[Call to Order by Chair]
[Approval of Special Agenda]
[Public Comment]
[00:06:46]
NOT INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY
[00:06:51]
MAINTAINING THAT NOT INCREASING THE SUBSIDIES PAID TO THE CLERK. CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE.RIGHT NOW, YOU ARE CLOSE TO $6 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR THAT OFFICE. YOU WANT TO ADD ANOTHER 1.
1, THAT'S A 20% INCREASE. DON'T THINK WE SHOULD DO IT.
DECREASE A MILLION DOLLARS FROM HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, KEEP IT FLAT. WE HAVE A GREAT COUNTY WITH GREAT PEOPLE.
WE DON'T NEED TO THROW MONEY AWAY.
IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH, YOU WANT TO LOOK INTO WHERE WE ARE SPENDING $6 MILLION IN PERFORMANCE AND TRANSPARENCY.
PLEASE GO AHEAD AND DO THAT. THERE'S $13 MILLION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WE HAVE NOT SEEN GROWTH IN OUR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS REVENUE IN OVER 20 YEARS. WE ARE ONLY 13%.
IT SHOULD BE 40%. THIS IS WHAT Y'ALL PUT OUT THERE THIS YEAR TO SAY TAXES ARE, WHICH IS NO ROLLBACK. YOU TRANSFER .0887.
I SUPPORT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THEY HAVE BEEN UNDERFUNDED FOR OVER A DECADE AS WELL AS OUR ROADS AND OUR POLICE. IT'S BEGINNING BY TRANSFERRING MONEY. I'M SUGGESTING YOU ROLL BACK THAT NUMBER FROM THE GENERAL FUND EITHER TO THE 4.
4, WHICH IS STILL A . 087 INCREASE FOR RESIDENTS, OR TO COMPROMISE. FIND SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF WHAT THE BIG BRAINS WANT TO DO AND WHAT THE CITIZENS WANT, A ROLLBACK AND GO TO 4.49.
I LEAVE THAT TO YOU TO FIGURE OUT.
RPO HAS A WEBSITE. I SUGGEST PEOPLE GO THERE AND START CALLING FOR THESE ROLLBACKS.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT?
>> IT'S 33% HIGHER THAN THE COUNTY.
THAT PUTS PRESSURE ON THE 25. 8% OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUST INE, 65 OR OLDER.
I BEING ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE. IF NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT THIS, I WILL LEAVE IN TWO YEARS. I KNOW OF SEVEN NEIGHBORS OF MINE NEARBY WHO ARE CONSIDERING OR NOW PUTTING THEIR HOUSES ON THE MARKET.
OF COURSE, I LIVE RIGHT NORTH OF TOWN AND HALF OF MY
[00:10:03]
NEIGHBORHOOD IS NOW AIRBNB. THEY ALSO ARE NOT DOING WELL.TAX INCREASES ARE NOT HELPING THEM EITHER.
MY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT YOU KEEP OUR TAXES STEADY.
WE HAVE -- THE COUNTY HAS 6. 7% OF PEOPLE THAT AREARE OR MORE.
THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE KIDS. ST. AUGUSTINE IS NOT GOING TO GROW. THE COUNTY IS GROWING AT 3.91%.
MY REQUEST IS THAT INSTEAD OF HAVING THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE GET COLUMN THREE, WHICH WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE, THAT WE ACCEPT COLUMN TWO FOR THE CITIZENS TO GET THIS GAP OF 33% BACK TO SOME LEVEL OF FAIRNESS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I DO HAVE A HANDOUT.
>> IF YOU WANT TO PRESENT THAT HANDOUT, YOU CAN PRESENT IT RIGHT THERE.
>> MY NAME IS CHARLES. I LIVE IN ST. AUGUSTINE AREA.
THIS IS ABOUT THE TAXES AND IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE. OUR COUNTRY IS THE RICHEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. WE GIVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD.
IT SEEMS LIKE FOREIGN COUNTRIES HAVE PRIORITY OVER AMERICAN PEOPLE.
I FEEL LIKE WE'RE BEING MISTREATED.
OVER 30 COUNTRIES THAT HAVE FREE MEDICAL.
WE HAVE 60,000 PEOPLE THAT DIE EVERY YEAR BECAUSE OF LACK OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? THIS IS POOR MANAGEMENT ON OUR GOVERNMENT.
YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TURN THINGS AROUND.
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE COUNTY, THE STATE OR THE CITY. IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE.
SOMEBODY IS NOT DOING THEIR JOB. WE NEED MORE ATTENTION IN DIFFERENT AREAS. I CAN'T MAKE ANY SOLUTIONS.
I'M SURE ANYBODY ON THE BOARD HERE CAN COME UP WITH SOME KIND OF SOLUTION TO RECTIFY THIS.
WHY ARE WE BEING MISTREATED BY OUR OWN GOVERNMENT? WHY DOES FOREIGN COUNTRIES HAVE PRIORITY OVER AMERICAN PEOPLE? BERNIE SANDERS, SENATOR, I'M GETTING SOME OF MY INFORMATION FROM HIM WHEN HE MAKES A SPEECH.
IT'S NOT -- I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IS EXPRESSING THEMSELVES ABOUT BEING MISTREATED.
IT APPEARS LIKE BILLIONAIRES ARE -- DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR SOME REASON.
IT CONTINUES. I SEE SENATORS MAKING SPEECHES, AND THEY GIGGLE BECAUSE WE'RE ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
IT CONTINUES. I'M 80 YEARS OLD.
I HAVE A FIXED INCOME. I'M NOT CAPABLE OF WORKING. I GET MEDICAL BILLS.
I HAVE TO QUALIFY FOR MEDICAL-- CERTAIN MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.
IF I HAVE TO QUALIFY, TO ME THAT'S DISCRIMINATION.
WE'RE NOT ALL TREATED EQUAL. WHERE DOES IF END? WHO IS NOT DOING THEIR JOB? I GUESS I COULD REALLY STAY HERE ALL DAY TALKING ABOUT IT.
MY TIME IS UP NOW. I'M NOT GOING TO GET ON TO A DIFFERENT SUBJECT.
>> IF THERE'S SOMEONE ELSE THAT WANTS TO COMMENT, PLEASE, WE'RE READY FOR YOU. STEP ON UP.
>> IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU. RANDAL BROWN.
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME FOR US TO COMMENT.
I THINK I HAVE THE SAMESAME BASICALLY THAT I
[00:15:03]
WOULD PREFER TO NOT SEE MY TAXES GO UP.I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OTHER CREATIVE WAYS TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO HELP MAKE SURE WE'RE FUNDING THOSE AGENCIES THAT NEED THE HELP, PAYING OUR FOLKS WELL.
WITHOUT NECESSARILY RAISING PROPERTY TAXES.
I'M NOT RETIRED YET. WHEN THAT DAY COMES, I WILL BE ON A FIXED INCOME LIKE THE LAST PERSON WHO SPOKE. FOR ME, I'M THINKING AHEAD.
HOW AM I GOING TO SUPPORT MY WIFE AND MYSELF AT THAT TIME? I THINK PROPERTY TAXES IS ONE THING THAT'S KEY. I KNOW GOVERNOR DESANTIS MENTIONED PROPOSAL TO ELIMINATE PROPERTY TAXES, REDUCE THEM OR TO CREATE WAYS FOR RETIREES TO NOT HAVE THEM.
THAT'S AN EXCELLENT IDEA. I SUPPORT THAT IDEA.
I THINK THAT YOU CAN'T MAKE CUTS WITHOUT FINDING WAYS TO SUPPORT EVERYTHING IN THE COUNTY.
I'M NOT ASKING FOR THAT. I DID COME FROM TENNESSEE ORIGINALLY. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S SIMILAR TO TENNESSEE IS HEAVY TOURISM.
IF YOU LOOK AT THEIR TOTAL PER CAPITA TAX REVENUE INCOME, IT'S ABOUT $3,000 MORE PER CAPITA THERE THAN HERE.
PERHAPS WE CAN RAISE TOURISM TAXES. THAT WILL HELP WITH CONGESTION IF PEOPLE WANT TO COME BECAUSE OF TOURISM, TAXES ARE HIGHER, HELP OUR ROADS, BE A POSITIVE THERE. WE GET AROUND TOWN BETTER.
OR IT RAISES THE REVENUE THE COUNTY GENERATES.
IT'S ONE WAY PERHAPS WE CAN FIND CREATIVE WAYS TO RAISE TAX REVENUE, MAKE SURE OUR FIRE, SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES, TEACHERS AND OTHERS ARE PAID WELL. I CERTAIN SLY LY WANT THAT. I'M IN FAVOR OF COLUMN TWO IF WE HAVE TO RAISE TAXES AND NOT COLUMN THREE. THANK YOU.
>> I'M GOING TO BE SIGNING FOR MYSELF. I WILL HAVE AN INTERPRETER.
MY NAME IS DENA. I'M A LONGTIME RESIDENT HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE --
>> COULD YOU STEP CLOSER TO THE MIC SO WE CAN HEAR YOU?
>> SPIN IT RIGHT AROUND AND DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS DENA. I'M A WIFE, A MOTHER, A BUSINESSOWNER AND A LONGTIME RESIDENT HERE IN ST.
AUGUSTINE. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND LISTENING TO US AS A COMMUNITY.
MILLAGE RATE INCREASES MEANING TAX RATE INCREASES, SO NOW MY TAXES HAVE INCREASED BASE ON COLUMN THREE OF ABOUT $1,000.
I'M RECOMMENDING THAT IF YOU GUYS DO THIS OR HAVE NOT DONE IT IN A WHILE, MY ONE RECOMMENDATION IS TO DO AN AUDIT, FOR EXAMPLE PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY.
YOU CAN LOOK AT YOUR MANAGEMENT. MAKE CUTS THERE IF THERE'S UNNECESSARY STAFF MEMBERS.
ALSO VENDORS. YOU TYPICALLY CONTRACT -- LIKE, YOU GUYS HAVE A RENEWAL, WHICH IS AUTOMATIC FOR VENDORS. MAYBE REBID AND NEGOTIATE WITH THOSE VENDORS, NOT JUST AUTOMATICALLY RENEW THEM AND THE PRICES INCREASE.
ALSO, PRIORITIZING OF OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS, SCHOOLS, WHICH IS ALSO A PRIORITY , BEFORE OTHER OPTION SPENDINGS. ALSO SEEKING ALTERNATIVE FUNDING AND PARTNERSHIPS AND EVEN
[00:20:04]
FEDERAL GRANTS. FAMILIES REALLY CANNOT AFFORD TO DO A $1,000 INCREASE ON TAXES.PLEASE SHOW US AS TAXPAYERS EVERY EFFICIENCY THAT YOU GUYS HAVE PURSUED BEFORE INCREASING THE TAXES.
