City Council gives initial approval for tax increase

The new millage rate of 4.6989, up from the current 4.5937, would fund staff raises and 20 new positions.


City Councilman Bob Cuff speaks during a council workshop. Councilman Vincent Lyon is at left. (File photo)
City Councilman Bob Cuff speaks during a council workshop. Councilman Vincent Lyon is at left. (File photo)
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The average Palm Coast resident will see their city of Palm Coast taxes rise about $11 next year, not including the added cost that comes from rising home values.

The City Council during a budget meeting Sept. 5 voted to approve a $162,197,869 overall tentative budget and a tentative millage rate of 4.6989 mills, or $4.6989 per $1,000 in taxable value, for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. The council will vote  to finalize the coming year's budget and millage rate during another meeting on Sept. 19.

The current city of Palm Coast millage is 4.5937 mills, and the council had, during previous hearings, set its maximum millage rate for the coming year at 4.7 mills.

The new rate of 4.6989 would be an 8.25% increase over the rollback rate — the rate that, accounting for changing property values, would bring in the same amount of money for the city as last year's rate — of 4.3408, according to a presentation by city staff during the meeting.

There was little discussion by the council at the Sept. 5 meeting about the millage rate change, which council members had already discussed in detail during previous meetings.

The proposed budget for the coming year includes 3% average merit increases for city staff, plus a 2.9% adjustment to base salaries, which would take effect this coming January.

It would also pay to add 20 new staff positions and upgrade one position that is currently part-time to a full-time position.

 

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