- January 19, 2025
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The Volusia County Council unanimously approved the adoption of a millage rate at rollback of 4.8499 mills — or $4.8499 per $1,000 of taxable value — at its first budget hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
This is a lower tax rate than the maximum 4.8506 mills the council approved on July 19, a result of $2.3 million reduced from the county's general fund budget; this is largely due to a reduction in excess fees from the Tax Collector's Office, according to the county. While the operating budget was recommended to be set in July at $1.06 billion, staff recommended at the first budget hearing that the council set a tentative operating budget of $1.058 billion, which is a reduction of about $1.9 million.
The last time Volusia County adopted the rollback rate for its general fund was in 2018.
This year's budget includes the addition of 55 new positions, 41 of which are public safety positions, according to the county's budget presentation. It also includes a 4% or $1 per hour wage adjustment for employees, bringing every full-time position and employee to a minimum wage of $15, and the addition of a new county recognized holiday — Veterans Day.
But while the county is able to adopt the rollback rate for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, staff warned the council that tax rate increases could come in future years. The county expects an increase of $8.8 million in Votran subsidy costs over the next three years, and it is predicting a potential $9.7 million increase in Sunrail operations and maintenance costs for fiscal year 2023-2024. The county also cited increased staffing demand for future years, particularly in public safety despite being able to add positions this year.
If the county doesn't raise its tax rate next year, staff estimated the county would need to use $7.2 million of fund balance dollars for recurring expenses.
Councilwoman Heather Post expressed concern about the wages of contracted employees, as companies have until 2026 to bring their pay to $15, as well as the wages of part-time county employees making under $15 an hour, citing it is a future topic of discussion.
"I think we can do better in Volusia County," she said.
County Councilman Ben Johnson said he would also like to see wages increase, but said that the council has set its maximum millage rate already. He said a conversation regarding wages would be best held after the new year, once the new council has been sworn into office. He also warned that if the county wanted to increase wages, the council would "have to quit looking at running to rollback."
"We can't cut our cost and not have the money in our coffers and pay these expenses without it coming from somewhere besides coming out of our reserves, which is a very, very dangerous practice, especially when something goes wrong," Johnson said. "So that's where this issue comes in. We want to pay them more, we have to look and say, 'We're going to take and put higher taxes out there to pay for these people because the money comes from somewhere.'"
The second public hearing for the county's budget will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20.