HOLD THE LINE ON THE TAXES. LOOK AT THE BUDGET FIRST. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JOHN.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME THIS EVENING.
THE NOTICE OF PROPOSED TAXES TELLS US THAT THE LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL TAXES ARE GOING UP ROUGHLY 50%. MOST IMPORTANTLY, UNLIKE ALL THE OTHER COSTS, THE USUAL 3% HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION DOES NOT APPLY. OUR OVERALL ESTATE TAXES WILL BE GOING UP AROUND 11%. I HAVE LIVED HERE 31 YEARS.
FOR MANY YEARS, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE ASSURED US THE NEW DEVELOPMENT PAYS FOR ITSELF OR IMPACT FEES ON DEVELOPERS COVER THE COSTS. WITH GREAT RESPECT, WE NOW KNOW THAT THIS IS PLAINLY ABSURD.
IMPACT FEES NOWHERE NEAR COVER THE REAL COSTS OF DEVELOPMENT. IN PARTICULAR, THE ENORMOUS COST OF BUILDING NEW SCHOOLS. EXISTING RESIDENTS ARE BEING FORCED TO SUB SID -- SUBSIDIZE THIS.
IT'S THE BUILDING OF SCHOOLS FOR PEOPLE MOVING INTO THE COUNTY. HAVING DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, I CANNOT FIND ANY INFORMATION ON THE SCALE OF THESE COSTS OR ANY NUMBERS WHATSOEVER. IT'S A BIG MYSTERY.
GIVEN THE HUGE COSTS INVOLVED, THE OBVIOUS PLACE FOR A TAXPAYER TO START IS TO ASK THE COUNTY.
SO I CONTACTED WAYNE, THE MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET DIRECTOR OF THE COUNTY.
TO MY SURPRISE, HE RESPONDED THE COST OF BUILDING SCHOOLS DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE PURVIEW OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, BUT RATHER THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. SO I WROTE EMAILS TO THE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND CALLED AMY, THE SENIOR ACCOUNTANT AND BUDGETING MANAGER AT THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY DISTRICT SCHOOLS. SO FAR, I HAVE ONLY RECEIVED ONE RESPONSE SAYING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THIS WOULD BE A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST. THEY MAY NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM YOU TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.
BEAR IN MIND, I'M ASKING A SIMPLE QUESTION, STRAIGHTFORWARD QUESTION, AS A TAXPAYER.
WHAT IS THE ANNUAL COST OF BUILDING NEW SCHOOLS? SO FAR, THE ANSWER REMAINS ELUSIVE. OF COURSE, THERE'S A PROFOUND IRONY HERE. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PPROVE THE SPRAWLING DEVELOPMENTS WE HAVE WITNESSED FOR MANY YEARS.
LIKE I SAID, IN THE PAST, THEY HAVE TOLD US THESE PAY FOR THEMSELVES. THIS YEAR'S PROPOSED INCREASE OF TAXES÷÷ HIGHLIGHT ONCE AGAIN THIS IS FALSE. THE COST OF SCHOOLS ALONE HAS SKYROCKETED, NOT TO MENTION ALL THE OTHER ASSOCIATED COSTS OF OVERDEVELOPMENT.
YET WHEN WE ADDRESS THIS, WE'RE TOLD SUCH COSTS ARE NOT UNDER THE COMMISSION'S CONTROL. IN OTHER WORDS, THE SALE COMMISSIONERS WHO APPROVED THE DEVELOPMENTS SEEMINGLY HAVE NO IDEA OR RECORD IN RELATION TO THE MAIN COST OF THE DEVELOPMENTS THAT THEY
THEMSELVES APPROVED. >> JOHN, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. GREAT JOB.
>> GOOD EVENING. CHARLIE HUNT. BACK IN 2022, THE GREAT QUOTE, NO PLAN B IF SURTAX DOESN'T PASS, UNQUOTE. AFTER THAT, A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T REALIZE THAT A 7% INCREASE IN
[00:25:01]
THE GENERAL FUND UNDER PROPERTY TAXES CAME IN.WHY DID NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT? BECAUSE THAT TOOK A 4-1 VOTE TO GET THROUGH.
YES, OUR TAXES HAS INCREASED TO TAKE OUT A BOND THAT HAS A LIFE OF AROUND 15 TO 20 YEARS OF PAYING MORE TAXES TO GET -- TO PAY THE BOND OFF WITHWITH PREMIUM AND INTEREST AS ACCUMULATED ON THAT.
THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON OR WHAT HAPPENED WITH THAT SLIGHT INCREASE, BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T SEE IT ON THE COMMUNITY EVENTS.
YOU DIDN'T SEE IT IN ANY OF THE NEWSPAPERS OR ANY BULLET THAT COME OUT FOR IT. BUT IT DID.
THAT WAS AN INCREASE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT. OBVIOUSLY, THE BIG INCREASE NOW IS DUE TO THE SCHOOL. WE KNOW THAT THATTHAT AN EMERGENCY LAST MINUTE ISSUE TO COME UP TO GET VOTED ON. YES, IT HAPPENED AT THE LAST MINUTE. THAT'S WHAT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GETTING CONFUSED IS THAT THE SCHOOL BUDGET IS ON THEIR BUDGET. SO THEY CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT.
THEN THE COUNTY HAS THEIRS. IN LOOKING OVER SOME OF THE AUTOMATIC CONTRACTED 70% INCREASES IN PAY TO SOME PEOPLE, IT'S LIKE REALLY -- 7% INCREASE IS A LOT FOR EXECUTIVES.
ESPECIALLY COUNTY LEVEL. BREAKING IT DOWN, IT IS.
WE NEED TO KNOW THAT A REAL GOOD ITEMIZED BUDGET SO WE CAN READ IT VERBATIM OF WHAT MONEY IS GOING WHERE.
OBVIOUSLY, WHY IS IT GOING THERE? DOES IT INCREASE PAY FOR THEM TO DO THE SAME JOB TO INCREASE MORE? IS IT FOR IMPROVEMENTS? WE NEED TO SEE SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
ROLLBACKS AIN'T GOING TO HAPPEN. WE KNOW THAT.
THAT'S FAR AND FEW BETWEEN THERE.
IF WE ROLLBACK ON ONE, IT WILL SHIFT OVER TO ANOTHER ONE. THERE'S NO WAY WE CAN ROLLBACK THE WAY THIS COUNTY IS GOING.
WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT'S BEING JUST FLUSHED OUT OF THIS COUNTY AND THE EXPENSES OFOF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION MAINTAINS IS OUTRAGEOUS. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT?
>> MY NAME IS RICHARD HARDY. I LIVE IN ST.
AUGUSTINE. BEEN HERE THE PAST TEN YEARS.
I JUST WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYBODY, WHEN I VOTED THIS YEAR IN NOVEMBER, I VOTED FOR LESS TAXES AND LESS GOVERNMENT. SEEMS LIKE ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THAT'S PRETTY WELL HAPPENING THERE. WE SEE CUTBACKS. BUT WE HAVE COME BACK DOWN TO THE COUNTY LEVEL HERE, YOU GUYS ARE THE LOWER END OF GOVERNMENT, BUT NOT REALLY. ANYWAY, WHAT I WAS GETTING AT IS WHY I VOTED. LO AND BEHOLD, I GET A TAX BILL RIGHT HERE. YOU ARE INCREASING MY PROPERTY TAXES ANOTHER $200 HERE. I DIDN'T VOTE FOR THIS. I VOTED FOR LESS TAXES, LESS GOVERNMENT.
I VOTED FOR MAYBE TAKING A LOOK AT THE -- RIGHT DOWN TO THE COUNTY LEVEL, MAYBE CUTTING WASTE, MAYBE HAVING A LITTLE DOGE IN THE COUNTY HERE. KEEPING THINGS LEVELLED OUT HERE A LITTLE BIT.
THIS INFLATION IS KILLING ALL OF US HERE.
I'M ON A FIXED INCOME. I DON'T HAVE NO WAY TO GET OUT HERE AND WORK AND MAKE MONEY.
I'M TRYING TO LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME.
EVERY TIME I TURN AROUND, IT SEEMS LIKE MORE AT THE COUNTY LEVEL HERE, WE ARE GETTING TAXED. THIS IS MY CONTENTION IS TO STOP THIS. LEVEL IT OUT. HELP US OUT A LITTLE BIT OUT HERE. ONE QUESTION I DID WANT TO ASK IS, IT MAY SOUND STUPID, WHERE IS THE PORT IN ST. AUGUSTINE? THE PORT.
WE'RE PAYING PORT AUTHORITY HERE.
CAN ANYBODY ANSWER THAT QUESTION? WHERE IS THE PORT IN ST. AUGUSTINE? IT'S ON THE TAX BILL RIGHT HERE. AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT'S GOT THIS ON MY BILL?
>> DURING A BUDGET HEARING WE SHOULD ATTEMPT TO ANSWER THE QUESTION. THIS IS -- THE PORT AUTHORITY IS AN INDEPENDENT GOVERNMENT --
>> MAYBE SOMEBODY CAN EXPLAIN THAT TO ME LATER. I'M CONFUSED. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A PORT HERE.
[00:30:06]
>> GOVERNMENT IS VERY CONFUSING.
>> I CAN UNDERSTAND THE AIRPORT. I CAN SEE
THAT. >> WATERWAY AUTHORITY IS A TAXING GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY THAT IS NOT UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
THAT'S WHY IT'S APPEARING AS A SEPARATE MILLAGE, LIKE THE MOSQUITO CONTROL DISTRICT, THAT'S A SEPARATE GOVERNMENT ENTITY JUST LIKE THE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. THOSE ARE ALL SEPARATE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES THAT ARE NOT UNDER OUR JURISDICTION.
>> THANK YOU. I'M STILL A LITTLE CONFUSED.
I DON'T BLAME YOU ONE BIT. >> WE DID PUT OUT A LIST OF WHERE YOU CAN GO WHEN THEY ARE HAVING THEIR MEETINGS.
OURS IS FIRST. YOU HAVEN'T MISSED THE PORT AUTHORITY MEETING AND THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING FOR SURE YOU HAVE NOT MISSED. YOU CAN DO WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY THERE ALSO.
>> KAREN KIBBY. I HAVE BEEN A HOMEOWNER HERE FOR TEN YEARS, RESIDENT FOR 15 YEARS.
