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Alachua County proposes higher millage rates and a larger tentative FY2025 budget; residents criticize tax increase
Summary
The Alachua County board announced proposed FY2025 millage rates that exceed rolled‑back rates and adopted related tentative budget resolutions; residents called the action a large tax increase and questioned budget priorities.
The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners announced proposed FY2025 millage rates and approved tentative budget resolutions after public comment on the board's Truth in Millage (TRIM) hearing.
Staff explained the TRIM process and the specific proposed rates in the hearing: the board's proposed general county millage is 7.618 mills (6.87% above the rolled‑back rate of 7.1286), the municipal service taxing unit (MSTU) law enforcement rate is 3.5678 mills (7.78% above its rollback), and the aggregate proposed millage was presented as 9.0866 mills (6.92% above the aggregate rollback). County budget staff presented a tentative FY2025 budget and said the increase over last year is driven largely by capital costs, including courthouse work and trail projects.
Assistant County Manager Tommy Crosby said capital infrastructure increases explain much of the change in the tentative budget: "We had the, we added the courthouse... That was over $6.07 $17,000,000, $13,000,000 for some work on the Archer Bridal Trail work." He characterized the larger line items as capital in nature.
During the citizen comment portion, resident Anthony Johnson criticized what he called an "extremely large tax increase," urged commissioners to reconsider funding of pet projects on the consent agenda and warned the increase will harm neighbors: "This is an extremely large tax increase... Last year's budget was more than enough, but there's all these extra pet projects..." Johnson urged greater public participation in the TRIM process.
Following public comment and staff presentations, the board moved and seconded resolutions establishing the proposed millage rates and adopting changes to revenue estimates and the tentative FY2025 general county budget; motions were approved by voice vote. The chair reminded the public that the second and final public hearing on the millage and budget will be held Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024 at 5:01 p.m. at the Alachua County Administration Building, Jack Durrance Auditorium.
