The Cocoa Beach City Commission set a proposed maximum millage rate of 6.00 mills for the 2025-26 fiscal year after staff presented options comparing the cityrollback rate and the current rate.

Finance Director Hannah Juman explained the statutory process and two rates under consideration: the rollback rate (5.6945 mills), which would generate the same ad valorem revenue as the prior year, and the current rate the city used previously (6.1644 mills). "The rollback millage rate brings in the same dollar amount received in the prior fiscal year," Juman said, and noted state Truth in Millage (TRIM) requirements set deadlines for adopting proposed rates and for public notices.

Nut graf: Commissioners debated whether to hold the millage steady or to capture some of the revenue created by rising property values to restore reserves and fund higher operating and personnel costs driven by tourism and inflation. After an initial vote on the 6.1644 rate failed to achieve the required majority, the commission approved a motion to set the proposed maximum at 6.00 mills and scheduled the two required public hearings.

Key points: Juman said the taxable value of Cocoa Beach real estate reported by the property appraiser is roughly $3.2 billion. At the rollback rate (5.6945 mills) staff estimated a budget near $17.8 million with $1 million allocated to the CRA; at the current 6.1644 rate the budget would be about $19.2 million with the same $1 million CRA contribution. The difference between the current rate and rollback rate was presented as roughly $1.4 million in potential additional revenue.

Commission debate focused on resident burden versus city needs. Interim City Manager AJ Hudson and multiple commissioners described rising operating costs, staffing and capital replacement needs tied to tourism demand. Others emphasized the impact of property re-assessments on long-term residents and urged fiscal restraint. Juman noted that a required two public hearings on tentative and final millage and the budget are set for Sept. 4 and Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Ending: The proposed rate adopted Tuesday is the ceiling used for statutory notices and does not finalize the budget; the commission will consider a tentative millage and the final millage and budget during the September public hearings.