WHEN I LOOK AT THESE PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX INCREASES, I JUST HAVE A VERY SIM PLISTIC QUESTION.
MAYBE I'M NOT THE BEST MATH THAT TIGS OR UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESSES.
THE WELL- SPOKEN GENTLEMAN BEFORE TALKED ABOUT THE UNRESTRICTED DEVELOPMENT IN THIS COUNTY. I DID SOME AMATEUR RESEARCH.
PEOPLE LIKE ZILLOW, 2,200 HOMES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.
THE NEXT 12 MONTHS AT LEAST 2,000 OR MORE. IF YOU USE THE MILLAGE RATE OF 4. 4180, ROUGHLY THAT'S $3. 5 MILLION THAT SHOULD BE GENERATED FROM NEW TAXPAYERS. IF YOU ARE ADDING ALL THESETHESE TAXPAYERS, WHY ISN'T THAT ENOUGH? ISN'T THAT ENOUGH INCREASE? PUT THAT OUT THERE. YOU CAN ANSWER OR NOT. SOMETHING I HAVE WONDERED ABOUT WHEN THESE TAX INCREASES HAVE BEEN PROPOSED. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? NOBODY ELSE? IF YOU HAVE GONE ONCE, YOU ARE DONE.
ALL RIGHT. WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.
[1. Public Hearing * 5:01 p.m. Public Hearing -- St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners Adoption of Tentative Millage Rates & Budget for FY 2026. In accordance with sections 129.03 and 200.065 of the Florida Statutes, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) is required to hold public hearings to adopt its millage rates and budget for the next Fiscal Year (FY). Such hearings must be held after 5:00 PM if scheduled on a day other than Saturday. The September 3, 2025, 5:01 PM hearing date has been advertised in the St. Augustine Record. The Florida Statutes further prescribe the specific order for consideration of substantive issues to be discussed during the required public hearings. The first substantive issue of discussion must be the percentage increase in the County's aggregate millage rate over the rolled-back rate necessary to fund the budget. The rolled-back rate is defined as the aggregate millage rate that would generate the same level of prior year tax revenues with less certain defined allowances (such as new construction). During such discussion, the general public shall be allowed to speak and ask questions prior to the adoption of any measures by the BCC. The BCC shall adopt by resolution its tentative millage rates prior to adopting its tentative budget for FY 2026.]
>> WE'RE BACK TO THE PRESENTATION BY WADE.
>> GOOD EVENING. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. GIVE ME ONE SECOND WHILE THE PRESENTATION COMES UP. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS BEFORE I REALLY GET INTO THE PRESENTATION.
WE ARE HERE, THIS IS THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET AND MILLAGE RATES. THIS IS THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING. THE SECOND PUBLIC HEARING IS RECOMMENDED FOR SEPTEMBER 16TH .
THE DECISION TONIGHT IS NOT FINAL.
IT'S THE SEPTEMBER 16TH DECISION THAT BECOMES FINAL FOR MILLAGE AND BUDGET.
USER ERROR. SORRY. A LITTLE HOUSEKEEPING.
THIS IS A LIST OF THE TAXING AUTHORITIES THAT THE ST.
JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OVERSEES. THESE ARE THE AUTHORITIES THAT YOU ARE ASKED TO VOTE ON TONIGHT. THE LANGUAGE HERE I PULLED STRAIGHT FROM NOTICES. IF YOU SEE THIS LANGUAGE ON YOUR NOTICE OF ANY OF THESE DISTRICTS, THAT'S WHAT WE ARE HERE TO DISCUSS TONIGHT AND HAVE A TENTATIVE APPROVAL ON.
THIS LIST HERE IS A LIST OF ALL OF THE OTHER TAXING AUTHORITIES.
[00:35:02]
THIS WAS PREVIOUSLY PUT OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA.A PRESS RELEASE. THIS IS A LIST OF ALL THE OTHER TAXING AUTHORITIES WITHIN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
WHEN THEY ARE MEETING IS AND LOCATION. ON SEPTEMBER 16TH IS THE PORT WATERWAY AND BEACH DISTRICT. IT RUNS THE GAMUT.
ST. JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DOES NOT HAVE ANY AUTHORITY OVER THESE AGENCIES.
THEY INDEPENDENTLY SET THEIR MILLAGE AND SET THEIR BUDGETS.
ADDITIONALLY, AS WITH EVERY BUDGET PRESENTATION, THERE IS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE, OF INFORMATION ON THE BUDGET ONLINE. YOU CAN GET DOWN TO THE LINE ITEM OF EACH DEPARTMENT. YOU CAN GO THROUGH BY FUND, BY DEPARTMENT, BY SERVICE AREA.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE BUDGET, PLEASE GO ONLINE AND TAKE A LOOK. NOW WE WILL GET INTO THE BUDGET PRESENTATION. I'M GOING TO START WITH THE BUDGET, THEN GO INTO THE MILLAGE RATES AND THEN THERE'S ALSO A PRESCRIBED PROCESS FOR SETTING THE MILLAGE AND BUDGET RATES.
HERE IS THE BUDGET PROCESS. WE ARE AT THE END OF THAT PROCESS NOW.
WE HAD THE ADMINISTRATOR BUDGET SESSIONS IN MAY. WE PRESENTED A RECOMMENDED BUDGET TO THE BOARD IN JULY.
TONIGHT WE ARE HERE FOR THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT THE BUDGET AND MILLAGE RATES. WE WILL SET THE SECOND HEARING TONIGHT. WE ARE MEMBER MENDING SEPTEMBER 16TH. THAT'S YOUR TYPICAL MEETING DAY.
JUST TO GIVE SOME BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS.
THERE IS, AS RECOMMENDED BY ADMINISTRATION THIS YEAR, THERE'S AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE RESERVE OF $25 MILLION.
THIS IS TO REDUCE RELIANCE ON OUTSIDE RESOURCES, PRIMARILY FEMA. WITH THE UNCERTAINTY THAT THERE MAY BE REIMBURSEMENT OR MAYBE FEMA PARTICIPATION IN THE FUTURE.
IF WE HAVE A STORM EVENT, OUR LARGEST COST INITIALLY IS THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE AS WELL AS ANY DEBRIS REMOVAL. THAT $25 MILLION -- IT'S REALLY MILLION PLUS A $5 MILLION FOR A GRANT MATCH RELATED TO SUMMER HAVEN.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND DEBRIS REMOVAL, ONE LARGE STORM COULD TAKE THAT $20 MILLION.
THAT IS SET ASIDE IN CASE THERE'S AN EVENT. HOPEFULLY, THERE'S NO EVENT.
JUST IN CASE. THE BUDGET DOES INCLUDE NEW FACILITIES OR PLANNING FOR NEW FACILITIES.
WE HAVE PARKS, LIBRARIES, FIRE STATIONS AND ROADWAYS, EITHER COMING ONLINE IN '26 OR WE HAVE TO PREPARE FOR THEM TO COME ONLINE EARLY IN FISCAL YEAR 2027.
FOR POSITIONS, THERE'S 65. 39 NEW FTES IN THE BUDGET ALONG WITH THE REDUCTION OF 6 FTES.
THIS IS AN INCREASE IN NUMBER FROM THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET OF 1.5.
I WILL GO INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT LATER.
AS WELL, THERE ARE 55 VEHICLES, 29 REPLACEMENT VEHICLES AS WELL AS 26 NEW. I WILL SAY A LOT OF THE NEW VEHICLES ARE RELATED TO SOME OF THE NEW POSITIONS AND A LOT OF THE NEW POSITIONS BEING REQUESTED ARE RELATED TO SOME OF THE NEW FACILITIES THAT ARE COMING ONLINE.
THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET FUNDS OVER 159 MILLION IN NEW CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FUNDING. AGAIN, THIS IS A SLIGHT CHANGE FROM THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET.
THAT'S ABOUT 10 MILLION LESS THAN AT THE RECOMMENDED.
PRIMARY DIFFERENCE IS I BELIEVE IT WAS AT THE LAST MEETING THAT THE BOARD APPROVED REALLY ADVANCING A PROJECT RELATED TO THE SILVER LAKE SCHOOL.
TOOK $6. 4 MILLION OUT OF THE '26 BUDGET AND ADVANCED IT INTO THE 2025 BUDGET. NO LONGER CONSIDERED NEW FUNDING. WE WILL GET TO THAT. IT COMES BACK IN. THE NEXT BULLET THERE IS REALLY SOMETHING NEW WE PUT INTO PLACE.
CIP REVIEW AND PRIORITIZATION PROCESS.
I WILL GO INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT AS WELL.
AS WELL AS SOME OF THE -- THE CHALLENGES RELATED TO THE BUDGET THAT WE WEREN'T NECESSARILY EXPECTING THAT THERE'S A NEW -- THE BUDGET FUNDS AND THE COUNTY PORTION OF A NEW CRA WITHIN ST.
AUGUSTINE. THE CITY ESTABLISHED A CRA FOR A STATUTE THE COUNTY IS REQUIRED TO FUND ITS PORTION OF IT. THERE'S A PROPOSED 8% INCREASE IN RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST. 8% IS AN INCREASE, AT
[00:40:01]
THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET, THAT WAS ESTIMATED 15%.I WILL TAKE 8% AT THIS POINT. AS WELL, THERE'S AN ESTIMATED 65% INCREASE IN MANDATED PAYMENT RELATED TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE.
THIS IS A REQUIRED PAYMENT FOR THE COUNTY'S SHARE OF JUVENILES IN PRE-EDUCATION HOLDING.
THEN ADDITIONALLY, FINALLY, THERE'S $1 MILLION IN THE 2026 BUDGET FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THE IMPACT BUYDOWN UNTIL A NEW ORDINANCE IS IN EFFECT.
THAT'S REALLY TO GET US THROUGH THE END OF THE CURRENT ORDINANCE. DEPENDING ON WHAT THE BOARD DECIDES ON NEW IMPACT FEES, IF THEY WANT TO CONTINUE BUY DOWN, THEN THAT $1 MILLION WOULD INCREASE FOR NEXT YEAR.
AS MENTIONED AS PART OF THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET PRESENTATION, THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET DOES NOT INCLUDE CAPITAL AND GRANT CARRYFORWARDS. THOSE ARE FOLDED IN AT THIS POINT OF THE BUDGET PROCESS. IT'S NOT NECESSARILY NEW FUNDING. IT'S CURRENT FUNDING THAT PROJECTS ARE NOT COMPLETE. THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET WAS 1,272,806,142. TENTATIVELY, IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY, 1,901,787, $1,901,787,342.
