DeBary council debates 3.5 millage, new fire station and use of reserves ahead of Sept. 4 tentative vote

City of DeBary officials spent the bulk of a special August meeting discussing the fiscal year 2024–25 budget and whether to adopt a staff‑recommended millage rate of 3.5 mills at the tentative vote scheduled for Sept. 4.

City Manager (speaker 2) said staff recommended the 3.5 millage to fund expanded fire services, a new Station 39 and several capital projects, and described the choice as a multi‑year forecast rather than a one‑off. "The staff has recommended, a 3.5, percent millage rate going forward, which is a... 26.17% increase over our rollback," the manager said, adding the city expects to increase career firefighters from 12 to 20.5 and to have Station 39 fully operational in September 2025.

Manager and staff said the city secured a $1.25 million legislative grant for the station, purchased 10 acres in 2019 for $300,000, and plan to pay construction in cash rather than issue debt. That approach reduces interest cost but produces recurring personnel expenses that staff estimated would add roughly $2.25 million in recurring costs when the station is fully staffed.

Council members split on whether to use reserves to blunt the immediate tax impact. Mayor Chazet argued against using reserves for ongoing operations but supported a limited, one‑time reserve draw to outfit a new fire truck: "I am firmly against pulling from reserves to run this city year in, year out," the mayor said, while also saying a $300,000 one‑time transfer to fit out a truck could be acceptable. Other members, including Council member Sells, favored a moderate reserve draw to lower the millage now.

The manager also outlined other major projects that feed budget uncertainty: Fort Florida Road culvert/box‑culvert replacement (engineered box culverts, partially funded by a $1 million grant from the St. Johns River Water Management District and $500,000 from Florida Power & Light with a $500,000 city contribution), Benson Junction reconstruction tied to a $4.3 million Transportation Planning Organization grant that requires matching funds, Alexander Island nature park planning, and road resurfacing needs.

A technical issue emerged: staff reported that under Florida statute and Department of Revenue rollback formulas, DeBary’s higher taxable value could trigger a requirement that a 3.5‑mill rate be approved unanimously by council. City staff said they had attorneys review the statute and would confirm the legal interpretation before the Sept. 4 tentative vote.

Next steps: staff will confirm the statute interpretation and present the tentative budget and millage at the Sept. 4 meeting; the final budget and millage vote is scheduled for Sept. 18.