Gulf County commissioners set 5.6‑mill maximum and approve budget schedule after hearing

Gulf County commissioners on Wednesday approved a maximum countywide millage of 5.6 mills and set public hearing dates on the proposed fiscal budget after an initial presentation and line‑item review.

County Administrator Michael presented the initial proposed budget, describing it as “a working document” delivered to the commission as required by ordinance and noting the plan would be revised up to the final September meeting. He said the proposal would reduce the countywide millage from 5.9 to 5.6, a 0.3‑mill cut that ‘‘save[s] $1,191,985 for the taxpayers’’ and would mark the fifth consecutive year the county has reduced its millage since Hurricane Michael.

The proposal totals $150,772,767. Michael told commissioners that “the vast majority of that is grant funded,” and that the county tax levy would represent less than 20 percent of the total budget. He also asked staff to certify the adopted millages to the property appraiser after the commission’s votes.

Commission action and context

The commission voted unanimously on several certification and rate items during the session: adopting a maximum 5.6 mills countywide (motion by Commissioner Pridgen, second by Commissioner McCrone; motion passed 5‑0), approving a one‑half mill rate for each of four fire control districts (motion passed 5‑0), and setting a 0.0 levy to close the MSTUs that were identified as paid off (motion passed 5‑0). The board also authorized administration to certify the adopted millages to the property appraiser (motion passed 5‑0).

Michael and staff walked commissioners through fund totals and major program lines. Highlights presented included: general fund totals for public works and other services, a Disaster Fund balance around $9,583,000, TDC funds of about $16.85 million, and capital projects at approximately $10.7 million. Michael emphasized that new construction on the tax roll was approximately $158,500,000 (a 19 percent decrease from the prior year’s increase) and that the rollback rate calculation placed the proposed levy about 2.02 percent above the rollback rate.

Schedule and noticing

The board set the first required public hearing for Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 5:01 p.m.; the second tentative hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 5:01 p.m. Michael and clerk staff warned that later changes to the budget can complicate legal advertising and Trim notice timing, and urged commissioners to avoid last‑minute big changes to the advertised figures.

Why it matters

The millage decision determines how much local property owners contribute to county services; the staff presentation stressed the county’s reliance on grants and new construction to hold down the tax levy. Commissioners said they were pleased to be able to lower the millage while maintaining reserves and disaster funds.

Ending note

Michael and staff noted final figures remain contingent on late summer updates — for example, final constitutional‑officer costs and insurance estimates — and that staff will return with any adjustments before the September adoption hearing.