North Port moves FY 2025–26 millage and budget measures to second reading; commissioners debate hiring and costs

The North Port City Commission on Sept. 4 voted to continue the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 ad valorem millage ordinance and portions of the city’s budget to a second reading on Sept. 18, 2025. City staff presented a tentative budget based on a 3.7667-mill ad valorem rate that is projected to generate $39,421,820 in general-fund revenues at an assumed 96.5 percent collection rate.

City Manager Fletcher said the tentative budget reflects personnel costs for 14 additional general-fund positions and increases for facility maintenance, a transfer to the renewal and replacement fund, generator improvements and the city’s share of Fire Station 83 and 84 costs. Staff recommended approving Ordinance 2025-24 (adopting the millage rate), Ordinance 2025-25 (the non-district budget and capital improvement program) and continuing each to second reading.

On the millage ordinance, the commission voted 5–0 to continue Ordinance 2025-24 to the Sept. 18 second-reading meeting. The ordinance sets the city’s general municipal levy at 3.7667 mills for FY 2025–26; staff said that rate is 0.47 mills higher than the rollback rate of 3.7491 mills.

Commission discussion on the broader budget centered on personnel costs. Staff said the FY 2026 proposal includes 25 new positions overall; 20 of those positions are included in the budget item before the commission, while some positions are funded from enterprise or district funds. Commissioners and staff identified 8…