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Punta Gorda council sets tentative millage at rollback rate, authorizes MSBU consultant solicitations
Summary
The Punta Gorda City Council voted to adopt a tentative rollback millage rate of 4.0074 for FY2026‑27 and authorized staff to solicit bids for MSBU (municipal service benefit unit) consultants to evaluate stormwater, roads and other districts. Council debated employee merit, taxpayer impacts and tight MSBU timelines.
Punta Gorda’s City Council voted to adopt a tentative millage rate of 4.0074 (the rollback rate) for fiscal year 2026‑27 and instructed staff to begin the procurement process for consulting support to evaluate potential MSBUs.
Finance Director Kristen Simeon reviewed taxable‑value trends and presented three rate options: the current rate (3.8686), the rollback (4.0074) and a flat ad‑valorem rate (3.9797). Simeon said the rollback rate would produce roughly $135,000 more revenue than the current rate; the current rate would reduce revenue by about $540,000 compared with the rollback rate under the assumptions in the pro forma. She noted the pro forma also modeled proposed state legislative reforms that could reduce future revenues.
Council debate included concerns about the effect of any millage choice on residents on fixed incomes and whether to cut merit pay for city employees as a budget lever. Councilmember Lockhart said the rollback rate is a conservative approach to preserve reserves while the city sorts MSBU timing; others said the council can reduce the rate later if revenues are better than projected. After discussion, Lockhart moved to set the tentative millage at the rollback rate (4.0074); the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
On MSBUs, staff warned of a tight timeline to adopt authorizing ordinances to appear on the 2027 tax roll (statutory deadlines could require action by Jan. 1, 2027). Council approved a motion to solicit bids for MSBU consultants to determine feasibility and costs (staff estimated consultant costs at approximately $150,000, but noted that final bids could vary). Council asked staff to prioritize high‑priority MSBUs if timing proves constrained.
What happens next: Staff will publish the tentative millage and Truth in Millage notices as required, and the city will solicit proposals for an MSBU consultant to evaluate potential assessment districts and report back to council.
