In a recent city council meeting, Caroline Sturgis, director of the Office of Management and Budget, presented the proposed budget for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, totaling $851,042,015. This marks a significant increase of $141 million compared to the previous year's budget, reflecting the city's ongoing growth, which has seen an influx of 13,000 new residents over the past year.

The council is set to take action on three key items: the formal adoption of the millage rate ordinance, the budget itself, and the capital improvement resolution. The proposed millage rate is 5.0550, which represents a reduction of 0.1450 mills from the previous year. If approved, this would be the ninth consecutive year of millage rate reductions.

Sturgis highlighted that the budget is aligned with the city council's strategic plan and addresses the demands of a growing population. To support this growth, the city plans to increase its staffing by 60 employees, bringing the total number of full-time employees to 1,474.

The budget includes funding for several key projects, including the advancement of Floresta Drive phase 3 road improvements, construction of the Wilderness Trail, and intersection improvements at Gatlin and Savona. These projects will be financed through a combination of county contributions, general fund reserves, and mobility fees.

The council's decision on the proposed budget will be made during the second required public hearing, as the city prepares for the upcoming fiscal year beginning October 1.