Citrus County adopts final 2025–26 budget and millage rates after public hearing

The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 23 adopted the county’s final 2025–26 budget and fixed millage rates after a public hearing and discussion of capital needs.

Chair (Board Chair) opened the hearing by asking the commission to act unanimously and argued the budget represents “a responsible, forward-looking” plan to fund deputies, roads, libraries and fire protection while acknowledging a long backlog on capital needs.

The board set the aggregate millage rate at 8.8733 mills, an increase of 5.01% over the rollback rate of 8.4502 mills. Commissioners voted separately on household and district millages; the principal votes were unanimous except as noted below. County staff and the board emphasized that deferred capital needs — including an estimated $300 million backlog in residential road resurfacing and roughly $1 billion in longer-term road capacity needs — were a principal driver of the adopted plan.

Why it matters: The budget funds constitutionally required services and public safety while attempting to restore a multiyear capital program for roads and other infrastructure. County officials repeatedly told the meeting that delaying capital investment increases future costs through inflation and deterioration.

Key details and votes - The board adopted a resolution amending the tentative 2025–26 budget (per backup exhibits) and authorized the chair to execute the resolution (motion approved unanimously). - The board adjusted water and wastewater connection fees for FY 2025–26 and authorized the chair to sign the implementing resolution (approved unanimously). - The board adopted a reimbursement resolution for water and wastewater projects for FY 2025–26 and authorized the chair to execute it (approved unanimously). - The board adopted the final budget resolution and authorized the chair to sign (approved unanimously). - The board approved a roll-forward grant resolution and related items in the backup (approved unanimously). - The board authorized staff to submit final eTRIM documents, to execute the final taxable value certification when received, and to carry out related administrative filings (approved unanimously). - The board authorized a letter to the sheriff confirming the sheriff’s budget allocation for FY 2025–26 as prepared by the county administrator and attorney (approved unanimously).

Millage votes (selected) - General fund: 6.9898 mills (approved unanimously) - County transportation: 0.9860 mills (approved unanimously) - Health department: 0.0564 mills (approved; recorded tally 4 yes, 1 no) - Library district: 0.3147 mills (approved; recorded tally 4 yes, 1 no) - Fire rescue MSTU (unincorporated): 0.5780 mills (approved unanimously) - Several other special-district and MSTU rates were approved as presented; where noted above votes were unanimous unless otherwise recorded.

Public comment and board response During the public hearing dozens of residents spoke. Comments ranged from calls for tax relief to requests that the commission protect core services. Speakers included residents who urged restoration of library services and interlibrary loan, calls for more transparency on purchases and vendor contracts, and requests for more emphasis on road funding and grant-match set-asides. A number of speakers urged the board to pursue alternative revenues (including a local option sales tax discussed elsewhere on the agenda) rather than increasing long-term property tax burdens.

County staff noted reserves of roughly 16% and a current AA-range bond rating. Officials said the adopted budget relies on careful use of reserves and the mix of revenues available to the county to address immediate capital shortfalls while preserving day-to-day operations.

What’s next The board directed staff to finalize the required state filings and to circulate the adopted budget documents. Commissioners said they plan additional work with staff and the public on longer-term structural options for funding capital needs, including road resurfacing and the possibility of voter-backed measures for dedicated funding.

Ending Commissioners closed the hearing after the formal votes and staff confirmed subsequent administrative steps to file the adopted millage and budget documents with the state and county records office.