FY 2026 Adopted Budget - Flipbook - Page 26
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The Fiscal Year 2024/25 Significant Events and Accomplishments
It is projected that General Fund expenditures for FY 2024/25 will come in under budget. A
significant amount of savings is attributed to position vacancies. Additionally, each department has
limited their expenditures as much as possible. Other major accomplishments include the
following:
1. Elected Commissioner Willie Hawkins to serve as Mayor and elected Commissioner Gary
Ashcraft to serve as Vice Mayor for the City of Eustis. The Mayor and Vice-Mayor are elected at
the first regular City Commission meeting in January each year.
2. Released a custom smartphone application by the Eustis Police Department. This app will serve
as an innovative way for the police department to connect with Eustis residents and visitors,
providing information quickly and efficiently to anyone with a smartphone.
3. Achieved the Distinguished Budget Award from the Government Finance Officers Association
(GFOA) for the FY 2024/25 Budget, maintaining this recognition for ten consecutive years.
4. Completed the City’s annual audit with two minor management comments from the auditors;
applied for the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the GFOA
the 36th consecutive year, based on the audit ending September 30, 2024.
5. Worked to secure reimbursement from FEMA and the State of Florida for costs associated with
debris removal and damage sustained by Hurricane Milton by the Finance Department
6. Implemented a $25 incentive to enroll utility customers in E-Billing and Autopay services by the
Water Customer Service Department; the cost saving measure saves money on postage and
processing costs. The incentive positively impacts our environment, reduces collection efforts
and increases timely revenue collection.
7. Installed a new playground at Elizabeth Circle Park
8. Converted Cardinal Cove tennis court to four pickleball courts.
9. Experienced a 50% increase in participation in Summer Camp programs
10. Installed lightning detection system at Carver Park, Ferran Park, Sunset Island Park, & Gnann
Thompson Dog Park
11. Upgrade to A/C units at Parks & Recreation Administration Building
12. Improvements to Liberty Park, i.e., new pavilion, new swing, and basketball renovation
13. Improvements made to Corey Rolle Memorial Field
14. Improvements made to Carver Park Basketball Courts
15. Installation of new park marquee signs
16. Renovated the Garden Room inside the Parks & Recreation Administration Building
17. Introduced a new program for teenagers 13-18 named the Teen Zone Program, which includes
Summer, Winter, and Spring Break Camps.
18. Added lighting to the Sunset Island Skate Park
19. Updated the lighting control system to be controlled remotely
20. Introduced new events named Trunk or Treat and Father/Son Games, and made significant
improvements to Winterfest
21. Improved aesthetics to extend the life of several parks and facilities, i.e., Carver Park restroom,
parking lots, pavilions, flower beds
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