Atlantic Beach commissioners agree to hold enhancement spending near $1.9 million; millage, reserves, major projects debated

Atlantic Beach commissioners on Sept. 3 signaled informal consensus to hold enhancement spending at about $1,900,000 while proceeding with the required public hearings on the proposed millage rate.

At the start of the workshop, Killingsworth told the commission that the proposed millage rate underlying the draft budget is 2.841 — “which is the same millage rate as last year,” he said — and explained the voting thresholds: a majority vote is sufficient for a rate between the rollback and 2.7499, while a two‑thirds vote is required for anything above 2.7499. Killingsworth also said the first and second public hearings will take place at the next two commission meetings.

The body spent much of the meeting reviewing enhancement requests compiled on a spreadsheet staff circulated from earlier workshops. Commissioners agreed to prioritize items that already had the informal support of at least three members and to focus discussion on remaining items that lacked clear consensus.

Major items discussed included a proposed $300,000 replacement for a six‑bay equipment building, improvements to the Public Safety Building’s outside‑air systems, and an ongoing city program for boardwalk/dune walkover repairs. On the latter, Mayor (chair) relayed a call from a congressional office saying $1,080,000 had been included for Atlantic Beach in an appropriations bill but cautioned the funding remained subject to committee markup.

Commissioners repeatedly framed their decisions around the city’s reserve policy. One commissioner noted the Government Finance Officers Association recommends a 50 percent general fund reserve; staff said the city’s current reserves are around the mid‑40s to over 50 percent in different accounting measures. Commissioners said keeping a sizable cushion is important for hurricane recovery and other emergencies but acknowledged some reserves are typically replenished when capital projects slip and funds revert to fund balance.

On the budget cap, the commission voice‑voted to keep enhancement spending to roughly $1.9 million, with staff instructed to fold agreed items into the forthcoming budget ordinance and to publish the revised numbers ahead of the scheduled hearings.

What’s next: staff will incorporate tonight’s agreed items into the budget ordinance, post the revised agenda, and bring the millage and budget to the two required public hearings before final action.