Apalachicola begins annual budget process

The Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners has begun the annual process of adopting its operating budget for FY 2015-2016.  The commission tentatively set the millage rate at 10.0 mils for the new fiscal year at a scheduled special meeting held Noon on Thursday, July 23, 2015, inside the Battery Park Community Center

Tentatively setting the millage rate is the first step taken in developing the budget. The process usually takes about 10-minutes or less and by state law, once the rate is set; it cannot be raised only lowered.

Customarily city commissioners have set the rate at the maximum amount allowed by law, only to work diligently during the actual budget development to lowering the rate. It’s a prudent practice that gives city officials the flexibility to address unknown or unanticipated expenditures that may surface while developing the annual budget.

However, the tentative or provisional rate set by the city commission at the July 23rd special meeting, will appear on the Annual Truth in Millage (TRIM) Notices to be mailed to property owners on August 24th from the Property Appraisers Office. Nevertheless, as in time past the rate will most likely not represent the final millage rate, which will be determined by the commission during the actual budget development.

For your convenient, please find below the City of Apalachicola’s meeting calendar for adopting the new fiscal year budget. The public is invited, encouraged and expected to attend these important meetings.

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CITY OF APALACHICOLA

SCHEDULE FOR ADOPTION OF FISCAL YEAR 2015-2016 BUDGET

TRIM CALENDAR

July 1, 2015 - Certification of Taxable Value (Form DR-420) From Property Appraiser

July 23, 2015 - Tentatively Adopt Millage Rate Special Meeting – 12:00 Noon

July 30, 2015 - Certification of Taxable Value (Form-DR 420) Return to Property Appraiser (Including Proposed Millage Rate, Rolled-Back Rate & Schedule for Tentative Budget Hearing)

August 18, 2015 - Budget Workshop – 6:00 PM

August 24, 2015 - Property Appraiser Mails Notices of Proposed Property Taxes to Property Owners

August 25, 2015 - Budget Workshop – 6:00 PM

September 1, 2015 - Budget Workshop – 6:00 PM (If Needed)

                                                           

September 15, 2015 - First Budget Public Hearing & Special Meeting to Tentatively Adopt Millage Rate & Budget – 6:00 PM

September 17, 2015 - Submit Budget Advertisement to Apalachicola Times

September 24, 2015 - Advertise for Final Budget Public Hearing

September 29, 2015 - Second Budget Public Hearing & Special Meeting – Final Adoption of Millage Rate & Budget – 6:00 PM

September 30, 2015 - Resolution Adopting Millage Rate to Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, and Department of Revenue

Before

October 23, 2015 - Submit Trim Package to Department of Revenue Certification of Compliance (Form DR-487)