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Brooks Town Council rolls back 2024 millage rate to 1.129 mills in 3-2 vote
Summary
After a staff presentation and public comment, the Town of Brooks Council voted 3–2 on Oct. 23, 2024, to set the 2024 millage rate at 1.129 mills (rollback). Staff had recommended keeping the current 1.207 mills to offset $16,200 in fund-balance expenditures.
The Town of Brooks Council voted 3–2 on Oct. 23 to roll back the 2024 millage rate to 1.129 mills following a public hearing and staff presentation.
Lorey Spohr, the town clerk, presented the five-year tax history and the dollar value of one mill for 2024 ($54,978). Spohr said the town could set the rate at 1.207 mills, which would collect about $66,358, or adopt the rollback rate of 1.129 mills, which would collect about $62,070. Spohr said town staff recommended keeping the 1.207 rate to partially offset $16,200 in approved fund-balance expenditures since July 1, 2024.
Resident Philip Bradley urged the council to choose the rollback if it covered the budget, arguing that the town’s tax burden has risen sharply in recent years. "If the rollback rate covers all budget expenses, why not give the taxpayers a break?" Bradley said, summarizing his review that the town’s net digest rose 47% from 2020 to 2024 and that net tax dollars have increased substantially over five years.
Mayor Daniel Langford said both millage options would cover the FY2025 property-tax budget of $61,610 and noted he votes only in case of a tie. When asked about a state ballot question limiting assessed-value increases, Mayor Langford said Mr. Bradley corrected his earlier understanding: the change under consideration would limit the assessed-value increases to the CPI rather than directly capping total property tax to CPI.
Council Member Brian Davis moved to adopt the 1.207-mill rate; Council Member Todd Speer seconded. Davis and Speer voted in favor; Council Members Scott Israel, Kay Brumbelow and Ted Britt opposed, and the motion failed. Council Member Ted Britt then moved to roll back the rate to 1.129 mills, seconded by Council Member Kay Brumbelow. Britt, Israel and Brumbelow voted yes; Davis and Speer voted no. The rollback passed 3–2.
After the vote, Council Member Ted Britt said the council might need to raise the millage next year depending on circumstances but felt the rollback matched what citizens expressed at the hearing. Mayor Langford adjourned the meeting at 5:24 p.m.
