A proposal to instruct staff to file a DR‑420 (the required 'not to exceed' notice to the property appraiser) capping the city’s millage at 4.75 failed at the Stewart City Commission meeting on July 28.

Vice Mayor Collins moved to set the 'not to exceed' millage at 4.75, and Commissioner Gioby seconded. After discussion and public comment, the roll-call vote failed — the motion did not carry.

Why it mattered: The city manager told the commission the finance director must file the DR‑420 by Aug. 4 unless the commission gives staff a different direction. That form sets the not‑to‑exceed rate used to calculate required notices and advertisement for the budget process; the commission can later adopt a lower amount but cannot adopt above the not‑to‑exceed figure once filed.

Arguments for lowering
Vice Mayor Collins argued for a lower not‑to‑exceed cap to align spending with recent reductions in property‑value growth. "The only lever that this commission has…is to lower millage," Collins said, urging the city to begin adjusting spending now rather than responding reactively to a downturn.

Public safety and staffing concerns
Public speakers urged caution about reducing the available revenue. Travis Decker, speaking for Local 2411 (the firefighters’ union), said Stuart Fire Rescue currently operates at minimal staffing levels and that lower revenue could further constrain personnel and operations. "When we talk about lowering the millage…we're already at bare bones," Decker said.

Helen McBride, a longtime resident, urged the commission to keep the rate at the prior year’s level to avoid cutting services residents depend on, repeatedly urging the commission to "leave it at 5." Another resident noted uncertainty about state changes to homestead exemptions and other revenue impacts.

Commission votes and immediate result
Commissioner Clark voted no; Vice Mayor Collins voted yes; Mayor Rich voted no. With the motion failing, staff noted that absent a new motion the last adopted rate would remain the not‑to‑exceed rate (5.0 mills). The city manager said staff recommended keeping the not‑to‑exceed figure at last year’s rate while the commission continues budget discussions and scheduled budget presentations.

Next steps
City staff will present the full budget on Aug. 11. The commission can adopt a final millage and budget at a later meeting but must meet statutory advertisement and filing deadlines tied to the DR‑420. The city manager said the finance director needs the commission’s direction before Aug. 4 if the city is to file a different not‑to‑exceed amount.

Ending note
The failed motion leaves the city on the existing not‑to‑exceed figure while the commission continues budget deliberations and considers the balance between service levels and tax relief.