CC06-01-2026Min LONGWOOD CITY COMMISSION
Longwood City Commission Chambers
175 West Warren Avenue
Longwood, Florida
MINUTES
June 1, 2026
6:00 PM
Present:
Mayor Tony Boni
Deputy Mayor Abby Shoemaker David Dowda, Police Chief
Commissioner Brian D. Sackett Dustin Woolbright, Financial Services Director
Commissioner Matt Morgan Shad Smith, Public Works Director
Dan Langley, City Attorney Lt. Adolfo Gutierrez
Liane Cartagena, City Clerk Jacqueline Aubrey, Community & Media Relations Manager
Absent:
William Watts, City Manager (Excused)
Commissioner Matthew McMillan (Excused)
1. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Boni called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
2. OPENING INVOCATION. Father Daniel Hickman from St. Stephen Orthodox Church gave the invocation.
3. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Commissioner Sackett led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS. Ms. Cartagena read the following announcements.
A. The "Downtown Longwood Cruise-In" Car Show will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, from
5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Historic District of Longwood, located off Church Avenue.
B. The City of Longwood will host a Flag Retirement Ceremony on Sunday, June 14, 2026, from
10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., at Reiter Park, 311 West Warren Avenue.
C. The City of Longwood will host the "Longwood Luau," a Hawaiian-themed party, on Sunday,
June 14, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Reiter Park.
5. PROCLAMATIONS/ RECOGNITIONS
A. Proclaiming the month of June as National Aphasia Awareness Month in the City of Longwood.
IICommissioner Sackett read the proclamation.
B. Presentation: McDirmit, Davis & Company, LLC will be giving a presentation on the Annual
Comprehensive Financial Report (Audit) for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2025.
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Ms. Tammy Campbell of McDirmit Davis & Company presented the City's Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. She reported the City received an unmodified audit
opinion and remained in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Ms. Campbell reviewed
the City's financial position, including fund balances, utility fund conditions, grant compliance, and
long-term capital obligations.
6. BOARD APPOINTMENTS
7. PUBLIC INPUT
A. Public Participation. Several residents addressed the Commission regarding the proposed water
and wastewater utility rate increases.
Ciaran McCarron, 138 Sheridan Ave., served by Sunshine Water Services, objected to the
magnitude of proposed water rate increases and suggested a more gradual, phased approach to
mitigate resident impacts.
Stefanie Reardon, 791 Sutter Loop, supported investment in infrastructure but requested a fairer
cost distribution. She asked for a side-by-side comparison of commercial versus residential
percentage increases, evaluation and potential adjustment of impact/capacity fees for new
development, and to ensure that residents are not solely responsible for funding infrastructure
improvements.
Jeff T. Canne, 287 S. Grant St., expressed concern regarding the size of the proposed increase and
questioned whether irrigation water should be treated differently for sewer billing purposes. He
also requested additional information regarding impact fees associated with recent apartment
developments and greater transparency regarding the factors contributing to the proposed rate
increases.
Franco Frazzetta, 162 Blue Flax Point, requested a plain-language breakdown of project costs,
including distinctions between regulatory compliance requirements, system expansion projects,
operations and maintenance costs, and debt service obligations. He also requested long-term
household cost projections, comparisons to funding models used by other Florida jurisdictions,
and consideration of alternative funding mechanisms such as grants, targeted assessments, and
phased implementation strategies.
Roger A. Happ, 107 Silver Cluster Ct., echoed the concerns of previous speakers and requested
budget information be presented in a more understandable format for residents. He also
requested additional transparency regarding utility operations, department expenditures, and
how cost savings are allocated within the utility system.
Melonie Galvan, 1082 North Ronald Reagan Blvd., expressed concern that many residents were
unaware of the proposed rate increase and urged the City to increase public outreach and
education efforts before any final action is taken.
8. MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
District#1 Deputy Mayor Shoemaker responded to public comments, stating that Mr. Watts will
address the issues raised concerning the proposed utility rate increases. She explained Mr. Watts had
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already begun working on these issues before he left for vacation. She affirmed the City's commitment
to transparency and public education, encouraging residents to call a Commissioner if needed. She also
reported attending the Memorial Day ceremony hosted by the Longwood VFW Post praising the event,
and mentioned several successful rides with the Scout service.
District#2 Mayor Boni addressed several concerns raised during public participation. He clarified that
Sunshine Utilities serves approximately 2,350 of the City's 5,400 rooftops and that commercial rates are
factored into the rate studies. He reiterated that all city records are available for public inspection and
stated the septic to sewer project was reimbursed by the State of Florida with the City paying around
10 percent of the overall cost.
Mayor Boni explained the necessity of the proposed water rate increase, citing the need to replace the
nearly 50-year-old water treatment plant. He stated the rate structure is designed to demonstrate
financial capacity to secure the required loans. Referring to public comments on fluoride savings, he
commented fluoride is not the major expense to pay for a new water treatment plant. He defended the
City's communication efforts, noting the use of bill inserts, the City website, and media outreach. He
also reported attending the Longwood VFW Memorial Day ceremony and Longwood Elementary
School's fifth-grade graduation.
