- October 29, 2024
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Palm Coast's City Council at a July 21 meeting set the city's maximum millage rate for the coming fiscal year at 4.6989 — the same rate as the current actual rate. The maximum rate is the rate the city can not exceed when council members set the budget and the actual millage rate later this year.
"My personal observation is that more businesses and more of our citizens are following CDC and public Health Department guidelines ... but we just can’t let up. This isn’t something that’s going to go away this week or next week, and we need to be making smart decisions and constantly reinforcing what the current best thinking on this is to keep our citizens safe."
— BOB CUFF, Palm Coast city councilman
Property values in Palm Coast are increasing about 6.8%, so if the city does decide to hold the millage rate steady, the city will receive an estimated additional $1.6 million in revenue this coming year. The rate that would bring in the same dollar amount as the current year, called the rollback rate, would be 4.5236, according to a city staff presentation.
As of the July 21 meeting, the city was still awaiting information from the state about how state revenue decreases due to COVID-19 will affect the city's share of state tax money.
Among the city's projected expenses for the coming year are four new full-time staff positions: The city hopes to hire three new firefighter-EMTs, and convert two of its part-time Parks and Recreation positions to full-time ones.
The city's first actual budget hearing will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 10, a Thursday. The City Council will vote on its final millage rate and budget on Sept. 23.
Palm Coast residents who've been financially impacted by COVID-19 and are having trouble paying their utility bills may get some additional help.
The city government has already been working with residents to suspend late fees and penalties for utility service. (Residents must contact the city for assistance.)
Now, the city has received an extra $299,058 in Community Development Block Grant funding this year through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), and the City Council on July 21 voted to use that money to pay for utility assistance for eligible Palm Coast families.
