The Apopka City Council, at its September 25th budget hearing, voted 5-0 to increase its millage rate from 4.1876 to 4.6876 on its Fiscal Year 2024/25 budget.
It also approved a $201.2 million budget, which includes $97.8 million in the general fund. This was a $35.8 million (21.6%) increase over the 2023/24 budget. It also used $8.1 million from its reserves to balance.
Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson and Commissioners Nadia Anderson and Alexander Smith voted in favor of the budget, while Vice Mayor Diane Velazquez voted against it, and Commissioner Nick Nesta recused himself from the vote.
"Before we jump into this, I just want to note that city attorney Cliff Shepard is not present at this meeting for budget and millage increase, and because of that, he's not here to counsel us or answer any questions," Nesta said. "So, with that in mind, it's best that I recuse myself from this part of the agenda. I'm going to leave the room, so there's no impropriety or anything in that capacity."
At the September 18th meeting, the Council voted to increase the water, wastewater, and sewer rates by 23.75% and sanitation rates by 10%.
This developing story will be updated in tomorrow's edition of The Apopka Voice.
