Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Keystone Heights staff told to model budget assuming homestead-exemption passes; councilman seeks 11% cuts and a 3.8543 millage scenario
Summary
City Manager Jamie Booth is preparing the FY2026–27 budget assuming a pending state homestead-exemption change passes. Mayor Rodenroth opposed cutting staff pay or benefits; Councilman Lewandowski asked staff to model an 11% across-the-board cut and return a proposal for a 3.8543 maximum millage rate on July 13.
Jamie Booth presented long-term budget options assuming a pending state homestead-exemption/property-tax ballot measure passes and said he is preparing the upcoming FY2026–27 budget on that assumption. Booth told the committee staff will model scenarios to show fiscal impacts under that outcome.
Mayor Nina Rodenroth said she did not want staff pay or benefits adjusted, emphasizing the value of a cohesive staff. Councilman Dan Lewandowski said he would like to see “an 11% cut in all areas of the upcoming budget draft,” and Booth agreed to work on that request. Councilman Lewandowski also asked staff to calculate the millage rate required to replace lost homestead revenue and requested the administration build a balanced budget version using an 11% across-the-board cut.
Staff was directed to bring a proposal for a 3.8543 maximum millage rate to the City Council on July 13 and to include pocket-park and façade-grant items on the next CRA Board agenda.
