The City of Brooksville operates on a budget based on property taxes, also called millage, for property owners within city limits. The Property Appraiser’s office will send property owners a Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice with the proposed rates for the next fiscal year. The rates are estimated and are usually higher than what is needed so that the city’s budget can be adjusted with those proposed rates. For example, Tannette Gayle, the City’s Finance Director, stated that last year’s maximum was set at 7.0, and FY 2014 and 2015 were set at 8.0, but the actual millage was lower.
Fiscal year (FY) 2016 rates were set at 6.6439 mils, and FY 2017 figures are estimated to remain the same. The proposed budget also included recommendations for a 3% salary increase for city employees, and figures for a 5% salary increase. Council Member William Kemmerer stated the proposed salary increases and discussions of increasing funding to the fire department would mean TRIM rates of at least 7.2. “I don’t think I want to be in the council chambers when you do that. You’re going to get a lot of push back,” Kemmerer said, as that would translate to approximately a $250,000 increase in the general fund.
Both Vice-Mayor Robert Battitsta and Council Member Frankie Burnett agreed, stating that setting the maximum at 7.0 would be appropriate. That figure would give a cushion to the budget in the event of “surprises”, but both preferred to keep the actual rate as low as possible. Kemmerer said that a proposed 7.0 would allow for “honest discussion” during budget hearings.
Mayor Natalie Kahler asked for tentative calculations for the 7.2 figures. Kemmerer responded, “People don’t look at the detailed computation; they’re going to look at the millage rate going up. You go from 6.6 to 7.2, you’re up 10%. That’s what they’re going to remember.” And does not include the county’s assessment for school taxes.
Burnett advised that while there is some improvement in the economy, it seems to be centered in the urban areas, not in rural communities. “Understanding the economy for Brooksville,” Burnett stated, “I really don’t feel comfortable going past that 6.6.” But he agreed that the 7.0 rate would give a cushion for discussion.
The public is given the opportunity to attend two hearings to discuss the budget and millage rates prior to the adoption of the final rate. The first hearing is scheduled for 09/07/16 and the second (and final) hearing will be held 09/14/16. Both will begin at 5:01 pm.