APOPKA, Fla. – The Apopka City Commission failed to reach a unanimous agreement Wednesday on a proposed property tax millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year, delaying a decision as city leaders face a deadline to finalize next year’s budget.
While commissioners remained divided over the size of the increase, they agreed that the city’s property tax rate will need to rise to support the proposed budget.
The city initially recommended increasing the millage rate by 1 mill, raising it from the current 4.4 mills to 5.4 mills. During a budget workshop last week, commissioners agreed to reduce the proposed increase to 0.75 mills, which would bring the rate to 5.2 mills.
According to the city, the 0.75-mill increase would generate an additional $6.6 million in property tax revenue, a 32% increase over the current year, for a total of approximately $45.7 million.
Commissioner Nadia Anderson said she opposed the proposed 0.75-mill increase and instead supports a smaller 0.25-mill increase.
“You guys support everything in the budget?” Anderson said during the meeting “Well, I don’t.”
The discussion became contentious as commissioners debated whether additional meetings were necessary and whether public concerns should influence the proposal before a final vote.
“Residents want two different things,” Mayor Nick Nesta said. “They want us to be as fiscally sound as possible, but they also want an incredible city they can be proud of. There’s a balance to that.”
The debate comes as Florida voters are expected to consider a proposed constitutional amendment in November that could significantly reduce local property tax revenues if approved by at least 60% of voters. City officials have warned the measure could have a major financial impact on Apopka and other municipalities.
“We need to be setting high right now and give the services the residents need this year because after that, it’s Wild, Wild West,” Nesta said during the meeting.
The commission did not schedule another special meeting before adjourning Wednesday, but city officials said the tentative millage rate must be set by the end of the month.
A final public hearing and vote on the city’s budget is scheduled for Sept. 3.