Ocoee adopts tentative 4.95 millage rate, approves tentative $137M budget amid public concerns

The City of Ocoee commission on Sept. 10 held a public hearing and adopted a tentative millage rate of 4.95 mills and a tentative budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025. The commission voted unanimously to adopt both ordinances, with Commissioner Oliver absent.

Assistant Finance Director Vanna Luski presented the budget and economic context, saying property taxes remain the city’s primary general-fund revenue and that “public safety still remains the largest cost for the general fund.” Luski told the commission the city’s operating funds total about $137,000,000 and that roughly half the increase from the prior year comes from enterprise-fund spending for utility upgrades and vehicle/equipment replacement.

The tentative millage of 4.95 mills was described in staff materials as producing approximately $25,500,000 in property-tax revenue under the presented assumptions. Luski and other staff listed several department-level items in the proposed budget: a police department budget shown as $24,800,000 with roughly $19,300,000 in personnel costs; capital allocations including vehicle and radio replacement for public safety; funding for three full-time firefighter positions; a budgeted $950,000 for a fire engine; and roadway and sidewalk paving and…