Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
July 20, 2016 5:28 p.m.
It’s that time of year again, when the City of Fernandina Beach, along with other Florida municipalities and counties, begin the difficult chore of developing a budget for the next fiscal year that begins October 1, 2016. Governments all over the state are trying to balance needs of their communities with tax relief for their citizens. And unlike the Federal government, which can go seemingly forever on continuing resolution without adopting a budget, Floridians do not have that luxury. Municipalities and counties must have adopted budgets by September 30, or else. And the “for else” isn’t pretty.
Fernandina Beach City Manager Dale Martin has been working with his department heads and Comptroller Patti Clifford to fashion a budget that addresses priorities developed by the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) this past winter along with city needs for maintenance and infrastructure that were left to languish during the Great Recession. He presented his proposed FY2016/17 budget during the July 19, 2016 Regular Meeting.
At this time it appears that the City Manager is recommending an adjusted Rollback, (or Rolled-Back) millage rate, which is the maximum rate that can be adopted by a majority vote of the commission. The Rollback rate is that millage rate which, when applied to the total amount of taxable value of property (excluding new construction), produces the same amount of tax dollars as the previous year. Calculation of the “rolled-back rate” is governed by Florida Statutes. To adopt a higher rate would require either a 2/3rds vote or a unanimous vote. The slide below shows the various rate options.
The city’s budget is roughly divided into those activities covered primarily by ad valorem taxes (the General Fund) and those that are intended to be financed through their own fees (Enterprise Funds). The City Manager is proposing to add positions this year to promote public safety, meet increased demand for services and improve infrastructure.
There will be a Special Meeting at 5:00 p.m. on July 26 to set the millage rate for the coming year. Once that rate is set, it may be reduced following August budget workshops, but it cannot go higher. There are two key meetings in September as part of the budget process:
- September 6: Budget hearing and reading of millage statement
- September 20: Budget hearing and approval
All of the workshops and hearings are public meetings that will be advertised.
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.