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Bradford County sets proposed millage at 10 mills amid TRIM changes and budget concerns
Summary
The county set a proposed millage rate of 10 mills for FY26-27 to preserve flexibility while the board continues budget work; the clerk outlined alternatives (rollback 9.6976 mills, 9.5 and 9.0 options) and explained the new TRIM rules after Senate Bill 4F.
Bradford County commissioners voted to set the proposed millage rate for fiscal year 2026–27 at 10 mills after a presentation from the county clerk explaining revenue and procedural options under recent state changes.
The clerk told the board that the rollback rate is 9.6976 mills, which would generate roughly $16.0 million, and presented alternatives: 9.5 mills (~$15.7 million) and 9.0 mills (~$14.9 million). Keeping the current rate at 10 mills would generate an estimated $16.6 million but would require a two-thirds vote under the clerk's presentation. The clerk also warned that whatever proposed rate is set tonight will appear on TRIM notices mailed by the property appraiser on Aug. 17 and that the board's first public hearing to adopt a tentative millage is scheduled for Sept. 10.
The clerk cited a recent state change (referred to in the meeting as Senate Bill 4F) that altered the default baseline and vote thresholds for millage rates; staff advised caution because raising the proposed rate later could require re-mailing TRIM notices.
Commissioner Thompson moved to set the proposed millage at 10 mills to retain flexibility and time to finalize budget and fire-assessment work; the motion was seconded and carried (the meeting record shows procedural confirmation and a vote discussion with a 4–1 tally recorded in the transcript excerpts).
Why it matters: The proposed millage determines the property-tax rate shown on TRIM notices and frames the county's revenue for the coming year. Setting a higher proposed rate preserves options for revenue but triggers higher approval thresholds for some final rates and affects taxpayer notices.
The clerk and county manager told commissioners they can lower the rate at the next meeting if needed; the board did not finalize the adopted millage tonight — only the proposed rate that will appear on TRIM notices.
