[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6266346,"mediaKeyId","3087219-f185b7e46de29c9d31a804c60ade6eb5","parentId",3087219,"title","Public commenters oppose tax increases and criticize new audio system procurement","audioSeconds",370,"startMs",2310000,"endMs",2680000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087219-f185b7e46de29c9d31a804c60ade6eb5&start=2310&end=2680","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087219-f185b7e46de29c9d31a804c60ade6eb5/thumbnail_2310000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6266346/Lake-City/Columbia-County/Florida/Public-commenters-oppose-tax-increases-and-criticize-new-audio-system-procurement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266346-9e0f0e071cc3648568c404b282943c4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776651026&Signature=JqryFkCvtsCgNMvSdafokYhm8YXTYmdanpxqB4D-CLnS49hjaBvxrMBb15NQOyPAxLZ6WLh02dbkXDlWbxB2BzBj2ocMpQSoNc3SXnuW5f3uWLONGyB79zbVgJLxxHS6abVTiUeF5yJPq-u9SPGfrenYUI5iRS8ALp7sbB~hwHJbGPqRVxHEZxHaUbzcjQ4ZHG7~1OHRRnwOFFw8ng8WUMdQPjsB-3K1UszAC9ZC8p5kMxL~xPOaGhQ5brANkxm6vYqg5T3wQyFn6N3mpJr8aLITkCBFI~jvo516gFx5VDSwnYjAjhKGc4mVddXgmhYCSVU6~hJz1oqkEJ12EgFMdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lake City, FL","date","2025-04-23T00:37:12.127Z","article","During the public-comment period at the Lake City budget workshop, two citizens urged caution on tax and fee increases and raised concerns about the city’s recently installed audio system and procurement process.

A resident who identified his address as 1156 Northeast Baskin Norris Drive and was later addressed as Mr. Brown told the council he is “adamantly opposed to any increase in property tax, without some justification.” Brown urged the council and city manager to educate the public on any proposed tax measure and said increases would disproportionately affect residents on fixed incomes. He said he would support assessments only if the need and details were clearly explained to citizens.

Stu Wilker, identifying himself as with the Columbia County Observer, and another commenter identified as Mr. Littleker criticized the city’s new audio system, saying the finance director and some council members were difficult to hear. Wilker said the installation “still needs some work,” questioned how the procurement was handled and raised concerns about a piggybacked out-of-state bid; he also reported a claimed project cost of $3,540,000 and asked the council to review the purchase process. The finance director and mayor acknowledged audible issues during the workshop and staff took steps to improve microphones during the meeting.

Council members did not act on procurement questions during the workshop. The comments were recorded for the public record and the mayor closed the workshop after the public-comment period.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 21, 2025- City Council Workshop","oneSentenceSummary","Two residents urged the council not to raise property taxes without clear justification and criticized the performance and procurement process of the city’s new audio system.","taxTitle","Lake City, Columbia County, Florida","taxId",56856,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6266351,"Council discusses annexation, tax abatements and utility extension to attract investment",175,2061000,2236000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087219-f185b7e46de29c9d31a804c60ade6eb5&start=2061&end=2236","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087219-f185b7e46de29c9d31a804c60ade6eb5/thumbnail_2061000.jpg","/articles/6266351/Lake-City/Columbia-County/Florida/Council-discusses-annexation-tax-abatements-and-utility-extension-to-attract-investment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266351-f47ef74c303d027769c9068e2a14c145/orig.mp4?Expires=1776651026&Signature=eb3uDV7ORYb0109QDASBs4vr5~7mtDKOEklPVHLr-wXlH9~BvdZ~yUstJPECk~enK-hsXz2NXxm5Rl5ANzp27J86WN1-vQ1jGoPZ8K5Lhr04JrL-NH2xOCXOyFLzP2A2-ncEYmbrx2sMzT7spxtrCHhO0otREQtVqo5us8S5m2ccSuW6OElZ~LITBqrCAlNhdRcCGWuQItCFhUSodtQHBHq3kpTwd0o73h0OwnLmMjEbfulXJGBT-b59n-K9SJkneonfYj7MkEsj-mAjCbqQ1q9ffrtmcJjcAyK3SHRKcO5kRXKKhksS~vu0vcY7X4KXYHlb5w6Z-gfsTit-5me79w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lake City council members discussed a range of economic-development incentives during a budget workshop, including annexation, targeted tax abatements, extension of sewer and water utilities, and a city-led business incubator aimed at supporting local entrepreneurs.

