[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:17]
>> SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING TO ORDER.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[2. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS]
>> JIM SPRINGFIELD. JOHN DA PRATER.
>> THE FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS.
I HAVE SOME SPEAKER CARDS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS, AND I HAVE ONE FOR ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING.
WE'LL GO AHEAD WITH THE FOLKS THAT HAVE FILLED OUT SPEAKER CARDS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS.
I'M GOING TO JUST READ THIS ALLOWED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS THAT ARE NOT SCHEDULED FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION SHOULD FILL OUT A SPEAKER CARD, AND I WILL CALL YOU TO THE PODIUM WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.
YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK AND SHALL COMPLY WITH THE CITY'S RULES OF DECORUM.
COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE COMMISSION AS A WHOLE AND NOT INDIVIDUAL SPEAKERS.
COMMISSIONERS DO NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM SPEAKERS DURING PUBLIC COMMENT.
NO PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE COMMISSION WITH PERSONAL, IMPROPER OR SLANDEROUS REMARKS OR WITH BOISTEROUS BEHAVIOR.
MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE WILL REFRAIN FROM ANY CLAPPING OR DISRUPTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS OF APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF ANY COMMENTS.
FINALLY, I WOULD ASK THAT ANY SPEAKER WHO USES THE OVERHEAD PROJECTOR TO PLEASE SUBMIT THOSE ITEMS TO THE CITY CLERK TO BE ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
THANK YOU. WITH THAT SAID, I HAVE DEVONA BELL, FOLLOWED BY BOB HAMMOND.
>> HI. I'M DEVONA BELL, 38 FULLER WOOD DRIVE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO SUCH A CRITICAL ISSUE IMPACTING THE CITY RESIDENTS, WHICH IS THE CITY BUDGET.
ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE SEEING THAT THE CITY IS RAISING TAXES.
SINCE 2020, IT'S BEEN ALMOST $10 MILLION THAT THE CITY HAS RAISED PROPERTY TAXES.
FY 26, IT IS $1.7 MILLION OF A RAISE IN TAXES.
FY 25, 2.3, FY 24, THREE MILLION, FY 23, 2.1 MILLION, FY 21, 1.7 MILLION DURING THAT TIME, WE'VE HAD UTILITY RAISES, 28 NEW STAFF MEMBERS ADDED TO THE CITY EMPLOYEES.
THE CITY COMMISSIONERS HAVE STATED IN THE PAST THAT THEY DON'T RAISE TAXES BECAUSE THEY AREN'T RAISING THE MILEAGE RATE.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THAT IS FULLY INACCURATE AS WHEN TAXES ARE BY DOLLAR RAISED, THAT IS A RAISE IN TAXES, AND THAT IS NOT KEEPING THEM THE SAME OR LOWERING THEM, WHICH WOULD HAPPEN THROUGH ROLLING BACK OR REDUCING THE MILLAGE RATES.
ALL OF THIS IS HAPPENING DURING TIMES OF ECONOMIC HARDSHIP FOR THE RESIDENTS, AND THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ARE PAYING THESE BILLS.
FLORIDIANS ARE BEING PUSHED OUT AND PRICED OUT OF THEIR HOMES DUE TO ASTRONOMICAL PROPERTY TAXES AND HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE, AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
MANY OF THE WE, THE RESIDENTS WHO ARE LEVIED TAXES BY THE CITY, HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ECONOMIC HARDSHIP FOR YEARS, AS THIS IS HAPPENING IN ALL OVER FLORIDA AND THE US.
THE US BEGAN EXPERIENCING EXTREMELY HIGH INFLATION IN 2021, WHICH HAS CONTINUED TO CREATE MASSIVE HARDSHIP FOR MANY, AND IN RECENT YEARS, RAPIDLY INCREASING PROPERTY TAXES HAVE COMPOUNDED FLORIDA'S HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CRISIS, HARMING RESIDENTS BY INCREASING THEIR FINANCIAL BURDEN AND STRAINED FIXED INCOMES.
TAX BILLS HAVE SURGED BY NEARLY 60% SINCE 2019.
INCREASED PROPERTY TAXES IN FLORIDA HARM RESIDENTS BY SQUEEZING HOUSEHOLD BUDGETS, AND THERE'S AN UNEQUAL BURDEN, DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTING LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES WHO STRUGGLE TO AFFORD BASIC NECESSITIES.
MANY ARE FACING PROPERTY TAXES AND INSURANCE GREATER THAN THEIR MORTGAGE PAYMENTS.
WHY IS THE CITY NOT TAKING THIS INTO CONSIDERATION? WHY THEN ARE OUR TAXES BEING RAISED EVERY YEAR? IN HARD ECONOMIC TIMES, IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO NOT CONTINUE TO HAVE TAXES RAISED AND AT A MINIMUM TO ROLL BACK THE MILLAGE RATES TO KEEP THE TAXES THE SAME.
[00:05:02]
WHERE'S THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY TO US, THE CITIZENS? THE ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE ALLOWED FOR US RESIDENTS TO BEAR THE TAX BURDEN RAISING OUR TAXES BY MILLIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.>> BOB HAMMOND, FOLLOWED BY DENISE HAMMOND.
>> THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
WE OPPOSE THE PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR SEVERAL REASONS.
FIRST, ST. AUGUSTINE ALREADY PAY A HIGHER TAX BURDEN THAN MOST IN THE OVERALL COUNTY.
WE FUND COUNTY WIDE SCHOOLS AND SERVICES THAT EVERYONE USES, YET WE PAY MORE THAN OUR FAIR SHARE.
EFFECTIVELY, WE SUBSIDIZE OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTY.
SECOND, PROPERTY VALUES KEEP RISING.
THE CITY WILL COLLECT AN EXTRA 1.6-2.5 MILLION NEXT YEAR JUST FROM VALUE GROWTH, EVEN WITHOUT RAISING RATES.
IF THE CITY RAISES RATES TOO, IT MEANS RESIDENTS WILL PAY TWICE MORE TAXES WITHOUT NEW BENEFITS.
FINALLY, THE INCREASE HURTS PEOPLE ON FIXED INCOMES MORE THAN MOST.
THEY SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD HIGHER TAXES.
OTHER COUNTY RESIDENTS SEE THE RATES EITHER CUT OR STAYING FLAT.
SO WE URGE THE CITY TO PURSUE A COUNTY WIDE FUNDING MODEL.
THIS IS ABOUT FAIRNESS AND AFFORDABILITY FOR ALL RESIDENTS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DENISE HAMMOND.
MY NAME IS DENISE HAMMOND, AND I LIVE WITH MY HUSBAND, BOB AT 47 OSCEOLA STREET IN DOWNTOWN.
WE ARE HERE TO EXPRESS OUR OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR SEVERAL REASONS.
FIRST, CITY RESIDENTS SHOULDER A DISPROPORTIONATELY HIGH TAX BURDEN COMPARED TO THE BROADER ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.
WE PAY ELEVATED PROPERTY TAXES TO FUND SCHOOLS AND COUNTY WIDE SERVICES THAT BENEFIT ALL COUNTY RESIDENTS.
SECONDLY, WE ALREADY FACE SHARPLY HIGHER BILLS DUE TO CONTINUAL PROPERTY VALUE INCREASES.
OUR TAX BILL HAS GONE UP ALMOST 10% UNDER THE PROPOSED MILITARY.
FINALLY, THE INCREASE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTS RESIDENTS WHO ARE ON FIXED INCOME AND CAN'T AFFORD THESE ADDITIONAL TAX BURDENS AND AT THE SAME TIME, ALL OTHER COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE ENJOYING RATE CUTS.
