Juno Beach council tentatively adopts 1.8195 millage and $10.8M budget; approves K‑9 donation and several contracts

The Juno Beach Town Council on Sept. 11 held a first public hearing on the 2024–25 budget, approved a series of contracts and accepted a donated police K‑9, while voting to hire a search firm to run the town manager recruitment.

Finance staff presented the proposed numbers during the meeting’s budget hearing, saying the town’s proposed millage rate is 1.8195 mills "a 6.75% increase above the rollback rate" that is projected to yield about $4,226,420 in property tax revenue and that total proposed revenue for the year is approximately $10.8 million. "The proposed 2024–25 millage rate of 1.8195…is a 6.75% increase above the rollback rate," the finance presenter said during the hearing.

The council discussed options including moving the millage to the homestead rollback rate and covering shortfalls from reserves. After debate the council voted 4–1 to adopt the tentative millage of 1.8195 and then unanimously adopted the tentative general fund budget for 2024–25 (about $10,785,377) for advertisement and further public hearings.

Public safety and contracts: Council accepted a donated K‑9 for the police department in honor of Blue Wheeler after extended discussion about the gift’s origin, ongoing costs and liability. Police Chief Smith said the department estimates recurring costs at roughly $3,500 annually and vehicle conversion costs around $9,700; "we approximate about $3,500 a year," he said while discussing ongoing care. Council approved acceptance of the donation on a 3–2 vote.

The council also approved a contract with DBM (building-plan review and inspection services) under a revenue-share arrangement to provide plan review, inspections and post‑disaster services; staff said the arrangement helps the town maintain service levels through fluctuating construction cycles. Frank Davila, director of planning and zoning, described the contract as a way that "the town is covered" during high‑demand years and noted the firm employs licensed staff to handle reviews.

Off‑duty officer scheduling: Council approved a contract with Extra Duty Solutions to administer off‑duty detail scheduling and payments for outside events and vendors. Town staff and police asked the consultant to clarify and add definitions in the contract—such as what constitutes an "off‑duty detail" and that Juno Beach officers be offered work first—before final implementation. The town manager summarized the vendor’s role: "All this company does is schedule the off duty officers for us and handle the collecting of the money and the paying of the officers." The contract was approved as amended.

Town manager recruitment: Council debated whether to run an internal search or hire an executive search firm. After discussion, the council voted 3–2 to hire Colin Basinger Associates for the recruitment, with the contract funded from contingency. Council members also agreed to interview internal candidates for an interim appointment and to return to the council with recommendations.

Other actions and matters: the council unanimously approved a one‑year extension to the Holy Spirit Lutheran Church site plan, approved a staff‑recommended holiday party arrangement (with council members paying their own way) on a 3–2 vote, and directed staff to consult local restaurants about moving the planned "Taste of Juno Beach" event to an April date to boost participation.

Votes at a glance

- Tentative millage rate (1.8195 mills): approved 4–1. - Tentative general fund budget (~$10,785,377): approved unanimously. - Acceptance of donated police K‑9 (in honor of Blue Wheeler): approved 3–2. - DBM contract for building plan review/inspection services: approved unanimously. - Contract with Extra Duty Solutions (off‑duty scheduling), as amended: approved unanimously. - Hire Colin Basinger Associates to run town manager search ($29,500): approved 3–2. - Holy Spirit Lutheran Church site plan 1‑year extension: approved unanimously.

Why it matters: The millage and tentative budget set the tax and spending framework that will appear in the required TRIM notices and be finalized after required public hearings; the K‑9 donation and contracts change public‑safety and operational staffing arrangements and carry recurring cost and liability implications the council discussed.

What’s next: The tentative millage and budget will be advertised per state law and returned to council for final adoption after the statutorily required notices and hearings. Council asked staff to update the off‑duty and event forms, to bring clarified contract language back to the next meeting, and to schedule interviews and a packet of candidates in the town manager search process.