Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger
July 30, 2014 10:12 a.m.
On July 29, 2014, the Fernandina Beach City Commission held a special meeting to set the tentative millage rate for the upcoming year. After a motion by Commissioner Pat Gass and a second by Vice Mayor Sarah Pelican, the commission voted 4-0 to accept City staff’s recommendation to approve a rollback rate of 6.021. Adding an exisiting .2642 voter approved debt (Greenway), the proposed millage rate will be 6.2852. Commissioner Charlie Corbett did not attend the meeting.
The roll back rate will bring in the same amount of property tax revenue that was received in the preceding year. (The city budgets for 95% of the anticipated property tax revenue.) According to City Manager Joe Gerrity, it is “the first time in 3 years we’ve been able to hit the roll back rate.”
Property Tax Information from Previous Years
Fiscal | Millage | Calculated | % Change | % Change |
Year | Rate | Receipts | Dollars | Tax Rate |
2011-2012 | 5.4335 | $8,538,000 | 5.21% | 10.07% |
2012-2013 | 6.3001 | $9,350,100 | 9.51% | 15.95% |
2013-2014 | 6.5080 | $9,490,300 | 1.50% | 3.30% |
Proposed | ||||
2014-2015 | 6.2852 | $9,746,000 | 2.69% | -3.42% |
Florida statue requires municipalities to set a tentative millage rate 35 days after the Nassau County Property Appraiser submits updated property values. Once the millage rate is set, the commission cannot increase the millage rate, but the rate can be decreased.
Gerrity asked that commissioners review the proposed budget and come to the workshop with any questions. “I must tell you, it is still a bare bones budget. There are not a lot of frills in here.” says Gerrity. Budget workshops are scheduled for Wednesday, August 6 and Tuesday, August 12 at 4:00 p.m
Somehow, I like this. Getting together is better than shouting.
While a 2.7% increase in overall property tax revenues, final digest numbers from the County could change that margin. When you consider the higher cost of fuel from last year, electric utility charges, union agreement pay increases and other increases in operating expenses, it will again be a very, very austere budget.
Yes Dave,that’s as it should be.