City to Address Budget, FAMU Campus Development Agreement

On Wednesday, September 25, the Tallahassee City Commission will hold public hearings to address the FY 2025 budget and the FAMU Campus Devlopment Agreement.

The FY 2025 Budget

The City of Tallahassee is conducting the second and final public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Operating Budget, which totals $908 million, and the FY25 Capital Improvement Plan, which totals $302 million, as presented September 11, 2024.

The City’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan totals over $1.2 billion in community infrastructure investment over the next five fiscal years. 

The proposed millage rate for FY25 is 4.4200 mills, 0.0300 mills less than last fiscal year, but is still considered a tax increase due to increased tax revenues as a result of higher property values.

Final property tax values and state revenue sharing estimates have been received and have resulted in no changes from the proposed budget for these revenues.

However, the City Commission recently authorized a school zone speed enforcement program, a proven method of reducing speeding around schools and creating safer walking environments for all pedestrians. The citations issued as part of this initiative are estimated to result in $503,701 in additional revenue for FY25. 

FAMU Devlopment Plan

The city will hold the second and final public hearing on a Campus Development Agreement between Florida A&M University (FAMU) and the City of Tallahassee.  The City Commission held the first of two public hearings on August 21, 2024.  Under state law, the City (as host government) and FAMU must enter into a Campus Development Agreement to implement the University’s Campus Master Plan.  

The FAMU Board of Trustees adopted a revised master plan on October 12, 2023.  Prior to the adoption of the master plan, City departments reviewed the draft master plan and provided comments to FAMU.  The FAMU Board of Trustees considered the proposed Campus Development Agreement at its September 12, 2024, meeting, and approved the agreement.