FOR THESE REASONS, WE URGE YOU TO EXPLORE A FUNDING MODEL THAT WOULD MORE EQUITABLY SHARE THE COSTS OF MAINTAINING OUR COUNTY SEAT AND SCHOOLS IN A WAY SO THAT THE COSTS ARE BORNE EQUITABLY BY EVERYBODY WHO BENEFITS FROM THEM.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR CONSIDERING OUR CONCERNS.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE NO OTHER SPEAKER CARDS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS, DOES ANYONE WISH TO SPEAK? THERE'S ONE CARD FOR MR. JEFFREY PEPPER, WHO IS CHECKED THE BOX FOR THE ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, WHICH IS, OH, THAT'S FINE.
>> HI. I'VE BEEN CANVASSING THE TOWN.
>> SORRY. JEFFREY PEPPER, 60 OSCEOLA STREET ST. AUGUSTINE.
[NOISE] I'VE BEEN CANVASSING THE TOWN.
I'VE WALKED ALMOST EVERY BLOCK AT THE TOWN.
I SPOKE TO ABOUT 60-70 PEOPLE.
ALL OF THEM WE'RE UPSET ABOUT TAXES.
SEVENTEEN OF THE PEOPLE EXPRESSED A STRONG INTEREST IN LEAVING THE TOWN.
THEY'RE GOOD PEOPLE. BECAUSE THE TAXES ARE GETTING TOO HIGH.
I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THIS FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS, AND I'VE HAD SOME ILLNESS PROBLEMS AND SO FORTH, SO I DIDN'T GET ON THIS AS EARLY AS I WOULD HAVE LIKED.
BUT MY JOB IN LIFE HAS BEEN AS A FIXER FIXING COMPANIES AND SO FORTH.
I LOOKED AT THIS AND I FIGURED, HOW DO WE SOLVE THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT DAMAGING ANYONE? WHAT I CAME UP WITH IS THAT IF THE COUNTY AND
[00:10:02]
THE CITY SWITCHED THE SCHOOL BOARD INCREASE, THEN THE COUNTY WOULD EAT $14, AND IT WOULD SAVE THE PEOPLE OF ST. AUGUSTINE $350.THAT WOULD BE A HUGE SIGN THAT THE CITY WAS TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING, AND IT COULD BE FUNDED BY THE COUNTY AND FRANKLY, I WAS AT THE BOARD MEETING IN THE COUNTY.
THEY WANTED TO LOWER TAXES. THEY DID.
IN FACT, THEY LOWERED IT BY MUCH MORE THAN I'M SUGGESTING.
THEY TAKE BACK TO HELP RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM.
WHAT I'M SUGGESTING IS SWITCH THE 350 OUT WITH THE COUNTY, HAVE THEM PICK UP 13, IT'S ALL GOOD.
WHO COULD OBJECT TO THAT? IF I WAS THE OTHER WAY AROUND, IF SOMEBODY TOLD ME I COULD HELP SOMEBODY OUT BY CUTTING $350 FOR THE TAXES FOR $13, I WOULD SAY, YEAH, I'M DOING THAT, AND WE SHOULD DO THAT, TOO.
THAT'S BASICALLY ALL I HAVE SAY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I HAVE ONE OTHER SPEAKER CARD, SUSAN GREGORY.
>> HELLO. I'M SUSAN GREGORY, 23 LOCUST STREET.
AM I ABLE TO USE THIS AS WELL? I'VE BEEN LOOKING AT PROPERTY TAXES OVER THE YEARS, AND I REALLY THINK IT'S TIME TO READDRESS WHAT'S FAIR, EQUITABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE.
>> PARDON ME. COULD YOU PLEASE MOVE THAT SLIGHTLY? YES. THERE YOU GO.
>> I DID A RIDE AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE CITY YESTERDAY.
THIS IS A VERY SMALL SAMPLING OF THE MASSIVE HOUSING COMPLEXES THAT ARE GOING UP WITHIN ST. AUGUSTINE, BUT JUST OUTSIDE ITS BOUNDARIES.
THIS SMALL SAMPLING IS 3,000 UNITS.
THE RESIDENTS OF THESE UNITS ARE NEIGHBORS, WE SHARE THE SAME ROADS, WE SHARE THE SAME PARKS, WE USE THE SAME AMENITIES.
YET THEY DO NOT PAY CITY TAXES, AND OFTENTIMES THE DEVELOPERS DON'T EITHER.
ACCORDING TO RECENT CENSUS DATA, THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE HAS ABOUT 1,600 RESIDENTS AND APPROXIMATELY 6,000 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.
OSTENSIBLY, PROPERTIES INSIDE THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE ARE SUBJECT TO CITY GOVERNMENT SERVICES IN ADDITION TO THOSE PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY.
THAT MAKES SENSE, AND I'M THANKFUL FOR ALL THE CITY WORKERS THAT ADMINISTRATE OUR CITY, THAT KEEP OUR CITY CLEAN, AND THAT PROVIDES SAFETY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES.
THE CITY RUNS ITS OWN POLICE, PUBLIC SAFETY, FIRE DEPARTMENT, BEYOND WHAT THE COUNTY PROVIDES, CITY PARKS, RECREATION, STREET MAINTENANCE, CITY LIGHTING, CITY WATER, SEWER.
THESE SERVICES REQUIRE REVENUE SO THAT THE CITY LEVIES ITS OWN MILEAGE TAX TO FUND THEM.
THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY PAY AN EXTRA 7.5 MILLAGE RATES BEYOND WHAT THE COUNTY PAYS.
I REALLY THINK IT'S TIME THE COUNTY AND THE TOURISTS START CONTRIBUTING TO THESE COSTS AS WELL.
THE COUNTY IS CREATING HIGH DENSITY HOUSING PROJECTS RIGHT UP TO THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE'S BOUNDARIES.
WHILE THESE RESIDENTS GET TO ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF ALL THE AMENITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE THAT THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE PROVIDES, THEY DON'T CONTRIBUTE TO THE TAX BASE TO PAY FOR THESE SERVICES AND AMENITIES.
MANY OF THESE HIGH DENSITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS ARE BEING BUILT BY CORPORATE DEVELOPERS WHO ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE LIVE LOCAL ACT, WHICH OFFERS PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR DEVELOPMENTS, MEETING SPECIFIC WORKFORCE HOUSING CRITERIA.
THE POPULATION DENSITY IS DECREASING, BUT THEY DON'T ADD TO THE TAX BASE IN THESE NEW LARGE RENTAL COMPLEXES.
THE ROUGHLY 6,000 RESIDENTS OF ST. AUGUSTINE ARE SHOULDERING THE BURDEN OF A TAX SYSTEM THAT PAYS FOR AMENITIES AND RESOURCES THAT THE MASSIVELY GROWING ADJACENT COUNTY POPULATION AND MILLIONS OF TOURISTS USE AND ENJOY DAILY.
IT IS UNSUSTAINABLE AND MUST BE CHANGED.
WE MUST BRING CITY MILLAGE DOWN TO A RATE CLOSER TO THAT OF THE COUNTY.
AS THE INFRASTRUCTURE COST IN A CITY USED BY MILLIONS SHOULD NOT BE BORNE BY 6,000 RESIDENCES.
ST. AUGUSTINE IS AN ISLAND OF CONTROLLED GROWTH, SURROUNDED BY UNBRIDLED GROWTH IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.
THE HUGE GROWTH ON THE PERIMETER OF ST.
AUGUSTINE COMBINED WITH MILLIONS OF TOURISTS PUT TOO HIGH OF A TAX BURDEN ON A SMALL NUMBER OF RESIDENTS THAT PAY TO SUPPORT THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS. CREATE AN IMPACT FEE LEVELED ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, SOMETHING LIKE $3 PER OVERNIGHT TOURIST, WHICH IS LEVIED AGAINST MAYBE TDD DOLLARS CONTROLLED BY THE COUNTY.
THAT ALONE WOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO ALL OF THE PROPERTY TAXES PAID BY THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
ANOTHER IDEA, IF THE COUNTY IS GOING TO BUILD RIGHT UP TO THE BOUNDARY OF THE CITY, THERE SHOULD BE EXTRA MILLAGE POINTS APPLIED TO THOSE PROPERTIES WITHIN A CERTAIN RADIUS OF THE CITY THAT SHARE THE TAX BURDEN AND LOWERS THE MILLAGE RATE ACROSS THE BOARD.