Councilman Carter said annexation and extending utilities to strategic corridors (including recent work along State Road 47) would create new development opportunities. Several council members said tax abatements for property improvement could create value without immediate cost to current taxpayers; one council member suggested “radial tax abatements” that would direct stronger incentives to specific opportunity zones.

Vice Mayor Young and Councilman Carter both suggested partnering with the Chamber of Commerce and pursuing programs that reduce barriers to market entry — such as making utility hookups available faster — as ways to make Lake City more attractive to new business investment. The idea of an entrepreneurial incubator or secured lending programs to help homegrown businesses launch was discussed as a longer-term option.

No tax abatement ordinance, annexation ordinance or incentive package was adopted during the workshop. Council members asked staff and the city manager to prepare creative proposals and longer-term plans for the council’s review.","Lake City council members discussed annexation, tax abatement programs, utility extensions and a potential small-business incubator as incentives to spur economic development; no incentive package was adopted.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6266356,"Council lists roads, lighting, sewer conversion and crosswalks as top capital priorities",139,1526000,1665000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087219-f185b7e46de29c9d31a804c60ade6eb5&start=1526&end=1665","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087219-f185b7e46de29c9d31a804c60ade6eb5/thumbnail_1526000.jpg","/articles/6266356/Lake-City/Columbia-County/Florida/Council-lists-roads-lighting-sewer-conversion-and-crosswalks-as-top-capital-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266356-1eb79aa8777808758c2be185e244b7be/orig.mp4?Expires=1776651026&Signature=SG9ghZ-C09sV4cwa3WP555xUjtoE~LRBlZ6a22ixOrQjs2zwRBg3~qC1-vrU7oiT639DEj5DMYfJPHmBYYyXbbocrtd70Y3gdIP4dM~bUtcJ6wFlznWELl~th~WiG0-FbwYg7-xuV0PONdmXA2MLgYXBR-AXjVaglTAqG9KEIrntBMkkYDeU3zu74sywOnuzuzUfwMnXymYKLQWqQdGoB-~s-4-htjwP06dbjJeCFWP9I9AjsL4MCao3laWz1Ngx2WP-SzQC9UzL3W-BlKTDZMZXvIv0Lh-aeq7-WLBQEnvA3TQz6AKWV1c4Sfhr5N~6Pvn9InelFGsipyW3vb~Blw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Lake City City Council budget workshop, council members identified streets, street lighting, crosswalks, sewer conversion for in-town septic systems, and targeted park improvements as top capital priorities for the coming budget year.

Vice Mayor Young emphasized comprehensive street repairs rather than temporary fixes, saying the city “need[s] repayment of a lot of streets” and that addressing roads also helps reduce flooding. Councilman Carter listed “roads, lights and code enforcement” as priorities and cautioned against short-term repairs that can worsen stormwater issues. Councilman Jernigan and others also named sidewalks as a priority.

Several members raised pedestrian safety: Vice Mayor Young asked staff to pursue crosswalk improvements, noting the city is already working on that item. Council members said that improved lighting would address safety and public-safety concerns and mentioned a planned program to better identify outages and repair street lights faster.

Council members also discussed replacing in-town septic systems with sewer in targeted areas, pairing that work with available state grant dollars. Councilman Carter suggested continuing grant-seeking for Youngs Park improvements and proposed low-cost amenities — such as a dog park or a small disc-golf course at Campbell Park near Lake Montgomery — to activate underused space and discourage illicit activity in those parks.

Council members noted some projects could be advanced through grants and state funding rather than local tax increases, and they directed staff to include these capital priorities in budget planning and grant-seeking efforts.

