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Lake Park Council to hold three public millage hearings; councilors agree to advertise proposed 6.5 rate
Summary
City Council voted to hold three public hearings in September to consider the 2025 millage rate and to advertise a proposed rate of 6.5; discussion centered on rising property assessments, planned equipment purchases and staffing needs that affect the budget.
The Lake Park City Council voted Sept. 3 to hold three public hearings in September on the city’s 2025 millage rate and agreed to advertise a proposed millage of 6.5.
City Clerk Lisa Johnson explained the city’s millage worksheet, showing how other revenues (including Local Option Sales Tax) reduce the millage that would be required if property taxes were the only revenue source. Johnson noted the spreadsheet starts with the total budget, subtracts other revenues and prior-year LOST to calculate a millage equivalent and the resulting needed millage rate.
Council members discussed budget pressures that will affect the millage decision, including planned equipment purchases and staffing. Council Member Carl Spano said recent purchases such as radios for the fire department and a needed police car, along with staffing adjustments, argue against rolling back the millage. Spano said the City is “still playing catch-up” on cost-of-living adjustments and that lower rates could leave the city unable to meet obligations for equipment and personnel.
Council Member Michelle Lane moved to hold the three public hearings in September to give the council time to review and discuss the budget; the motion passed unanimously, 4-0. Council Member Busby Courson then moved an addendum to advertise a suggested millage rate of 6.5; the addendum passed 3-0 with Council Member Oscar Griffith not casting a vote on record.
Mayor Jena Sandlin cautioned that higher property assessments will already raise residents’ tax bills and urged the council to weigh that impact when choosing a final rate. Johnson reminded the council that the decision to hold hearings and advertise a proposed rate is not final: if the council chooses to hold the three hearings, a final decision on the millage rate must still be reached, and the city may adopt the final rate after the required hearings.
What’s next: the city will advertise the proposed millage (6.5) and hold the three public hearings in September; a final millage decision will follow the hearing process.
