Brooksville sets tentative millage at 5.9 mills, advances FY2025 budget to second reading

The Brooksville City Council announced a tentative millage rate of 5.9 mills during its Sept. 9 public budget hearing and adopted the related resolution setting the proposed rate for the FY2025 tentative budget.

The clerk read the trim notice on the record: "The proposed ad valorem rate for fiscal year 25 was advertised to be a maximum of 5.9 mills," and said that figure represents a 5.79% increase over the current year's rollback rate of 5.5772 mills. The clerk also stated that the general fund budget is balanced at the tentative 5.9-mill rate.

Council opened the public hearing on the FY2025 budget and heard no public comments. The council then approved Resolution 2024-15, which sets the proposed millage under section 200.065, Florida Statutes, by a recorded announcement of the vote (motion carried 5 to 0).

On the same matter, the clerk announced the first reading of the FY2025 budget ordinance (Ordinance 9 33) appropriating monies for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2024. Council members thanked staff for months of preparation and pre-budget meetings; a motion to approve the budget as presented passed on first reading, and the clerk said the second reading and final budget hearing will be Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m.

Human resources staff also briefed the council on benefits procurement: Kyle Martin said staff has contacted other vendors and is pursuing procurement steps for benefit changes in the coming fiscal year.

The council closed the public hearing with no public comment and advanced the budget ordinance to its required second reading.