ANOTHER IDEA, MOVE SOME MILLAGE POINTS FROM THE CITY COLUMN OVER TO THE GENERAL FUND COLUMN PROPORTIONATE TO THE AMOUNT OF BUILDING IN A CERTAIN PROXIMITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
[00:15:03]
LASTLY, CREATE A HIGHER CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.>> WOULD YOU PLEASE GIVE THAT TO THE CLERK? SHE'LL TAKE IT FOR YOU FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD.
I HAVE NO OTHER SPEAKER CARDS.
DOES ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK? HEARING NO ONE,
[3.A. Resolution 2025-32: Consideration of Resolution 2025-32, establishing the tentative millage rate for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget. (M. Burns, Finance Director)]
SEEING NO ONE, PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED.WE MOVE ON TO RESOLUTION 2025-32, CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2025-32. MS. BURNS.
>> THIS HEARING IS TO ESTABLISH THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE.
>> CORRECT. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR COMMISSIONERS.
TONIGHT, WE ARE PRESENTING RESOLUTION 2025-32.
THIS RESOLUTION ESTABLISHES THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 BUDGET.
THIS MILLAGE RATE REMAINS AT 7.5 MILLS.
THE 7.5 MILLAGE RATE REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OVER THE ROLL BACK RATE OF 7.353 MILLS BY 2.02%.
THE INCREASED AVALERE REVENUES THAT THE CITY WILL RECEIVE BY LEAVING THE MILLAGE RATE AT 7.5 MILLS WILL BE USED FOR THE ITEMS DISCUSSED AT THE BUDGET WORKSHOP, SUCH AS CONTINUATION OF ROAD RESURFACING, SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY SIDEWALK PROJECT, AND THE CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE PRIOR TO THE OPEN PUBLIC HEARING.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM? THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN ON THE RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE.
>> I'M JEFFREY PEPPER, AGAIN, 60 YASI STREET.
IF YOU DON'T AGREE WITH MY PRIOR POSITION, THEN OUR TAXES ARE GOING UP AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT I'M ONE OF THE 17 PEOPLE.
THAT IS GOING TO LEAVE. I'VE SEEN IT BEFORE, I'VE BEEN RUN OUT OF FIVE TOWNS BEFORE.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENING IN ST. AUGUSTINE.
YOU CAN'T RETIRE HERE, WHICH WAS MY GOAL.
NOW, THE ONLY WAY I CAN DO THAT IS TO GO BACK AND GET A JOB.
I REALLY DON'T WANT TO DO THAT, I'D RATHER MOVE OUT.
I KNOW FROM WALKING AROUND THE TOWN THAT THIS IS A POSITION OF OTHER PEOPLE AND SO SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT AND IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TRY TO ACCEPT MY OFFER, I DO BELIEVE THAT THE COUNTY WOULD BE MORE THAN AMENABLE TO HEARING THAT ARGUMENT.
THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE HOPING TO LOWER RATES, AND WHAT WOULD BE BETTER THAN GIVING THE PEOPLE OF CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE $325? THAT SAID, IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT, THEN BRING IT BACK TO LINE TWO IN THIS COLUMN, SO AT LEAST WE GET ANOTHER $50.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YES, THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK AGAIN.
MY NAME AGAIN IS DEVONA BELL, 38 FULLER WOOD DRIVE.
I AM REALLY APPEALING TO THE CITY COUNCIL.
MEMBERS, THE COMMISSIONERS, TO PLEASE ROLL BACK THE MILLAGE RATE.
I WAS TOLD IT WAS TOO LATE IN THE PROCESS.
WE MAY BE TOO LATE IN THE PROCESS AGAIN.
BUT I'M NOT SURE YOU'RE SEEING OR HEARING WHAT'S HAPPENING ALL AROUND THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND IN MANY OTHER PLACES IN THE COUNTRY.
THIS IS A HOUSING CRISIS AND YET THIS CITY SEEMS TO NOT BE AWARE OF THIS AND CONTINUOUSLY RAISE OUR TAXES YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT.
I WAS REALLY IMPRESSED WITH SOME OF THE OTHER SPEAKERS.
AND SPECIFICALLY, A POINT THAT IS IMPORTANT IS, WHY AREN'T THE DEVELOPERS PAYING THEIR FULL IMPACT FEES? I'M READING AND HEARING THAT THEY ARE NOT PAYING THEIR FULL IMPACT FEES.
WHY ARE THESE IMPACT FEES BEING PASSED ALONG TO THE CURRENT RESIDENTS?
[00:20:02]
THERE'S MANY WHO HAVE ALSO TOLD ME WE CAN'T AFFORD TO STAY HERE ANYMORE.WE ARE APPEALING TO THE COMMISSIONERS, OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, PLEASE, REGARDING THE MILLAGE RATE, ROLL IT BACK AT A MINIMUM.
THAT MEANS YOU DON'T RAISE OUR TAXES IT STAYS THE SAME.
EVEN BETTER, LOWER THE MILLAGE RATE.
THAT WHEN WE WOULD HAVE DECREASED TAXES.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND THESE HARD ECONOMIC TIMES WITH MASSIVELY HIGH INFLATION THAT ALTHOUGH IT'S SLOWED, WE'RE STILL PAYING THOSE VERY HIGH PRICES.
THOSE ON FIXED INCOMES, THE ELDERLY, LOW INCOME PEOPLE, MIDDLE INCOME PEOPLE, WE ARE SUFFERING.
WE ARE BARELY MAKING ENDS MEET.
WE BOUGHT HOMES HERE MY TAXES THIS YEAR WENT UP 15%, AND I'M NOW HOMESTEADED, 15%.
PLEASE. I DON'T KNOW IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE TO HAVE PROPERTY TAXES AND HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE THAT'S MORE THAN MORTGAGES AROUND MANY PLACES IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
PLEASE HAVE A HEART FOR YOUR CITIZENS AND REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY IN FLORIDA.
THERE IS A PETITION GOING AROUND ONLINE OF ROLLBACK NOW.
PLEASE REALLY PAY A LOT OF ATTENTION TO WHAT'S HAPPENING AND PUT YOURSELVES IN THE SHOES OF THOSE THAT MAYBE ARE LESS FORTUNATE.
WE ARE NOT WEALTHY ELITISTS IN THIS TOWN.
WE ARE NORMAL WORKING CLASS PEOPLE AND NEED OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS HELP TO STAND UP FOR US AND ROLL BACK THE MILLAGE RATE AT A MINIMUM.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OTHER SPEAKERS WISH TO SPEAK AGAIN.
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MILLAGE RATE.
YES IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU, DENISE HAMMOND, 47 OSCEOLA STREET.
FOR THE REASONS I JUST EXPLAINED WHEN I WAS UP BEFORE YOU A FEW MINUTES AGO.
WE URGE YOU TO ROLL BACK OR REDUCE THE MILLAGE RATE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. MISS LEONARD, YOU WISH TO SPEAK AGAIN? I SEE YOUR HAND UP.
IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK AGAIN, PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM.
YOU'RE WELCOME TO SPEAK AGAIN.
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MILLAGE RATE.
>> THANK YOU. SUSAN GREGORY 23 LOCUST STREET.
SPEAKING TO THE MILLAGE RATE, I THINK WE HAVE TO DO WHAT WE HAVE IN OUR TOOLBOX.
THINGS THAT WE CAN USE, THINGS THAT WE CAN DO THAT DON'T WAIT ON STATE LEGISLATURE THAT DON'T WAIT ON REFERENDUMS TO GET RELIEF NOW.
IF WE HAVE THAT TOOL IN OUR TOOL BOX RIGHT NOW, I WOULD LOVE FOR IT TO BE USED.
