Highlands Today
Sebring Sets Proposed Millage
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: July 25, 2008
SEBRING - Many city property owners will likely have a lower tax bill with the Sebring City Council establishing the proposed 2008-09 millage at the same level as the current tax rate.
Since the fire assessment has not been determined, the proposed millage is the same as the current year - 5.6271 mils, City Finance Director Mike Eastman said. A public hearing on the final budget will be held at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17.
The council plans to reduce the property tax rate in relation to the fire assessment rate. The proposed millage can be reduced, but cannot be increased.
If the fire assessment were to be implemented at 10 percent, which the council is considering, Eastman estimates that the property tax rate would be lowered to 5.3229 mils.
The decrease in property value assessments has caused a unique situation this year.
"This is the first time that I've been in government where the rollback rate was more than our assessed rate," Eastman said.
Typically assessed property values increase each year so the rollback rate represents the reduction in the tax rate that would yield the same amount of tax income for the city.
But, with the drop in assessed property values, the rollback rate is 5.8524 mils.
"It would take that millage rate to equal the same amount of revenue as we received this year," Eastman said.
In reviewing the general fund, Councilman Dan Andrews said he didn't recall the council approving the renovation of the fire station on U.S. 27.
The renovation doesn't have to happen this year, he said. "We are doing a fire inspector vehicle this year; we're doing a fire truck; a secretary."
The council voted to remove the $50,000 renovation project from the budget.
Golf Course Maintenance
Also, the council agreed to seek a bid to have all 18 greens redone on the Sebring Golf Club in the upcoming fiscal year instead of having the work split over two years.
Council President Bud Whitlock said he would hate to see nine holes torn up this year and then the other nine holes torn up the following year.
"I'd rather see it all done at one time," he said. "It will be cheaper than to bring all that equipment in and mobilize it twice.
Andrews said the course would remain open during the work. The grass would be cut shorter in front of the existing greens to create temporary greens. The work would involve three holes at a time.
The adopted general fund budget for the current year (2007-08) was $9.155 million. The proposed 2008-09 general fund budget is $9.564 million, which includes transfers to other parts of the budget inflating the general fund, Eastman said.
The new fiscal year starts Oct. 1.
Councilwoman Margie Rhoades was not present at Wednesday's council meeting.
The first budget public hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Sept. 3 in the council chambers.
The final budget hearing and adoption of the budget is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Sept. 17.
FAST FACT
The adopted general fund budget for the current year (2007-08) was $9.155 million. The proposed 2008-09 general fund budget is $9.564 million, which includes transfers to other parts of the budget inflating the general fund.
Marc Valero can be reached at 386-5826 or mvalero@highlandstoday.com
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