CARRYFORWARDS IN THE BUDGET ACCOUNT FOR $607 MILLION.
THESE ARE PROJECTED AND FUNDING THAT WAS APPROVED AS PART OF THE 2025 BUDGET.
IT'S NOT NEW FUNDING. IT'S NOT A NEW ASK.
IT'S JUST THAT THESE PROJECTS ARE NOT YET COMPLETE.
THE BALANCE OF THAT FUNDING NEEDS TO BE REPROBATED INTO 2026.
THERE'S PLENTY OF CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT ARE MULTI- YEAR PROJECTS THAT TAKE SEVERAL YEARS TO COMPLETE. THIS IS REALLY KIND OF JUST THE PROCESS OF CARRYING THE BUDGET APPROPRIATION WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT.
AGAIN, INCREASE THE BUDGET BUT IT DOES NOT REPRESENT ADDITIONAL FUNDING. PRIMARILY, IT'S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND GRANTS.
IT CAN INCLUDE OTHER CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS.
NOT ALL AVAILABLE BALANCES FROM FY2025 ARE CARRIED FORWARD.
FOR INSTANCE, THERE'S MAINTENANCE -- AN ANNUAL ALLOTMENT FOR MAINTENANCE. IT'S INCLUDED IN THE 2026 BUDGET AS ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE FUNDS. WHATEVER IS NOT COMPLETED FOR THE GENERIC MAINTENANCE FUNDS IN 2025, THAT COMES BACK AS SAVINGS TO THE COUNTY.
ADDITIONALLY, THERE'S SOME CIPS WHICH WE CALL THEM COUNTYWIDE CIPS, SIMILARLY, IT'S AN ANNUAL ALLOTMENT. COUNTYWIDE DRAINAGE AND SIDEWALKS. ANYTHING NOT SPEND IN 2025 COMES BACK AS SAVINGS TO THE COUNTY.
WE DON'T REAPPROPRIATE THAT. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN PROJECTS ARE COMPLETED, IF THEY COME IN UNDER BUDGET, THERE'S A SAVINGS IDENTIFIED THROUGH THOSE COMPLETED PROJECTS.
PART OF THE PROCESS WITH THE CIP REVIEW IS WE'RE WORKING TO IDENTIFY THOSE SAVINGS EARLIER ON SO THEY'RE NOT IDENTIFIED THIS LATE IN THE YEAR.
JUST TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE SAVINGS RELATED TO ITEMS NOT CARRIED FORWARD, WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND, SAVINGS REPRESENTSREPRESENTS LITTLE MORE THAN 6 MILLION INCREASE TO RESERVES FROM THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET. TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND, THAT'S SAVINGS, THE BALANCE NOT CARRIED FORWARD REPRESENT ABOUT A $9 MILLION INCREASE.
REALLY, IMPACT FEES IS THE OTHER LARGE AREA.
IMPACT FEES AND TOTAL ROADS, PARKS, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, FIRE/RESCUE, ABOUT A $3. 8 MILLION INCREASE TO RESERVES.
THOSE FUNDS ARE IN RESERVES IN THOSE AREAS.
THEY'RE STILL AVAILABLE IF THE BOARD DETERMINES A NEED FOR THEM IN FISCAL YEAR 2026.
THIS IS A TABLE THAT HIGHLIGHTS ALL OF THE CARRYFORWARDS IN THE BUDGET.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, CIP IS THE LARGEST AT $510 MILLION. WITHIN THE CIP CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDS IS THE LARGEST AREA. THAT PRIMARILY REPRESENTS THE 2025 BONDS THAT WERE TAKEN OUT FOR THE PARKS, LIBRARIES
[00:45:06]
AND PUBLIC FACILITIES. IT'S JUST THE REMAINING BALANCE OF THOSE DOLLARS CARRIED FORWARD.SOME OF THE OTHER HIGH- DOLLAR CAPITAL INTENSIVE FUNDS ARE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND.
IMPACT FEES AND ENTERPRISE FUNDS THAT REPRESENT UTILITIES AND SOLID WASTE.
THE OTHER BIG AREA FOR CARRYFORWARDS ARE GRANTS AND GRANT MATCHES. IT'S ABOUT $73 MILLION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026. IT'S JUST THE BALANCE OF THOSE GRANT FUNDS THAT ARE UNSPENT AND UNREIMBURSED AT THIS POINT THAT APPROPRIATION CARRIES FORWARD INTO FY2026.
BACK TO THE CIP REVIEW AND PRIORITIZATION PROCESS THAT WE MET WITH ADMINISTRATION AFTER THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET.
WE HAD ALL THE DEPARTMENTS COME IN, GO THROUGH THEIR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AND REPRIORITIZE THE REVIEW -- REVIEWED AND PRIORITIZE TO MAXIMIZE AVAILABLE FUNDING WITH A FOCUS OF COMPLETING SOME OF THE PRIORITY PROJECTS OUT THERE. WE HAVE THE FOUR PARKS OUT THERE, THE LIBRARIES, PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES. IF THERE'S ANY UNKNOWN ON THOSE PROJECTS, WE WANT TO HAVE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THOSE PROJECTS. WE DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO START A NEW PROJECT WHILE OTHERS ARE NOT COMPLETED. AS A RESULT OF THAT, HERE IS THE FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. FISCAL YEAR '26 IS THE CARRYFORWARDS. IT'S $669 MILLION IN TOTAL.
WITH THE LARGEST AREA OF EXPENDITURE BEING TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND -- JUST TRANSPORTATION, THAT COULD INCLUDE IMPACT FEES FOR ROADS AND OTHER THINGS, $241 MILLION, WITH PLANNED -- I SAY PLANNED FOR FY27 THROUGH '30 BECAUSE THE ONLY BUDGET THAT IS APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE BOARD IS JUST FY2026. THE OTHER FOUR YEARS ARE PLAN YEARS. EACH YEAR WE GO THROUGH THE CIP UPDATE AS NECESSARY. SOME PROJECTS ARE ADDED, SOME ARE REMOVED, COSTS ARE UPDATED DEPENDING ON MARKET CONDITIONS. FOR TRANSPORTATION ALONE, IT'S $123 MILLION OF PLANNED PROJECTS. UNFUNDED, PROJECTS IDENTIFIED THAT ARE NEEDED WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS BUT WE DON'T HAVE A CURRENT FUNDING SOURCE FOR. FOR TRANSPORTATION, THAT UNFUNDED PORTION IS $251 MILLION.
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, AGAIN, THAT INCLUDES PRIMARILY YOUR UTILITIES DEPARTMENT, $172 MILLION IN 2026.
PLANNED FOR '27 THROUGH '30, THE LARGEST PROGRAM RIGHT NOW, $465 MILLION. JUST TO NOTE, THAT DOES INCLUDE SOME PLANNED DEBT ISSUANCE TO GET TO THAT AMOUNT. THAT'S NOT AN AMOUNT THAT OUR CURRENT UTILITY RATES ARE GENERATING OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
THERE IS SOME PLANNED DEBT TO GO WITH THOSE PROJECTS.
THOSE PROJECTS ARE REALLY TIMED WITH GROWTH AS GROWTH OCCURS. IT COULD BE A LITTLE SOONER, A LITTLE LATER, DEPENDING ON GROWTH AND THE NEED. $133 MILLION FOR CULTURE AND RECREATION PROJECTS, PLAN 2. 75 FOR UNFUNDED PROJECTS OF 107 MILLION. PUBLIC SAFETY IS ABOUT 66 MILLION PLANNED. THIS DOES INCLUDE -- I'M SORRY, $66 MILLION IN THE BUDGET. ANOTHER 24 PLANNED IN UNFUNDED OF ABOUT 40 MILLION. WE DO HAVE $669 MILLION, INCLUDING CARRYFORWARDS TOWARDS CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THIS BUDGET.
GETTING INTO THE NEW POSITIONS, THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF 1. 5 HERE.
AS I GO THROUGH, I WILL HIGHLIGHT THE 1.5.
WE DO HAVE 31. 5 FOR FIRE/EMS. THIS IS RELATED TO THE NEW STATIONS COMING ONLINE.
UTILITIES HAS 8. 75 PRIMARILY A NEW HYDRANT CREW THAT IS BEING PUT IN PLACE IN UTILITIES TO TAKE SOME PRESSURE OFF OF FIRE/EMS. UTILITIES WILL BEGIN DOING TESTING THE HYDRANTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. LIBRARY SERVICES HAS 7.4.
PRIMARILY RELATED TO THE OPENING OF THE NEW EXPANDED HASTINGS LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY CENTER.
AS WELL AS PLANNING FOR THE -- ONE OF THE CENTRAL LIBRARY HUBS.
PUBLIC WORKS OR TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND, PRIMARILY THOSE INCREASES OF POSITIONS ARE
[00:50:01]
RELATED TO A SIDEWALK CREW AS WELL AS A LITTER CREW. RECREATION AND BEACH SERVICES, THIS IS WHERE ONE OF THE -- THE . 5 IS OF THE 1.5 INCREASE. I WILL SAY IT'S NOT A NEW INCREASE. THERE WAS A REQUEST FOR A PART-TIME POSITION TO GO FULL-TIME.IT WAS ALWAYS IN THE BUDGET. IT WAS JUST AN OVERSIGHT ON OUR PART OF RECORDING IT. THERE'S A . 5 THERE, BUT IT WAS .5 THAT WAS ALWAYS PLANNED.
ANIMAL CONTROL HAS THREE NEW POSITIONS THAT'S RELATED TO A LEVEL OF SERVICE INCREASE. PURCHASING AND COURT SERVICES HAVE ONE PERSON. THE ONE OF THE 1. 51 IS IN HUMAN RESOURCES RELATED TO THE ERP, ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLAN. THEN ALSO TO NOTE, THERE'S THE ELIMINATION OF SOME POSITIONS.
FACILITIES MAINTENANCE IS ABLE TO ELIMINATE FIVE FTES, PRIMARILY I THINK IT'S THE CUSTODIAN SIDE AND ARE ABLE TO MOVE TO CONTRACT THAT OUT VERSUS TRYING TO HIRE STAFF THEMSELVES. IT BECAME A PROBLEM OF GETTING ALL THOSE POSITIONS FILLED. IT'S A CHEAPER OPTION TO CONTRACT IT OUT.
THEN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, WE ELIMINATED A FUNDED POSITION BECAUSE THAT'S NOW A CONTRACTED SERVICE FOR THE COUNTY.
MOVING ON TO THE MILLAGE. I WANT TO GO OVER REAL QUICK.
