The Crestview City Council voted unanimously to adopt a final operating millage rate of 6.6466 and to approve the city's fiscal year 2026 budget during a final budget hearing, city clerk readings and council motions showed.

Marianne, the city clerk, read the millage resolution by title as "a resolution of the City of Crestview, Florida adopting the final levying of a millage of 6.6466 for the fiscal year beginning 10/01/2025, and ending 09/30/2026, and providing for an effective date." Staff explained the proposed rate is 6.6466, the current rollback rate is 6.6225, and that the proposed rate is a 0.36 percentage increase over the rollback rate.

City staff also told the council that the tentative millage rate had been set at the Sept. 15 hearing and advertised Sept. 19 as required by Florida statute. After no members of the public came forward during the required comment period, Councilwoman Allison moved to adopt the millage rate, with Councilman Hayes seconding. The motion carried, 5-0.

On the budget resolution, staff reported the final budget had been reviewed following the tentative hearing and advertising required under Florida law. City Clerk Marianne read the budget resolution by title as a resolution "of the City of Crestview of Okaloosa County, Florida adopting the final budget for the fiscal year beginning 10/01/2025 and ending 09/30/2026 and providing for an effective date." Councilman Bullard moved to approve the budget, Councilwoman Allison seconded, and the motion passed, 5-0.

Councilman Bullard thanked staff and fellow council members after the vote, saying, "I just want to thank the staff that made this possible and thank my colleagues for us being able to come together and agree on a balanced budget for our city and, look forward to us continuing." There were no public comments on either resolution during the hearing.

Both actions complete the council's formal adoption of the local tax rate and spending plan for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025. Staff had previously presented the tentative figures at the council's Sept. 15 hearing and completed the required advertisement on Sept. 19 under state law.