Ormond Beach approves tentative millage and first-reading budget after hours of public comment

The Ormond Beach City Commission voted unanimously Sept. 3 to adopt a tentative operating millage and take the first reading of the fiscal 2025–26 budget after a lengthy public comment period packed with appeals to protect youth sports, parks and public safety funding.

The commission approved an amended operating millage of 4.3867 mills and a voter-approved debt-service millage of 0.063 mills for a combined rate of 4.4497 mills; the finance director said that operating rate is 12.36% above the rollback rate of 3.9042. The commission also held first reading of the annual budget ordinance for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025.

The adoption is significant because it establishes the property-tax rate that will appear on fall tax notices and sets the legal framework for the city’s $131 million adopted operating budget (the finance director described a larger “working” number on the city transparency portal that will be adjusted at year end). The city attorney’s memo to the commission reminded members that state law requires a budget and millage be adopted and warned of fines and withheld state revenue if the city failed to act.

Public comment before the vote ran more than two hours. Dozens of residents, coaches, nonprofit leaders and public-safety representatives urged commissioners not to cut leisure services, youth athletics or public-safety staffing. “As parents, we want to do whatever it takes to keep our area safe for our children,” said Stephanie Watson, identifying herself as a resident of 73 Woodfield Court. Several speakers said small tax increases were preferable to cuts that would reduce recreational programming, field maintenance and police and fire staffing.

Representatives of the city’s public-safety unions pressed the commission to avoid cuts to police and fire. Sergeant Ray Yanes, representing the Police Association, said the city is near full staffing after years of recruitment and warned that “this is not the time to consider budget cuts.” David Randall, president of the Ormond Beach Professional Firefighters Union, urged support for the budget and said postponing maintenance or vehicle replacement raises future costs.

Local business and nonprofit leaders also spoke in favor of the budget. Debbie Cotton, president and CEO of the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce, and other business leaders told the commission that parks, events and cultural assets help attract visitors and residents and broaden the tax base.

The commission and staff responded to several recurring public questions about the numbers. Finance Director Kelly McGuire clarified that the city’s current official adopted operating budget is about $131,000,009 (the higher $170 million figure on the transparency portal reflects budget amendments that have been placed into the system for projects that may not be completed in the fiscal year and that are trimmed at year-end). She also read the motion language used to adopt the proposed millage and confirmed the totals announced after the commission vote.

Commissioners framed the action as a choice between modest tax increases and preserving services and capital projects. Deputy Mayor Lori Tolland described the city’s long track record of low millage in Volusia County and said, “I will not defund our police. I will not defund our fire or our public works. I will continue to stand up for parks and recreation.” Commissioner Kristen Deaton and Commissioner Travis Sargent both urged public transparency and additional review of contracts and auto-renewals to find long-term savings. Mayor Jason Leslie said he had reviewed historical information and presented personal reasons for supporting youth services but did not propose specific cuts.

After discussion, Commissioner Jason Riley moved, and a second was made, to adopt the proposed millage (amended language specifying the operating and debt-service components). The roll-call votes recorded by the city clerk were: Lori Tolland — yes; Travis Sargent — yes; Kristen Deaton — yes; Howard Briley — yes; Jason Leslie (mayor) — yes. The motion carried unanimously.

Ending: The commission set the tentative millage and completed first reading of the budget ordinance; state law requires additional public-notice steps and a final budget hearing later in the month. Staff told commissioners they will return with additional budget detail and were asked to schedule follow-up workshops so commissioners and residents can review contract renewals, alternative health-plan structures and other items raised during public comment.