JUST FOR HISTORICAL CONTEXT, WHEN I WAS RESEARCHING HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. CAN WE HAVE THIS ON AGAIN? THIS IS THE TIMELINE FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, 1934, VOTERS APPROVED $5,000 HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, 1980, HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION WAS INCREASED TO 25,000.
2008, HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION INCREASED TO 50,000, 2025, STILL THE SAME DESPITE 90% RISE IN THE PRICE AND VALUATIONS OF OUR PROPERTIES.
THE INTERESTING THING THAT CAUGHT MY EYE, WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT HISTORICAL DATA, YOU START SEEING PATTERNS.
WHAT I SAW WAS EACH OF THESE HISTORICAL DATES, 1934 WAS THE GREAT DEPRESSION SO THAT RELIEF WAS GIVEN, 1980 WAS THE DOUBLE DIP RECESSION SO THAT RELIEF WAS GIVEN, 2008 WAS THE GREAT RECESSION SO THAT RELIEF WAS GIVEN.
WE ARE NOW IN 2025, AND I DON'T KNOW, I JUST CALLED IT THE TARIFF RECESSION, BUT WE ARE HURTING HUGELY.
IT'S DISPROPORTIONATE TO WHO'S PAYING FOR IT.
EQUITY AND TAXATION ISN'T JUST ABOUT WHO PAYS, IT'S ABOUT WHO BENEFITS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. SORRY, I CALLED YOU MISS LEONARD.
DOES ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK? STILL A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE.
HEARING NO ONE, SEEING NO ONE.
BACK TO THE BOARD FOR DISCUSSION.
MISS GARRIS, COMMISSIONER GARRIS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO FIRST?
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTIONS ON IF WE LOWERED THE MILLS RATE TO SEVEN INSTEAD OF IT BEING 7.5? IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU COULD PROVIDE US WITH?
[00:25:02]
EACH TENTH OF A MILL WILL COST 353,000, SO TIMES THAT 5.>> WELL, I FEEL LIKE THERE'S A CRY FOR HELP IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND I JUST DON'T WANT TO IGNORE IT.
I DON'T KNOW. I'LL SEE WHAT THE REST OF THE COMMISSION THINKS.
>> I'LL GO. FIRST OFF, JUST RESPONDING.
THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, FOR COMING.
MR. PEPPER, I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH HIM.
I WAS MO ON MY LAWN YESTERDAY.
I WASN'T IN I WAS DECOMMISSIONED AND WE HAD A CONVERSATION.
WE WENT A COUPLE OF MINUTES IN.
I DID HAVE TO SAY TO YOU, I AM A COMMISSIONER, SO IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FUN TO NOT TELL YOU AND SEE YOU HERE, BUT THAT WASN'T THE CASE.
HE DID HAVE SOME SUGGESTIONS THAT HE HAS SAID IN PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT THE COUNTY.
I PERSONALLY DON'T REALLY FULLY COMPREHEND WHAT HE'S SAYING.
BUT MY FEELING IS IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE LATE IN THE GAME NOW TO ADDRESS THIS, BUT MAYBE AT SOME POINT WE COULD LOOK AT THAT.
I DO GET THAT A LOT THAT WE'RE PAYING MORE IN THE CITY.
I PERSONALLY UNDERSTAND THAT AND THE REASON WE'RE DOING THAT, BUT MAYBE A LITTLE BIT MORE OUTREACH ON THAT WOULD HELP.
AS FAR AS SOME OF THE SPECIFIC COMMENTS, I THINK THERE WAS A COMMENT THAT WE'RE HIRING PEOPLE.
THERE ARE NO NEW HIRES IN THIS BUDGET, AM I RIGHT?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. THERE'S NO NEW POSITIONS IN THIS BUDGET.
>> THIS YEAR, WE'RE NOT HIRING ANYONE IN THE CITY? THAT'S NOT RIGHT.
THERE IS A CONVERSATION ABOUT RAISING TAXES, BUT I THINK WE'VE HAD 7.5% MILL RATE IN THE CITY FOR HOW LONG NOW? TEN, 12 YEARS, AT LEAST?
>> I'D HAVE TO CHECK, BUT IT FEELS LIKE IT'S AT LEAST 10 YEARS.
>> IT'S 10 YEARS. THE CITY HAS NOT RAISED TAXES, THE TAXES ARE, AND I KNOW IT'S A SEMANTICAL ARGUMENT, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT THE MILLAGE RATE IS THE WAY THAT YOU WOULD EFFECTIVELY USE TO RAISE TAXES BEYOND THE HOUSE.
THE INCREASES ARE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF PEOPLE'S PROPERTY AND I THINK THAT THAT'S A REASONABLE WAY TO DO IT BECAUSE THERE'S NOT REALLY ANY PRICE ANYWHERE THAT'S HOLDING STEADY.
WE HAVE INFLATION. SO THAT'S A REFLECTIVE VALUE OF THE CURRENT CONDITIONS, SO I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.
THE CITY HAS INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS.
I KNOW FROM BEING ON THE PLANNING BOARD, AND I KNOW FROM BEING ON THIS COMMISSION.
THERE'S A LOT OF WORK WE HAVE TO DO IN THIS TOWN FOR RESILIENCY, FOR FLOODING.
FROM WHAT I'M SEEING, A LOT OF THAT RESOURCES ARE GOING TO IMPORTANT PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT DO AFFECT PEOPLE'S QUALITY OF LIFE, SO I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.
JUST TO LET PEOPLE KNOW A LITTLE BIT, CITY HAS LOWERED PEOPLE'S FLOOD INSURANCE RATE BY GETTING A HIGHER FMA COMMUNITY RATING.
SO IT'S NOW EFFECTIVELY TAKEN 5% MORE OFF.
SO CURRENTLY, PEOPLE LIVE IN THE CITY BECAUSE OF THE WORK OF CITY STAFF, AND THE DILIGENT GRANT WRITERS THAT WE HAVE HERE.
I THINK PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND.
OUR CITY DOES A VERY GOOD JOB OF GETTING GRANTS, AND OUR STAFF WORKED HARD SO THAT NOW IN THIS TOWN, I HEARD MENTION OF PROPERTY INSURANCE, THAT FLOOD PROPERTY INSURANCE RATES ARE NOW AT A DISCOUNT OF 30% DUE TO THE WORK THE CITY HAS BEING DONE.
WE TAKE SOME OF THIS MONEY, WE PUT IT TOWARD PROJECTS, AND WE CAN GET BENEFITS TO RESIDENTS OTHER WAYS.
I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THE CONVERSATION WE'VE HAD AROUND THE BUDGET, AND THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS.
>> I THINK ALL OF US SITTING HERE AND ON STAFF ARE SYMPATHETIC TO INFLATIONARY COSTS, COSTS THAT ARE INDIRECTLY OR DIRECTLY RELATED TO TARIFFS AND THE SIMPLE COST OF DOING BUSINESS IN GENERAL, WHETHER IT BE GAS PRICES OR WHATEVER.
PERSONALLY, MY HUSBAND IS A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER.
I HAVE NOT SEEN A SIGNIFICANT RAISE AT ALL SINCE THE PANDEMIC, AND IN SEVERAL YEARS GOT ZERO RAISE FROM MY EMPLOYER.
OVERALL, THE COST OF LIVING, THE INFLATION RATE, MY SALARY HAS NOT CAUGHT UP AND SO I HAVE BEEN GETTING PAY CUTS FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW.
IT IS VERY HARD FOR ALL OF US TO PAY OUR BILLS.
[00:30:02]
THINGS LIKE THAT ADDITIONAL 30 ADDITIONAL 5% PRODUCTION ON FLOOD INSURANCE CANNOT HAPPEN WITHOUT THE STAFF THAT WE HAVE AND THE GRANTS THAT WE'RE GETTING, I THINK IT'S AROUND $20 MILLION IN RESILIENCE SPENDING THAT THIS CITY HAS DONE IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS IN ORDER TO HELP PEOPLE KEEP FROM FLOODING, THOSE FUNDS ARE ALMOST ALL MATCHING FUNDS.IN OTHER WORDS, THE CITY HAS TO PUT UP A MATCH OF WHATEVER PERCENTAGE IT MIGHT BE TO THE GRANTING AGENCY TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE FUNDS TO COME IN.
