City’s FY18 Balanced Budget Proposed
September 14, 2017
The first of two final budget public hearings was held at yesterday’s City Commission meeting. The proposed Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) budget is designed to allow the City to continue providing high quality services at an affordable cost while meeting the stated needs of the community, such as public safety and infrastructure improvements.
Last night, the Commission adopted the tentative millage rate of 4.1000 mills for the City of Tallahassee; adopted the tentative budget, as amended, for the City of Tallahassee; adopted the tentative millage rate for the Downtown Improvement Authority of 1.0000 mill; and adopted the tentative budget for the Downtown Improvement Authority.
The tentative budget totals $743.1 million.
The FY18 General Fund budget totals $153 million, $100,000 less than FY17, after accounting for the transfer to road and sidewalk capital projects in both fiscal years. As a result of the Commission’s commitment to ensure infrastructure is properly maintained, the funding of capital projects was increased from $5 million to $6.5 million. The budget also incorporates reductions resulting from re-organizations, added efficiencies and a decrease in the number of full time positions. In the coming fiscal year, the savings from these changes will help offset any increases incurred, allowing total expenses to remain level.
The proposed budget calls for a 2.6 increase in solid waste commercial rates effective January 1, 2018. Applying this to commercial rates, will serve to more closely align rates with the actual cost of service.
At the direction of the Commission, public safety positions have increased by 54 positions over the last four years, and the COPPs grant positions will be fully operational during FY18.
The final budget public hearing will be on September 27. The final FY18 budget is anticipated to be adopted at the September 27 meeting. FY18 begins October 1.
Information is always available through OpenGov and the City’s online budget, both accessible through Talgov.com.
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