Oldsmar Facts

OLDSMAR FACTS
WHAT ARE FLORIDA CITIES LIKE?
LAND AREA
One of the most fascinating things about the municipalities in Florida is the tremendous
difference in them. There are 411 municipalities in the state, and no two are alike. Many of
them are young; 22 were incorporated between 1990 and 2008. During the decade from 1950
to 1960, more than 100 cities in Florida were incorporated.
More than 8 million Floridians reside in a city, town or village – equaling about 49 percent of
the state population. The majority of Floridians – by a small percentage – live in
unincorporated county areas. City populations range from 8 (City of Weeki Wachee) to
more than 840,000 (City of Jacksonville).
More than two-thirds of the 411 cities are under 10,000
in population. Florida is a state composed of mostly
smaller cities, with the median city population at 4,400.
Oldsmar city limits encompasses 10.15 square miles of which 6.5 is
scenic shoreline. Seventeen hundred (1,700) acres of Brooker Creek
Preserve is within Oldsmar city limits.
POPULATION
FORM OF GOVERNMENT
Council/Manager
Oldsmar City Council consists of 5 individuals elected by citizens.
Term of office for a Council Member is 3 years. Oldsmar City Council
meetings are held at 7 PM on the first and third Tuesdays of each month
at which time city policy is established through the passage of
ordinances and resolutions. Meetings are open to the public.
The most important function of a municipality is
providing services to meet the demands of its
residents. Each Florida municipality is “full service”
to its own citizens because the citizens determine
which services will be provided.
Oldsmar shopping plaza
The City Council provides leadership
and guidance necessary for efficient
provision of municipal services and
effective operation of Oldsmar
government. City Council also
provides a policy interface with other
local, regional, state and federal
agencies in matters of mutual concern.
Oldsmar History
OLDSMAR WAS FOUNDED IN 1916 BY RANSOM ELI OLDS, AMERICA’S AUTOMOTIVE PIONEER WHOSE
OLDS MOTOR WORKS BUILT CARS IN LANSING, MICHIGAN. IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY, THE
SUCCESS OF THE CURVED DASH RUNABOUT “HORSELESS
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There are four basic forms of municipal
government in Florida: council-weak mayor,
council strong mayor, commission and
council-manager. The most common form of
city government in Florida today is the
council-manager form.
Oldsmar City Hall
HIM TO OTHER PURSUITS, ONE OF WHICH WAS TO PURCHASE AND
PARKS & PRESERVES
DEVELOP LAND AT THE NORTHERN TIP OF TAMPA BAY.
Oldsmar has dedicated approximately one-sixth (1/6) of its land area to
parks and preserves to showcase the beauty and environment of natural
Florida’s eco-system.
OLDSMAR’S HISTORIC BANK BUILDING, CONSTRUCTED IN 1919, AT
101 STATE STREET WEST, IS LEED CERTIFIED FOLLOWING A MAJOR
RENOVATION COMPLETED IN 2011. LOCATED IN THE BUILDING ARE; OLDSMAR’S CITY COUNCIL
CHAMBER , OLDSMAR HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM , AND UPPER TAMPA BAY REGIONAL
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
There are 411 cities, towns and
villages in Florida. The capital city of
Florida is Tallahassee.
There are 7,906,708 Floridians living in
incorporated areas. The percentage of Floridians
living in incorporated areas is 49 percent.
CARRIAGE” BROUGHT FAME AND FORTUNE TO R.E. OLDS, DRIVING
Historic Preservation
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CITY MANAGER
The City Manager is hired by the City
Council to serve the Council and the
community administering municipal
projects, policies and programs. The
City Manager prepares the annual
budget for Council, supervises staff,
serves as Council’s chief advisor and
carries out policies.
O N FL O RI DA CI TIE S
Cities in Florida are created when the
Legislature responds to a request from the
people living in a local area who want that
area to become a city. The people making
the request usually do so because they
desire to determine their service delivery and
to have a voice in governing themselves.
13,500
CITY COUNCIL
Florida’s cities have a suburban flavor, as none are as
large or urban as New York, Los Angeles or Chicago.
Many of the cities were planned for retirees and do not
have a central business area. A few are completely
residential. Some grew up around military bases and
popular tourist destinations. The fishing and
agricultural industries have also caused the creation
of coastal cities, towns and villages.
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FACTS
CITY DEPARTMENTS
City operations and services are implemented among 8 departments;
City Manager, City Clerk, Administrative Services, Planning &
Redevelopment, Public Works, Fire Rescue, Leisure Services and
Oldsmar Library.
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Municipal government provides many services to
the citizens within its jurisdiction. These services
fall into several general categories: Public Safety,
Public Works, Public Utilities, Planning &
Development, and Administration.
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Income to pay for government services
comes from a variety of sources:
Property Tax, Non-Property Tax, and
Non-Tax Revenue