[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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],{"_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",6457774,"mediaKeyId","5836965-87b17a3b631ef7b0fde15ae3f2fc11ca","parentId",5836965,"title","Commission approves CPI-based increases to water, stormwater and solid-waste rates","audioSeconds",190,"startMs",422000,"endMs",612000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5836965-87b17a3b631ef7b0fde15ae3f2fc11ca&start=422&end=612","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5836965-87b17a3b631ef7b0fde15ae3f2fc11ca/thumbnail_422000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6457774/St-Augustine/St-Johns-County/Florida/Commission-approves-CPI-based-increases-to-water-stormwater-and-solid-waste-rates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457774-918722ba1233a7c951bf71279122354b/orig.mp4?Expires=1774927325&Signature=gQ3MoTuHTa09c0E6xnxHwhncmIi-Bol2vimulGDCVZSjFx5TUWEmRfZn8QckpoA-zaCgGoj2CcI20-osORLJT-P4Uf0iEekGKFbdTATzFoRkYwJ4k5FNOez4a4LbTiQSFBLu9A1fdhwzcvrUL4TJZuP-rw9WGmPhNjjvhIOhDlyxK1UDlsY1LFyXsO5AQd8jueWNGuAwvDNGj1~-RU0xH7ZfMJen9V4LV8dSKEBS4CMR1CQiLl38SrZJD~occa7bhb7cIZbClg2ZulRURd5vSQLsLwsEc6WgU38cYhGiPfuN6q1kU3IGXaAjWoYqLVIcrQsrXaMtX2Mmx1p~7Rb1PA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Augustine","date","2025-09-25T00:00:00Z","article","The St. Augustine City Commission approved three resolutions on Sept. 30 that raised utility rates — water/sewer, stormwater and solid waste — by 2.3% effective Oct. 1, mirroring the Consumer Price Index for the U.S. South region.

The finance presentation stated each rate was adjusted by the CPI for all urban consumers in the South Region by 2.3%. For water and sewer the resolution’s exhibit lists separate inside- and outside-city rates and reduces the outside-city surcharge from 17% to 12% (a phased reduction the commission said has been underway for about a decade). The stormwater fee for a single-family unit increases from $10.56 to $10.80 per month — a 34¢ increase — and the solid waste schedule in Exhibit A was adjusted uniformly by 2.3%.

Public comment was not offered on any of the rate adjustments; no speakers signed up during the hearings. Each resolution passed by roll call without further discussion.

What was said: During the water and sewer discussion commissioners praised the ongoing reduction in the outside-city surcharge. One commissioner noted the surcharge “started at 25%” historically and has been reduced over roughly 10 years to the current level.

Votes and outcome: The commission passed the water/sewer resolution, the stormwater resolution and the solid-waste resolution in separate roll-call votes; each motion carried unanimously.

Ending: The new rates take effect Oct. 1, 2025; the city’s finance staff said they would provide the public with rate exhibits and details and answer any follow-up questions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Augustine - City Commission Special Budget","oneSentenceSummary","The St. Augustine City Commission approved three resolutions raising water/sewer, stormwater and solid waste rates by 2.3% effective Oct. 1; commissioners noted the stormwater single-family monthly fee rises from $10.56 to $10.80.","taxTitle","St. Augustine, St. Johns County , Florida","taxId",4620,"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},6457777,"City agrees to let staff attend county meeting on Nights of Lights amid debate over county role",1323,2485000,3808000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5836965-87b17a3b631ef7b0fde15ae3f2fc11ca&start=2485&end=3808","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5836965-87b17a3b631ef7b0fde15ae3f2fc11ca/thumbnail_2485000.jpg","/articles/6457777/St-Augustine/St-Johns-County/Florida/City-agrees-to-let-staff-attend-county-meeting-on-Nights-of-Lights-amid-debate-over-county-role","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457777-d3880cb47c3ffa84cc5ca5711f294892/orig.mp4?Expires=1774927325&Signature=FlGCNeZFvei-pysRaEpm653wS7or~stcpVd49NsgGv2mDyqQ0GhNEzcyB85loxMpmTbIVLgbiP6DHwy3258m3LoKcvMByyhTSN4ItE3NUObByZAV6sbOk6WLg34hM~EOT7BrpHZxypJwWI-YOxm92~bzBJxU5TOwKaPLsmeNf7~yMuOnxkc48l-Mry-XJo~2ngC36ZXTt7lFW9GcMtCRUQtMpwBh5uAmvvQZh3P5vuV-eQvQzr7IdiunS3GQGkZTgNPlYa~anIy-DmHOKYDsMQey7-v2tgBkF1Q7nK3R4fI0KCJr-J0gUJqT6BKYI7KRl~V71GTwzPARNpUNeNynbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Augustine commissioners on Sept. 30 agreed to let city staff attend a county-requested meeting about Nights of Lights after a contentious discussion over whether elected officials should participate and what the meeting’s purpose is.

The commission did not take a formal vote but signaled consensus that the city manager should decide which staffers to send. The city manager told the commission, “I have not spoken to the county commissioner about the creation of this meeting, but we would we can certainly send city staff members to the meeting to participate and to ask or answer any questions that may arise about Knights of Lights.”

Why it matters: Nights of Lights is St. Augustine’s largest seasonal event and draws large numbers of visitors; commissioners said the event imposes significant costs on city services and that planning must protect public safety while limiting demands on staff time and city funds.

Commissioners expressed frustration that the county’s outreach came late in the planning timeline. Commissioner Jim Springfield and others said major elements of this year’s program are already contracted and underway. “Our contracts are let. This is — we’re starting Nov. 15 — is go time,” a commissioner said during debate, noting that lighting contractors and crews were already working. The city manager confirmed staff can attend “to answer questions” and brief the commission afterward.

