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Ormond Beach adopts tentative 2025–26 millage at 4.522 mills after public objections about budget and costs
Summary
The Ormond Beach City Commission set a tentative operating millage rate of 4.522 mills — 15.82% above the rollback rate — after public comment decried rising costs and requested closer budget oversight. The vote was unanimous. Speakers raised concerns about tax increases, contract renewals and transparency.
The Ormond Beach City Commission set a tentative operating millage rate of 4.522 mills for fiscal year 2025–26, the commission voted unanimously to adopt the rate during its July meeting.
The rate is 15.82% higher than the rollback rate of 3.9042 mills and the city clerk read the resolution (Resolution No. 2025-102) establishing the date, time and place for the first public hearing on the proposed millage and the tentative budget. The city said the proposed rate will fund public safety staffing and equipment, property-maintenance and beautification programs, economic development initiatives and park revitalization. The staff statement accompanying the resolution estimated the increase would raise the average homesteaded property tax bill by $106.92 annually ($8.98 per month). The commission also set a tentative debt-service millage of 0.063 for the 2010 general obligation bond fund.
Members of the public used the hearing to challenge the size and scope of the proposed increase and to press the commission for closer scrutiny of spending. "We are the second lowest millage rate in the county because we have a very high property value here. But if we don't invest in our city adequately, the property values will go down," said Stan Driscoll during public comment. Jennifer Bright told the commission she was concerned about the cumulative effect of multiple rate increases and utility changes on seniors and families of limited income, saying the proposed package could "break our seniors on a fixed income and families of limited income."
Other speakers asked for greater transparency. Colleen McMahon said the city had approved a $1.9 million auto-renewal landscaping contract without providing an up-to-date certificate of insurance and asked for a financial audit of the last five years, calling for staff to make contract details available to the public.
Commissioners acknowledged the public concerns but framed the millage decision as necessary to maintain current services. After the public comment period the commission called the roll; Commissioners Tolland, Sargent, Deaton, Briley and Mayor Jason Leslie voted yes.
The vote sets only the tentative millage and begins the formal notice and public hearing process; the commission will hold at least one advertised public hearing before the final millage is adopted later in the budget process.
Ending: The city clerk and staff will publish notice and schedule the statutorily required public hearings on the tentative millage and the tentative budget before a final rate is adopted.
