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Highlands County adopts 7.6-mill tax rate, approves FY2025-26 budget
Summary
The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners approved a final millage rate of 7.6 mills and adopted the countywide fiscal year 2025-26 budget, with commissioners recording roll-call votes. County staff said the rate is roughly a 6.1% increase from the rollback rate and will yield about $4.4 million in additional ad valorem revenue net of statutory discounts.
The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 16 adopted a final millage rate of 7.6 mills and approved the countywide fiscal year 2025-26 budget.
Budget Manager David Nitson presented the numbers the board considered, saying the aggregate proposed millage for FY2025-26 is 7.6 mills compared with a rollback rate of 7.3046 mills. "The proposed millage rate of 7.6 mils represents an increase of 6.1 percent from the rollback rate of 7.3046 mils," Nitson said during the hearing, and staff estimated the change would generate about $4.4 million in additional ad valorem revenue, net of statutory discounts.
The presentation outlined countywide totals and fund composition: seven major funds and other special revenue funds totaling $206,333,121 and a general fund allocation used for law enforcement, clerk of courts, property appraiser, tax collector and supervisor of elections. Nitson also described recent and planned fund-balance adjustments, including an $850,000 health-insurance infusion already applied and potential further transfers for insurance and road paving that would reduce months of reserve.
During the millage public hearing, the board invited public comment; none was offered. A motion to approve Resolution 2425173 (adopting the final millage rate) was made, seconded and carried on a recorded roll-call vote: Commissioner Campbell (Yes), Commissioner Roberts (Yes), Commissioner Kerouac (Yes), Commissioner Elwell (No), Commissioner Tuck (No). The millage resolution therefore passed.
The board then considered the final county budget. County Attorney read Resolution 2425174 (final budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025), and Nitson reiterated that the budget includes general, transportation trust, special revenue, debt service, capital and enterprise funds; Exhibit A to the resolution lists $206,333,121 as the amount reflected from the tentative budget. No public comments were offered on the budget. The board approved Resolution 2425174 by recorded vote: Commissioner Elwell (Yes), Commissioner Kerouac (Yes), Commissioner Campbell (Yes), Commissioner Roberts (Yes), Commissioner Tuck (Yes).
After adoption, staff announced the aggregate final millage rate of 7.6 mills. The county administrator requested and the board authorized the chair or county administrator to execute documents necessary to implement the millage and budget adoption.
The meeting record shows the board moved forward with a balanced FY2025-26 budget and a final millage of 7.6 mills. The board took the actions listed above; no public testimony altered those outcomes at the Sept. 16 hearing.
