Lake Wales staff recommends 2025 interim millage of 8.0462; budget workshops set for September

Dorothy Abbot, director of finance for the City of Lake Wales, told the commission at a May work session that staff is asking for three preliminary actions: certification of the property appraiser's taxable values, setting an interim millage rate and setting the budget adoption hearing dates. "So what staff is recommending is 8.0462," Abbot said.

The staff memo noted the statutory rollback rate for 2025 would be 6.6772; that rate represents the millage that would collect the same total dollars as the prior year given rising property values. Abbot and commissioners emphasized the interim rate can be lowered during the budget process but cautioned that setting the interim rate too low can make balancing the budget difficult.

Commissioner John Thompson (first reference: Commissioner John Thompson) said the city has historically held the line on millage and urged residents to view the proposed increase in context, arguing additional revenue would support projects and services the city is pursuing. Deputy Mayor Gibson and other commissioners praised staff for conservative budget work but acknowledged this year's draft budget presents more pressure than recent years.

No formal vote or final adoption of a millage was taken at the work session; Abbot said the draft budget will be delivered to commissioners on July 25 and the commission will have several weeks to review materials before an August workshop. Staff recommended tentative budget adoption hearings on Sept. 3 and Sept. 16.

The presentation also included an explanation of Florida's Truth in Millage (TRIM) rollback process to ensure commissioners and the public understand how property value growth affects the rate needed to collect the same revenue.

The proposed interim millage, certification of taxable values and hearing dates will be listed on the commission agenda for formal action.