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Commissioner warns New Smyrna Beach may face higher taxes or fees if property valuations falter
Summary
A commissioner raised concern about reliance on property-tax growth after noting a 2.1 overall deficit (1.7 tied to hurricane cleanup). Auditor outlined alternatives: special assessments, fees for services or reduced service levels.
During questions after the audit presentation a commissioner told the panel the city's fiscal picture could worsen if property valuations do not continue to grow. The commissioner said the statements showed "we have a 2.1 deficit, overall. But 1.7 was because of hurricane cleanup going to the dumps" and warned the city would otherwise rely increasingly on property taxes or on higher user fees.
Ron Whitesides, the auditor, agreed local governments are heavily dependent on property-tax revenue and described the trade-offs elected officials would face if valuation growth slows: "You're gonna have a choice of either providing for those services from other types of revenues, special assessments for fire service...Fees for services...or you reduce service levels." The exchange underscored that commissioners will need to weigh public appetite for new charges against service levels when preparing the 2026 budget.
