Commission adopts 2025‑26 budget and millage; fire‑service fee debate continues after split with county

The Tallahassee City Commission adopted the fiscal year 2025‑26 budget and millage on Sept. 17, approving a $942 million operating budget and a $268 million capital improvement plan. The final millage rate for the city was set at 4.4072 mills (4.69% above the rollback rate) and the Downtown Improvement Authority millage at 1 mill. The commission also approved fiscal year funding allocations for human services partnerships and authorized the city manager to execute nonprofit service contracts.

Budget and millage votes: The commission approved the city’s millage 4‑1 (Commissioner Jeremy Matlow cast the lone no) and passed the budget appropriation 4‑1. The human services partnership allocations passed unanimously. Staff said the budget relies in part on measures to find $6 million in savings and efficiencies across departments and includes funds for new police and firefighter positions as outlined in the budget documents.

Fire services fee dispute with Leon County: The budget debate included extended discussion of the fire services fee and a breakdown in negotiations with Leon County. Tallahassee sought to raise a combined fire services assessment to help fund new stations, equipment, and staff — an earlier rate study suggested a larger increase. County negotiators declined to accept the city’s proposed rate increase and moved some billing to property tax administration; according to city staff, the county also changed billing methods for some accounts and there are outstanding amounts under review. Chief Sanders and staff described a staffing proposal that would add 26 firefighter positions focused on the busiest units; the chief said the additional staffing would move the department closer to National Fire Protection Association staffing guidance and could be funded within the city’s assessment for a roughly 9.98% increase to city customers.

Operational impacts and next steps: Commissioners expressed differing views on next steps with county leaders. The commission voted to accept the budget and millage, but later took a separate step to notify the county that the city is prepared to end the interlocal contract for fire service provision when it expires in three years; that formal notice passed 3‑2. City staff said the city remains legally entitled to set its own assessment for services provided inside the city and that the commission is monitoring county actions that could affect long‑term service planning and capital projects such as Fire Station 17 (Lake Bradford Road) and the expansion of Station 15.

Billing and exemptions: Commissioners asked staff to return with details about billing and collections, including implementation timing for faith‑based institutions since some houses of worship will move from exempt status to paid assessments under the new structure. Staff said assessment implementation will be phased and that administrative policies on timing and back‑billing would be followed.

Ending: The budget and millage adoption closes the formal budget process for FY 2025‑26; the discussion over how the city and county will fund and operate fire services is unresolved and scheduled for further follow‑up and negotiation over the coming months.