No capital projects were approved at the workshop; members primarily conveyed priorities for staff to factor into the draft budget and to pursue grant opportunities.","During the Lake City budget workshop council members prioritized road repairs, street lighting, crosswalks, sewer conversion for in-town septic, and targeted park upgrades as top capital and infrastructure needs for FY2026.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6266361,"Lake City council resists immediate property tax hike; awaits fire and stormwater studies",167,306000,473000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087219-f185b7e46de29c9d31a804c60ade6eb5&start=306&end=473","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087219-f185b7e46de29c9d31a804c60ade6eb5/thumbnail_306000.jpg","/articles/6266361/Lake-City/Columbia-County/Florida/Lake-City-council-resists-immediate-property-tax-hike-awaits-fire-and-stormwater-studies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266361-640ba734b82a31c79aa8a83d5f573e3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776651026&Signature=mCTil8QZQu6pOQtBof-1yQ~ZauT0atvEadYaCvkY71QDHMJIAe-uIOFauNiO4Z6EophOgOgBMG16mbgsvq-yBRNGghiV7mdYBQqDpwWaoBQwDt-eCVhIQKqbvrA2VxkByiFSNj-W~VEk1o2KpobqLPYHoLzWpCw5FgHYBUd~zL6m8iyRPPJE4fm4044519QvXO0Kx8XxOj5jkMVEyezDPX7Eb65OpU1nKyOaL--vVLiYIm4lvyQolNVyZcD6zfyxAZcK4OYgMECjkMxLml38RcRE3XHvGb39W9KMx0qQgdtLHPAxxuQb7CPs2WRF0EKF-Eq-~c2LsNGvXXIvYTJJbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Lake City City Council budget workshop for fiscal 2026, council members signaled they do not support an immediate increase to the city’s ad valorem millage rate and said they will wait for completed technical studies before considering higher fire or stormwater assessments.

The discussion centered on three revenue options the city is weighing for next year: raising the property (ad valorem) millage, increasing a fire assessment that currently requires a General Fund transfer, and implementing a dedicated stormwater fee. Finance staff and the city manager described studies under way to clarify needs and rates.

Council member Jernigan answered “Yes” when asked about considering an ad valorem increase; however, Councilwoman Harris, Councilwoman Young and Councilman Carter all said they would not support a property-tax increase at this time. Several members said they preferred putting specific tax or fee questions to voters rather than raising rates administratively. Councilman Carter said the council should “paint the vision” for voters if a ballot measure is proposed.

City staff said the city currently transfers $925,000 from the General Fund to cover the fire fund shortfall. Rosenthal and finance staff said the city engaged a consultant (identified in the workshop as Binesh) to conduct a comprehensive fire-assessment study. Finance staff told the council the fire assessment is governed by Florida statutes and that the consultant will present a range of proposed rates once the study is complete. Council members generally said they would review the consultant’s recommendations before supporting any increase; Councilwoman Harris said she would oppose a higher rate “not without substantial data.” Councilman Carter said he is open to an increase depending on the study’s findings.

On stormwater, Rosenthal and the finance director said a stormwater fee would fund projects to reduce flooding, prevent silt buildup and address neighborhood drainage over time. Council members asked whether a fee would apply citywide and whether it would be calculated by impervious surface. Staff said the fee design could be variable (for example, based on impermeable surface) or flat, and that options would be presented if the council chooses to pursue a fee.

Council members asked staff to recover and circulate the 2017 stormwater assessment because the council previously had the 2017 study completed and then voted by resolution not to implement the fee at that time. Several council members said they would support commissioning a new study if the prior analysis is no longer sufficient. Vice Mayor Young and others said they would consider a stormwater fee only if the new study shows a “die-hard necessity.”

No formal rate increases or fee ordinances were adopted at the workshop. The council’s direction to staff was procedural: to present the completed fire-assessment findings when available and to recover and distribute the 2017 stormwater study for council review so members can decide whether a new study or a fee proposal is warranted.

Next steps identified during the workshop: the fire-assessment consultant will complete and present its findings to the council; staff will retrieve and circulate the 2017 stormwater assessment and scope any new study if the council requests one.","At a Lake City budget workshop, council members largely rejected raising the ad valorem millage now, agreed staff will present a completed fire-assessment study and recover a 2017 stormwater study to inform any future fee or rate changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public commenters oppose tax increases and criticize new audio system procurement

Council discusses annexation, tax abatements and utility extension to attract investment

Council lists roads, lighting, sewer conversion and crosswalks as top capital priorities

Lake City council resists immediate property tax hike; awaits fire and stormwater studies