School is back in session, football season has kicked off, and we are marching right into fall. 

Three public FY 2024-25 Budget workshops were held, and two public hearings are scheduled. These final hearings will be held at Clermont City Hall, 685 W. Montrose Street, and begin at 6:30 p.m.: 

• Thursday, September 12 – First public hearing on adopting the proposed budget and millage rate 

• Thursday, September 26 – Second public hearing and City Council vote on adopting the proposed budget and millage rate 

The 2024 General Election is quickly approaching and will determine many local, state, and national races. Please commit to making your voice heard with early voting or on Tuesday, November 5 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit www.lakevotes.com for election details.

On September 11, under the direction of Clermont Police Chief Charles Broadway and Clermont Fire Chief David Ezell, we will continue our tradition of solemnly remembering the horrific events 23 years ago. Our September 11th Memorial Ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the Clermont Arts & Recreation Center, 3700 S. Highway 27. 

Mark your calendar now for these other upcoming events: 

• Sips & Salsa, September 21 

• National Night Out, October 1 

• Pig on the Pond, October 11 – 13 

Consider yourself invited to attend “Lunch with the Mayor” at noon on the first Tuesday of each month. You buy your lunch, and I share updates on City services, events, and activities and answer your questions. September 3, we will meet at Cracker Barrel, 1520 E. Highway 50. On October 1, we will meet at Dim Sum House, 2440 D. Highway 50, and in November, Robata Japanese Steak House, 1500 Oakley Seaver Drive in November. 

Don’t let the quiet start of this hurricane season fool you as September is often when the tropics really get active. Make sure you keep an eye on any developing systems and if you still need supplies, Florida is offering tax-free shopping on related items through September 6. The City’s website, https://www.clermontfl.gov/434/Get-Storm-Ready-Now remains your resource for storm preparation and regular updates if a storm threatens. 

I continue to feel blessed and thankful for the opportunity to serve as your Mayor and look forward to continuing to work hard for Clermont. If you have questions or concerns, you can always reach me at tmurry@ClermontFl.org. 

Until next time, 

Mayor Tim Murry 

The post Clermont Mayor Tim Murry Gives His Monthly Update appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Welcome to 2024!

The first Council Workshop of the New Year was held on Jan. 16 and discussions included updated plans for the Meet Us in the Middle Plaza and the 8th Street Docks, pickleball courts, and the status of our Code Enforcement Board. Our next workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 20 and will continue discussions on the Meet Us in the Middle Plaza and the 8th Street Docks. 

These workshops are important as they allow all of us to meet and discuss issues and topics outside of an official meeting while still following Florida’s Sunshine Law guidelines. I encourage you to attend these workshops as well as our regular council meetings, held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Our meetings all begin at 6:30 p.m. 

City staff is working with the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council to update our current Comprehensive Plan. This plan is the “rulebook” municipalities develop and follow for responsible growth and development. Please consider attending a community meeting on Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Clermont City Center, 620 W. Montrose Street. This meeting will discuss how important community input is when updating our plan as well as outline ways you can get involved. More details on the survey will soon be posted at www.ClermontFl.gov. 

The Florida Legislature is in full session and I am looking forward to our visit to Tallahassee during Legislative Week, Jan. 29 – 31. Council Member Michael Gonzalez, City Manager Brian Bulthuis, and Chief Charles Broadway will also attend meetings with our state officials to stress our needs and ask for support. 

An important message was shared at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ceremony on Jan. 15. It was 62 years ago when he first shared his “I Have a Dream” speech and that message remains important today. Much progress has been made, but we must stay focused on continuing that progress. 

Our annual “Great Clermont Campout” is just around the corner and promises to be a fun-filled 24 hours or so at Waterfront Park. Members of 60 families will spend time together and replace many of today’s electronic distractions with bonfires and s’mores, kayaks and paddleboards, and camp games– all in the great outdoors. If you missed this one, visit our website and sign up for the “Creepy Clermont Campout” in October. 

“Lunch with the Mayor” continues at noon on the first Tuesday of each month. On February 6, the View at Clermont National (2601 Diamond Club Drive) will host us and in March, we will check out the new Portillo’s (1251 E. Highway 50). You don’t need to register, just show up if your schedule allows it. I hope you can join us for good food and better fellowship. 

Our City Clerk and the Lake County Supervisor of Elections have finalized the details for the special election necessary to fill the remaining term of Seat No. 2. The election will be held on May 14 with a run-off on Aug. 20 if one candidate does not receive the majority of votes. Qualifying begins on Monday, March 4 at noon and ends at noon on Friday, March 8. 

I am thankful for another year to continue working for our Clermont community. I sincerely appreciate your support and I depend on you to let me know if you have questions or concerns. As always, you can reach me at tmurry@ClermontFl.org. 

Until next time, 

Mayor Tim Murry 

The post Clermont Mayor Tim Murry Talks About Happenings In His Hometown appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Hello Clermont Champions, 

School is underway, football has started and we are just a few weeks away from the holidays. 

The beautiful, new Aurelia M. Cole Academy welcomed students, faculty and staff and is quite impressive. A very special thanks to everyone who has contributed as we continue to work with school officials and residents to resolve traffic challenges in the area of Pitt Street and East Avenue. 

Speaking of learning, I attended several sessions at the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference and was extremely pleased with the timely topics up for discussion. Some of the areas covered included best practices for crisis communications, the latest trends in cybersecurity and an overview of upcoming legislation that could be very impactful to Florida cities. 

I was honored to participate in Clermont’s traditional 9/11 Memorial Ceremony as we remembered the lives lost and the importance of never forgetting the details of that day 22 years ago. To Fire Chief David Ezell and Police Chief Charles Broadway and all the City of Clermont family members involved, thank you for always making this ceremony as meaningful and reverent as it must always remain. 

We are in the process of approving the proposed millage rate for FY 2024. The second public hearing for the final vote to keep the FY 2024 ad valorem millage rate the same as the current year (5.06) will be held at City Hall on Wednesday, September 20 at 6:30 p.m. The hearing is open to the public and I encourage you to attend. 

Candidates Max Krzyminski and Chandra Myers received the most votes during the general election for City Council Seat 4 and will be on the November 7 ballot. Please exercise your right to vote and cast your ballot. 

We took a short break over the summer months, but “Lunch with the Mayor” has returned! We had a good group with good questions at Amore’s for September. If your schedule allows, I invite you to attend the first Tuesday of each month at 12 p.m. We rotate the locations and in October, the Clermont Café will host us, followed by Cheeser’s Palace in November. 

Looking ahead, we will celebrate again this year with our annual “Sips and Salsa Festival” on September 23, “National Night Out” on October 3 and the 25th year of “Pig on the Pond” takes place October 13 -15. We will also honor our Veterans with a parade on November 11. 

I encourage you to visit our website at www.ClermontFl.gov to learn about upcoming meetings, events and activities. Also, please continue to let me know what questions or concerns you have about things in Clermont. You can always reach me at tmurry@clermontfl.org. 

Until next time, 
Mayor Tim Murry 

The post Mayor Tim Murry Provides September Update To the Citizens Of Clermont appeared first on South Lake Tablet.