and whether the audit team evaluates that metric. Westgate said the GFOA recommends a minimum of about two months of reserves for cash-flow needs and that the city's ratio was in a \"healthy position,\" roughly \"50%\" on a metric he referenced during the presentation. No formal commission action was taken; the presentation was informational and the audit package will serve as the city's final audited financial report for external filing.

The auditors thanked city finance staff for their cooperation during the audit and invited questions at the end of the presentation.","External auditors told the Ocoee City Commission the city\u0000received an unmodified (clean) opinion on its 2024 financial statements, met investment and federal single-audit compliance, and auditors flagged a solid-waste fund deficit and a $78,000 departmental overexpenditure as items for management attention.","actionData","errors"]

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Ocoee staff begin sidewalk program work; commissioners press county on traffic signal request

Forest Lake operator reports positive first month; city outlines RFP and youth First Tee program

City of Ocoee receives clean audit opinion for fiscal year ending 2024