It’s that time of year again — Holmes Beach is rolling out its new budget for citizen review at a public hearing.
The first hearing for the 2016-17 fiscal year spending plan is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 13. It is the community’s opportunity to weigh in on proposed changes to next year’s budget.
Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson and treasurer Lori Hill debuted a draft budget during a July 26 commission meeting. At that meeting, commissioners set the maximum millage rate at 2.25 for the 2016-17 fiscal year.
Millage — $1 per $1,000 of property value — cannot exceed the maximum, but can be lowered by commissioners during a final vote on the millage and budget in September.
An increase in appraised property values will lead to a 6 percent tax increase if the 2.25 millage rate is retained by commissioners, adding $235,436 to the city’s coffers.
The increased funds contribute to a total ad valorem revenue of $3,590,558. The operating budget provides equal revenue and spending of $6,723,918.
Increases in the proposed budget include $20,000 for reserves, $100,000 increase in a legal/other contingency fund and $65,000 for the reactivation of the planning commission.
An $8,000 increase over the current year’s $1,500 commission budget is planned to upgrade equipment in commission chambers — new microphones and a document projector.
Proposed increases in the public works department budget include an additional $109,173 for renovations to Grassy Point Preserve and an increase of $50,500 to repair and replace maintenance vehicles and equipment. The department’s budget also includes $57,000 for capital improvements, such as seawall and dock repair, and $10,000 for beautification projects.
City departments with little or no increase in spending include the Holmes Beach Police Department, building department and code enforcement.
The HBPD’s draft budget is planned to come in at $2,848,710, slightly under this year’s $2,849,225.
The code enforcement budget, while including an increase in employee compensation, comes in even with this year’s budget of $184,519.
The building department’s budget is $642,747, with no rollover from the current year. This amounts to $168,473 less than this year’s budget of $811,220.
The new fiscal year will begin Oct. 1.
Copies of the draft budget are available to the public in the lobby at city hall.
The first of two public hearings and votes to set the millage and finalize the budget will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13. The second hearing and final vote will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.