WHAT IS A MILLAGE RATE? MILLAGE IS A TAX RATE DEFINED AS THE DOLLARS ASSESSED FOR EACH 1,000 OF VALUE OF PROPERTY.
1 MILL IS EQUAL TO $1 PER 1,000 OF ASSESSED VALUE.
THAT FORMULA IS TAKE TAKE TAXABLE VALUE, DIVIDE IT BY 1,000 AND THEN MULTIPLY THAT TIMES THE MILLAGE RATE. PART OF WHAT THE BOARD IS BEING ASKED TONIGHT IS TO ADOPT MILLAGE RATES.
THE TAXABLE VALUE PORTION IS NOT SET BY THE COUNTY. THE PROPERTY APPRAISERS ARE THE ONES THAT ASSESS YOUR PROPERTY VALUES.
THEY DETERMINE YOUR ASSESSED VALUE.
IN ADDITION, THE STATE ALLOWS FOR CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS ON THAT ASSESSED VALUE TO GET TO YOUR TAXABLE VALUE. YOU HAVE YOUR ASSESSED VALUE BY THE PROPERTY AAPPRAISER, YOUR EXEMPTION.
YOU TAKE THAT AND MULTIPLY IT BY THE MILLAGE RATE THE COUNTY DETERMINES. JUST LOOKING AT THE HISTORICAL MILLAGE RATES AND REALLY SINCE FY2012, THE COUNTY HAS MAINTAINED FLAT MILLAGE RATES TO FUND OPERATIONS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FISCAL YEAR 2021 WHEN THE COUNTY DID GO TO ROLLBACK RATES IN FISCAL YEAR 2021 AND SINCE THAT TIME HAS MAINTAINED FLAT MILLAGE RATES. THE TAX RATE THAT THE COUNTY CHARGES HAS ACTUALLY DECREASED OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS. IT'S THE ASSESSED VALUE THAT'S DRIVING A LOT OF THE INCREASES ON YOUR TAXES. THEN JUST TO LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF THE PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN TAXABLE VALUE. ON THIS SLIDE, THE YELLOW REPRESENTS NEW CONSTRUCTION.
THESE ARE PROPERTIES OR HOMES OR BUILDINGS THAT WERE NOT ON THE TAX ROLL LAST YEAR OR WERE NOT IMPROVED IN PRIOR YEARS. THAT'S ALL NEW, NEW CITIZENS COMING INTO THE COUNTY.
ALSO ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
THE BLUE -- DARKER PART THERE IS REALLY EVERYTHING ELSE.
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, THERE'S A 9. 8 INCREASE IN TOTAL TAXABLE VALUE. THAT IS MADE UP OF 4. 3 INCREASE DUE TO NEW CONSTRUCTION AND A 5. 5 INCREASE FOR ALL OTHER PROPERTIES. 5.5, 9.8, IF YOU ARE HOMESTEADED, YOU WILL NOT SEE ANY OF THOSE INCREASES.
IF YOU ARE HOMESTEADED, YOU ARE PROTECTED FROM THE FLORIDA SAVE OUR HOME PROVISION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026. THAT INCREASE TO YOUR ASSESSED VALUE IS LIMITED BY THE CPI AND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, THAT'S A 2.9% INCREASE.
ADDITIONALLY, IN 2025, THE VOTERS APPROVED AMENDMENT 5.
THAT IS THE SECOND HOMESTEAD THAT SECOND ONE IS NOW ALSO INCREASED -- INDEXED BY INFLATION.
ON YOUR TRIM NOTICE YOU SHOULD SEE A 25,000 EXEMPTION IF YOU ARE HOMESTEADED AS WELL AS ONE THAT'S A LITTLE BIT HIGHER THAN
[00:55:02]
25,000, IT'S A SMALL AMOUNT FOR THIS YEAR, BUT THAT WILL COMPOUND OVER THE YEARS.JUST A NOTE THAT APPROXIMATELY TWO-THIRDS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES ARE PROTECTED BY SAVE OUR HOMES. A LOT OF OUR EXPERIENCES WILL EXPERIENCE A 3% INCREASE ON THEIR COUNTY PORTION OF THE TAXES.
FINALLY, ANY NON- HOMESTEADED PROPERTY IS CAPPED AT 10% INCREASE FOR THEIR ASSESSED VALUE.
AS PART OF THE MILLAGE RATES THAT WERE RECOMMENDED OR APPROVED AS PART OF THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET, THE BOARD DID APPROVE A 0. 1 MILL IN THETHE FUND AT THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET.
THE 0. 1 MILL REPRESENTS ABOUT A $5. 5 MILLION NET IMPACT TO THE GENERAL FUND. THERE'S AN ALLOCATION FOR THE COUNTY CRES. THERE'S A STATUTORY REDUCTION REQUIRED BY STATUTE.
ALSO, THERE ARE EXPENSES FROM THAT TO PAY THE CITY.
THAT NET AMOUNT IS $5. 5 MILLION.
IT'S CURRENTLY SITTING IN A CONTINGENCY RESERVE ACCOUNT.
WE HAVE NOT ALLOCATED THIS AS PART OF THE BUDGET AT THIS POINT.
IF APPROVED, THESE FUNDS WOULD GO TOWARDS CAPITAL PROJECTS. TWO LISTED HERE, THE BOAT RAMP AND PARK THAT HAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $21 MILLION. AS WELL AS THERE'S A SHERIFF'S ADDITIONAL TACTICAL SPACE OF $3 MILLION.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT EACH OF THE PROJECTS COULD POTENTIALLY BE PHASED FOR COMPLETION.
PROBABLY COULD BE COMPLETED IF THE MILLAGE WAS IN PLACE WITHIN ABOUT THREE YEARS.
THIS SLIDE JUST REPRESENTS THE IMPACT OF A . 1 MILL ON TOTAL PROPERTY TAXES. IF YOUR TAXABLE VALUE IS ON THE LEFT OR ANYWHERE AROUND THERE, YOUR TAXES -- IF YOU HAD A $350,000 HOME, YOUR TAXES WITH THE 0. 1 MILLAGE INCLUDED WOULD BE ABOUT $2,400. TAXES WITHOUT THE 0. 1 MILLAGE WOULD ALSO BE ABOUT $2,400. $35 LESS.
ADDITIONALLY, YOU CAN GO TAXABLE VALUE ON THE LEFT, THERE'S YOUR TAXES WITH THE MILLAGE, TAXES WITHOUT AND THEN THERE'S YOUR DIFFERENCE. I DO WANT TO NOTE THIS DOES INCLUDE THE COUNTYWIDE PLUS FIRE MILLAGE RATES. IT DOESN'T INCLUDE SOME OF THE OTHER SMALLER AREAS THAT DON'T IMPACT THE MAJORITY OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS.
WITH THAT, I WILL MOVE INTO -- THERE'S A PRESCRIBED PROCESS RELATED TO ADOPTING TENTATIVELY A MILLAGE AND A BUDGET. THE PROCEDURES INCLUDE THE DISCUSSION OF THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE OVER THE ROLLBACK RATE. THERE'S A PORTION RELATED TO PUBLIC COMMENT. I KNOW WE HAVE HAD PUBLIC COMMENT. IF SOMEBODY HASN'T SPOKEN AT THIS POINT, THEY CAN CERTAINLY COME UP AND SPEAK. FOLLOWED BY THE ADOPTION OF THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FIRST BY RESOLUTION AND THEN FINALLY THE BUDGET BY RESOLUTION -- OR NOT FINALLY, BUT SECOND WITH THE BUDGET BY RESOLUTION AND FINALLY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF THE FINAL BUDGET HEARING. GETTING INTO THE PROCESS, FOR THE DISCUSSION OF THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE OVER THE ROLLBACK RATE, THE TAXING AUTHORITY IS ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
THE ROLLBACK MILLAGE RATE WOULD BE 6.5237.
THE TENTATIVE AGGREGATE MILLAGE RATE IS 6.8224.
THAT INCREASE OVER THE ROLLBACK RATE IS 4.58%.
THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE FOR THE INCREASE OVER THE ROLLBACK RATE FOR EACH TAXING -- BCC TAXING UNIT IS TO MAINTAIN LEVELS OF SERVICE IN A GROWTH COMMUNITY, INCLUDING ROADWAY AND DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE AND FIRE/RESCUE RECRUITMENT AND RETAINAGE. WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO THE BOARD IF THERE'S ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD OR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> WE'RE BACK TO THE BOARD. QUESTIONS FOR WADE? COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST?
>> MR. SCHROEDER, THE 8. 75 NEW UTILITY EMPLOYEES, ARE THEY PAID FROM THE GENERAL FUND OR ARE THEY PAID FROM THEIR ENTERPRISE FUND?
>> THOSE WOULD BE PAID FROM THE UTILITY ENTERPRISE FUND.
[01:00:02]
>> JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM. I KNOW WE HAVE 31 NEW FULL- TIME EMPLOYEES THAT ARE IN THIS PROPOSED BUDGET THAT ARE WITH OUR FIRE/RESCUE.
>> THERE'S A PORTION -- FIRE AND EMS, THERE'S A PORTION OF THOSE, I BELIEVE IT'S SIX OR SO THAT ARE WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND. THE REMAINDER IN THE FIRE SERVICE FUND.
>> VERY GOOD. NINE -- NEARLY NINE, 8.
75 UTILITY EMPLOYEES WILL BE PAID FROM THEIR FUND. I WANTED TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO ANSWER SOME OF THE THINGS I HEARD DURING PUBLIC COMMENT. THIS IS, I THINK, A MEETING WHERE WE ARE ENCOURAGED TO ANSWER AS UCH AS WE CAN.
IS THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE HERE? SEVERE COUNTY, TENNESSEE, CHARGED 9. 75% SALES TAX. THE STATE OF FLORIDA, WE ARE CAPPED AT CHARGING 7. 5% SALES TAX. THAT'S THE MOST WE CAN CHARGE.
ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS ONLY CHARGING 6. 5% SALES TAX, OF WHICH THE STATE OF FLORIDA GETS 6%, SCHOOL DISTRICT GETS A HALF A PERCENT AND THIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE NO LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX. YOU ALSO MENTIONED ED RAISING THE TOURISM TAX. WE ARE CHARGING THE MAXIMUM WE ARE ALLOWED TO CHARGE BY LAW.
WE HAVE MAXED OUT OUR TOURIST TAX. TOURIST TAX CANNOT BE USED TO FUND OUR -- THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT. WE CANNOT WIDEN ROADS WITH OUR TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX. I WANTED TO ANSWER -- YOU BROUGHT UP SOME GOOD IDEAS.
