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Marion County board adopts tentative 2025-26 Rainbow Lakes Estates millage and budget; schedules final hearing Sept. 22
Summary
At its first public hearing on the Rainbow Lakes Estates Municipal Service District budget, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners adopted a tentative millage rate of 1.25 mills and a tentative budget of $1,613,373, citing higher operating costs. The board set a final public hearing for Sept. 22, 2025, at 5:50 p.m.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners, acting as the Rainbow Lakes Estates Municipal Service District (MSD) board, on the first public hearing adopted a tentative millage rate of 1.25 mills and a tentative fiscal year 2025-26 budget of $1,613,373 and scheduled the final public hearing for Sept. 22, 2025, at 5:50 p.m. in the Marion County Commission Chambers.
A letter read into the record from Gregory C. Harrell, clerk of court and comptroller, said the hearing was the first of two required under Section 200.065, Florida Statutes, and noted, "This is not a final budget hearing and final adoption of the fiscal year 2025-26 millage rate and budget will not be considered at this hearing." The clerk's letter also summarized the district's tentative budget and the procedures the board must follow before final adoption.
The board announced a rollback millage of 1.1401 mills and a proposed millage of 1.25 mills, a 9.64% increase over the rollback rate. The clerk's letter said the specific purpose for the increase was an $243,863 rise in operational expenditures and a $134,845 decrease in fund balance carryforward. Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the tentative millage and the tentative budget by resolution.
There was no public comment during the Rainbow Lakes Estates MSD portion of the hearing. Audrey Fowler, budget director, read the clerk's letter and the budget summary into the record before the board moved to votes. Commissioner Stone made the motions to adopt both the tentative millage and the tentative budget; Commissioner Curry seconded both motions. The board voted in favor with all members present.
The board also approved a motion to schedule the final public hearings to consider final adoption of the millage and budget for Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, at 5:50 p.m. in the Marion County Commission Chambers. The clerk's letter requires the final hearing to be advertised within 15 days of the conclusion of the first hearing.
Because this meeting produced only tentative actions, final adoption and any changes to the millage rate or budget will occur at the advertised final hearing.
