[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6550635,"mediaKeyId","5385666-6a910175135134b42dd3b471f1b48233","parentId",5385666,"title","Resident urges St. Augustine to seek PILOTs from local college, raises property tax-exemption concerns","audioSeconds",49,"startMs",52000,"endMs",101000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385666-6a910175135134b42dd3b471f1b48233&start=52&end=101","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385666-6a910175135134b42dd3b471f1b48233/thumbnail_52000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6550635/St-Augustine/St-Johns-County/Florida/Resident-urges-St-Augustine-to-seek-PILOTs-from-local-college-raises-property-tax-exemption-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550635-8fe30652c65b882709ab6f9044e9cf2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440217&Signature=PlSU3PqIaWUR3aY-JDMGlxkIO9OCD~yzJYiC30RkBfvvaL8c-9WDVXrPJfTrzCKQ8oQcbUy8SPFVBXVRvGf2oqVgeSmmPtMEzhid99ZiASMmIwHkzbYkXQtGtsSrqPbsV-3Jd9vvZcPeorGPaH64DfJH-I2m-ZQkxg1pZNosDmMCpOwTWRqtcZc-OXihLcliMfS7rHEAqI-p6RARqGjOADc1ZFSnTbL-ZXinXEEBmnOROHeD9u3AGeGBIUIGGLkacMyHTOlx8U7eQfkFbJIUqdAQmj6Ff8E71FJeNmBs4rCWgwohcXn~JyrfXvSNuuJsKyorPn3GGRPB1842ozW8BQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Augustine","date","2025-07-14T00:00:00Z","article","BJ Calais (self-identified as a West City resident) used public comment time to call attention to what she characterized as a large share of tax-exempt properties in the city and urged the commission to consider payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) from the college across the street.

Calais said, as she stated it in public comment, that \"the city of Saint Augustine has 906,700,000 or 21.62% of properties exempt, also known as not paying property taxes, which burdens others.\" She asked whether the college's endowment is now above $100,000,000 and noted that city paving projects were paid with property tax dollars as part of the capital-improvement program, not Community Redevelopment Agency funds.

Why it matters: requests for PILOTs or changes in how tax-exempt properties contribute to local services can affect city revenue and the distribution of local costs among taxpayers. Calais framed her remarks as a fairness concern: that exempt properties and institutions are not paying for services that benefit them.

What the transcript shows

- Claim and request: Calais presented specific figures (\"906,700,000\" and \"21.62%\") and asked whether the nearby college is exempt and whether its endowment exceeds $100 million. The remarks were posed as questions and public comment rather than formal requests or motions.

- Context: Calais said recent street paving was funded from property-tax-supported CIP dollars rather than CRA funds. She asked the commission to consider PILOT arrangements to cover services received.

- Status: This was public comment. No staff response with verified figures or follow-up action was recorded during the special meeting; commissioners did not take formal action on the points during this session.

Follow-up recommended

Because Calais cited specific numeric claims, staff follow-up to confirm exemption counts, the share of assessed value that is tax-exempt, whether the college is tax-exempt, and whether any voluntary PILOT discussions exist would clarify the record for commissioners and the public. The transcript shows the comment was closed and commission business resumed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Augustine - Special City Commission - Jul 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenter BJ Calais said a significant share of properties in St. Augustine are tax-exempt and asked whether the college endowment is tax-exempt; she suggested the college should make payments in lieu of taxes to support services the city provides.","taxTitle","St. Augustine, St. Johns County , Florida","taxId",4620,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6550639,"CARE urges St. Augustine to fund drop-in center phases and a 'dignity bus' in next budget",185,1511000,1696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385666-6a910175135134b42dd3b471f1b48233&start=1511&end=1696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385666-6a910175135134b42dd3b471f1b48233/thumbnail_1511000.jpg","/articles/6550639/St-Augustine/St-Johns-County/Florida/CARE-urges-St-Augustine-to-fund-drop-in-center-phases-and-a-dignity-bus-in-next-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550639-e415b15555b1f68bb9ae65a7990c91f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440217&Signature=PuEcNYdzXp7Vw23Uu20nLuwPqkRN13fkmaVDxsS1FG1Mc71MFgeSW5iW2nalVLKIBU2Jy~FePCABl3kDD0WyOuQw8A-neBcjE0UPguV00K3Eh9e8PAAAPlkL~dY2tRKzSv-LCUreDNnh1E-PmnkyASidLt5C0ii~GBS8gRsmIVIo~8WAd4SDfrZlYf98qf6zYoSt1xd34vzXhQ7B3cWjc9Sm2gJLEgHFUWEkLc2PAM~OYQKaGzc6JGah~8Jze6EKxPFKpH13~M5dTPT-BuBL3WvzCiOeFylc2P6MQZBZ57~Rxdwj3oMh86Twa-JuQOkCU~R041yp8WMLoUNvu8D7ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vicky Pepper, speaking as a resident and on behalf of Community Advocates for Racial Equity (CARE), told the city commission she supports the city's plan for a drop-in day center for people experiencing homelessness and urged budget allocations to complete construction and operation of the project's phases.

