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Marion County commissioners adopt Rainbow Lakes Estates FY2025-26 budget, set millage at 1.25 mills
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Summary
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners, sitting as the district board for Rainbow Lakes Estates Municipal Service District, adopted a $1,613,373 fiscal year 2025-26 budget and set the millage at 1.25 mills, a 9.64% increase over the rollback rate; the votes were unanimous.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners, sitting as the district board of the Rainbow Lakes Estates Municipal Service District, unanimously adopted a fiscal year 2025-26 budget of $1,613,373 and set the millage rate at 1.25 mills at a final public hearing on the district budget.
Audrey Fowler, Marion County budget director, read into the record a letter from Gregory C. Harrell, Clerk of Court and Comptroller, and announced that the percentage increase of the final millage rate over the rollback rate is 9.64%. Fowler said, "The percent increase over the rollback rate is 9.64%." The board recorded the rollback rate as 1.1401 mills and the adopted millage rate as 1.25 mills.
The county provided two proofs of publication for the required notices: a display ad titled "Budget Summary, Rainbow Lakes Estates Municipal Service District fiscal year 2025-26" and a display ad titled "Notice of Proposed Tax Increase," both published in the Star Banner on Sept. 18, 2025. Fowler also told the board that the stated purposes for the tax increase are an increase in operational expenditures of $243,863 and a decrease in fund balance carry forward of $134,845.
No members of the public spoke during the allotted public-comment portion of the hearing. Commissioner Stone moved to adopt the final millage rate by resolution at 1.25 mills; Commissioner Curry seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Stone then moved to adopt the final budget by resolution of $1,613,373; Commissioner Curry seconded that motion, which also passed unanimously.
The hearing materials cited Section 200.065 of the Florida Statutes as the statutory authority governing required public hearings and adoption procedures for the budget and millage rate. After the votes, the chair adjourned the hearing and announced a return in four minutes for the countywide and non-countywide final public hearing on the FY2025-26 county budget.
Votes at a glance: - Adopt final millage rate (1.25 mills) — motion by Commissioner Stone; second by Commissioner Curry; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0). - Adopt final budget ($1,613,373) — motion by Commissioner Stone; second by Commissioner Curry; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0).