IF WE COULD CHARGE TOURISTS AND IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY AND LOWER THE BURDEN ON OUR RESIDENTS, SIGN ME UP. I DON'T LEGALLY HAVE THE OPTION TO VOTE FOR THAT. I WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THE DYNAMICS WE ARE WORKING WITH HERE.
A FRIENDLY REMINDER THAT THE SCHOOL MILLAGE INCREASE, WHICH IS THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF THE INCREASE THAT'S ON YOUR TRIM NOTICE, THAT WAS PLACED ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER OF 2024. SOME OF YOU -- PROBABLY MOST OF NEW THIS ROOM VOTED AGAINST IT. IT DID PASS WITH OVER 68% OF THE VOTE. THAT'S WHY YOU SEE THE SHARP INCREASE IN THE LINE THAT SAID SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THAT MILLAGE IS GOING UP BECAUSE 68% OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY VOTERS VOTED YES ON THE MILLAGE INCREASE.
MR. SCHROEDER, I DID HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU.
WE ARE AT 6. 8 AND SOME CHANGE MILLS.
THERE'S BEEN SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THE SUM TOTAL OF OUR BUDGET. IF WE ROLLBACK 6. 8 MILLS TO 0, HOW MUCH WOULD THAT REDUCE OUR BUDGET?
>> IF WE HAD A 0 PROPERTY TAX RATE?
>> ZERO MILLAGE RATE FROM THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS?
>> THAT WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT OF $403 MILLION ON OUR COUNTY BUDGET.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS ESTABLISHED.
IT'S CONFUSING. YOU ARE GOING TO SEE HEADLINES THAT WE HAVE A $1. 9 BILLION BUDGET. SOME PEOPLE I THINK RIGHTLY ASSUME THAT WE ARE TAKING IN $1. 9 BILLION IN NEW REVENUE EVERY SINGLE YEAR. FROM THAT, WE CAN'T MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR COUNTY. IT'S IMPORTANT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE REALLY -- WE HAVE DISCRETION OVER $403 MILLION IN FUNDING. IS THAT ACCURATE?
>> LET ME MAKE SURE I ESTABLISH THAT.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT, I HAVE THE BURDEN OF HAVING ALL THIS INFORMATION RATTLING AROUND IN MY HEAD.
BELIEVE ME, I HAVE BEEN IN CUSTOMER SERVICE ALL MY LIFE.
I WANT TO MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY. I WANT TO GIVE YOU DISCOUNTS.
I WANT TO ROLLBACK THE MILL ANL RATE. WHEN THE GOVERNOR IS DISCUSSING ELIMINATING PROPERTY TAXES, I THINK WHAT A RELIEF THAT WOULD BE FOR ME AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
I KNOW THAT OUR SENIOR CITIZENS ARE ON FIXED INCOMES.
I'M SYMPATHETIC. I THINK THE AMERICAN DREAM IS OWNING YOUR PROPERTY AND NOT BEING BEHOLDEN TO THE GOVERNMENT AND PAYING PROPERTY TAXES.
YOU SHOULD NOT BE AT RISK OF LOSING YOUR PROPERTY BECAUSE OF PROPERTY TAXES. WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS A SYSTEM WHERE WE DON'T HAVE ANY LOCAL OPTION SALES TAXES. WE DON'T HAVE ANY LOCAL OPTION GAS TAXES HERE IN ST.
JOHNS COUNTY. WE HAVE THE LOWEST MILLAGE RATE IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA. ONE OF THE LOWEST MILLAGE RATES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
THIS IS OUR SOLE SOURCE OF REVENUE IS THE PROPERTY TAXES THAT WE HAVE. JUST SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
WE HAVE HAD TWO BIG ROLLBACKS. IF YOU GO BACK TO 1990, THE MILLAGE HAS BEEN ROLLED BACK 12 TIMES.
IT HAS BEEN INCREASED SIX TIMES. IT HAS BEEN KEPT FLAT 18 TIMES.
THAT'S GOING BACK TO 1990. THE TWO BIG ROLLBACKS, ONE
[01:05:02]
WAS STATE MANDATED ROLLBACK COMING OUT OF THE RECESSION.HAD THAT ROLLBACK NOT HAPPENED, WE WOULD HAVE GAINED AN EXTRA $357 MILLION IN INCOME.
THAT ROLLBACK HAS CUT ST. JOHNS COUNTY BUDGET BY $357 MILLION SINCE THAT STATE MANDATED ROLLBACK. THAT ROLLBACK WILL TAKE $41 MILLION IN CUTS OUT OF THIS YEAR'S BUDGET. THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HEADING INTO THE FISCAL 2021 YEAR DID THE ROLLBACK RATE, WHICH HAS CUT $118 MILLION FROM ST. JOHNS COUNTY'S BUDGETS.
IT WILL CUT $26 MILLION FROM THIS YEAR'S BUDGET ALONE.
THAT'S OVER -- I DON'T WANT TO EXAGGERATE.
THAT'S JUST UNDER $500 MILLION IN TAX CUTS.
ONE WAS STATE MANDATED ROLLBACK, ONE WAS A BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN DECISION IN SEPTEMBER OF 2020. THE REASON I BRING THAT UP IS IF YOU CAUGHT THE SLIDESLIDE UNFUNDED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, THE TOTAL OF THATTHAT -- UNFUNDED PROJECTS ARE $587 MILLION.
THAT'S WHAT MAKES MY JOB SO HARD.
WE HAVE $587 MILLION OF PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED THAT YOU GUYS WANT. YOU ARE DEMANDING MORE SERVICES FROM COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
YOU WANT BETTER DRAINAGE, MORE SERVICES FROM THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT. WE HAVE $587 MILLION IN PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED WITHOUT ANY FUNDING TO ACCOMPANY THOSE PROJECTS.
TRANSPORTATION ALONE, THE COMPLAINTS WE GET 11 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR ARE ABOUT HOW THE ROADS ARE CLOGGED WITH TRAFFIC. JUST THE TRANSPORTATION CIP PROJECTS ALONE ARE $251 MILLION.
IN UNFUNDED PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED, ROADS THAT ARE CLOGGED THAT NEED TO BE IMPROVED, $251 MILLION. MR. SCHROEDER WENT THROUGH THAT IN HIS SLIDES. IT WAS UP THERE. HE WAS GIVING YOU A LOT OF INFORMATION. IT'S WORTH NOTING WE HAVE $251 MILLION IN UNFUNDED PROJECTS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. WHEN I'M LOOKING AT WHETHER OR NOT IT WOULD BE IN THETHE BEST LONG- TERM INTEREST TO CUT THE BUDGET, I'M CONFLICTED. WE HAVE SO MANY THINGS THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS TO IMPROVE THIS COUNTY, TO IMPROVE PEOPLE'S LIVES.
WE HAVE PEOPLE CONSTANTLY IN OUR EMAIL INBOXES -- I WAS WE HAVE PEOPLE AT THE PODIUM ALL YEAR LONG DEMANDING BETTER FROM THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
THEY WANT MORE SERVICES. I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYBODY -- THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS HERE. TALK TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ABOUT HOW MANY CALLS THEY GET AND HOW THAT'S INCREASED IN THE PAST DECADE OR SO. FIRE CHIEF IS SITTING BACK THERE. TALK TO THE FIRE CHIEF ABOUT THE STRAIN ON OUR FIREFIGHTERS AND RESCUE SERVICES AND CALLS THEY GET FOR SERVICE.
I HAVE THIS INFORMAION. I FELT LIKE IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A DECISION UP HERE, IT SHOULD BE AN INFORMED DECISION. WANTED TO PUT THAT NFTHS INFORMATION ON THE RECORD FOR THE BENEFIT OF
EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM. >> I FEEL LIKE YOU ARE LEAVING OFF THE BIG ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM. THAT'S IN 2020 -- WERE YOU ON THE BOARD WHEN YOU HAD THE ROLLBACK?
YOU WERE? >> I WAS NOT ON THE BOARD.
SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE BOARD, YOU APPROVED 15,000 HOMES WITHOUT THE ROADS PUT IN FIRST OR PARKS PUT IN FIRST, WITHOUT ALL THE SERVICES WE NEED. NOW WE ARE PLAYING CATCHUP.
COMMISSIONER ARNOLD PUT IN 10,000 HOMES.
IT'S SAT WE DID THAT. IT'S NOT FAIR TO THE PUBLIC, TO THE FIXED INCOME. I THINK WE NEED TO DOGE, ROLLBACK WHATEVER WE CAN DO. I KNOW TODAY IS NOT THE FINAL.
MAYBE WE SET A ROLLBACK AND GO FROM THERE. BY THE FINAL, WE FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT MIDDLE GROUND WOULD BE. IT'S NOT FAIR.
IT'S NOT FAIR TO FIXED INCOME PEOPLE THAT ARE RETIRED. YOU COULD OWN YOUR OWN HOUSE.
THEIR TAXES ARE $150,000 A YEAR. IT'S NOT FAIR.
YOU THINK BECAUSE THEY HAVE A BIG HOUSE IT'S GREAT.
GUESS WHAT? THEY CAN'T PAY IT WHEN THEY ARE A WIDOW THAT HAS HAD HER HOUSE PAID OFF AND NO MORE INCOME. IT'S SAD.
OF COURSE, IN ST. AUGUSTINE, THERE'S THE SAME PROBLEM.
I'M NOT GOING TO AGREE TO THAT.% WE SHOULD DO A ROLLBACK.
WE SHOULD START LOOKING AT WHERE WE CAN CUT THE BUDGET AND WHERE WE CAN BE MORE EFFICIENT.
EVERYONE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY IS DOING IT.
WHY NOT ST. JOHNS COUNTY? I DON'T GET IT. THAT'S HOW I FEEL ABOUT IT.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, YOU SEE YOUR LIGHT IS ON.
>> YES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I THINK WE ALL SAW A GREAT EXAMPLE THIS MORNING OF
[01:10:01]
AN EXAMPLE OF SOME CUTS THAT WE CAN MAKE. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WE CAN GET THERE. ONE OF THE THINGS I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING THAT WAS SHARED, WE ARE SPENDING $1 MILLION ON IMPACT FEE BUY DOWNS. THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.IF WE CAN GET TO 5. 6 MILLION, THERE'S $1 MILLION RIGHT THERE. FROM ELIMINATING THE IMPACT FEE BUY DOWN. I HAVE NO DOUBT.