IF WE REDUCE OUR STAFFING, OR I'M NOT I WILL ASK THE CITY MANAGER AT SOME POINT TO SPEAK TO WHAT WE WOULD HAVE TO DO, WHAT DECISIONS, WHAT CUTS WE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE IN ORDER TO MEET A REDUCTION IN OUR MILLAGE RATE OF HALF A PERCENT OR 0.5? I'D LIKE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE.
I THINK WE ALL SHOULD WANT TO KNOW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, BECAUSE WE WOULD BE TAKING A HIT IN TERMS OF THE LEVEL OF SERVICE, POTHOLES, ALL THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE JUSTLY COMPLAIN ABOUT, AND WE WOULD BE GETTING A REDUCTION IN THAT.
IS IT FAIR THAT WE FOR SERVICES THAT ARE SEEN IN THE COUNTY AND NOT IN THE CITY.
MAYBE, MAYBE NOT, BUT THAT'S IN LARGE PART REGULATED BY THE STATE AND OUT OF OUR HANDS.
I AM COMFORTABLE WITH THE HOLDING FIRM ON THE MILLAGE RATE BECAUSE OF WHAT WE GAIN BY RETAINING THE LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT WE HAVE.
>> THANK YOU. WE BEGAN OUR BUDGET PROCESS, NOT VERY LONG AFTER WE PASS OUR BUDGET.
OUR BUDGET IS BASED ON THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE THAT WE SET, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE TODAY.
>> IT'S A BUDGET THAT'S WORKED ON, I THINK MAYBE WHAT DO YOU START IN THE SPRING, FEBRUARY.
GENERALLY, STAFF STARTS WORKING ON IT WITH IDEAS.
WE DON'T FIND OUT UNTIL APRIL WHAT THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE SAYS WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH AS FAR AS PROPERTY EVALUATIONS.
WE GET A LITTLE BIT MORE SERIOUS.
BUT ALL THROUGH THE YEAR, WE HAVE PUBLIC MEETINGS ABOUT OUR BUDGET.
THERE ARE MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOLKS TO COME FORWARD WITH GREAT SUGGESTIONS LIKE WE'RE HEARING TODAY AND APPEALS THAT WE'RE HEARING TODAY.
WE HAVE TO SET THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE, AND WE HAVE TO APPROVE THIS BUDGET.
NOW, WE HAVE A TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE IN A BUDGET THAT'S BASED ON THAT RATE FOR THIS YEAR.
THIS IS EXTREMELY LATE IN THE PROCESS TO BE THINKING ABOUT REDUCING OR CUTTING THE MILLAGE RATE BACK, OR EVEN A ROLLBACK.
>> CAN I JUST SAY ONE MORE THING?
>> CAN I JUST SAY ONE MORE THING?
>> SURE. I'LL WRAP IT UP, AND THEN YOU CAN CERTAINLY COME AFTER I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
BUT THIS THIS CITY TAKES A LOT OF PRIDE IN THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE TO THE CITIZENS.
THE SERVICES ARE NOT INEXPENSIVE.
WE PAVE THE ROADS, WE PROVIDE RESILIENCY PROJECTS.
WE'RE LOOKING AT FLOODING ALL THE TIME.
SOME OF THESE, SMART ST. AUGUSTINE PROJECT THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT WITH THE FLOOD SENSORS IN THE ROAD.
THERE'S SOME VERY HIGH TECH THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN REALLY AGGRESSIVE ABOUT, PROVIDING FOR THE VERY THINGS THAT THE CITIZENS ASK US TO PROVIDE.
THAT'S, LIKE I SAID, PAVE THE ROADS, PICK UP THE TRASH, PROVIDE A VERY SAFE CITY.
WE HAVE A VERY GOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WE HAVE A GOOD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WE DON'T HAVE A VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WE HAVE A PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT.
ALL THESE SERVICES ARE EXPENSIVE.
WE'RE NOT SAYING THAT IT'S INEXPENSIVE TO LIVE IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
IT HAS NEVER BEEN INEXPENSIVE TO LIVE IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
THAT'S JUST US TRYING TO BALANCE A BUDGET.
PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT WERE REQUESTED EVERY DAY TO PROVIDE TO YOU THE CITIZENS,
[00:35:03]
AND THAT'S EXPRESSED THAT WHOLE EXERCISE OF YOUR INPUT AND A WHOLE YEAR'S WORTH OF WORK IS EXPRESSED IN THE VALUE.THE VALUES OF THIS COMMUNITY ARE EXPRESSED IN THAT BUDGET.
WHAT YOU ASK US TO DO, WE PUT IN THIS BUDGET.
LIKE I SAID, BOTTOM LINE, WE'VE COME THIS FAR.
I SUPPORT THE MILLAGE RATE AT THE 7.5.
WHEN WE GET TO THE BUDGET, I WILL DEFINITELY SUPPORT THE BUDGET AS WELL, BUT THIS IS THE SETTING OF THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE, AND I SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION.
WITH THAT SAID, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INDULGENCE COMMISSIONER GARRIS, WHEN I WENT ON AND ON AND ON.
>> THAT'S OKAY. I JUST WANTED TO SAY I REMEMBER MISS BELL COMING LAST YEAR, AND WE DID LOOK INTO THE 0.5 AND MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECT, IT WOULD HAVE SAVED THE RESIDENTS ONLY $18, I RECALL BECAUSE WE DID CHECK INTO THAT.
I THINK A HEDGE AND YOU ALSO TOOK A MEETING WITH HER TO EXPLAIN HOW WE COME UP WITH THE TAXES, CITY MANAGER.
>> I CAN'T QUOTE THE EXACT NUMBER.
WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS EXERCISE BEFORE AND WHAT INDIVIDUALS WOULD SAVE IF WE WENT THROUGH A TENTH OF A MILL REDUCTION AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE ON THEIR BILL.
I JUST GOT FAT CHECKED, AND WE'VE HAD A 7.5 MILLAGE RATE SINCE 2009.
>> WELL, I KNOW WE TRIED TO DO SOMETHING LAST YEAR WHEN SHE SPOKE BECAUSE SHE HAD SOME CONCERNS.
BUT I DO KNOW THAT SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT WAS EXPLAINED THAT WERE GOING TO BE DONE IN IT, THEY'RE LIKE LIFE SAFETY LIKE GETTING SIDEWALKS ON SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY.
>> WE REALLY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD GETTING THAT DONE BECAUSE THERE'S PEOPLE THAT HAVE TO WALK TO WORK.
IF YOU HAVE EVER DRIVEN DOWN THAT ROAD, YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS NO SIDEWALKS.
PEOPLE WALK THEIR DOGS, THEY DON'T CLEAN UP, SO PEOPLE WALK IN THE ROAD AND TO PREVENT ANY ACCIDENTS WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD SO THAT WE CAN SECURE THAT AREA OF THE CITY. THANK YOU.
>> I'LL JUST TO ADD ON TO WHAT YOU SAID, I JUST DID A QUICK LITTLE MATH EXERCISE.
THE POPULATION OF THE CITY, ST. AUGUSTINE, WE'RE ESTIMATING AROUND 16,000-17,000.
I HEARD IT STATED EARLIER IT WAS 6,000, BUT IT'S NOT IT'S 16,000-17,000.
IF YOU TOOK THE $1.6 MILLION THAT WE'RE SAYING IS THE BUDGET HAS INCREASED, IS THAT THE NUMBER?
THAT'S RIGHT AROUND $100. IT'S ABOUT $100.
I THINK SOME OF WHAT'S HAPPENING, TOO, IS THERE'S A LOT OF SENSITIVITY ABOUT THE TAX BILL WHEN EVERYBODY GOT THEIR TRIM STATEMENTS, THEIR TRIM NOTICES.
