The meeting commenced with the introduction of the first public hearing to adopt the budget for fiscal year 2025. Mrs. Bowman, presenting the budget, noted that the adoption would involve establishing a tentative millage rate that could not exceed the rate adopted by the City Council on July 23rd. The fiscal year 2025 budget was constructed assuming an ad valorem millage rate of 6.9532 at a 95% collection rate mandated by the state. Maintaining this rate, the same as the previous fiscal year, would generate approximately $12 million in ad valorem taxes. The total proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 was outlined as $172 million, aimed at sustaining salaries, benefits, critical capital equipment, essential services, and managing inflationary costs.

Audience members called for increased transparency, requesting to see the numbers and raising concerns about the clarity of budget presentations. The council members discussed comparative city rates, with a proposal to include population size for context. Deputy Mayor Hearn suggested scenario-based presentations to illustrate potential impacts of maintaining or reducing the millage rate.

During the public hearing, it was clarified that the rollback rate was set at 6.3761, and the proposed millage rate of 6.9532 would represent a 9.05% increase relative to the rollback rate. This rate ensures revenue growth excludes new construction, keeping taxes consistent with the prior year. The council then approved Resolution 24-083, formalizing the tentative millage rate.

The discussion then moved to the fiscal year 2025 tentative budget. The budget also included significant amounts for various capital projects, special revenue funds, and debt service obligations.

The general fund, projected at $54 million, incorporated $12 million in ad valorem taxes, charges for services estimated at $8 million, and revenue from permits, fees, intergovernmental sources, and fines. Departmental allocations included $13.9 million for the police department, $12.4 million for public works, and $9.6 million for fire services. General operations received $7.3 million, with finance and administrative services allocated $4.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

Questions arose regarding the stormwater plan’s progress over the past ten years, with a request for updates on specific projects. Steve Murphy, a member of the public, questioned the rollover of budget funds from fiscal year 2023 to 2024, advocating for maintaining the standard rate to better prepare for future borrowing and transitioning parcels from septic to sewer systems.

Another resident, Jeffrey Brown, raised concerns about charges for services included in the water bill, specifically questioning Waste Management fees. Brown sought a detailed breakdown of his $1,500 property taxes, expressing financial strain and a belief he might be paying for services multiple times. The response clarified the property tax contributions support various city services, including police, fire, and public works, and noted that waste collection charges are a separate line item in the budget.

The council also discussed Resolution 224-8462, pertaining to the budget ending September 30, 2025. The council was reminded that the next public hearing on the final millage rate and budget would occur on September 17, 2024, at 6 PM. The current millage rate cannot be increased without re-advertising the process.

An exciting development was the announcement of Amazon’s new fulfillment center set to open ahead of the holiday season, with plans to hire potentially hundreds of positions. The center will handle items for distribution to other Amazon centers rather than directly to consumers. Concerns about hazardous materials were alleviated by clarifying that chemicals stored at the facility are similar to those found in typical home improvement stores.