The Monticello City Council voted Nov. 24 to approve Ordinance 2025-77, the FY2026 property tax levy ordinance, and three separate levies for special service areas (SSAs) identified as numbers 3, 4 and 5.

Staff presented the levy as part of the FY2026 budget process and said the proposed levy represents a 4.9% increase in property-tax revenue requests compared with the current levy. "If we get $1,000,000 in property taxes, we are asking for $1,049,000," a staff member said while presenting the ordinance.

Council approved Ordinance 2025-77 by roll call. The meeting also included separate roll-call approvals for Ordinance 2025-78 (levy and assessment for Special Service Area Number 3 — Sage Meadows), Ordinance 2025-79 (Special Service Area Number 4 — Walden Pond) and Ordinance 2025-80 (Special Service Area Number 5 — Dancing Acres). Staff explained SSA levies set maximum rates (noted in the record as up to $0.50 per $100 of equalized assessed value) and described those tools as incentives to support development in specified territories.

What’s next: The levies take effect for the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Staff recommended council approval during the budget process and reported the levies will be used as part of development incentives in the named subdivisions.