District#4 Commissioner Morgan thanked residents for attending the meeting and discussed the City's
extensive efforts to enhance transparency through technology, including being one of the first
municipalities in the region to live-stream Commission meetings and budget workshops on Facebook
and YouTube. He encouraged residents to follow the City's official social media channels for real-time
II information. He noted that he had voted against the water rate increase in its current form but
acknowledged the necessity of the project. He reminded residents that the utility rate ordinance would
return for consideration on June 15, 2026.
District#5 Commissioner Sackett welcomed residents and encouraged continued public involvement in
City government. He stated he voted against the water rate increase because he felt there are other
ways to fund a new water treatment plant. He reported attending a Florida League of Cities meeting in
Windermere where property taxes were a primary topic, the VFW Memorial Day Ceremony, and the
Longwood Elementary School fifth-grade end-of-year party and graduation ceremony.
9. COMMISSION AND STAFF ADDITIONS OR CHANGES
A. ADDITIONAL ITEMS RAISED DURING MAYOR'S AND COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS. None.
B. ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA. None.
10. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of the May 18, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes.
B. Approve the Monthly Expenditures for May 2026.
C. Acceptance of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (Audit) for the Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2025.
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D. Approval of the award for RFQ PW 26-004 CE, Establishing Continuing Professional Engineering
Services Agreements for Federally Funded Projects,to Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. and
Bentley Group Inc.
E. Approval of a Mowing Contractual Agreement for Mowing and Landscaping Services of City
Properties under ITB#PW 26-0010E to Rotolo Consultants, Inc.
F. Approval to transfer City's treasury services to Seacoast Bank.
G. Approval for the Purchase of Storage Racks and Pipe Racks for the Public Works Facility.
Commissioner Sackett moved to approve Items 10A through 10G as presented. Seconded
by Commissioner Morgan and carried by a 4-0 roll call vote with Commissioner McMillan
absent.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Read by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 26-2282, revising water and wastewater utility rates
and fees. Staff requests a continuance of this item to the June 15, 2026, regular City Commission
Meeting.
Mr. Langley explained the continuance would allow staff additional time to evaluate financial
models, review alternative rate schedules, obtain input from the full Commission, and continue
receiving public feedback regarding the proposed utility rate increases.
Commissioner Sackett moved for continuance of Ordinance No. 26-2282 as presented in
Item 11A. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Shoemaker and carried by a 4-0 roll call vote with
Commissioner McMillan absent.
12. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Read by title only and adopt Resolution No. 26-1721, authorizing acceptance of the AARP
Community Challenge Grant in the amount of$15,000.
Mr. Langley read Resolution No. 26-1721 by title only.
Mr. Smith presented the Item. He explained the grant will assist with ADA improvements,
including sidewalk accessibility enhancements, curb ramps, and pedestrian safety improvements
associated with ongoing infrastructure projects.
Deputy Mayor Shoemaker requested that staff use some of the funds to enhance the visibility of
Share the Road pavement markings for cyclist safety if possible.
Commissioner Morgan moved to adopt Resolution No. 26-1721 as presented in Item
12A. Seconded by Commissioner Sackett and carried by a 4-0 roll call vote with
Commissioner McMillan absent.
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B. Schedule Thursday, September 10, 2026, and Monday, September 21, 2026, as regular City
Commission Meetings dates and public hearing dates for the adoption of the Fiscal Year
2026/2027 Budget.
Mayor Boni presented the Item. •o
Commissioner Morgan moved to approve Item 12B as presented. Seccied by
Commissioner Sackett and carried by 4-0 roll call vote with Commission ct.IcMiItan absent.
Deputy Mayor Shoemaker noted that residents can request the City Con'mission Meeting Agenda
Packet by emailing the City Clerk. She felt the additional information may help them understand
the issues presented.
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Police Chief Dowda delivered the City Manager's report in his absence. He announced the ball fields at
Candyland Sports Complex will be closed for several weeks for resodding. He reported the City Manager
and Director of Financial Services are evaluating the potential impacts of a special legislative session on
property taxes and will provide updates as more information becomes available. He recognized the
recent passing of two former public servants: Former COP (Citizens on Patrol) volunteer and Navy
veteran Douglas Wyatt,Jr., and retired Fire Department Battalion Chief Donald Kastner, who served the
City for 29 years.
I 14. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
None.
15. CITY CLERK'S REPORT
Ms. Cartagena announced the following events and reminders: Senior Bingo on June 2, 2026 from
9:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. at Longwood Community Building, Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting on June
3, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. at 280 S Ronald Reagan Blvd., Board Appreciation Dinner on June 11, 2026 at
Longwood Community Building, future agenda items to include nominations for Business Person of the
Month for District 3 and the Beautification Award, Financial Disclosure for Commissioners to
electronically file the Form 1 Statement of Financial Interests with the Florida Commission on Ethics by
July 1, 2026, and the Florida League of Cities Conference on August 13-15, 2026 in Hollywood, Florida,
advising interested Commissioners to confirm their attendance promptly to secure registration and
accommodations.
16. ADJOURN
Mayor Boni adjourned the meeting at 07:06 p.m.
Minutes approved by City Commission: 06-15-2026
Tony Boni, Mayor
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ATTEST:
Liane Cartagena, City Clerk
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