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Clermont council sets millage at 4.59 mills, adopts $262.3 million budget with $4.6 million held in reserves
Summary
The City of Clermont adopted a 4.59 millage rate and a $262,304,819 fiscal 2025–26 budget, with council stipulating that a $4.6 million capital transfer remain in general reserves and that no capital or EMS spending move forward without separate council approval.
The City of Clermont City Council voted to set the millage rate at 4.59 mills and adopted the city’s fiscal year 2025–26 budget, a package that council members said preserves operations while keeping funds available for future decisions.
City Clerk Howell read Resolution No. 2025029R (final millage) and Resolution No. 2025030R (final budget) into the record by title only; Finance Director Scott Burrow told the council the budget totals $262,304,819 and that the figure includes the city’s reserves in compliance with TRIM advertising requirements. "I have it right here. $262,304,819. It's important to know that number includes the reserves of the city," Burrow said.
The council first considered a motion to set the millage at 4.4 mills; that motion failed 2–3 after discussion about balancing regular operations with special-project funds. A subsequent motion to set the millage at 4.59 mills passed 4–1. The council then voted 5–0 to adopt the FY 2025–26 budget with a stipulation that the $4,600,000 capital transfer remain in general reserves and that no capital projects or EMS expansions proceed without separate council approval.
Why it matters: the millage rate determines how much property taxpayers pay per $1,000 of assessed value; adopting a rate below the advertised rollback rate would have reduced property tax collections but council members warned about the risk of underfunding essential services. Public commenters urged caution and emphasized services such as police, fire and public works. Resident Brian Bain told the council he supported the reduced advertised rollback of 4.59, saying it "helps us taxpayers" while also urging investment to preserve services and attract business.
Council discussion focused on two budget pressures cited by members: a projected increase in health insurance costs and funding for emergency medical services. One councilmember said city staff estimate health insurance could come in about $1,400,000 higher than current-year totals, which the council was told would create about a $600,000 impact on the general fund (roughly one-tenth of a mill). Members debated whether the city should hire staff for new ambulances immediately or wait for Lake County to allocate MSTU funds they said had been collected for local emergency services. City staff and the county manager were reported to be coordinating a draft proposal for the county commission to review; Mr. Van Wagner said that draft would be shared with the council before any binding commitment is made.
Votes at a glance: the 4.4-mill motion (mover, second) failed 2–3; the adopted 4.59-mill motion passed 4–1; the budget adoption with the reserve and approval stipulations passed unanimously, 5–0.
The council and staff said the city will monitor budget needs and can revisit allocations midyear. Finance Director Burrow and city staff indicated a midyear amendment or quarterly reviews are possible if revenues or costs change.
Quotes from the meeting are verbatim and attributed to speakers recorded in the meeting minutes. Ending: staff will return with implementation details for any EMS changes and any requested budget amendments; councilmembers said they will review proposals before approving further commitments.
