Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Opelika commission approves first readings of FY2025-26 millage and budget; officials cite camera revenue shortfall
Summary
The Opelika City Commission on Sept. 9 approved first readings of the fiscal 2025-26 millage ordinance and budget on 5-0 votes, setting a slightly lower millage rate while projecting higher revenue from a larger tax base and using new revenue to cover prior fund-balance draws, red-light camera shortfalls and staffing and compensation increases.
The Opelika City Commission voted 5-0 Tuesday to approve first readings of the city’s fiscal year 2025–26 millage ordinance and the general proprietary and special funds budget.
City budget administrator Bob Rayer told the commission the city’s recommended millage rate is 8.9797 mills, down from this year’s 9.163 mills, but that a larger tax base means the city expects higher overall property-tax revenue next year. “The rollback rate is 8.14 mils,” Rayer said, and he described the recommended rate as a roughly 2% reduction from the current rate.
The reduced rate, however, does not eliminate increased tax bills for every property. Rayer said the city’s taxable base rose about 12.3%, so non-homesteaded properties “all things being equal” could see up to a 10% increase in their city portion of the tax bill, while…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
