Port Orange City Council Approves Budget with 7.84% Millage Rate Increase
-
Meeting Type:
City Council
-
Meeting Date:
09/18/2024
-
Recording Published:
09/18/2024
-
Duration:
16 Minutes
-
State:
Florida
-
County:
Volusia County
-
Towns:
Port Orange
- Meeting Overview:
The Port Orange City Council has approved the fiscal year 2025 budget, which includes a final millage rate of $4.97 per $1,000 of property valuation, representing a 7.84% increase in ad valorem tax revenues above the rollback rate. This budget aims to address various operational and capital needs.
During the meeting, the city manager outlined the specific reasons for the millage rate increase. The additional funds will support capital projects such as a $2 million investment in parks, including the rehabilitation of City Center field, Causeway Park, and All Children’s Park. Other significant allocations include approximately $1 million for a police generator, half a million dollars for the Main Street Bridge, and over $300,000 for a new phone system. Furthermore, the budget includes a few thousand dollars for the elevation and demolition of houses in flooded areas.
Operational costs also contribute to the budget increase. These include contracts for personnel wage increases, new positions like two community service officers in the police department, and insurance increases in health, workers’ compensation, and property casualty. Additionally, vendor contracts and about $300,000 for sidewalks and street maintenance are part of the budget.
Council members expressed general agreement and satisfaction with the budget, emphasizing the need to be proactive in maintaining the city’s infrastructure to avoid future problems. One member highlighted that the city has kept its budget increase to 4.24%, lower than many peer municipalities, which averaged a 9.47% increase.
Public comments were also heard, with one resident stressing the importance of ensuring the city has the financial tools to support and retain its employees. The resident emphasized the need for incentives to attract and keep skilled workers, especially as many are nearing retirement.
The council then moved to approve Resolution 24-38, which adopts the final millage rate. The public had no further comments on this resolution, and the council members unanimously approved it.
Following the millage rate discussion, the council approved the final operating budget for fiscal year 2025, which includes all operating and capital costs across various funds. The total adopted budget amounts to approximately $79.7 million.
Donald O. Burnette
City Council Officials:
Reed Foley, Tracy Grubbs, Drew Bastian, Scott Stiltner, Robin Fenwick (CITY CLERK)
-
Meeting Type:
City Council
-
Meeting Date:
09/18/2024
-
Recording Published:
09/18/2024
-
Duration:
16 Minutes
-
Notability Score:
Routine
Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:
-
State:
Florida
-
County:
Volusia County
-
Towns:
Port Orange
Recent Meetings Nearby:
- 10/25/2024
- 10/25/2024
- 29 Minutes
- 10/25/2024
- 10/25/2024
- 68 Minutes