Wakulla County sets tentative millage at 7.9 mills after hour-long budget hearing; commissioners debate cuts and reserves

The Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners on July 14 held the first of two required public hearings on the fiscal year 2025–26 budget, approved a tentative countywide millage rate of 7.9 mills and adopted a tentative budget after extended discussion about future deficits, public‑safety costs and whether to lower taxes.

County Administrator Kelly (County Administrator, Wakulla County, government) said the tentative countywide millage rate read into the public record was “7.9 mills, which is 5.39% more than the countywide rolled back millage rate of 7.4963 mills.” The board voted first to open the hearing and then, after public and commissioner comment, took separate votes on the millage and on the budget.

The commission’s debate centered on whether the county should reduce the millage to give taxpayers a break now or hold the rate to protect reserves and services. One commissioner urged a rollback to 7.4963 mills, citing an approximate 80% increase in ad valorem revenue since 2021 and asking why taxpayers were not receiving a reduction. Other commissioners and staff said that recent state‑level minimum wage increases, “compression” in pay scales and ongoing public‑safety needs account for much of the budget growth.

Kelly told the board the complete preliminary budget document was posted April 29 and explained Florida’s TRIM/Truth in Millage process, including the upcoming final hearing and advertisement schedule. She said the county advertised the budget summary required by the Florida Department of Revenue and that the final vote on the budget will occur on Sept. 15 at 5:01 p.m.; the TRIM ad will run in the Wakulla Sun on Sept. 11.

On fiscal details presented at the hearing, staff said the proposed spending plan uses about $300,000 of cash on hand to balance the current year budget and that multi‑year projections show a $1,100,000 shortfall in fund balance next year if current assumptions hold, $886,000 the following year and $503,000 after that. Staff warned that loss of state supplements—specifically a current $1.1 million supplement to deputy salaries—would increase county costs and could force higher millage later if not planned for.

Commissioners discussed options including targeted program cuts, service eliminations (parks and recreation, library services and nonprofit funding were cited as examples) and structural changes such as outsourcing certain services. Several commissioners said significant cuts would necessarily affect personnel and services.

Votes at the July 14 meeting: - Motion to open the first public hearing on the tentative millage and budget: approved 5–0 to open the hearing. - Motion to set the tentative countywide millage rate at 7.9 mills: approved 4–1. - Motion to adopt the tentative FY 2025–26 countywide budget as presented and amended through the agenda process: approved 4–1.

Kelly noted that nonprofit funding requests were included in the advertised budget to provide capacity, but that individual nonprofit agreements will return to the board for separate approval after the final budget vote; the board may direct the county not to spend budgeted amounts if it chooses.

The board heard public comment from a 4‑H student earlier in the meeting about a youth program trip to the University of Florida; no citizens had turned in speaker cards for the budget hearing portion. Commissioners scheduled further budget work and a legislative priorities workshop ahead of the Sept. 15 final hearing to refine revenue and cut options.

The board’s second and final public hearing on the FY 2025–26 millage and budget is set for Sept. 15 at 5:01 p.m. at the Wakulla County Commission Chambers.