Tavares, Florida Development News

Taveris City Council Begins FY27 Budget Deliberations, Proposes 6.95 Mil Millage Rate

The Taveris City Council held its first budget workshop for Fiscal Year 2027, presenting a draft general fund budget that includes a proposed millage rate of 6.95 mils. This represents a 3.96% increase over the prior year's adopted rate. The budget proposes an increase in general fund operating reserves, a 4% employee salary increase, and a 4% increase in health insurance costs, shared between employer and employee. Four new public safety positions are proposed, including one police lieutenant and three firefighter EMTs. The budget also allocates $400,000 for citywide street paving and other infrastructure improvements. The fire assessment is proposed to increase by $4.73 per month per household. The council discussed the budget, with some members expressing concerns about the millage rate increase and advocating for a higher starting tentative rate to allow for future reductions. A motion to set the tentative maximum millage rate at 7.0852 mils (requiring four votes) passed 4-1. The debt service millage rate is proposed to decrease to 0.1335 mils, passing unanimously (5-0). Discussions also touched upon potentially implementing a five-year health insurance benefit for directors with over 20 years of service and establishing a conservation fund to purchase development rights on properties. The council plans further budget workshops and public hearings.