From Staff Reports
In Summary:
The Apopka City Commission again delayed action on a proposed tentative millage rate after commissioners could not unanimously support a 0.75-mill property tax increase. Mayor Nick Nesta, Commissioner Sam Ruth and Commissioner Yesenia Barron argued additional revenue is needed to address years of deferred infrastructure investments, while Commissioner Nadia Anderson said residents cannot afford another tax increase until more budget reductions are made. The issue will return at a future meeting as commissioners continue negotiating a tentative rate ahead of the city's budget hearings.
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For the second time in less than two weeks, the Apopka City Commission walked away without setting a tentative millage rate after it failed to unanimously support a proposed 0.75-mill increase, extending a debate over infrastructure spending, staffing and taxpayer affordability.
Related: On July 15, the commission also tabled the vote for the same reason.
After about an hour of public comments, a presentation, and discussion, the commission tabled action until a special meeting Thursday, when members will again consider a proposed millage rate ahead of the City's September 3 tentative budget hearing.
Finance Director Blanche Sherman presented several millage options, ranging from the rollback rate to a 0.75-mill increase. Staff recommended the 0.75-mill proposal, which would generate approximately $6.6 million in additional property tax revenue while still requiring roughly $17 million in budget reductions to maintain the city's 25% reserve policy.
Mayor Nick Nesta reminded both commissioners and residents that Monday's discussion was intended to establish a tentative maximum millage rate, not adopt the City's final budget.
"There will be cuts and hefty cuts," Nesta said, adding that the commission plans to scrutinize overtime, staffing levels and departmental spending before approving a final budget.
Commissioner Sam Ruth said his review of City finances convinced him Apopka can no longer postpone investments in infrastructure. He cited years of excessive overtime spending and said the city should redirect spending toward transportation and other critical needs.
"Our biggest problem in the City of Apopka is our traffic and our infrastructure," Ruth said. "I want a lot of those dollars to pull back from what I see as frivolous spending, and we can push these numbers back towards the traffic and the infrastructure."
Commissioner Yesenia Baron also voiced support for the 0.75-mill proposal, saying the City is now confronting years of deferred maintenance and infrastructure investments that can no longer be delayed.
"I think we do need to look at the budget there in terms of once we start working and deep diving and really start trimming off those things that are not necessary," Baron said. "I think we should start considering filling in our interim positions ... we are facing the challenges that we have been experiencing the last decade, if not more."
Baron said she supports the higher tentative rate because of major infrastructure needs, including repairs at the Golden Gem reclaimed water facility, while emphasizing that the commission should remove unnecessary spending and avoid creating new positions that are not essential.
Vice Mayor Diane Velázquez said she spent the weekend reviewing the proposed budget line by line and believes departments should focus on completing existing projects before funding new ones. She questioned whether projects that cannot realistically be completed during the coming fiscal year should remain in the budget. Velázquez also pointed to unfinished water meter replacements, backflow prevention work and septic-to-sewer projects as examples of initiatives that should be completed before new projects are added.
Commissioner Nadia Anderson remained firmly opposed to the proposed 0.75-mill increase, saying residents have repeatedly told her they cannot afford another tax increase while facing higher property values, insurance costs and utility bills. Anderson also questioned the proposed creation of several senior administrative positions, arguing the City should focus additional spending on infrastructure-related employees rather than executive staff.
"I'm 100% not voting for it," Anderson said. "We have money for almost a million dollars in new senior executive positions. That has absolutely nothing to do with infrastructure."
Nesta pushed back, saying that even if commissioners adopt the staff-recommended 0.75-mill rate, the City must still reduce spending by approximately $17 million. He said that lower millage rates would require even deeper cuts to parks, grants, special events and other City services while making it more difficult to complete infrastructure projects because departments remain understaffed.
"We're always working behind," Nesta said of City staff. "Everything we push down the road is only going to be more expensive."
As the discussion shifted to procedural requirements under Florida's Truth in Millage law, commissioners debated what level of support would ultimately be required to approve the tentative rate. With no consensus emerging, Nesta adjourned the meeting and scheduled the issue to return Thursday, when the commission will again attempt to set a proposed millage rate before moving into detailed budget negotiations.
Key Points:
- The City Commission tabled a tentative millage vote for the second consecutive meeting after failing to reach unanimous support for a 0.75-mill increase.
- Commissioners debated balancing long-delayed infrastructure needs with concerns over rising costs facing homeowners and businesses.
- Supporters of the higher rate said additional revenue is needed to address roads, utilities, staffing shortages and other critical infrastructure.
- Opponents argued the city should identify deeper spending cuts and eliminate proposed executive positions before increasing property taxes.
- The commission will revisit the tentative millage rate before its September budget hearings.
