During the last Leon County budget workshop, the staff provided an update to the projected FY2025 revenues and expenses.
The total FY 25 preliminary budget is projected to be $377,583,646 which is an 8.05% increase from the FY 2024 budget. Also noted in the presentation is that the budget has new tax or fee increases and that FY25 will be the 13th consecutive year with no increase in the countywide millage rate.
Ultimately, the budget passed unanimously, however Commissioner Brian Welch and Commissioner Rick Minor voted against a 5% employee across the board pay raise which will cost $1.3 million in annual recurring revenue.
New Revenue New Expenses
New revenues in FY25 total $28.1 million The majority of new revenues come from a $18.7 million projected increase in property taxes due to a 10.3% increase in taxable property values.
Major changes in expenses include $10.4 million to the the Leon County Sheriffs Office and $4.2 million to capital projects. The budget also includes a $1.3 million expense a 5% raise for employees.
Since the April 23rd budget workshop, an additional $6.9 million has been projected to be collected in FY2025. The new revenue will be allocated to the capital improvement program and the 5% across the board pay raises. More detail on the expenses covered by the new projected tax revenue is provided below.
Another budget workshop is scheduled for July 9, if necessary.
Property value going up is something that we do not see in our paychecks. With the increases in insurance rates that our elected officials have allowed, this higher property tax amount – though at the same millage rate – when combined other taxes and fees while getting less services, it is a tough pill to swallow. Add in the higher costs of everything (“inflation” though corporations are touting highest profits in years), and many people are going without.
Socialism is great, until you run out of other people’s money.
It is a tax increase if property values go up and the county leaves the millage the same. The millage should be rolled back when values increase 10%
Hey Commissioners here is a new flash: retired taxpayers struggling to live on a fix budget are forgoing basic food staples because the cost of living is too high. The Killearn Plantation residents are getting intercourse being force to pay for a sewer system they didn’t want and don’t use.