The Crestview City Council voted 3-0 Tuesday to adopt a tentative millage rate of 6.6466 mills and to approve a tentative fiscal year 2025–26 budget totaling $81,206,821. Final adoption of both the millage and the budget is scheduled for Sept. 22, 2025, at 5:15 p.m. in the council chambers at 198 North Wilson Street, Crestview, Florida.

The council heard the formal Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice read into the record, which lists a current-year rollback rate of 6.6225 and a stated percentage increase over the rollback rate of 0.36. The clerk read the proposed millage as 6.6466 mills; the clerk and city manager told the council the TRIM timetable and related deadlines are set by Florida statutes.

City management presented the attached tentative budget and said the document includes projected revenues, appropriations and capital projects. The proposed budget figure of $81,206,821 covers all identified capital projects and multiple funding sources; staff noted the timeline required by TRIM and said if the schedule were not met the rollback rate would apply.

The public hearing drew one speaker. Jillian Harker, of 163 Jones, asked a series of questions about city services and spending priorities, including whether the senior center would receive new chairs, whether the city planned to lower public-record fees by ordinance, whether netting at the Foxwood golf area would be expanded, police staffing levels, paramedic pay increases, funding for Food Truck Fridays, whether the community-center air conditioning was rebid, and whether city vehicles carry traffic-tracking devices. Harker said, "I would rather have a fully staffed police force than ambiance on Main Street," and added, "I don't think the city should be paying for that," referring to the city's possible funding of Food Truck Fridays. The city manager offered to provide written answers offline and asked Harker to submit her questions and contact information.

Council action came after the public hearing. Motion to approve Resolution 2025-17 (tentative millage levy of 6.6466) was made by Councilman Bullets, seconded by Councilman Frost, and carried 3-0 with two members absent. Motion to approve Resolution 2025-18 (adoption of the tentative budget for fiscal 2025–26 in the amount of $81,206,821) was made by Councilman Frost, seconded by Councilman Hayes, and carried 3-0 with two members absent.

A council member offered brief praise for the finance staff and city manager for keeping expenditures within available funds while seeking to limit property tax increases. The council did not take further direction at the meeting; staff will prepare the required notices and bring both measures back for final adoption on Sept. 22, 2025.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2025-17 (Tentative millage levy 6.6466 mills): Approved 3-0; 2 absent.
- Resolution 2025-18 (Tentative budget, fiscal 2025–26: $81,206,821): Approved 3-0; 2 absent.