Palatka sets tentative FY2027 millage ceiling as staff continues budget work

Interim City Manager Cynthia W. Curry presented an executive overview of the budget-development process for fiscal year 2027 on July 23, telling commissioners the city’s all‑funds budget is roughly $85.7 million with operating revenue near $64 million. Curry said the general fund estimate is about $26 million with reserves of nearly $3.5 million and noted personnel comprises a large portion of recurring costs.

Curry identified outstanding items to finalize before the commission adopts a budget: reconciling state revenue‑sharing updates, finalizing positions and personnel projections with HR, confirming one‑time revenue carryforwards, and resolving the fire‑assessment exemption question. She said capital and grant line items total about $41.4 million of the all‑funds expenditures and that grant reliance has risk if grants expire.

Given the outstanding work, the commission set a tentative maximum millage rate of 6.2397 for certification to the property appraiser, a ceiling that preserves options for the September hearings where the final rate will be adopted. “This is a number on the August tax notice,” Curry said, adding the commission may adopt a lower rate in September.