Osceola County adopts $3.10 billion fiscal 2026 budget, keeps general millage at 6.7 and approves 0.25-cent environmental surtax

The Osceola Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday approved the county's final millage rates and adopted a balanced fiscal year 2026 budget totaling $3,096,581,866, while keeping the countywide general millage at 6.7 mills for a 15th consecutive year.

The vote finalized the Truth in Millage (TRIM) actions required by state law and included adoption of the voter-approved SAVE millage rate of 0.25 mills for the county's environmentally sensitive lands program. The board also approved the county manager's organizational chart for fiscal 2026, which funds 1,829.24 full-time-equivalent positions.

OMB Director Matthew Feuer opened the public hearing on the millage and budget, telling commissioners: "The purpose of tonight's meeting is to finalize the TRIM requirements in accordance with the state statutes. The board will be taking final action on the millage rates and budget for fiscal year 20 26." He told the board staff had adjusted capital outlay and operating expenses based on updated project estimates and a revised property appraiser's certification from the Department of Revenue.

The board approved a series of resolutions to complete the TRIM process. A majority-vote resolution to adopt final ad valorem rates (Resolution 25-127R) was moved by Commissioner Grieve and seconded by Commissioner Booth and passed unanimously. A set of seven levies requiring a two-thirds vote (Resolution 25-126R) was moved by Commissioner Arrington, seconded by Commissioner Chaudhry and approved unanimously. The voter-approved SAVE millage (Resolution 25-125R) was moved at 0.25 mills by Commissioner Grieve, seconded by Commissioner Arrington, and carried unanimously. Finally, the budget adoption (Resolution 25-128R) was moved by Commissioner Arrington, seconded by Commissioner Chaudhry, and passed unanimously.

Staff and commissioners highlighted that the county's general millage rate has remained at 6.7 mills for 15 years. The budget presentation noted adjustments since the tentative budget, including capital outlay project updates, a revised property appraiser certification, and a change in operating expense for the mowing contract along Osceola Parkway.

Separately, the board approved the county manager's proposed organizational chart for fiscal 2026 to align staffing with the adopted budget. Commissioner Booth moved the organizational chart approval; Commissioner Chaudhry seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

The board recessed after the votes and commissioners thanked staff for the budget work. Chairwoman Janer and commissioners repeatedly thanked the county manager and budget team for maintaining the millage rate and delivering the adopted budget.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution 25-127R (final ad valorem millage rates, majority vote): motion by Commissioner Grieve; second Commissioner Booth; outcome: approved unanimously. - Resolution 25-126R (set of levies requiring two-thirds vote): motion by Commissioner Arrington; second Commissioner Chaudhry; outcome: approved unanimously. - Resolution 25-125R (SAVE millage at 0.25 mills as approved by voters): motion by Commissioner Grieve; second Commissioner Arrington; outcome: approved unanimously (board noted any change from 0.25 would require unanimous support). - Resolution 25-128R (adopt FY2026 budget $3,096,581,866): motion by Commissioner Arrington; second Commissioner Chaudhry; outcome: approved unanimously. - Organizational chart (manager-submitted FY2026 staffing, 1,829.24 FTE): motion by Commissioner Booth; second Commissioner Chaudhry; outcome: approved unanimously.

Why it matters: The votes complete state TRIM requirements and lock in spending and levy decisions that determine property tax bills, funding for county services and staffing levels for the coming fiscal year. The SAVE millage enactment implements the voter-approved funding stream for land acquisition and management of environmentally sensitive lands.