DeBary sets proposed ad valorem millage at 3.65% for 2025–26; council debates fire truck purchase options

The DeBary City Council set a proposed ad valorem millage rate of 3.65 for fiscal year 2025–26 and scheduled the tentative budget hearing for Sept. 3, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers. The resolution adopting the proposed millage was read by the city attorney and approved by unanimous vote.

City staff framed the request as a response to rising personnel and operating costs, service expansions, and capital needs. The city attorney noted the proposed 3.65 millage "is a 10.82% increase over rollback, and rollback is at 3.2935," and staff presented a budget overview that highlighted a $227,000 (33%) increase in the city manager’s office budget driven by an added assistant manager position and benefit changes, a sheriff-contract increase of about $350,000 (8.1%), and the cost to operate two full fire stations when the second station comes online.

City Manager Carmen walked the council through priority capital projects and options for a fire apparatus purchase. On the fire truck, staff outlined three financing options: buy now (cash) with an $894,000 price after a discount; save across fiscal years and buy next year (recommended); or a lease-purchase at roughly 5.62% (not recommended by staff). A fourth option presented late would require a $200,000 down payment with two 50% payments at 12 months and delivery; that option would raise the millage cap to about 3.75 if the council chose to generate the down payment via the millage. The city manager said, "Option 2 seems to be the the best option. We can save now and buy next year."

Several council members said they preferred to keep the millage at 3.65 and use audit-year reconciliations and reserves to fund capital rather than raise rates now. Vice Mayor Butland said she favored a higher cap (3.75) to allow flexibility and expedite ordering; others, including Council member Stevenson and Council member Papalardo, favored option 2 (saving and purchasing next year) to avoid a larger immediate millage increase. At the meeting’s close, the council approved Resolution No. 2025-08 to set the tentative millage at 3.65 and scheduled hearings per charter requirements.

Staff also detailed other budget items reviewed during the presentation: IT and sign replacement costs, public-works equipment needs, Alexander Island startup and staffing, parks grant matching requirements, and legal costs associated with pending litigation involving DeBary Plantation Community Association and Volusia County Schools. The city manager said some capital projects have been completed using ARPA funds and that the city’s reserves have grown since 2019 to approaching $11 million, though reimbursements from prior hurricanes remain pending.

The council did not finalize purchases or financing for the fire truck at the meeting; staff was directed to continue analysis and bring final budget and procurement recommendations for later hearings.