\"CARE particularly appreciates that the city has found the funding and decided to proceed to finalize in all construction aspects of phase 1 of the project before moving Dining with Dignity to the new site,\" Pepper said. She described phase 1 as addressing immediate needs and called planned phase 2's space for community partners and wraparound services 'vital to addressing root causes such as training, mental-health and substance-use support, employment assistance and financial literacy.

Why it matters: Pepper said access to showers, laundry and hygiene services can be critical for people who are unsheltered but maintain employment, and she asked the commission to budget for completion and operation of phase 1, significant progress toward phase 2 and funding for a mobile service vehicle she called a \"Dignity bus.\"

Details from the comment

- CARE's mission and ask: Pepper described CARE as \"an informal independent civic action group\" focused on serving Black and other underserved communities in St. Johns County. She asked the commission to include funding in next year's budget for final construction and operation of phase 1, additional funding to advance phase 2, and funds to acquire and operate a Dignity bus, potentially in partnership with a local church or nonprofit.

- Rationale: Pepper said the continuum-of-care experience shows many unsheltered people have jobs and that hygiene and service access directly affect their ability to remain employed. She framed the Dignity bus as a complementary tool for outreach and services.

- Status: These were public comments and requests submitted during the special budget meeting. Pepper said she would also speak on the topic at the commission's regular meeting. The commission did not take formal action during this special meeting on CARE's funding requests.

Next steps

Pepper said she planned to raise the topic again at the regular meeting. The finance director noted budget workshops are scheduled for Aug. 28 and Aug. 29 (if needed) where staff and commissioners will review funding priorities and fee proposals.","Vicky Pepper of CARE praised the city's drop-in day center plan, urged funding to finish phase 1 and progress on phase 2 wraparound services, and requested budget allocation for a mobile 'Dignity bus.' She said such services help people keep employment and address root causes of homelessness.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6550643,"St. Augustine finance director outlines revenue manual, recommends keeping millage at 7.5 and CPI-based fee increases",1585,129000,1714000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385666-6a910175135134b42dd3b471f1b48233&start=129&end=1714","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385666-6a910175135134b42dd3b471f1b48233/thumbnail_129000.jpg","/articles/6550643/St-Augustine/St-Johns-County/Florida/St-Augustine-finance-director-outlines-revenue-manual-recommends-keeping-millage-at-75-and-CPI-based-fee-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550643-a48b0e74ace37b41977d7aa4e8b64fc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440217&Signature=WQN~o7G5OAdSqyIXXK80BolVlEFD~yp1Uq7edvxCVXsomGdNH10sVsohmysl3l3oxAd0EY4Hw2E-7KADUBfhHkO1rX7KneQ7HVc6RYa-vFZ0G-BGu4dmZFUnc9jkiBZjb2WHjETrupsuHgQyNWsKBxEG-YHWfAKmMA3RVDWcmdtslLatYY58sZl4O0bgT4BlSfnQCg8bEn9rK8sKoGKwbu5YQO~fBKuerUyZTXl~Iklyi2h~YP3a7~7n95LNX0glz3CBuEuy2wfQv-G4aYpnpvlZFN1GK9~WjH9VKbcyO02i49ExTk-m1qLBU3WCL-tw92GfHsryxEfRaqfbaV6Nrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Melissa Burns, the city finance director, presented the City of St. Augustine's draft revenue manual and recommended keeping the proposed millage at 7.5 mills while pursuing modest, CPI-based increases for several fees and utility rates.