I THINK THAT WHAT WAS PRESENTED EARLIER IS A REALLY GOOD STARTING POINT. WE HAVE TIME TO LOOK AT IT. WHAT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER IS FROM 2020 THROUGH 2026, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ESTIMATES, OUR COUNTY IS BRINGING IN AN ADDITIONAL OVER $200 MILLION. $200 MILLION.
WE CAN CERTAINLY SAVE OUR TAXPAYERS A LITTLE BIT OF THAT.
>> YOU MENTIONED DEVELOPMENT. YOU SAID I VOTED ON PROPERTIES WITHOUT ANY -- ANYTHING UP FRONT. I NEED TO CORRECT THE RECORD.
THAT WAS FALSE. WHEN WE VOTED ON THE SILVER LEAF PUD, THEY WERE REQUIRED TO BUILD THE ROADS FIRST BEFORE THE FIRST HOUSE WAS OCCUPIED.
THE PORTION OF SILVER LEAF -- IT WAS APPROVED IN THE EARLY 2000S. THE PORTION WE BUILT HASN'T BEEN BUILT. BUT THEY BUILT THE ROADS. THEY WERE REQUIRED TO BUILD THE ROADS FIRST AND THEY HAVE DONE THAT. VOTED ON THE LANDINGS.
THEY ARE WIDENIN THE ROAD. THEY HAVE TO WIDEN THE ROAD, IMPROVE THE ROADS BEFORE THE FIRST HOUSE IS OCCUPIED.
WE VOTED YES ON THE HELO PROJECT, IN MY DISTRICT.
OF COURSE, THEY HAVE ALREADY WIDENED THEIR ROADS.
THEY HAVEN'T CLEARED THE FIRST PLOT OF LAND.
IT'S INACCURATE TO SAY WE'RE APPROVING DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT REQUIRING -- THE DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTS STATE THEY HAVE TO BUILD THE ROADS BEFORE THE FIRST HOUSE IS OCCUPIED.
I FEEL THE NEED TO CORRECT THE RECORD.
SOMETHING ELSE THAT'S IMPORTANT TO ADDRESS IS, YOUR COMMITMENT TO BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
WHAT'S YOUR PLAN AFTER WE ROLL BACK THE MILLAGEMILLAGE TO FUND THE $587 MILLION OF DEFICIENCIES IN THIS COUNTY? WHAT IS YOUR PLAN? YOU HAVE BEEN A COMMISSIONER FOR THREE YEARS.
>> THAT'S WHAT'S INTERESTING, BECAUSE I DID SEND A DOGE LIST FROM THE GOVERNOR TO OUR ADMINISTRATOR. THAT' HER JOB TO DO THAT.
I ABSOLUTELY KNOW THAT WE CAN DO SOME CUTS.
I KNOW I TALKED TO HER ABOUT SOME OF THE CUTS.
I'M SAYING, LET'S ROLL IT BACK AND BETWEEN NOW AND SEPTEMBER 16, WE COME UP WITH SOME MIDDLE GROUND NUMBER.
IT'S FAIR TO THE PEOPLE. WE ARE LIKE A COMPANY. IT'S FAIR TO THE COMPANY.
YOU HAVE BEEN A COMMISSIONER A LONG TIME, TOO.
YOU ARE APPROVING HOMES WITHOUT A PARK.
SILVER LEAF PAYS NO CCD, WHICH MEANS WE GET TO MAKE THEIR PARK.
WE HAD TO TAKE OUT A BOND FOR IT.
I HAVE TO ADMIT THE DAVIS FAMILY DID A GOOD JOB.
THEY PUT IN THE ROADS FIRST, PUT IN A WATER PARK, TAKING CARE OF THEMSELVES. THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING AND ENCOURAGING THOSE DEVELOPMENTS. THAT'S MY OPINION. I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE PEOPLE WHO AGREE WITH ME. THEN THAT'S HOW WE VOTE.
IF I DON'T HAVE PEOPLE, I WILL VOTE AGAINST KEEPING IT THE WAY IT IS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY.
>> IS THAT NO PLAN FOR INFRASTRUCTURE?
>> MY PLAN WAS WHEN WE WENT TO TALLAHASSEE AND D.C.
OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE.
WE GOT $127 MILLION TOWARDS INFRASTRUCTURE.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO ASK WHAT YOUR PLAN IS TO REITERATE WHAT COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST SAID.
I HEAR EVERYBODY IN THIS AUDIENCE LOUD AND CLEAR. 330,000 BOSSES. PEOPLE WANT TO SEE THESE PROJECTS -- THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS MOVE FORWARD. BEYOND THAT, I'M GOING TO MAYBE NOT AS DELICATELY AS CHRISTIAN SAID, I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO STOP LYING ABOUT OUR RECORDS.
YOU ARE LYING TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY ON THE RECORD DAY IN AND DAY OUT. IT REALLY SHOULD STOP. I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO FACT CHECK.
>> I HAVE SUED YOU ONCE. I CAN DO IT AGAIN.
>> NO, YOU ARE NOT. IT'S A MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD.
IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SUING US. IT'S PATENTLY FALSE. YOU ARE LYING TO THE PEOPLE OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY. DO YOU IT ON A REGULAR BASIS.
I CAN'T STAND BY AND BE SILENT ANYMORE.
>> THAT'S YOUR OPINION. I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO A FIGHT WITH YOU. THAT'S YOUR OPINION.
>> THANK YOU. I HAD A QUESTION.
DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THE AMOUNT OF THE CFP SAVINGS ARE GOING TO BE THIS YEAR?
[01:15:01]
CARRYING FORWARD.>> THE SAVINGS FROM CIP FOR FISCAL YEAR '26 OR FROM --
WHAT SAVINGS? >> WITH SOME OF THE SAVINGS, AS WELL AS NOT THE CIP BUT MAINTENANCE THAT WE'RE NOT CARRYING FORWARD, $6. 6 MILLION WAS ADDED TO GENERAL FUND, $9 MILLION TO TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND AND $3. 8 MILLION FOR IMPACT FEES COLLECTIVELY.
>> THANK YOU. THE BUSINESSMAN IN ME MAKES ME REALLY STRUGGLE WITH THIS.WITH I KNOW THAT WHEN I WAS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, IT SEEMED REALLY EASY TO SAY, LET'S ROLLBACK.
WHEN YOU GET IN THE SEAT, YOU REALIZE EVERYTHING IS INTERCONNECTED.
THE UNFORTUNATE PART OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY IS THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS PUT -- I CAN'T BLAME THE SCHOOL BOARD. THE SCHOOL BOARD GOT PLACED ON THE BUDGET AN INCREASE IN OUR TAXES. WE VOTED FOR AN INCREASE IN OUR TAXES. THIS INCREASE WE ARE SEEING TODAY WAS VOTED ON BY THE VOTERS LAST YEAR. WE AS A COUNTY, I FEEL, HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO TRY TO EASE SOME OF THE BURDEN. I SEE PROJECTSPROJECTS LIKE THE RAMP THAT'S SO IMPORTANT TO ME. IT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE GET THAT DONE. BUT I ALSO REALIZE SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO PUT THINGS OFF. WE HAVE TO PUSH IT BACK A YEAR OR SO. EVEN THOUGH I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THE FULL ROLLBACK, I THINK WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO GIVE OUR CITIZENS A LITTLE BETTER RELIEF. SO THERE'S GOT TO BE A COMPROMISE, EVEN IF IT'S A SLIGHT REDUCTION IN THE RATE -- IN THE MILLAGE RATE. WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO DO THAT. LIKE I SAID WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT IT LAST MONTH, I VOTED TO KEEP THE ROLLBACK FLAT AS A CAP.
I'M ALSO VERY -- IT'S IMPORTANT WE FIND A WAY TO REDUCE IT AS WE CAN. EVEN IF IT'S A LITTLE BIT.
WE NEED TO REDUCE THE RATE SOMEWHERE.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS ON THAT, WHAT YOU WOULD AGREE TO? COMMISSIONER TAYLOR AND I ARE ON THE SAME PAGE.
IF YOU ARE ON THAT SAME PAGE, THEN I GUESS WE COULD COME UP WITH A MILLAGE RATE FOR MAJORITY.
>> I THINK WE HAVE GOT TWO WEEKS TO REALLY FLESH IT OUT.
I WOULD -- I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD BE COMFORTABLE VOTING IN THE FULL MILLAGE RATE. I FEEL LIKE WE NEEDNEED TO -- NEED TO FIND SOME COMPROMISE. I REALLY WOULD LOVE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SIT DOWN WITH STAFF AND FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE, BECAUSE I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS BEFORE AND GAVE AN INDICATION OF HOW I WAS FEELING.
I THINK WE ARE GOING TO FIND WAYS TO NOT ONLY REDUCE OUR MILLAGE RATE A LITTLE BIT BUT ALSO FIND OTHER SAVINGS IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT PEOPLE.
I KNOW WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT SOME OTHER THINGS THAT WE CAN DO AS A COUNTY TO REDUCE FEES.
I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THOSE.
I'M NOT SURE WHERE WE GO FROM HERE.
I JUST KNOW WE NEED TO FIND SOME WAY TO GIVE SOME RELIEF TO PEOPLE.
>> WE HAVE TO SET THE RATE TODAY.
>> DO WE HAVE TO SET THE MILLAGE RATE TODAY? WE DO NOT?
>> YOU SET TENTATIVE MILLAGE AND TENTATIVE BUDGET.
>> THESE ARE NOT FINAL DECISIONS.
>> I KNEW WE HAD TO SET SOMETHING TODAY.
>> MR. SCHROEDER, IF WE SET A MILLAGE RATE TODAY, WE CAN LOWER IT ON THE 16TH?
>> CAN WE -- IF WE SET A LOWER MILLAGE RATE, CAN WE THEN RAISE IT AS LONG AS WE KEEP IT UNDER THE CAP? IS THIS AS HIGH AS WE CAN GO?
>> YOU CAN RAISE IT AS LONG AS YOU ARE BELOW THE MAXIMUM MILLAGE RATE THAT YOU SET AT THE LAST.
YOU CANNOT GO ABOVE THE MAX MILLAGE AT THIS POINT.
>> I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE GET OUR -- I'M UP 4. 5 FLAT IS WHAT I'M LOOKING.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE. I WOULD BE WILLING TO VOTE FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. MAYBE A 4.4999.
>> I THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE COULD DO.
AS LONG AS WE CONTINUE TO HAVE FLEXIBILITY.
WE HAVE TWO MORE WEEKS TO GO BACK AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN FIND THIS MONEY FOR THEM, FOR THAT ROLLBACK RATE.