THERE WAS A LARGE INCREASE IN THE TRIM NOTICES, WE'VE BEEN HEARING A LOT IN THE COUNTY SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE VOTERS VOTED FOR A SCHOOL BOARD TAX INCREASE.
EVERYBODY'S HAVING THE SAME PAIN.
BUT MOST OF IT IS, AS I UNDERSTAND, MORE RELATED TO WHAT THE VOTERS VOTED FOR, WHICH WAS A SCHOOL BOARD TAX INCREASE.
WITH THAT SAID, ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
>> I HAVE AN ADDITIONAL COMMENT ADDRESSING A COUPLE OF THINGS.
FIRST OF ALL, THAT 5% ADDITIONAL REDUCTION IN THE FLOOD INSURANCE PREMIUM PROBABLY WOULD BE AROUND AT LEAST $100 AND SO THAT'S WORTH IT IN ITSELF.
IMPACT FEES. I WANTED TO ADDRESS THAT.
THAT IS COLLECTED BY THE COUNTY, AND THEY DETERMINE WHO PAYS THE IMPACT FEES.
IT DOESN'T COME BACK TO US OR MAYBE IT DOES IN SOME WAY SHAPE.
NO PERCENT. THE CITY MANAGER IS SAYING NONE OF THAT.
WE DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO COLLECT THAT OR TO HAVE ANY OF IT COME TO US, EVEN THOUGH WE SHOULDER THE BURDEN OF A LOT OF THAT.
IN ADDITION, WHEN TOURISTS COME, THEY ALSO PAY A BED TAX.
THEY PAY HOTEL AND RESTAURANT FEES.
WE PAY THE RESTAURANT FEES AS WELL. THE TAX IS THERE.
BUT WHEN WE GO OUT TO EAT, THOSE AGAIN, GO TO THE COUNTY FOR DISBURSEMENT, AND THE COUNTY DECIDES THROUGH THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND SO FORTH, WHAT THE CITY IS GIVEN FROM THAT.
THERE'S A MINIMUM AMOUNT. I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THOSE POINTS, AGAIN, AND I APPRECIATE THAT QUICK MATH THAT YOU DID, MADAM MAYOR.
>> WITH THAT SAID, I MOVE THAT WE PASS RESOLUTION 2025-32.
[00:40:02]
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE LEVY OF AD VALOREM TAXES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026.WHEREAS THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA HAS CONDUCTED A PUBLIC HEARING ON ITS TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE OF 7.5000 MILLS, AND HAS DETERMINED ITS ROLL-BACK RATE IS 7.513 MILLS AS REQUIRED BY FLORIDA STATUTES 200.065.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, THAT THE FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, IS 7.5000 MILLS, WHICH REPRESENTS AN INCREASE IN THE ROLLBACK RATE OF 7.3513 MILLS OF 2.02%.
ADOPTED AT A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, COMMENCED AT 5:05 PM.
THIS 11TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2025, TO BE SIGNED BY NANCY SIKES-KLINE, MAYOR COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS, DISCUSSION, DEBATE? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[4.A. Ordinance 2025-29: Consideration of Ordinance 2025-29, establishing the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and five-year Capital Improvement Plan. (M. Burns, Finance Director)]
>> ONTO THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA, WHICH IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-29, WHICH IS ESTABLISHING THE BUDGET FOR 2025/2026 AND THE FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
>> AS YOU SAID, WE ARE PRESENTING THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-29.
THIS ORDINANCE CONTAINS A PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 FOR ALL FUNDS.
THE BUDGET BOOK ALONG WITH THE UPDATED CIP IS INCLUDED WITH THIS ORDINANCE.
THE BUDGET BOOK IS THE SAME ONE AS PRESENTED AND DISCUSSED OR IN A BUDGET WORKSHOP WITH A FEW JUST MINOR CHANGES.
ON PAGE 2, THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE OF THE PAVING BUDGET WAS CORRECTED.
PAGE 34 AND 35, WHICH ARE THE STRATEGIC ACTION ITEMS FOR 2026, WE ADD THE CULVERTS AND DITCHES, MAINTENANCES, IMPROVEMENTS, MIDDLETON HOUSE CONSTRUCTION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION SINKING FUND AS REQUESTED.
AT THIS TIME, I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE BEFORE OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> QUESTIONS FROM COMMISSIONERS.
>> NO, BUT I WOULD JUST SAY TO THE PUBLIC, IF YOU'RE WONDERING WHERE YOUR MONEY'S GOING THIS IS A GOOD PLACE TO LOOK RIGHT HERE.
FOR PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT HERE HOW WE SPEND YOUR MONEY.
BELIEVE ME I TAKE THAT VERY SERIOUSLY, SPENDING OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY.
I HAVE NOT DONE THAT BEFORE, SO I'M NEW AT IT.
BUT IF YOU LOOK THROUGH THIS, WHICH IS ONLINE, I'M ASSUMING, IF YOU LOOK THROUGH HERE, YOU CAN SEE THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS MORE SPECIFICALLY THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, YOU CAN SEE THE PAVING SCHEDULE FOR YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
YOU CAN SEE WHICH ROADS ARE SCHEDULED.
OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT GOES OUT A COUPLE OF YEARS, AND THEY TALK ABOUT WHERE THE PAVING IS AT.
I'M HOPING THAT IF YOU LOOK AT THIS, YOU WILL SEE WHERE SOME OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS GO, WHICH MEANS THAT AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, I HAVE TO BALANCE THE PROPERTY YOUR PROPERTY TAXES AGAINST THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS WE HAVE.
IT'S NOT JUST A MATTER OF SAVING TAXES, IT'S A MATTER OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE RESIDENTS IN A VERY PHYSICAL WAY.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, I WOULD JUST SUGGEST PEOPLE LOOK AT THIS, IT'S A PRETTY GOOD OVERVIEW OF THE BUDGET AND YOU CAN HAVE A BETTER IDEA WHERE THINGS GO. THAT'S ALL.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF STAFF? WELL, WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING.
>> YEAH, NO, I JUST WANTED TO MENTION TO THAT THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
WE SEE THAT VERY EARLY ON IN THE BUDGET PROCESS, AND WE HAVE INPUT INTO IT, THE PUBLIC HAS INPUT INTO IT.
THIS IS THE NATION'S OLDEST CITY.
IT TAKES A LOT TO KEEP IT PATCHED TOGETHER AND REPAIRED AND FUNCTIONING. THAT'S ALL.
>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING NOW.
I HAVE NO SPEAKER CARDS, BUT THIS IS ON THE BUDGET.
I'M SORRY I FORGOT. I HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR MISS BURNS.
MISS BURNS, IS THE BUDGET ONLINE AND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT THIS VERSION? IS IT ONLINE AND AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC? THANK YOU.
>> I HAD ONE MORE QUESTION TOO I FORGOT TO ASK.
THIS BUDGET THAT WE'RE SEEING IN FRONT OF US IS THE SAME ONE THAT WE SAW WITH NO CHANGES THE LAST MEETING THAT WE HAD, AM I CORRECT? THANK YOU.
>> JUST THE CHANGES SHE OUTLINED?
[00:45:01]
>> GREAT. PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN.
ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK? MISS BELL, IF YOU'LL COME TO THE PODIUM.
>> DEVONA BELL, 38 FULLER WOOD DRIVE.
REGARDING THE BUDGET, LAST YEAR, THE COMMISSIONER SAID THE SAME THING THAT WE WERE TOO LATE IN THE PROCESS.
YOU PROMISED ME YOU WOULD LOOK AT IT IN THIS YEAR'S PROCESS.
THERE IS SOME INACCURACIES THAT I'M HEARING.
I WANT TO JUST TELL YOU IN COLUMN 2 OF MY NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROPERTY TAXES IS YOUR TAXES THIS YEAR IF NO BUDGET CHANGE IS MADE IS A $600 DIFFERENCE.
YOU ARE RAISING TAXES BY KEEPING THE MILLAGE RATE THE SAME.
