Matt McDonough, Holmes Beach digital and media strategist, took on the assignment from Mayor Judy Titsworth of reporting city business for the week ending Sept. 25.
The city held a special meeting Sept. 22 regarding the annual budget ordinance, but no action was taken and the meeting was recessed until Sept. 25.
A first reading was held Sept. 9, and Commission Chair Dan Diggins told The islander post-meeting on Sept. 25 that he gaveled unanimous approval for the city millage rate at the final reading, setting a 1.8740 rate for fiscal 2026-27.
The millage rate is the amount per $1,000 of property value used to calculate property taxes.
The rate of 1.8740 mills is a decrease from the current 1.99 millage rate, but more than the 1.7520 rollback rate, which would have provided the same ad valorem tax revenue as this year.
The rate will result in $6,760,508 in tax revenue — a $592,802 increase — due to a $483,851,296 increase in property values in the city over the past year.
Diggins said the vote to approve the budget passed 4-1 with Commissioner Jessica Patel voting no, although there was no explanation given by Patel at the time of the vote for approving the millage and the “no” vote on the spending plan.
McDonough said that at the Sept. 22 city meeting, commissioners unanimously approved the Watershed Master Plan Agreement with the Florida Division of Emergency Management and approved an amendment to the city’s fee schedule.
Commissioners also discussed proposed regulations for city-owned docks and boat slips, citing the rising cost of maintaining waterfront infrastructure. The city licenses 76 boat slips for private use. Under the proposal, annual fees for slips at the T-End canals between 72nd and 77th streets would double, from $600 to $1,200. Fees for other city-owned docks also would double from $425 to $850.
Staff told commissioners the higher fees would help offset the costs of maintaining and insuring docks, seawalls and related infrastructure, as well as storm preparation, repairs, administration and eventual replacement of aging facilities.
The discussion will continue at the next regular meeting, as well as talks on the city’s legislative priorities for 2027.
As for roadwork, McDonough reports work at 56th Street and Marina Drive is wrapping up. Paving was scheduled for Sept. 26 at the Marina Drive/56th Street intersection and east on 56th Street.
Crews were planning to pave 56th Street from Marina Drive to Holmes Boulevard the week of Sept. 28, pending asphalt availability.
Commissioners also discussed Holmes Beach increasing its vacation rental certificate fee, citing the rising cost of regulating short-term rentals.
The city said the program has grown from about 387 registered properties in 2018 to approximately 1,614 today.
The proposed vacation rental fee would increase from $545 to $780 for initial applications and biennial renewals.
The city said the additional revenue would help cover costs associated with inspections, complaint investigations, enforcement, online monitoring, records, technology and coordination with other agencies.
A five-person compliance team administers the program.
The fee changes are included in a resolution that will be discussed at the next meeting, which is tentatively set for 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13.
— Bonner Joy
