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Council to advertise higher fire assessment and a 5.2 millage cap for TRIM notices; vote directs staff accordingly
Summary
City staff recommended advertising the maximum allowable millage and fire-assessment rates for the Truth in Millage (TRIM) notices. The council voted to advertise the maximum fire-assessment needed to fund six additional firefighter positions and a maximum millage of 5.2 mills; final rates will be set during later budget hearings.
Lake City — The Lake City Council on July 21 directed staff to advertise a proposed fire-assessment rate sufficient to fund six additional firefighter positions and to advertise a maximum proposed millage of 5.2 mills on the TRIM (Truth in Millage) notices. Council members and staff stressed that the advertised amounts set a ceiling for public notice; the council may set a lower final rate during the budget process.
Finance staff member Angie told the council staff’s standard practice is to advertise the highest limit the council might consider because the advertised figure cannot be increased after publication but may be lowered. “What we advertise is not what we have to accept … you cannot go higher than [the advertised rate], but you can always go lower,” Angie explained.
Council discussion referenced a request from the fire department for six additional positions. One councilmember described the fire-assessment increase as “long overdue” given staffing shortfalls; another councilmember said he supported advertising a 5.2-mill cap to constrain the conversation during budget hearings. After a motion and second, the council approved the advertising proposal by unanimous roll call.
Council also approved a TRIM calendar for the fiscal-year 2025–26 budget schedule to avoid conflicts with Columbia County and the school board hearing dates, and staff said final millage and assessment decisions will occur in the public budget hearings later this summer.
