Gulf County adopts tentative fiscal 2526 budget, proposes 5.9851‑mill tax rate

Gulf County commissioners on Sept. 3 adopted a tentative budget for fiscal year 2526 and set a proposed aggregate millage rate of 5.9851 mills, county officials said at a public hearing. The board also approved staff line‑item adjustments across funds and scheduled a final budget hearing for Sept. 16 at 5:01 p.m.

Sherry Herron, a county staff member who presented the millage figures, said the proposed aggregate rate of 5.9851 mills is 2.02% above the current year's aggregate rollback rate of 5.8665 mills. Herron said the aggregate rate includes a countywide operating levy of 5.6 mills and four dependent fire control districts ' St. Joseph, Tupelo, Overstreet and Howard Creek ' each at 0.5 mills.

The tentative budget was posted for public review, Herron said, and the board may amend line items before the final hearing. Michael Hammond, a county presenter who reviewed the budget book, told commissioners the "major change was the addition of the road…