City raises millage rate in proposed 2009 budget

City raises millage rate in proposed 2009 budget



By KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 07/15/08

For the first time in more than a decade, St. Augustine's millage rate could be going up to combat state budget cuts and decreased property values.

City Commissioners voted Monday to bump up the millage less than half a mill in the city's tentative budget. The increase from 6.31 mills to 6.82 would be a slight increase to taxpayers.

Mark Litzinger, city comptroller, said that, for example, a resident with a home of $250,000 taxable value would see an increase of $100 in his property taxes. That number would be lower if he had Homestead Exemption, Litzinger said.

The higher millage rate is needed to maintain the same budget and services as last year after state budget cuts and decreased property values. There is a deficit in the city's $21-million general fund this year of $800,000, Litzinger said.

Commissioners said they hope to find other ways to make up that revenue than raising the millage rate.

"We're going to have to tighten our belts," said Commissioner Don Crichlow.

The tentative higher rate is a 0 percent boost in the roll-back rate, or the amount needed to provide the same revenue and services as the previous year.

Last year, the city lowered the millage rate from 6.6 mills to 6.3864 mills, and St. Augustine's general fund budget was $21 million.

Commissioners will work on the budget during workshops in late August.


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