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Palatka sets $85.6 million tentative FY2025–26 budget, proposes 6.4‑mill rate
Summary
At a Sept. 10 meeting the Palatka City Commission adopted a tentative FY2025–26 budget of $85,592,317 and proposed a 6.4‑mill property tax rate (2.57% above the rollback rate). A second public hearing on final adoption is scheduled for Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.
The Palatka City Commission on Sept. 10 adopted a tentative fiscal year 2025–26 budget of $85,592,317 and proposed a citywide millage rate of 6.4 mills, a 2.57% increase over the rollback rate of 6.2397 mills.
The action, part of the first of two statutorily required public hearings, was introduced by Finance Director Chantelle Pier, who told commissioners the proposed rate exceeded the rollback calculation and that the additional revenue is needed to cover personnel, operating and capital costs and grant matches. Pier said the aggregate proposed millage and the budget figures follow state Truth in Millage (TRIM) requirements and that a second hearing and final vote will be scheduled to comply with Florida Statutes chapters 129 and 200.
Why it matters: the proposed millage determines how much property‑tax revenue the city will ask from property owners. The commission’s tentative adoption starts the statutorily required public notice period and sets a date for final adoption.
Among public comments, resident Alan Sheffield urged the commission to task staff during the coming year to identify recurring savings so future budgets can be adopted without increasing property taxes. Commissioners and department heads discussed the practical limits on last‑minute reductions, noting statutory and timing constraints and the city’s limited local tax base.
The commission scheduled the second (final) public hearing for 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in the commission chambers. That hearing will be the opportunity for the commission to adopt a final millage rate and budget after any additional public comment and adjustments.
What’s next: staff will finalize the budget document and publish required TRIM notices; the commission will consider any last adjustments and a final adoption Sept. 25.
Sources: Presentation and statements by Finance Director Chantelle Pier at the Sept. 10 City Commission meeting and public comment by Alan Sheffield.
