Port Orange council adopts tentative FY2026 millage, tentative budget

The Port Orange City Council voted unanimously to adopt a tentative millage rate of 4.975 mills per $1,000 of assessed value and to adopt a tentative citywide fiscal year 2026 budget of $223,696,012.

City Manager Wayne told the council the proposed 4.975 millage represents a 4.1% increase in ad valorem tax revenue above the rollback rate of 4.779. He said the increase will help cover operational costs including contract and civil-service obligations for police, fire and general employees; additional police officers; upcoming parks staffing tied to bond projects; higher health and workers' compensation insurance costs; property and casualty insurance; and vendor contract escalations. On the capital side, Wayne identified major general‑fund projects linked to the millage: a $3,000,000 City Center Ball Fields project to cap and seal a former landfill and create park space; about $1,200,000 in other parks work including upgrades at Carassi Ballfield and Memorial Park sidewalk repairs; restroom work at City Center; a Causeway Park fishing pier; drainage work at the skate park; replacement of two generators at City Hall (about $200,000); Spruce Creek Road paving (about $400,000); and fire engine replacements.

The city also noted a separate, voter‑approved millage levy of 0.1623 mills to fund debt service on 2006 general obligation bonds for public‑safety capital facilities that were refunded in 2016; that levy is added in addition to whatever tentative millage the council adopts. The council heard no public commenters on the tentative millage.

Council members discussed the rate before the vote. Councilman Grubbs said the 4.1% increase is modest relative to recent cost‑of‑living and materials increases and cited the need to remain competitive on public‑safety staffing. Councilman Green asked staff to confirm that the 0.1623‑mill levy is separate from the proposed rate; staff confirmed it is.

Resolution 25‑41, adopting the tentative millage rate of 4.975 mills, passed on a 5‑0 roll call. On a separate 5‑0 roll call the council approved Resolution 25‑42 adopting the tentative fiscal year 2026 budget for all funds, which the city described as covering the general, special revenue, debt service, capital, enterprise and internal service funds.

The council’s adoption of tentative figures sets the tax rate and budget for final public hearings and required statutory notices; the council may adjust the millage and final budget in subsequent public hearings before final adoption.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 25‑41 (Tentative millage rate of 4.975 mills): Motion made and seconded; roll call 5‑0 (approved).
- Resolution 25‑42 (Tentative FY2026 budget, all funds $223,696,012): Motion made and seconded; roll call 5‑0 (approved).