Several commissioners warned the meeting should be informational, not a new decision-making body. Commissioner Cynthia Garris characterized the county-requested gathering as “a meeting of the minds” and said staff participation would be courteous and useful: “The only difference…we never went to the county and asked them for $850,000 either. We did it on our own revenue,” she said, urging city staff be allowed to attend to present facts and represent the city’s planning work.

Commissioner John DePrater and others said the city’s events plan is “solidified” and that the more important immediate task is to run the event and evaluate outcomes afterward — for example, whether shuttle capacity, police deployment or restroom access were sufficient.

The commission also discussed alternatives to offseting event costs, including private sponsorships. Garris suggested approaching local hotel and restaurant owners about sponsoring specific light installations or segments.

Discussion vs. direction vs. decision: The commission’s discussion produced direction (the city manager may send staff to the county meeting at his discretion) but no formal resolution or ordinance. Commissioners repeatedly emphasized the city’s planning and advertising process had included public and business input.

Background and funding: Commissioners said the county has appropriated funding for this year’s Nights of Lights and that the county’s Tourism Development Council supported an increase in funding; one commissioner noted an $850,000 county appropriation had been discussed during the meeting. Commissioners also described a roughly $58,000 shortfall the city will cover from general funds for this year’s event.

The commission ended the discussion with an in-chamber nod of agreement that the manager should handle staff participation and report back to the commission, and then adjourned the meeting.

Ending: The city manager will determine which subject-matter staff attend the county meeting and return with a report to the commission. Commissioners asked that staff be prepared to correct factual errors and explain contracts and operational details if questions arise.","St. Augustine commissioners debated whether elected officials should attend a county-requested meeting about Nights of Lights and agreed to let the city manager send staff to represent the city; commissioners criticized late timing and stressed the event is already under contract and under way.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6457770,"Commission adopts FY2026 budget and keeps millage at 7.5 mills; day center phase‑1 construction nearing completion",0,797000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5836965-87b17a3b631ef7b0fde15ae3f2fc11ca&start=797&end=797","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5836965-87b17a3b631ef7b0fde15ae3f2fc11ca/thumbnail_797000.jpg","/articles/6457770/St-Augustine/St-Johns-County/Florida/Commission-adopts-FY2026-budget-and-keeps-millage-at-75-mills-day-center-phase1-construction-nearing-completion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457770-8ab771a8d88d85d0b5cf02af4348d813/orig.mp4?Expires=1774927325&Signature=J~M7ONyWpf8nj5umihC--OCTityRilqzDZCW1nWP9EETxWNJh99nnDRonryn7w~Ki9I0MkVZNPA56YalkVRaGeZF9-TuewG9lwbT0cToiHuanPEmIcAPXTkVHd9eNyNQZ3BCCcutG7jaiLvA6PA4NRMHyJ-UHV24MJdm8oegXNMlAOyqSDUjQgHZU3Jh-FzO6MIMj7DP~57UFB9g9UgHQ1SJXt6EqfSY6K5tJevJMw2WO0prmg~PmlTbJPpFlU7nQBYOb3lvKfkiNO24b9NWnJTmnLdYL-Npqgif6mFYWY~cd5T3YFPnyxBUHpqR5EQDSo0EvFzJ3Mr5X7b5F6IUDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Augustine City Commission adopted a final millage rate of 7.5 mills and approved the FY2026 budget and five-year capital improvement plan during a Sept. 30 special budget meeting.

The commission’s adopted millage of 7.5 mills represents a 2.02% increase over the rollback rate of 7.3513 mills, as required by Florida law. The millage rate and budget ordinance were both adopted after public hearings; the commission recorded unanimous roll-call votes.

Why it matters: The ad valorem revenue increase will be used for items discussed in earlier budget workshops, including continued road resurfacing, the South Dixie Highway sidewalk projects and implementation of the capital improvement plan.

Budget and votes: The second-reading ordinance adopting the budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and ending Sept. 30, 2026, passed on second reading. The ordinance language confirms the budget will be spread on the minutes and allows the city manager authority to transfer appropriations within activities when necessary. The vote for the millage (Resolution 2025-33) and the budget ordinance (Ordinance 2025-29) were both recorded as unanimous.

Public comment and homelessness services: Vicky Pepper, speaking for Community Advocates for Racial Equity (CARE), praised the city for funding and completing phase 1 of a drop-in day center for people experiencing homelessness and asked the commission to include some city funding for phase 2 in the 2026 budget. Pepper said CARE understands the city will need outside funding for phase 2 but requested the city “include some funding, city funding for phase 2 in the 2026 budget to reflect the city's commitment and intention to proceed to complete the entire project.” Pepper also said she believed the city had included roughly $250,000 toward phase 2 in next year’s budget but said she had reviewed a high-level budget and could not confirm details.

Commission discussion: Commissioners spoke in favor of maintaining the millage to preserve public safety staffing, road and capital projects and conservation priorities. One commissioner noted that taxes vary by individual circumstances — for example, long-held homestead exemptions — and asked residents to consult county tax and property offices for questions.

Ending: The budget and millage are effective for fiscal year 2025–26 beginning Oct. 1, 2025. The city indicated staff will finalize budget details and publish the adopted budget and capital improvement project schedules.","St. Augustine’s City Commission adopted the final millage rate of 7.5 mills (2.02% above the rollback rate) and passed the FY2026 budget and five-year capital improvement plan; a public commenter representing CARE urged continued city funding for phase 2 of the homeless drop-in day center.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves CPI-based increases to water, stormwater and solid-waste rates

City agrees to let staff attend county meeting on Nights of Lights amid debate over county role

Commission adopts FY2026 budget and keeps millage at 7.5 mills; day center phase‑1 construction nearing completion