0:00The financial discussion opened with a detailed report on the county’s projected revenue losses. The closure of a fully cellular paper mill and hurricane damage have led to a historic decline in property tax revenue. The assessed value of coastal properties dropped from approximately $414 million in 2024 to $362 million in 2025, translating to a loss of about $378,000 in the county general fund revenue.

Property tax laws were highlighted, specifically the “Save Our Homes” protection, which allows homeowners with a homestead exemption to maintain their tax status despite property loss, limiting new construction revenue for up to five years. Legislative changes following Hurricane Ian permit owners of catastrophically damaged homes to retain their homestead exemption if they rebuild, but it impedes revenue generation. The county faces an imperative to streamline building and zoning processes to foster rebuilding and economic recovery.

19:36The meeting further delved into the budget’s composition, emphasizing the absence of capital outlay funded by the one-cent sales tax and focusing on ad valorem taxes. The general fund’s significant shortfall was underscored by a projected $25,000 loss in building permit fees, pointing to ongoing struggles in meeting budgetary needs. The board’s history of conservative budgeting was acknowledged, with healthy reserves but a recognition that relying solely on reserves is unsustainable. Potential solutions such as increasing millage rates and implementing special assessments were discussed, including a potential increase to 8.46 mills with a cap of 10 mills, which could generate an additional $3 million in ad valorem taxes.

A suggestion was made for the building department to operate as an enterprise fund, covering its costs through its own revenue rather than relying on general tax revenues. The potential of employing a part-time planner was also considered to address increasing demands and support new construction needs. The possibility of amending the one-cent sales tax ordinance to allow operational funding was introduced, with a suggestion for public hearings to facilitate such a change.

A board member expressed strong reservations about increasing revenue through millage rate hikes or special assessments, advocating for identifying and implementing spending cuts before considering tapping into reserves or raising taxes. The member proposed an across-the-board budget cut of 20%.

37:42As the conversation progressed, the need for budgetary cuts without raising taxes became a recurring theme. A participant emphasized the economic struggles of residents, stating, “I’m not for raising the taxes; our people are struggling enough,” highlighting the responsibility to make necessary cuts. The idea of a uniform 20% budget cut across departments was proposed, acknowledging the potential for service reductions and job losses. The sentiment that operating as in previous years was unsustainable resonated, with calls to reassess priorities in light of the current economic climate.

Concerns about maintaining service levels amidst budget cuts were raised, particularly the impact on road grading and garbage collection, which could lead to dissatisfaction among residents. Personnel costs, as the largest budget item, were noted to be an area where cuts could impact service delivery. Discussions on bringing industry into the county as a revenue improvement measure were also broached, emphasizing the importance of a balanced tax base.

52:33The meeting also touched on waste management concerns, with a commissioner suggesting that the county had become “very spoiled” in terms of waste disposal. A federal program, the New Market Tax Credit, used by Bay County, was discussed as a potential means to encourage investments in economically distressed areas, sparking interest in Taylor County.

Public concerns were voiced during the meeting, particularly regarding debris removal on non-county maintained roads. A caller expressed frustration over the lack of action following the last storm, contrasting current efforts with previous storm responses and inquiring about the status of debris removal. This underscored ongoing struggles between residents’ expectations and the county’s capacity to address community needs effectively.