The most notable development was the council’s decision to decrease the millage rate from 1.3349 to 1.2810, despite an 8.73% increase in property values within the town. This decision was part of the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which totals $10.5 million, a reduction from the previous year’s $12.8 million. The decrease in expenditures was attributed to the completion of one-time projects and not cuts to ongoing services. The budget aims to maintain high service levels while being fiscally prudent. During discussions, it was noted that while residents may experience an average tax increase of 4.2%, those with homesteaded properties could potentially see a slight reduction in their property tax bills.

The council expressed gratitude to the staff for their efforts in preparing the budget. A council member highlighted the importance of being responsible stewards of taxpayer money, acknowledging that the town’s tax rate is only one part of residents’ overall tax bills, with county and special taxing districts also playing a role.

Another topic of concern was the veto of House Bill 11 by the governor, which aimed to reform utility rates for customers outside the municipality that owns the utility. The council plans to draft a letter agreeing with the governor’s reasoning and addressing ongoing utility rate discrimination issues. A council member emphasized the absurdity of differing rates based on municipal affiliation and reminisced about previous involvement with the Florida League of Cities to advocate for change. The council agreed on the necessity of not only drafting a letter but pursuing legislative solutions to address the issue.

The meeting also covered the collective bargaining process with the public safety officers’ union. A competitive wage package was presented, along with proposed pension reforms. However, constraints imposed by the town attorney and town manager limited the details shared during the meeting. A council member raised questions regarding pension contributions in light of ongoing union negotiations, with assurances that the budget assumes the current contractual framework.

In staff updates, the building official reported a decline in building permits and inspections. Fee collections were also down, raising concerns about meeting financial targets for operating expenses. Questions were raised about stalled construction projects, with expectations for some residential units to be completed within six months.

Public safety updates included a report on the southern slowdown initiative, aimed at enforcing speed limits. This initiative resulted in 25 enforcement details, 35 traffic stops, and 37 warning citations. A decrease in traffic crashes was noted, with the last serious incident recorded in December. The construction of the public safety building was also nearing completion.

The council also discussed code enforcement matters, focusing on the completion of a sea turtle lighting survey and fire safety protocols involving emergency access keys. The public works department was commended for efforts in cemetery maintenance and municipal stormwater system reporting.

In a brief town attorney report, legislative updates were shared, with encouragement for council members to reach out with questions. The town manager and town treasurer were praised for their quick response to a substantial state information request, contrasting with challenges faced by neighboring communities in similar tasks.