Suwannee County adopts 8.8-mill rate, approves $189.99 million final budget

The Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 22 approved a final millage rate of 8.8 mills and adopted a revised fiscal 2025–26 budget totaling $189,989,161. The vote was 4–0. The action reduces the originally proposed 9.09-mill rate and lowers the county's contingency balance; the board also preserved funds earmarked for capital needs and set smaller reserves for pay-scale implementation and other priorities. County staff presenter Mr. Baker told the board the package before commissioners included “a proposed millage rate of 9 mills and a proposed final budget of a $190,579,718.” The clerk and finance staff later recalculated the budget after commissioners agreed to an 8.8-mill rate. Why it matters: the millage decision directly affects property-tax revenue available to fund public safety, road maintenance and county services. Commissioners said rising demand for services and inflation contributed to their decision to keep a contingency fund even as they reduced the millage from the proposal. In discussion before the vote, resident Moses Flipper urged the board to reduce the millage to the rollback rate, arguing a 9-mill levy “will increase the taxpayers burden by $2,000,000.” Commissioner Scott and others questioned the arithmetic that would translate that countywide total into identical per-household savings, and staff noted differences among residential, commercial and tangible property assessments. Commissioner White said the county has been subsidizing services such as garbage collection in recent years and cited increasing costs for fuel and construction work: “When you get inflation, people has to make more money or they can't stay here either,” White said. Commissioner White also noted the county has been seeking economic development as a way to broaden the tax base. The board approved the millage in a motion by Commissioner Perkins, seconded by Commissioner Hale; the clerk then instructed staff to recalculate budget totals under the adopted millage. County finance staff reported the new final budget total as $189,989,161 and a contingency balance of $1,688,589. The final budget preserves designated amounts for several capital items that had been discussed during the hearings: $100,000 for a roof repair, $300,000 for the dome/air conditioning at Allen Park, and a reduced library allocation of $80,000. Commissioners also noted set-asides for a train depot line item and state-reimbursable sheriff expenses that staff expect not to draw on contingency. Public support and caution: Carol Lee Howe, a Live Oak resident, told commissioners she supported funding for fire rescue despite not liking higher taxes: “When you need fire rescue, you need fire rescue,” she said during public comment. What the board directed next: commissioners authorized staff to finalize budget documents reflecting the 8.8-mill rate, to return the formal pay-scale implementation plan for later adoption, and to track department-level adjustments so any unavoidable shortfalls can be covered from contingency. The board adjourned after adopting the budget by motion of Commissioner Perkins, seconded by Commissioner Hale, by a 4–0 vote. Remaining questions and forward look: commissioners asked staff to continue identifying projected capital and storm-related needs and to return updated budget figures if additional external costs or reimbursements appear. The board said it intends to review department requests for internal reallocations before drawing on the contingency fund.