Florence council advances $145 million budget that includes millage hike to fund police cameras, sports-park berm

Florence City Council on May 2025 advanced the first reading of a $145,011,050 proposed budget that includes a proposed 7.5‑mill increase in the city operating millage to pay for expanded public safety equipment, park improvements and other capital needs.

City fiscal staff and the city manager framed the budget as balanced but strained by lost state appropriations. Interim Finance Director Glenn Bodenheimer described the proposal as "a balanced budget of $145,011,050," and said it reflected "our continued commitment to financial responsibility, transparency, and the strategic priorities set by council." The package as presented includes $1.75 million in additional property‑tax revenue tied to the 7.5‑mill increase, targeted largely to 30 additional Flock public‑safety cameras, a downtown officer position and upgrades at the sports complex.

Council members and staff said the millage request responds in part to a late decision at the state level that eliminated expected appropriations. City Manager Scott (referred to in meeting as the city manager) told council the city had requested $16,000,000 in state appropriations this year and that the state decision to cut appropriations meant the city needed to replace some of that funding locally. "We requested $16,000,000 this year from state appropriations," he said; with those funds not coming through, council and staff sought alternatives in the local budget.

Police Chief Heitler and council members discussed the performance of the existing Flock camera system. Heitler said the first 30 cameras—funded previously through a $500,000 state appropriation—were associated with arrests and recoveries between July 2024 and March 2025: "we arrested 48 fugitives, we recovered 38 stolen vehicles, 35 stolen license tags... the Flock cameras were responsible for solving more than 20 crimes and we located 7 missing people," he said. Council members framed additional cameras as a deterrent as well as an investigative tool.

Council also approved funding in the proposed budget for an earthen berm at the sports complex off Cashew Drive. The city manager said the berm—a roughly 10‑foot earthen mound with plantings—responds to multiple shootings and safety concerns on properties adjacent to the fields and was estimated at roughly $150,000–$200,000. Staff said work could begin within weeks, weather permitting.

Beyond public safety, the budget packet presented line‑item totals by fund: a $53,148,430 general fund, $49,359,700 for Water and Sewer Utilities, and smaller amounts for hospitality, stormwater and equipment replacement funds. Staff also asked council to approve an "early purchase" ordinance using a portion of the city's 30 percent fund‑balance policy to lock in prices for capital items ($1,111,600 proposed) ahead of the next fiscal year.

Why this matters: council must adopt a final budget before the new fiscal year; the proposed millage change will affect property tax bills if adopted in subsequent readings. Council members repeatedly stressed the trade‑offs: maintain services and public safety investments or cut programs if state aid remains unavailable.

Council action and next steps: council voted to move the revenue and budget ordinance (first reading) forward; further readings and final adoption are scheduled before the fiscal year begins. Staff also indicated the city will circulate drafts of water distribution and sewer collection master plans for more detailed council review in coming weeks.

Community reaction at the public hearing included requests for continued city support for nonprofit programs. Speakers during the budget public hearing urged continued funding for Meals on Wheels and for small‑repair funding through the Helping Florence Flourish nonprofit; Meals on Wheels said demand had risen from roughly 150 people waiting for meals to about 220.

The council discussion made clear staff and council view the additional cameras and the sports‑field berm as near‒term priorities, but other infrastructure projects—water, sewer and stormwater master‑plan work—will face delays or will need alternative funding because of the state appropriation cuts.

Ending note: the budget described by staff is a short‑term response to lost state funding; final adoption and any amendments will appear in council packets before second and third readings.