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Fernandina Beach offers first public look at $133.3 million FY2025 budget; millage rate proposed slightly lower
Summary
City staff presented a $133,286,124 proposed FY2025 combined budget, a 5.6% increase over last year, a proposed modified rollback millage of 4.6849 mills (a 3% reduction), and a capital program that includes $36.2 million and several funded projects. Tentative millage adoption and budget workshops were scheduled.
City staff presented the first public overview of the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget, describing a combined $133,286,124 balanced plan and a tentative schedule for millage adoption and workshops.
The proposed budget is $133,286,124 in total revenues and expenditures, a 5.6% increase over the prior year, City Manager Jeremiah Glisson said. Personnel costs were shown at about $30,400,000; capital spending is projected at $36,200,000; operating expenses $24,200,000; and annual debt service is estimated at $4,500,000. The manager said public-safety spending accounts for about 19.5% of the budget while cultural and recreation are about 21.8% and physical environment (infrastructure) about 25% of expenditures.
Staff presented the proposed millage calculations and said the FY2025 budget is based on a modified rollback rate of 4.6849 mills, described as a roughly 3% reduction from the current millage. The presentation noted ad valorem revenue is projected to bring in roughly $19.4 million and that the city's reserve target is about 20% (roughly $28,000,000). The budget calendar was also announced: the commission will set a tentative millage on July 30, hold budget workshops August 6'—7 (more if needed) and set public hearings in September, with the budget effective October 1.
Key capital projects highlighted include $955,000 for streets and sidewalks, a $2,000,000 state appropriation for continued seawall design and construction, $630,000 for the Amelia Island Lighthouse (grant-funded), $1,200,000 for downtown revitalization, and a proposed $2,000,000 impact-fee transfer for the Amelia River Waterfront Park. Staff noted the golf course faces a projected subsidy need in the neighborhood of $890,000 and that some maintenance funding was increased across departments. Commissioners asked for more detail on debt totals and maintenance assumptions; staff said detailed figures are in the budget book and will be part of upcoming workshops.
The presentation was framed as an initial, non-voting conversation to begin public review and set the tentative millage in subsequent meetings.
