Palatka sets tentative millage at 7% after vote to reconsider earlier 6.4% adoption

PALATKA, Fla. — The Palatka City Commission voted 3-2 on Aug. 4 to set a tentative ad valorem millage rate of 7.0 mills for fiscal year 2025–26 after reconsidering an earlier motion that had adopted a 6.4-mill tentative rate.

City finance staff had presented a range of options at a special-call meeting, saying the calculated rollback rate is 6.2397 mills and that continuing the current 6.4 mill rate would generate an estimated $4,733,799 in ad valorem revenue while the rollback rate would generate about $4,615,232. Staff also provided alternate revenue estimates showing a roughly $5.03 million yield at about 6.8 mills and about $5.18 million at roughly 7.0 mills.

The discussion centered on balancing near-term revenue needs for infrastructure and emergency repairs with concern among several commissioners about raising taxes while other taxing authorities in the county have increased their rates. The commission took the immediate procedural step of rescinding its earlier action and then approved the higher tentative rate.

Finance staff summarized the statutory timetable under Chapter 200 of the Florida Statutes governing millage-setting and noted that the city had to certify a tentative millage rate to the county appraiser by Aug. 4 to preserve certain revenue options. The finance director told commissioners that staff's recommendation was to set the tentative millage “at the higher rate at this point” to allow flexibility while the budget is finalized.

Commissioner Davis, who made the motion to set the tentative rate at 7%, said she acted on the staff recommendation: “I move that the tentative millage rate be 7% based on the recommendation from city staff.”

Commissioner Jones objected to increasing the city’s rate, citing the cumulative tax pressure on residents from school and county levies: “The county tax went up. The school tax went up. I’m not gonna opt for a higher millage.” Several other commissioners said they favored keeping options open so the commission could lower the rate when the budget workshops produce more detailed expenditure and personnel information.

Procedural motions: the commission first adopted a tentative 6.4-mill rate earlier in the meeting and later passed a motion to reconsider that vote by majority, enabling the subsequent motion to set the tentative millage at 7.0 mills. The vote on the final motion to set 7.0 mills was 3 in favor and 2 opposed.

City staff noted that a final public hearing on the budget and the millage rate is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Palatka City Hall; that hearing will be where the commission makes its final decision and may set the rate lower than the tentative maximum approved on Aug. 4.

The commission also discussed timing and process improvements for next year’s budget cycle so that requests for detailed budget and personnel information are provided earlier in advance of certification deadlines.

Votes at a glance

- Adopt tentative millage rate — 6.4 mills (Resolution 2025-R-100): adopted earlier in the meeting (unanimous roll call). Motion/second: not specified. Outcome: adopted; commissioners voted via roll call earlier in the meeting. Tally recorded in meeting: unanimous.

- Motion to reconsider earlier vote on tentative millage: motion passed by majority (roll-call tally recorded in meeting). Mover: not specified. Second: Commissioner Campbell (second recorded in meeting). Outcome: passed.

- Set tentative millage rate at 7.0 mills: motion by Commissioner Davis; second recorded as Commissioner Campbell. Roll-call result: 3 yes, 2 no. Named votes recorded in the transcript include Commissioner Campbell (yes), Commissioner Jones (no), Commissioner Bloch (no), Commissioner Davis (yes); one supporting vote was not specified by name in the roll call excerpt included in the transcript. Outcome: adopted (3-2).

Ending

The commission’s action on Aug. 4 establishes a maximum tentative rate the city can advertise while staff completes budget work and provides additional detail to commissioners. The commission may lower the rate at the final budget hearing on Sept. 10, 2025, after reviewing further financial information and budget priorities.