Submitted By: Tammi Haslam
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Presentation By: Tammi Haslam
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Department: Budget
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Resolution 2025-179 to adopt the tentative Fiscal Year 2025-26 millage rate for the City of Ocala at the current rate of 6.6177
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Fiscally Sustainable, Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The budget was presented to the City Council during an August 12, 2025, workshop. The attached budget resolution reflects the Fiscal Year 2025-26 millage rate to be levied. Highlights of the tentative budget follow:
• The overall budget totals $1,152,885,830.
• The General Fund budget totals $188,100,612.
• The budget is balanced at a millage rate of 6.6177, which is 5.83 percent above the rolled-back rate of 6.2532.
• The additional revenue derived from the increase over the rolled-back rate will support the addition of critical employees as well as assist with increasing cost pressures related to salary, benefits, and operating costs.
• The General Fund reserve for fund balance is fully funded at the 20 percent level.
• All funds are balanced revenues to expenditures.
• The Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board adopted the Community Redevelopment Subarea Funds' budgets on September 3, 2025.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
Per Florida Statutes, Section 200.065, the City Council must hold a public hearing to adopt the tentative millage and budget for the City of Ocala. The Council, Mayor, City Manager, and all departments have participated in the budget process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget to be tentatively adopted on September 3, 2025, totals $1,152,885,830. This total includes the Downtown Development fund, which the City Council adopted on September 3, 2025.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVE:
Provide alternative direction
RESOLUTION 2025-179
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OCALA ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE LEVYING OF AD VALOREM TAXES FOR THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26
WHEREAS, the City of Ocala, Florida, on September 3, 2025, adopted a fiscal year tentative millage rate following a public hearing as required by Florida Statute 200.065; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ocala, Florida, held a public hearing as required by Florida Statute 200.065; and
WHEREAS, the gross taxable value for operating purposes not exempt from taxation within the City of Ocala has been certified by the Marion County Property Appraiser as $8,528,135,273.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Ocala, Florida, that:
1. The Fiscal Year 2025-26 operating millage rate is 6.6177, which is greater than the rolled-back rate of 6.2532 by 5.83%.
2. This resolution will take effect immediately upon its adoption.
This resolution adopted this ______ day of ______________________, 2025.
ATTEST: CITY OF OCALA
By: By:
Angel B. Jacobs Kristen M. Dreyer
City Clerk President, Ocala City Council
Approved as to form and legality:
By: _________________________________
William E. Sexton
City Attorney
Reviewed for accounting accuracy & completeness:
By: _________________________________
Peter A. Lee
City Manager