Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
September 8, 2021
The Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) held the first of two required Public Hearings to present formally the proposed millage rate for the 2021/22 Fiscal year, which begins October 1, 2021. The special meeting, advertised and held on September 7, 2021, attracted an audience of 3-5 citizens in addition to City Department Directors and local media. Mayor Mike Lednovich opened the Public Hearing and called for speakers, but there were none. The meeting concluded after 3 minutes and 24 seconds.
Prior to the call for public speakers, City Attorney Tammi Bach read the Truth In Millage (TRIM) statement as required by law:
TRUTH IN MILLAGE STATEMENT FISCAL YEAR 2021/2022
Prior to adoption of Resolution 2021-148, which sets the property tax millage rate for operating expenditures, and sets the millage rate for voter approved debt, Chapter 200.065 (4)(d), Florida Statutes, requires that the following statement be publicly announced.
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- The taxing authority levying this property tax is the City Commission of the City of Fernandina Beach.
- The rolled back rate is 5.1068 mills per $1,000 of assessed value.
- The percentage increase is 4.43% over the rollback millage rate.
- The operating millage rate to be levied is 5.3330 mills per $1,000 of assessed value.
- The voter debt millage rate is .0000.
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The “rolled-back” or “rollback” rate is calculated by the County Property Appraiiser and would generate prior year tax revenues less allowances for new construction, additions, deletions, annexations, and improvements increasing value by at least 100% and tangible personal property value in excess of 115% of the previous year’s value. Click here to read more about the rollback rate.
The millage rate proposed for Fernandina Beach is the adjusted rollback rate. The difference between the rollback and the adjusted rollback rates relates to an inflation factor, allowed by state law to be approved on a 3-2 vote.
Fernandina Beach tax payers will note that there is no longer a debt millage rate because the bond to finance Greenway improvements was paid off this year.
To read the proposed FY2021/22 Budget on the City’s website click here .
The Second Public Hearing on the Millage Rate and Budget will be held at a Special Meeting on September 21, 2021 at 5:05 p.m. In City Commission Chambers. It is anticipated that this will be the final hearing and that the Budget will be voted upon during the Regular FBCC Meeting which follows the Special Meeting.