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 noted that figure covers specific countywide funds rather than the full net budget).

Commissioner Bill Deutsch (Commissioner) urged deeper cuts at the hearing, proposing a set of measures he said could lower the millage without cutting core services: a six‑month pause or delay on filling certain vacancies (estimated savings about $1 million), a 10% reduction to travel and training (roughly $500,000 by his estimate), and eliminating two assistant positions through attrition (estimated $240,000). He also referenced an approximately $8 million surplus in the general fund salary and benefits lines and suggested that taking $2 million from surplus/reserves could hold taxes flat for residents. ‘‘Every million dollars we can cut out of the budget reduces the millage rate by 0.029 mills,’’ Deutsch said.

County Administrator Hector Flores and budget staff responded with a partial breakdown. Flores provided a staff estimate showing that a half‑percent reduction across general‑fund personnel, fringes and operating capital would save about $728,000 and that the combination of some proposed items produced roughly $940,000 in immediate reductions. Flores cautioned that many staffing positions are linked to service levels and some are tied to utilities or infrastructure work that will be needed as facilities reopen. Assistant Budget Director Francine Lizzby reiterated that by Florida statute the county must set aside 5% and described the county’s current projected spend rate at about 93.8% of salaries and benefits, noting the balance rolls into reserves.

Several commissioners said they supported discussing potential cuts, but several also expressed discomfort considering unvetted new reductions at the final budget hearing. Commissioner Doherty said delaying hiring would affect service levels and preferred discussing the items in an upcoming workshop; Commissioner Constance noted the county is owed roughly $95 million from FEMA and warned that long‑term reserve reductions could create future obligations. The board indicated some of the concepts should be examined further during the annual budget cycle and in scheduled workshops rather than adopted at the final hearing.

During public comment on the budget, Stacy Ware (assistant finance director for Clerk Roger D. Eaton) told the board the clerk’s office has reduced its budget for nine consecutive years and returned $5.9 million in excess funds to the board and taxpayers. Jeff Lustig, a resident, asked what contingencies the county had in the event the state changed property‑tax policy and how falling home values would affect revenues. Another resident, Dave Callen, suggested creating a citizens’ input group to gather community priorities and trade‑offs in advance of future budget decisions.

The board approved several non‑ad valorem and MSBU (municipal service benefit unit) items and other fund resolutions during the same hearing; most of those motions passed unanimously. The record shows adoption of the Series 2008 G.O.B. debt service fund millage and related budgets, and multiple MSTU (municipal service taxing unit) levies and budgets were adopted, with the board noting prior public hearings had addressed assessment rates that exceeded previously set maximums.

Action and vote records from the hearing show the motion to adopt the final countywide millage levy passed 4–1, with Commissioner Deutsch recorded as opposed. The subsequent motion adopting the final countywide budget for fiscal year 2025–26 also passed 4–1 with the same recorded dissent. Other resolutions on debt service, MSTUs and non‑ad valorem funds were adopted, mostly unanimously. The board adjourned after the final votes.

The board directed staff to continue detailed work on service‑level issues and said further discussions and workshops will occur during the year to consider the specific reductions proposed and potential impacts on services and reserves.