- May 1, 2024
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Officials called for a flat tax rate, and additional public input, at the city’s first budget meeting Tuesday, May 21.
BY MATT MENCARINI | STAFF WRITER
City staff expects to collect an additional $240,000 in tax revenue next fiscal year, as a result of increases in construction value. But that doesn’t mean inflated numbers across the board.
Due to expected declines in franchise fees, officials project a total budget shortfall of $378,000 — $476,000 by the 2017-2018 fiscal year.
These numbers and more were presented at Ormond Beach’s first budget meeting of the 2013-2014 fiscal year May 21, with the City Commission and Budget Advisory Board in attendance.
Six additional meetings are also scheduled, and officials urged residents to attend and voice opinions about what services they believe should be expanded, reduced or cut.
With less than a dozen residents in attendance, the city laid out its goals for the next fiscal year and addressed several aspects of the budget, including a flat tax rate, pension reform and potential rate changes.
The next budget session is June 3, when the Capital Improvement Plan will be discussed.
“(We want) input from the residents as far as what they want to see done,” Commissioner Bill Partington said. “If there’s any specific programs, if they have a pothole in front of their house, or they see a need in one of our parks, like, they think a basketball court needs to have lights or a tennis court needs to be lighted, (we want to know).”
One of the residents in attendance, Ron Hoopper, encouraged the city to continue to explore every avenue, no matter how small, for potential savings. He gave the example of a street sweeper that runs through his neighborhood, which he thought may not need to run as often.
“I appreciate the fact that there are people here to give their input and participate in the process,” said Kathy Weston, a Budget Advisory Board member. “I’m a little disappointed, though, that there aren’t more people here, because this is a great opportunity to talk to a commission that’s very receptive to those ideas.”
Money from the city’s revenue stabilization fund, which currently sits at approximately $1.7 million, could be used to address the shortfall if expenses cannot be cut to the required level, as well, said Finance Director Kelly McGuire.
“I think our residents think they’re getting a good bang for their buck, as far as their tax dollars,” Partington said. “And so, if there is no input from folks, that’s OK, but we just want to make sure that if there is something in the back of their mind, that they would like to see ... we don’t want them to be worried or fearful of bringing it to us. We can at least talk about it.”
Those suggestions might not get implemented for next fiscal year, he added, but it might “plant the seed” and happen in a year or two.
Upcoming budget meetings
Capital Improvement Plan: 5:30 p.m., June 3
Operating Budget Workshop: 5:30 p.m., July 29
Tentative millage set at City Commission meeting: 7 p.m., July 30
First Public Hearing at City Commission meeting: 7 p.m. Sept. 3
Final Public Hearing at City Commission meeting: 7 p.m. Sept. 17
