MILTON — The Santa Rosa County fiscal year 2016-2017 tentative budget is now posted at www.santarosa.fl.gov/budget for public review.
The budget provides an overview of the budget process, a county profile, departmental goals and objectives, a capital improvement plan and a detailed appendix of line items.
Santa Rosa County ad valorem revenue increased 4.2 percent in the past year, with almost half of that increase a result of new construction. “That, combined with the county's efforts in reducing its reliance on property tax for the general fund, produced a budget that is balanced and sustainable while maintaining the current millage rate of 6.0953,” a county spokesperson said.
"Maintaining the level of service in our fast-growing county is a challenge my staff and I recognize and accept," said County Administrator Tony Gomillion. "Outside of the gas tax for roads, our only current source for capital funding is from reserves.
“A dedicated source of capital funding, such as the Local Option Sales Tax, would provide a much better model for long-term planning and give us the ability to deliver a sustained high level of service to our citizens."
Next steps for the budget approval process include:
Aug. 2: Notify Santa Rosa County property appraiser of maximum millage rate, rollback rate and the date, time and place of first public hearing
Aug. 22: Truth in Millage notices must be mailed to each taxpayer listed on the current-year assessment roll
Aug. 23: Public hearing on the municipal service benefit unit; 6 p.m.
Sept. 2: Resolution adopting millage and budget submitted to the Santa Rosa County tax collector, Santa Rosa County property appraiser and Department of Revenue.
Sept. 6: Board holds first public hearing on budget, adopts tentative budget, millage rates and final special assessment rates; 6 p.m.
Sept. 20: Public hearing — board holds second public hearing and adopts final millage rates and budget; 6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Santa Rosa County tentative budget now online