Palatka commission adopts 6.2397‑mill rate, approves $85.6M budget using Better Place transfer to offset $118,567 shortfall

The Palatka City Commission on Sept. 30 adopted a final operating millage rate of 6.2397 mills — the roll‑back rate — and approved a $85,592,317 final budget for fiscal year 2025–26, adopting both resolutions after public comment and a staff presentation.

Finance director Santel Tia told the commission the aggregate proposed operating millage is 6.2397 mills, “which is the same as the roll back rate,” and that equates to a 0% change in ad valorem tax revenue compared with the prior year. Tia said the city’s final FY2025–26 budget is $85,592,317 and that the plan to balance the budget includes using an increased transfer from the Better Place Plan fund and reductions in some line items, including changes in stormwater budgeting.

Why it matters: commissioners and staff debated how a $118,567 decrease in ad valorem revenue (compared with a higher millage option discussed earlier) would be absorbed without cutting services. Commissioners repeatedly stressed clearer, earlier public communication about what the city controls and how a roll‑back interacts with other taxing entities. Several commissioners said they wanted workshops scheduled earlier in the process in future years so decisions are not resolved “at the 11th hour.”

Commission debate and staff explanation Commissioners asked staff to clarify where the $118,567 came from and whether residents would see relief. Santel Tia said the reduction in ad valorem revenue was offset by increasing an already‑budgeted transfer from the Better Place Plan fund into the general fund and by adjusting stormwater expense budgets; she said some prior‑year stormwater appropriations had not been spent and that the transfer is “a natural transfer that is already in place.”

Commissioner Davis pressed for clarity on whether shifting funds would have a negative impact on either fund; Tia and staff responded that the transfers would maintain the integrity of both accounts. Commissioner Jones and others pushed for more timely workshops and better explanation to residents about the distinction among city, county and school taxes.

Public comment Allegra Kitchens of Palatka urged the commission to adopt the roll‑back to provide immediate tax relief to residents on fixed incomes, saying the $118,567 is “chicken feed compared to your big budget” and arguing that about $29 per parcel in savings is meaningful to low‑income residents. Kitchens also suggested cutting special‑event allocations or using funds from the Better Place Plan to offset the millage difference.

Formal actions and votes The commission moved and seconded Resolution 2025 R124 to adopt the final millage rate of 6.2397 mills; the motion passed by majority vote and the mayor announced adoption of the millage rate. The commission then moved and seconded Resolution 2025 R125 to adopt the FY2025–26 final budget; the motion passed by majority vote and the budget was approved.

What’s next Staff said any further adjustments to the budget must be made by motion. Commissioners requested clearer public outreach explaining the millage decision and directed staff to schedule budget‑process workshops earlier in the next budget cycle.

Quotes "There is no increase in property tax revenue. We're using the same millage rate as last year," Santel Tia, finance director, said during her presentation.

"Give the taxpayers a break," said Allegra Kitchens, a Palatka resident, during public comment. "The poor people in this city are struggling. So, please do the roll back."

Ending With the millage and budget adopted, the commission concluded the final TRIM public hearing and moved on to procedural items, including a request to place budget‑workshop scheduling on a future agenda.