City Commission sets tentative millage rate

July 30, 2014 10:12 a.m.

Patti Clifford, City Finance Director
File Photo

On July 29, 2014, the Fernandina Beach City Commission held a special meeting to set the tentative millage rate for the upcoming year.  After a motion by Commissioner Pat Gass and a second by Vice Mayor Sarah Pelican, the commission voted 4-0 to accept City staff's recommendation to approve a rollback rate of 6.021.  Adding an exisiting .2642 voter approved debt (Greenway), the proposed millage rate will be 6.2852. Commissioner Charlie Corbett did not attend the meeting.

The roll back rate will bring in the same amount of property tax revenue that was received in the preceding year.  (The city budgets for 95% of the anticipated property tax revenue.) According to City Manager Joe Gerrity, it is "the first time in 3 years we've been able to hit the roll back rate."

Property Tax Information from Previous Years

Florida statue requires municipalities to set a tentative millage rate 35 days after the Nassau County Property Appraiser submits updated property values.  Once the  millage rate is set, the commission cannot increase the millage rate, but the rate can be  decreased.

Gerrity asked that commissioners review the proposed budget and come to the workshop with any questions.  "I must tell you, it is still a bare bones budget. There are not a lot of frills in here." says Gerrity.  Budget workshops are scheduled for Wednesday, August 6 and Tuesday, August 12 at 4:00 p.m