>> I WOULD AGREE TO THAT MOTION, IF YOU WANTED TO MAKE THAT.
[01:20:02]
LOU HOW DOES THE MAKE THAT MOTION?>> THE MILLAGE RATES ARE -- THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATES, THESE ARE THE RATES ESTABLISHED AT THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET ARE LISTED HERE. I WILL SAY, IF THERE'S SOME AGREEMENT ON SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN THIS, I WOULD LIKE TO -- THERE'S TWO PIECES TO THIS.
THERE'S THE MILLAGE RATES AND THEN THERE'S THE BUDGET.
IF YOU TENTATIVELY ADOPT SOMETHING DIFFERENT ON MILLAGE RATES, THAT'S GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE BUDGET.
>> FOR THE GENERAL FUND AND EVERYTHING ELSE AS IS?
>> EVERYTHING ELSE AS IS. WE NEED TO GET UNDER THE 4.5.
WE DO. WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO GET PEOPLE SOME RELIEF.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME DIRECTION FROM THE BOARD. POSSIBLY ASK FOR A RECESS TO MAKE SURE I HAVE ALL OF THE NUMBERS CORRECT ON THE MILLAGE SIDE AND THEN CORRESPONDINGLY THE NUMBERS CORRECT --
>> DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON HAVING A MAJORITY FOR THAT NUMBER OR NOT?
>> DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON THE MAJORITY -- SFOR A FOR A MAJORITY ON THE
NUMBER HE IS SUGGESTING? >> YES.
>> YOU ARE MAKING A MOTION, COMMISSIONER MURPHY?
>> MADAM CHAIR, THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.
WE HAVE TO SOLICIT PUBLIC COMMENT AFTER THE PRESENTATION.
>> MAKE THE MOTION AND GO BACK AND LOOK AT IT.
>> I WOULD MAKE AA THAT WE WOULD ADOPT TENTATIVELY 4.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> YOU HAVE TO TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> DON'T VOTE. PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED GENERAL REVENUE FUND OF 4. 999 AND EVERYTHING ELSE THE SAME.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT.
A CHANCE TO COME BACK A SECOND TIME OR NOT? ANYONE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? COME ON UP.
>> JEFFREY PEPPER, ST. AUGUSTINE.
>> CAN WE GO BACK TO THAT SLIDE WITH THE RATES?
>> I WANT TO KNOW WHICH CATEGORIES WERE YOU TALKING
>> JUST THE GENERAL FUND. THAT'S REALLY -- THOSE FOUR -- THE GENERAL, COUNTY ROAD, COUNTY HEALTH AND COUNTY FIRE ARE THE ONLY ONES WE HAVE CONTROL OVER. WE DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER ANYTHING ELSE.
OKAY? ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? THERE YOU GO.
>> ADRIAN HELTON. I HAVE LIVED HERE FOR PROBABLY OVER A DECADE NOW WITH MY DAD.
I NOTICE THE EFFECT THE TAX INCREASES HAVE ON HIM.
I WAS CURIOUS BECAUSE I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE'S BEEN MORE AND MORE HOUSES ESTABLISHED AROUND ME, CONSTANTLY. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS A WAY TO TAX THOSE GROUPS MOVING INTO FLORIDA AND INTO THOSE AREAS RATHER THAN TAXING THE PEOPLE WHO ALREADY LIVE HERE. I WAS WONDERING WHAT PERCENTAGE YOU GUYS COULD DO TO THAT VERSUS THE PEOPLE WHO ALREADY LIVE HERE. IF YOU COULD MAKE IT LESS ON THE PEOPLE WHO ALREADY LIVE HERE VERSUS PEOPLE MOVING INTO THE PLACE. THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CAUSING THAT HIGHER COST OF THE ROADS AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THOSE PORTIONS.
I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS A
WAY TO MORE BALANCE THAT MORE? >> WE DO.
LET ME -- IF YOU DON'T MIND, LET ME COVER THIS REAL QUICK.
PEOPLE WHO MOVE INTO NEW HOUSING FROM OTHER PLACES PAY AN IMPACT FEE. I THINK OUR IMPACT FEE, DEPENDING ON WHAT SCARE FOOTAGE IS, $28,000 PER HOUSE. PEOPLE MOVING IN HERE AND BUYING EXISTING HOMES PAY TAXES AT THE HIGHER RATE. I WILL GIVE AN EXAMPLE. I LIVED IN MY HOUSE FOR 30 YEARS. MY INCREASE IN VALUE HAS BEEN CAPPED BECAUSE OF HOMESTEAD AT 3%.
IF I SOLD MY HOUSE TO SOMEONE, THEY WOULD THEN PAY TAXES ON THE NEW APPRAISED VALUE, WHICH IS WHAT I SOLD FOR.
THE PEOPLE COMING IN ARE ACTUALLY PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE WHEN THEY BUY A NEW HOUSE.
THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. THANK YOU.
ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? COME ON.
>> OUR COUNTRY IS GIVING AWAY MONEY TO FOREIGN
[01:25:05]
COUNTRIES. WHY CAN'T WE GET A GRANT FROM THE GOVERNMENT?>> WE GET GRANTS ALL THE TIME. A LARGE PORTION OF OUR BUDGET IS MADE UP OF GRANTS.
>> WE TRIED THAT. VOTERS VOTED THAT DOWN. THANK YOU.
ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? COME ON UP.
>> LEXI BROWN. I'M 25 AND I HAVE LIVED HERE FOR FIVE YEARS NOW IN A HOUSE MY PARENTS BOUGHT FOR ME. I HAVE A GREAT STEADY JOB.
I'M AT THE AGE WHERE I WANT TO BE INDEPENDENT FINANCIALLY.
SO I DON'T HAVE TO COUNT ON THEM.
I ALWAYS SAW MY FUTURE HERE, TAKING OVER MY PAYMENTS FOR MY OWN HOUSE. I'M NOT SURE I CAN AFFORD IT NOW. IT'S HARD ON ME.
ALL MY FRIENDS ARE LOOKING AT HOUSES TO MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE. I HAVE ACTUALLY AM LOOKING TO MOVE, TOO. IT'S REALLY HARD.
IT'S MY HAPPY PLACE. IT'S HARD HAVING TO LEAVE SOMEWHERE.
LIKE I SAID, I'M FINANCIALLY STABLE, BUT THAT'S IT.
NOTHING ABOVE THAT. THIS IS REALLY HARD ON ME. AND MY FAMILY.
THEY CAN'T HELP ME OUT LIKE THAT AND HAVE TWO HOUSES. IT'S HARD.
I HAVE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME. YEAH, IT'S HARD.
>> THANK YOU FOR EXPRESSING YOURSELF.
>> ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NONE, WE CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE. CAN WE VOTE? PLEASE VOTE.
>> AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR A LITTLE BIT OF RECESS.
THE MILLAGE -- WITH THE CHANGES, THAT AGGREGATE MILLAGE RATE AS PART OF THE RESOLUTION.
THEN IT CHANGES THE BUDGET THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE ASKED TO ADOPT NEXT.
>> TEN MINUTES. I WILL BRING BACK RESOLUTIONS, HAVE SOME SLIDES I CAN PUT ON THE
>>> IF EVERYONE TAKES THEIR SEATS, WE WILL GET GOING HERE.
YOU GUYS READY OVER THERE? YOU STILL HAVE A SMILE ON YOUR FACE.
>> RIGHT NOW, LAUREN IS HANDING OUT REVISED RESOLUTIONS.
THEY ARE BOTH RELATED TO THE MILLAGE AND THE SUBSEQUENT BUDGET THAT'S GOING TO ASK TO BE ADOPTED. PLEASE MAKE SURE I GOT THIS CORRECT BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO THE BUDGET.
A GENERAL FUND MILLAGE RATE OF 4.4999. ALL OVER MILLAGE RATES REMAININGREMAINING SAME.
THAT RESULTS IN AN AGGREGATE MILLAGE RATE OF 6.7573. LOOKING FOR SOME KIND OF CONFIRMATION THAT THIS IS WHAT THE BOARD ADOPTED WITH THE RESOLUTION. THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO THE BUDGET, RESOLUTION. WITH THE CHANGES IN THE MILLAGE RATES, THIS WOULD BE THE REVISED MOTION FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET.
THE DECREASES -- THE CHANGES IN THE BUDGET WITH THE 4. 4999 GENERAL FUND, IT REDUCED THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET AS WELL AS THE COUNTY'S CRA AND AS WELL THE --
>> THE REDUCTION IN THE GENERAL FUND, 3,605,860S. FOR THE CRA FUND, A
[01:30:09]
REDUCTION OF $16,514. A REDUCTION OF $12,872.A REDUCTION OF $14,496. THE DURBIN CTITF FUND HAD A REDUCTION OF $5,984.
>> WHEN IT WAS PROPOSED THE FIRST TIME THAT FAILED, IT WAS A SAVINGS OF $6 MILLION OF THE GENERAL FUND. WHAT WAS THAT RATE?
>> THAT WAS 4.465. THIS IS -- WE ULTIMATELY OPTED OR RECOMMENDED 4 .465. THIS IS A LITTLE IN BETWEEN, 4 HADN'T 4999 IN BETWEEN THE 4. 465 AND 4.565.
>> I DON'T MIND STARTING HERE AND PUTTING IT HERE FOR TODAY. I STILL WOULD LIKE TO GET BACK TO THAT REDUCTION OF $6 MILLION, WHAT WE ORIGINALLY DISCUSSED, IN MY OPINION. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REST THING. COMMISSIONER MURPHY.
>> I WAS GOING TO MAKE A MOTION.
>> MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025- 2025-318.
THEY TOOK MY SCREEN AWAY FROM ME.
>> TENTATIVE BUDGET, USING THE CERTIFIED TAXABLE VALUE OF 59, 59,07 59,070,785,000.
>> MOTION AND A SECOND. WE DON'T NEED -- WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER PUBLIC COMMENT? LET'S VOTE.
THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS, BOARD.
>> ONE MORE MOTION. IF WE COULD GO BACK TO THE PRESENTATION. THIS IS A MOTION THAT DIDN'T CHANGE. IT'S JUST SETTING THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF THE FINAL PUBLIC HEARING.
THAT RECOMMENDATION IS SEPTEMBER 16, IN THE COUNTY AUDITORIUM.
>> I WOULD MAKE A MOTION THAT THE NEXT -- THE BUDGET HEARING WILL BE SEPTEMBER 16 AT 5:01
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
EVERYONE, SEE YOU SEPTEMBER 16TH.
NOW MAY I ADJOURN? WE'RE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.