AS THE PERSON IN THE CENTER WHEN SHE WAS SPEAKING, I BELIEVE, SAID EARLIER, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.
I THINK SHE SAID 7.3, THE MILLAGE RATE WOULD BE IF YOU ROLLED IT BACK TO KEEP TAXES THE SAME.
IT'S A STRAW MAN ARGUMENT TO SAY YOU ARE NOT RAISING TAXES, WHEN, IN FACT, WE ARE PAYING MORE.
THE BUDGET MEETINGS, AS FAR AS I KNOW, HAPPENED DURING THE DAY.
IT'S VERY HARD FOR US RESIDENTS TO COME DURING THE DAY.
WHEN THEY'RE IN THE EVENING, WE ARE ABLE TO COME.
REGARDING SPECIFIC ITEMS IN THE BUDGET ITSELF, I DID MENTION THE EMPLOYEES THAT WERE HIRED.
THAT WAS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, BUT AS OF NOW, THAT MEANS WE HAD THOSE 28 NEW POSITIONS.
THEN THERE WAS A WAGE INCREASE LAST YEAR.
THERE'S A WAGE INCREASE THIS YEAR.
IT ROLLS OVER INTO EVERY YEAR, WHICH IS WHY I MENTIONED IT, EVEN THOUGH IT HAPPENED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
>> I THINK WHAT I'M HEARING IS WE WANT THE CITY TO STOP RAISING OUR TAXES.
TO SAY THAT YOU'RE GOING TO DECREASE IT BY A 10TH OR WHATEVER, AND WHAT WOULD THAT BE AND THAT'S NOT MEANINGFUL? IT IS MEANINGFUL.
I JUST TOLD YOU IT'S $600 THIS YEAR FOR ME ALONE.
IT'S A STRAW MAN ARGUMENT, AND IT'S REALLY NOT TRUE.
FOR YOU GUYS TO ALSO SAY THAT WHERE COULD WE CUT? ALL WE'RE ASKING YOU TO DO IS KEEP THE BUDGET THE SAME AS THE YEAR PRIOR.
AT A MINIMUM, DON'T RAISE OUR TAXES AGAIN.
PLEASE HEAR US AND KEEP THE BUDGET THE SAME AS IT WAS THE YEAR PRIOR AND THEN THAT WILL THEN ROLL BACK THE MILLAGE RATE BECAUSE THEN WE WOULD HAVE NO RAISE IN TAXES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. HAS ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK? PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM.
I LOVE THIS CITY, AND I THINK EVERYONE THAT WORKS FOR IT DOES A COMMENDABLE JOB.
I KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO RUN A CITY THIS SIZE.
I THINK YOU GUYS, YOU'RE NOT RUNNING A CITY THAT IS 16,000 RESIDENTS.
YOU'RE RUNNING A CITY THAT GETS MILLIONS OF PART TIME RESIDENTS.
I THINK YOU GUYS DO PHENOMENAL.
WHAT I AM ASKING IS, CAN WE GET CREATIVE ABOUT HOW THE BUDGET IS PAID? PLEASE DON'T ASK US.
I KNOW WHEN YOU SAID THERE'S NOT 6,000 RESIDENTS, I SAID THERE'S 6,000 RESIDENCES.
YOU TAXED THE RESIDENCES, NOT THE PEOPLE, SO 6,000 RESIDENCES.
THAT IS INCONCEIVABLE TO GO FORWARD.
WE CAN'T GROW IN ST. AUGUSTINE. THANK GOODNESS.
WHEN I SEE THE GROWTH THAT'S HAPPENING AROUND US, I AM SO, VERY GLAD WE DON'T INCREASE OUR DENSITY.
I AM SO, VERY GLAD WE STAY SMALL, BUT WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO ONLY USE THE FUNDS FROM 6,000 RESIDENCES TO FUND IT.
WE CAN'T FUND HOSTING A PARTY FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE EVERY YEAR BY SUCH A SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
I AM BEGGING YOU TO FIND OTHER WAYS TO PAY FOR IT.
I AM BEGGING YOU TO WORK MORE WITH THE COUNTY.
I AM BEGGING YOU TO SOMEHOW SQUEEZE A TINY BIT OF JUICE FROM THE TOURISTS.
[00:50:05]
I HAVE PICTURES, THE AMOUNT OF TRASH THAT THEY HAVE.I MIGHT HAVE ONE BAG IN MY TRASH CAN A WEEK.
THEY HAVE 12, AND IT'S OVERFLOWING.
THEY COME AND THEY LIVE EIGHT PEOPLE IN A HOUSE, AND THEY HAVE ALL THEIR MEALS TAKE OUT.
WE'RE PAYING FOR THE TRASH PEOPLE.
WE'RE PAYING FOR THAT TRASH TO BE PICKED UP.
I'M JUST BEGGING YOU TO PLEASE FIND ANOTHER SOURCE TO FUND THIS BUDGET INSTEAD OF US.
AND WITH ALL THE DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE GONE AROUND, THESE CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS, I HAVE 16 RESIDENTIAL RENTALS.
THEY STAY ON THE MARKET NOW FOR THREE OR FOUR MONTHS.
I CAN'T FILL THEM BECAUSE THERE IS A MASSIVE OVERABUNDANCE OF CHOICES NOW AND THE RESIDENTIAL RENTALS ARE OFFERING TWO MONTHS FREE $250 TO MOVE IN.
I CANNOT COMPETE WITH MY OLD SCHOOL TWO BEDROOM ONE BATH.
I DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO CONTINUE TO PAY FOR THIS.
I AM DOWN THREE OR FOUR MONTHS OF RENT EACH YEAR, AND IT TAKES ME TWO MONTHS OF RENT TO PAY THE TAXES.
ZERO. I KNOW YOU ARE SAYING THAT YOU'VE BEEN LOSING MONEY WORKING.
YOU'VE BEEN TAKING A PAY CUT. I'VE TAKEN A HUGE PAY CUT. THANK YOU.
ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK? YES, SIR. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE.
>> I APOLOGIZE FOR INTERRUPTING YOU.
THE IDEA THAT I WAS PRESENTING WAS TO AVOID THE DISCUSSION THAT WE JUST HAD, WHICH WAS BASICALLY TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO CUT THINGS.
I DIDN'T SUGGEST CUTTING ANYTHING.
I SAID, ASK THE COUNTY TO PAY $14 FOR THE $350 AND IT'S CLEAN.
THE COUNTY WAS SAYING THAT THEY WANTED TO DROP.
THEY DROPPED SOME. THEY SAID WE SHOULD PROBABLY DROP SOME MORE.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT $13. THE COUNTY IS HAVING A REDUCTION IN THEIR TAXES.
THE COUNTY SEEMS FINE WITH IT.
WHY NOT JUST ASK THEM AND SEE IF THAT WILL WORK, BECAUSE THEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE SLASHING AND BURNING AND SLASHING AND BURNING.
THAT'S CRAZY WHEN YOU CAN HAVE A POSSIBLE SOLUTION THAT COULD AVOID THAT.
WE MAKE SWAPS AND STUFF TO GET PEOPLE TO STAY IN THE COMPANY AND SO FORTH? PEOPLE HAVE TO CHANGE AND SO FORTH.
IT IS A BUSINESS. IT SHOULD BE A BUSINESS AND THIS IS A GOOD SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYONE WHO WISH TO SPEAK? PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED. MRS. GARRIS.
>> UNLESS I'M WRONG, I DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING SPECIFIC TO THE BUDGETS FOR THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT.
I AM INTRIGUED A LITTLE BIT, MAYBE HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT IT AT SOME POINT ABOUT THIS IDEA.
THE COUNTY, I DON'T FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT.
I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE TIME TO HAVE IT.
