During the meeting, the City Commission adopted a final millage rate of 9.11630 Mills. This decision was made to slightly alleviate the financial burden on residents, despite an overall 7.77% increase over the rollback rate of 8.5022 Mills. The approval required a super majority and passed with unanimous support.

One of the commissioners expressed gratitude for the reduction, acknowledging that while it may seem minimal, any relief is significant for the community. The commissioner also highlighted the budget’s focus on enhancing public safety, transportation infrastructure, housing, social services, and business support.

In discussions following the millage rate approval, the commission addressed several critical budget concerns. One prominent issue was the allocation of funds for canal cleaning. A commissioner inquired about additional budget provisions for canal cleaning beyond the two scheduled cleanings by the county. The city manager was asked to consider identifying funds for this purpose, either within the current budget or through future budget amendments, if necessary.

Another topic was the funding for the Police Explorers program. One commissioner emphasized the importance of ensuring the program is well-funded, particularly for purchasing uniforms. The budget currently allocates $10,000 for the Police Explorers, up from an initial $7,000. There was a suggestion to potentially increase this amount via a budget amendment, should the need arise.

Additionally, the commission discussed the importance of securing external funding for the Police Explorers program. One member suggested seeking grants and sponsorships from organizations such as the Police Benevolent Association to support the program without further straining the city’s budget.

The commission also touched upon the budget for audit support and the need to ensure adequate funding for completing audits, given ongoing challenges in hiring additional staff.

The meeting concluded with the approval of the city’s general, proprietary, and special funds budget for fiscal year 2024-2025. This budget, already accepted by the governor’s office, will not undergo further changes at this stage, although potential budget amendments might be considered to address specific needs as they arise.