The Alachua City Commission held a public hearing for its 2024-25 tentative millage rate and budget at a regular meeting on Monday.
The budget for FY24-25 is proposed to be $64,729871, which is about $2 million less than the FY23-24 amended budget, which was $66,733,348, a 3.17% decrease. Staff credit the reduction to decreases in appropriations within enterprise fund budgets and carry-forward capital costs that have yet to be appropriated.
The proposed budget includes $19,294,571 for the city’s general fund.
The proposed millage rate is set at 5.95 mills, which is the same as last year’s, but 7.95% higher than the rollback rate of 5.5119 mills, which would produce the same amount of revenue as last year’s rate.
The proposed rate is to produce $587,677 more than last year’s rate did, yet city manager Mike DaRoza said Alachua has the third-lowest proposed millage rate in Alachua County, compared with its municipal peers and the county itself.
DaRoza said the budget focuses on three priority areas: infrastructure, public safety and a robust recreation and cultural department.
Under the goal of infrastructure growth, sustainability and diversity, DaRoza noted that the budget includes an increase in water and wastewater rates by 7% and 5%, respectively, in consideration of the Florida Public Service Commission rate index of 3.24% and the rising cost of operating the city’s infrastructure.
Alachua has held the lowest residential electric rates in the state, and DaRoza said the city does not plan to increase electric rates in this tentative budget.
Under public safety and security, DaRoza said the Alachua Police Department will receive new software and hardware, including a new system for car and body cameras, and new Taser equipment.
For recreation and cultural arts, DaRoza listed multiple upcoming projects, including a revamp of the Cleather Hathcock Community Center, renovation of the skate park and World Series field at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex, and an expansion to Legacy Park that is to include a disc golf course.
The final public hearing for the budget and millage rate is set for 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23 at Alachua City Hall.
Tax increase 7.95% over the roll back rate. 7% water rate increase. 5% wastewater increase. They are using the City of Gainesville financial model. Ever increasing taxes, ever increasing spending, more overpaid underqualified lackies in city hall. They all need to be voted out of office.