AND MRS. GREGORY, I THINK MAKES VERY GOOD POINTS IN TERMS OF TRYING TO GET MORE MONEY FROM THE COUNTY, AND I THINK THAT'S A VERY REALISTIC STATEMENT THAT WE ARE A SMALL TOWN OF 16,000 PEOPLE, BUT WE ARE ESSENTIALLY A BIG CITY IN TERMS OF SERVICES WITH 6-7 MILLION PEOPLE COMING HERE A YEAR.
I THINK THE CITY IS TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO DO THAT AS MUCH AS I'VE SEEN IN THE TIME I'VE BEEN HERE.
I THINK IT WOULD TAKE SOME CREATIVE APPROACH.
MOST OF THE TIME WHEN I HEAR ABOUT IT, IT'S THE BED TAX MONEY, WHICH GOES SOMEWHERE ELSE, WHICH COMES SOMEWHERE ELSE THAT HAS GIVEN TO US.
AS WE'VE DISCOVERED RECENTLY, IT'S NOT ALWAYS VERY EASY TO GET OUR HANDS ON.
BUT AT THIS PARTICULAR POINT, I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
I WOULD NEED TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THAT.
I DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING SPECIFIC ABOUT THE BUDGET ITSELF, SO I'M PREPARED TO MOVE ON WITH THE BUDGET AS AN ITEM.
[00:55:02]
>> I REALLY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ADDITIONAL FROM WHAT I'VE ALREADY SAID.
I THINK I WOULD JUST BE REPEATING MYSELF.
I WOULD INVITE, AND I WOULD IMAGINE THAT ALL OF MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS WOULD INVITE, AS WELL, ANYONE WHO WANTS TO TALK TO ME ABOUT THE BUDGET, GET SOME CLARIFICATION ON WHAT WE CAN AND CAN'T DO AS COMMISSIONERS UNDER STATE LAW.
WHAT WE CAN AND CAN'T DO WITH REGARD TO THE COUNTY AND ANY CREATIVE IDEAS.
I WOULD INVITE THAT, BUT TONIGHT ISN'T THE TIME AFTER WE PASS THE BUDGET, ANY TIME AFTER THAT.
THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET AND BE EARLY ON IN THAT PROCESS.
I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT OUT THERE.
I'M OPEN TO THAT, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT.
BUT I THINK WE'VE GOT A GOOD BUDGET.
I THINK IT'S A NECESSARY BUDGET, AND WE NEED TO FUND IT AND I WILL SUPPORT THAT.
>> THANK YOU. OUR BUDGET HEARINGS ARE LIVE STREAMED AND ON DEMAND.
IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THE BUDGET HEARINGS, THEY ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU AS WELL AS BEING ONLINE.
WE UNDERSTAND IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO GET HERE DURING DAYTIME HOURS, AND I DO AGREE THAT IN THE FUTURE, WE SHOULD SCHEDULE BUDGET DISCUSSIONS IN THE EVENING HOURS, WHERE THE FOLKS THAT WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT CHANGE NEXT YEAR.
I THINK THAT'S A GREAT SUGGESTION.
BUT WE'RE HERE NOW, AND I THINK IT'S INCREDIBLE BUDGET.
I THINK THAT IT EXPRESSES ALL OF THE THINGS THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS TOLD US THAT THEY WANT AND HAS PRIORITIZED THOSE ITEMS AND THEN SOME.
IT DOES NOT INCLUDE A STAFF INCREASE.
THERE ARE INCREASES IN THE BUDGET FOR SOME OF THESE THINGS ARE ARE REALLY BEYOND OUR CONTROL.
IF YOU'LL JUST BEAR WITH ME ONE SECOND, JUST ONE STATEMENT.
AT THE BEGINNING, THERE'S ONE PAGE.
IT'S PAGE 2 IN THE BUDGET, AND IT REALLY SUMS UP THE WHOLE BUDGET FOR US.
THERE ARE UTILITY RATE INCREASES AND STORMWATER RATE INCREASES AND SOLID WEIGHT INCREASES.
THESE ARE THINGS THAT LARGELY CAN BE BEYOND OUR CONTROL.
THESE KINDS OF COSTS JUST KEEP GOING UP AND UP AND WE ALL KNOW WE'RE ALL FEELING THE WEIGHT OF THAT, SO I JUST WANT TO POINT THAT OUT.
BUT IT DOES INCLUDE $900,000 IN ADDITIONAL PAVING, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS REALLY ASKED FOR.
IT'S PROBABLY MORE THAN WE'VE SPENT IN THE PAST THAT I CAN RECALL.
BUT WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH OUR PAVING, AND IT'S IMPORTANT.
IT DOES INCLUDE A GENERAL WAGE INCREASE OF 2.5%, WHICH IS LOW CPI, IT'S PLUS $0.50 AN HOUR INCREASE.
IT ALSO INCLUDES A MERIT INCREASE OF AN AVERAGE OF 2%.
WE'RE NO LONGER CHARGING FOR THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMITS.
THOSE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS THAT I'D LIKE TO JUST MENTION ABOUT THE BUDGET.
I DO SUPPORT THE BUDGET, AND WITH THAT, I MOVE THAT WE PASS ORDINANCE 2025-29.
>> ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-29, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, RATIFYING, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OR BUDGET ESTIMATES OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2025 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2026, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH, PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE OF INVALID PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS. SECTION 1.
THE ANNUAL BUDGET ESTIMATES OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026, AS PREPARED, AMENDED AND SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, BY THE CITY MANAGER, AS CONSIDERED AND ACTED UPON BY SAID CITY COMMISSION, UNDER AND BY AUTHORITY OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY AND THE LAWS OF FLORIDA ARE HEREBY RATIFIED, APPROVED,
[01:00:04]
AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF SAID CITY, AND THE AMOUNTS OF MONEY SET FORTH THEREIN ARE HEREBY APPROPRIATED, SECTION 2.THE SAID BUDGET OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES ADOPTED FOR THE ENSUING FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 SHALL BE SPREAD IN FULL UPON THE MINUTES OF THE CITY COMMISSION, SECTION 3.
THE APPROPRIATIONS WITHIN AN ACTIVITY OR SUB ACTIVITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 AND FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 MAY BE TRANSFERRED WITHIN BY THE CITY MANAGER FOR THE PURPOSE OF EQUALIZATION WHEN NECESSARY.
SECTION 4. ALL FUNDS FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, AND BUDGETED FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 MAY OVER EXPEND ADOPTED BUDGETS TO THE EXTENT THAT ACTUAL REVENUES EXCEED THE ADOPTED BUDGET.
SECTION 5. ALL UNENCUMBERED APPROPRIATIONS, EXCEPT FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS OR COMMITMENTS, BE AND ARE CANCELED AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, AND THE CITY DIRECTOR OF FINANCE IS DIRECTED TO TRANSFER ALL APPROPRIATION CREDIT BALANCES TO UNAPPROPRIATED SURPLUS AND PLACE TO THE CREDIT OF ALL APPROPRIATION ACCOUNTS WHICH SHOW A DEBIT BALANCE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, AN AMOUNT FROM UNAPPROPRIATED SURPLUS TO BALANCE SAME, AND TO CLOSE ALL SUCH ACCOUNTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025.
SECTION 6. IF ANY PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE OR THE APPLICATION THEREOF TO ANY PERSON OR CIRCUMSTANCES ARE HELD INVALID, SUCH INVALIDITY SHALL NOT AFFECT OTHER PROVISIONS OR APPLICATIONS OF THE ORDINANCES WHICH CAN BE GIVEN EFFECT WITHOUT THIS INVALID PROVISION OR APPLICATION.
TO THIS END, THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE ARE DECLARED TO BE SEVERABLE.
SECTION 7, ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HERE WITH ARE HEREBY REPEALED. SECTION 8.
THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE, PASSED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA IN SPECIAL SESSION AT 5:05 PM AND ULTIMATELY, IT WILL BE PASSED ON 25 SEPTEMBER 2025.
THIS IS ONLY FIRST READING, AND WILL BE SIGNED BY MAYOR SIKES-KLINE. THANK YOU.
ANY OTHER THOUGHTS, LAST MINUTE THOUGHTS? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.