76.2 F
The Villages
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Sumter County approves $313 million budget that cuts property tax rate

Sumter County commissioners Tuesday night approved a $313-million tentative budget that cuts the property tax rate while increasing expenditures.

Final adoption of the 2022-23 budget, which takes effect Oct. 1, is scheduled for Sept. 27.

The proposed property tax rate of $5.59 per $1,000 assessed valuation is less than 1 percent below the rolled-back rate, which is the amount needed to collect the same revenue as the prior year excluding new construction. Under Florida law, setting the rate higher than the rolled-back rate is a tax increase.

Sumter County will collect about $95 million in property taxes next year.

Expenditures are about 3.2 percent higher than last year’s adopted budget of $303.4 million, a $9.7 million increase. General fund expenditures would rise 11.4 percent to $185.6 million.

A $1-million expenditure for school resource officers along with funds for a supervisor of elections building were added since the proposed budget was unveiled in July, according to County Administrator Bradley Arnold.

The county also allocated $25 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds in next year’s budget.

Those funds will be used for municipal sewer studies and projects at Lake Panasoffkee and Coleman as well as water line improvements along county roads 475 and 44A . They also will pay for a contract with Charter Communications to expand broadband service.

Hiring 36 firefighter-paramedics or emergency medical technicians is a major step toward the transfer of ambulance services to the county’s two fire departments. The budget also calls for hiring two EMS division chiefs, an assistant employee services manager, three lieutenants and 10 part-time firefighter-paramedics.

A referendum on establishing an independent fire district for The Villages is on the Nov. 8 general election ballot. Sumter County would provide fire and ambulance services for the rest of the county.

Eleven positions would be added to the sheriff’s office for a total of 377 employees. The tax collector would add four positions for a total of 38.

The budget would offer a 5.9 percent cost-of-living increase to cover raises for county employees.

Neglect of golf course maintenance now costing us millions of dollars

In a Letter to the Editor, a Village of St. Charles resident argues that neglect of golf course maintenance is now costing residents millions of dollars.

Karen says her intent has been misinterpreted

A Village of Belle Aire resident who stirred quite a discussion with a previous Letter to the Editor, follows up to say that her intent was misinterpreted.

Our amenities are being used by families with kids

In a Letter to the Editor, a Village of Citrus Grove resident says she is not happy about families with kids using amenities paid for by residents.

Finally allocating funds to the golf courses!

A Village of Hadley resident said he is happy that more money is being allocated to the golf courses. Read his Letter to the Editor.

Trump is unfit for any office

A Village of Osceola Hills resident, in a Letter to the Editor, details why he thinks former President Trump is unfit to hold any office.