Charlotte County adopts 2025–26 millage and $1.57 billion net budget after debate over cuts

At a public hearing, the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners adopted a countywide millage rate of 6.0394 mills and approved the final net budget for fiscal year 2025–26, with the motion to adopt passing 4–1 and Commissioner Deutsch recorded in opposition. The board also adopted the final countywide budget for 2025–26 by the same 4–1 vote.

The vote finalizes a proposed countywide net budget of $1,572,617,620 for fiscal year 2025–26 and a planned net budget of $1,436,871,119 for fiscal year 2026–27; those net figures exclude interfund transfers and reserves, the county’s budget staff said. Commissioners were read the statutory budget script and staff reviewed changes since the Sept. 4 public hearings, including a $35,555 reduction to the Placida Street and Drainage MSBU assessment.

The adopted countywide millage of 6.0394 mills is 3.89% over the rollback rate of 5.8133 mills, staff said. The general fund millage consists of the Board of County Commissioners portion at 2.2142 mills and the Charlotte County Sheriff Office portion at 2.5723 mills for a combined general‑fund millage of 4.7865 mills. The capital projects fund millage is 1.2529 mills. County staff also presented a countywide proposed budget figure for certain funds of $476,979,403 for the 2025–26 fiscal year (staff…