The manual breaks major revenue sources into general fund and proprietary (enterprise) funds and identifies recommended adjustments staff will bring forward during upcoming budget workshops. Burns said staff used the property appraiser's June 1 estimates and the July 1 actual taxable values to calculate revenue sensitivity to millage changes. \"I'm here to present to you the revenue manual and gain your input and insight on the various recommendations outlined through this document,\" Burns said.

Why it matters: the revenue manual frames this year's budget choices and possible fee changes that affect utilities, parking, short-term rentals and other city revenues. The commission will consider the proposed millage and fee proposals in workshops Aug. 28 (and Aug. 29 if needed) and at a regular meeting where a resolution to set the proposed millage will be discussed.

Key recommendations and details

- Millage: Staff recommended that the proposed millage remain at 7.5 mills; Burns said commissioners can lower it but cannot raise it above that figure before formal adoption. Staff noted the rollback rate calculated at 7.3513 mills and said each tenth of a mill change equals roughly $353,000 in city revenue; in the manual's example a homesteaded property with $400,000 taxable value would see about a $35 change per tenth of a mill.

- CPI-linked increases: Burns recommended applying the annual consumer price index (CPI) increase (2.3% this year, as shown in the manual) to certain enterprise and fee categories where code or prior policy allows automatic annual adjustments. Categories flagged for a 2.3% adjustment include stormwater, solid waste (residential and commercial), rents and royalties, and short-term rental permit fees. Burns said the city code allows rates to increase every year by the CPI.

- Water and sewer: The manual shows water and sewer charges and notes the city code permits an annual CPI-based rate change. Burns also told commissioners staff is reducing the surcharge for customers outside the city limits over time and that the loss of that surcharge will factor into future revenue needs.

- Short-term rental permits: Staff recommended updating the permit fee schedule; the presentation lists a base rate and per-bedroom charges in the manual (transcript text: \"base rate of $3.00 $3.03 with a bedroom per bedroom rate of $79.30\"). Staff said the recommendation is built from program cost analysis and a CPI adjustment.

- Parking and enforcement: Staff said metered parking revenue and parking fines are conservatively forecasted. The manual recommends reviewing metered parking and parking violation fines; the current violator fine for some parking violations is $35 and staff flagged a recommended change that will be discussed further on the regular meeting agenda. During public discussion, raising some illegal-parking fines to $100 was mentioned as a possible deterrent but commissioners said they want clearer rules, signage and more detail before moving forward.

- Fire assessment: The manual shows the city's fire assessment currently covers about 50% of the related cost. Staff recommended budgeting for a formal fee study in 2026 to review the assessment and any adjustments for the FY 2026-27 budget.

- Other revenue sources: Burns reviewed franchise fees (examples cited: Florida Power & Light, TECO Peoples Gas, sightseeing vehicle/rail-related receipts mentioned in the financial documents), utility taxes, state-shared revenues (Office of Economic and Demographic Research estimates), communication services tax, a 0.5% local sales-tax share, building permits and rents/royalties from agreements with organizations such as Ripley's, Gallimore Center, St. Augustine Yacht Club, St. Johns County Cultural Council, Flagler College and various department leases.

Commissioner questions and next steps

Commissioners asked for more granular reserve information before agreeing to rate increases. Commissioner Cynthia Garris asked staff to provide the current reserve percentages in water and sewer funds so the commission can weigh whether a CPI increase is needed. Burns acknowledged the request. Burns also said this evening's regular meeting would include Resolution \"20 20 five-twenty 5\" to set the proposed millage and reiterated that budget workshops are scheduled for Aug. 28 at 9 a.m. and Aug. 29 if needed.

No formal vote was taken at the special meeting; staff will return with supporting reserve figures, the fire-assessment study plan for 2026 and specific proposals for parking fines and short-term rental fees during the upcoming workshops and regular meeting.","Finance Director Melissa Burns presented a draft revenue manual recommending a 7.5 millage cap, CPI-linked rate increases for several utility and fee categories and a 2026 review of the fire assessment. Commissioners asked for reserve figures and details before approving changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident urges St. Augustine to seek PILOTs from local college, raises property tax-exemption concerns

CARE urges St. Augustine to fund drop-in center phases and a 'dignity bus' in next budget

St. Augustine finance director outlines revenue manual, recommends keeping millage at 7.5 and CPI-based fee increases