Fernandina Beach approves millage, final budget for FY 2017/18

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

September 20, 2017 5:04 p.m.

Fernandina Beach City Commission

During an advertised Special Meeting on September 19, 2017, the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) adopted the final operating millage for Fiscal Year 2017/18 and approved the Final Budget for Fiscal Year 2017/18 following required public hearings on both items. The millage rate approved is 6.000 for operating expenses and 0.2097 mills for service on voter-approved debt.

There were no public comments on the proposed millage rate prior to its adoption on a unanimous vote.

Les Rohde

One person spoke to the proposed budget. Leslie Rohde told commissioners that he believed that the manner in which the budget is presented leads to bad decisions. His concerns centered on three enterprise funds: airport, golf course and marina. He questioned the practice of including airport lease income with operating income. He expressed his opinion that both the golf course and the marina operations were more profitable than the airport operations.

Vice Mayor Len Kreger

Vice Mayor Len Kreger reminded the other commissioners and the audience that there was a significant increase in the budget this year. The city will be spending money on equipment and personnel to recoup cuts taken during the Great Recession. He cautioned that with the probability of voters approving a looming state Constitution Amendment to increase the amount for homestead exemptions, local governments will need to be more careful and efficient to make more limited moneys go further. “Not that we aren’t doing that already,” he added.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Final Budget for FY 2017/18 as presented. The complete budget is available to the public on the city’s website (www.fbfl.us).