Deltona adopts $245.5 million budget, sets final millage at 6.7 mills

The City Commission of Deltona adopted the citywide fiscal year 2025-26 budget and set a final operating millage rate of 6.7 mills per $1,000 of assessed value at a public meeting Tuesday.

Finance Director McKinney presented the final budget, saying the total citywide operating budget is $245,510,105 and the general fund portion is $76,928,237, balanced at the 6.7-mill rate. He said capital-improvement and capital-outlay funding totals about $78.2 million and $8.54 million respectively, and noted the budget incorporates roughly $99.15 million in previously approved rollover funds.

"The fiscal year 25, 26 budget summary, which is new funding, the total citywide operating budget is $245,510,105. The general fund is $76,928,237. It is balanced, sir, at 6.7 mills," McKinney told the commission.

McKinney walked commissioners through major additions he said accounted for the budget increase over last year: a Fisher water plant upgrade (presented as $44 million total, with $22 million identified as grant funding), road-elevation projects including Elkam and Catalina boulevards, land acquisition for a new fire station, additional legal and litigation funding, replacement of fleet items and generators, the implementation of internal service funds for fleet and IT, and several targeted capital and park projects. He said some large projects were grant-supported and that certain water projects are expected to finish under budget.

Public commenters opposed to the budget and millage rate urged a full rollback. Several residents said higher taxes would burden families and seniors; Dave Markle said raising the millage "would be an unnecessary burden to the people of Deltona." Another speaker, David Sosa, asked whether the vote represented a hidden tax increase, noting stormwater fees and assessed values impact total bills.

Commissioner discussion included an alternative proposal from Commissioner Ellington to reallocate $1.25 million planned for the Manny Rodriguez Park project toward a full rollback and targeted stormwater and parks investments; Commissioners debated whether moving that capital money would be appropriate and whether promised park projects would be delayed.

After required statutory readings by the city attorney, the commission held a roll-call vote on Resolution 2025-133 (final millage) and Resolution 2025-134 (final budget and CIP). The commission adopted the millage at 6.7 mills and approved the budget. Roll-call results for the millage vote recorded Yes votes from Commissioner Veil Vasquez, Commissioner Novick, Commissioner Santiago, Vice Mayor Harriot and Mayor Vila; No votes from Commissioner Caldwell and Commissioner Howington.

McKinney emphasized that although the city is reducing the millage from prior years, taxable-value increases and non-ad valorem charges affect individual taxpayers differently. He provided several illustrative examples of how the change would affect different property owners and said the average Deltona property would see an $11.79 reduction in city taxes under the new rate compared with last year at 7 mills.

McKinney also reviewed outstanding litigation and legal-service expenses and said auditors will request documentation for pending litigation during the annual comprehensive financial reporting process. He told the commission the budget includes operational savings through reduced open positions and detailed how capital projects and rollovers will be handled.

The commission directed staff to proceed with the adopted budget and millage, and to continue regular reporting on budget status and capital project progress.