- April 26, 2024
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The City Commission, at their July 26 meeting, set the tentative property tax rate that will be placed on the TRIM notice to be mailed out by the Volusia County Property Appraiser. The TRIM notice will show the total property tax, including city, county, school district, etc. that homeowners will pay if the tax rates remain the same.
The public will get a chance to comment on the city tax rate as well as the proposed budget for the 2016/2017 year at two public hearings. They will be at 7 p.m. on Sept. 6 and Sept. 20 in City Commission Chambers at City Hall, 22 S. Beach St.
The tentative millage (tax rate) for the city was set at 4.5362, which includes a millage of 0.2519 to pay debt service bonds for construction of a police station, fire station and Andy Romano Park.
At a workshop before the City Commission vote, Finance Director Kelly McGuire told the commissioners that the rate was less than last year’s rate of 4.5570, but will bring in more money because of increased property values. A person who owns a property valued at $150,000, and has exemptions of $50,000, will pay $2.68 more than in 2015 for the city portion of their property tax.
There are no planned increases for water or solid waste collection.
The total budget for 2016-2017 is proposed at $74.3 million. This includes the general fund budget of $29.7 million which was increased $500,000 from the previous year, primarily because of wage increases, a planned employee health care clinic and new hires. Plans call for the addition of two police lieutenants, building inspector and landscape architect. Added part-time employees will include a leader for the Environmental Discovery Center and a Human Resources assistant.
Included in the budget is $3.2 million to increased reclaimed water availability on the beachside south of Granada Boulevard, but the city has a $1.2 million in grants from the St. Johns Water Management District to use for the project, according to John Noble, city engineer.
Reclaimed water is wastewater that has been treated by the city and is available for lawn irrigation. A pipe under the river carries it to the beachside.
Reclaimed water has been available on the beachside north of Granada Boulevard and several streets south of Granada Boulevard including Seton Trail and Magnolia Avenue. The pipes were added whenever streets were dug up for the two-inch water main project.
At one time, all treated water was dumped into the Halifax River, but now, only a percentage goes into the river, and it must be treated per EPA standards. Another benefit is that the use of reclaimed water cuts down on water removed from the aquifer.
At the workshop, the officials expressed the need for more people to get hooked up.
“We need to make people aware it’s available,” said Mayor Ed Kelley.
City Manager Joyce Shanahan said staff will improve education of the public on its availability.
After the meeting, Noble said when the reclaimed water was made available north of Granada Boulevard, a lot of people hooked up to the system, because there was a problem of salt water incursion in well water, which killed grass, and iron, which stained houses.
But south of Granada Boulevard, few people are signing up for the service. There is a $245 connection feet and a $16 per month charge.
Reclaimed water is also used in Breakaway Trails, Hunter’s Ridge, Oceanside Golf Club and Tomoka Oaks Golf Club.
SIDEBARS
Public Comment
The public will have a chance to comment on the budget and taxes on Sept. 6 and 20.
Tax Increase
A person who owns a property valued at $150,000, and has exemptions of $50,000, will pay $2.68 more than in 2015 for the city portion of their property tax, if the proposed millage takes effect.
