[ 6.1 ADOPTION OF FINAL FY 2024/2025 BUDGET - RESOLUTION 2024-188 ADOPTING THE FINAL BUDGET FOR THE 2024/2025 FISCAL YEAR, INCLUDING THE FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Adopts the final budget for Fiscal Year 2024/2025.]

>> THAT MILLAGE RATE PASSES 4-1. ON DOWN TO THE BUDGET.

ITEM 6. ADOPT FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025 FINAL BUDGET. IT'S A

PUBLIC HEARING. >> ADOPTION FINAL FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025 BUDGET RESOLUTION 2024-188 ADOPTING THE FINAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025 INCLUDING THE FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN PROVIDING FOR SEVERE ABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. STAFF

RECOMMENDS APPROVAL. >> MOVED TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE STAFF UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF JEREMIAH GLISSON . GIVEN THE EFFORTS OF THE CITY COMMISSION ARE DIRECTED TO DO, THEY DID AN EXCELLENT JOB. THE BUDGET IS A STATEMENT OF THE CITY'S PRIORITIES WHICH IS SET BY THE MAJORITY OF THE CITY COMMISSION. THE PRIORITY OF THE CITY OF THIS CITY COMMISSION FOR THIS BUDGET WAS FOR THE COMMISSIONERS WHO ARE RUNNING FOR REELECTION TO SAY THEY DID NOT RAISE TAXES. THE COMMISSION MANIPULATED THE MILLAGE RATE SO HOMESTEAD PROPERTIES WHICH ARE VOTERS THEIR TAXES WERE NOT RAISED. NEW REVENUE COMES FROM TAX INCREASE ON THE NON-HOMESTEAD PROPERTIES WHICH ARE MOSTLY HOMES, SECOND HOMES, SMALL BUSINESSES AND BUSINESS OWNERS AND INDUSTRY. WHICH ARE MOSTLY OWNED BY INDIVIDUALS NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE IN THE CITY.

ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICE ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT FINANCE, THE OPERATING BUDGET SHOULD HAVE A

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CLEAR FOCUS ON LONG-TERM SOLVENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY YOUR COMMITMENTS TO CONTINUE OUT LATE SHOULD BE AVOIDED UNLESS SUPPORTING REVENUE GROWTH IS ASSURED. THE BUDGET HAS THREE NEW FIRE AND THREE MT PERSONNEL AND 6.5 NEW EMPLOYEES WITHOUT ANY LONG-TERM PLAN TO FUND THESE POSITION. THE THREE NEW FIRE EMT PERSONNEL WERE NOT EVEN PUT IN PERSONNEL PART OF THE BUDGET WILL BE FUNDED FROM THE CONTINGENCY FUND. THIS IS A DECEPTIVE PRACTICE AND I BELIEVE NOT APPROPRIATE.

ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICE ASSOCIATION, THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN SHOULD INCLUDE A SUSTAINABLE, LONG-TERM FINANCING PLAN THAT DEMONSTRATES THE FEASIBILITY OF FINANCING THE REQUIRED IMPROVEMENTS AND FACILITIES AND THEIR OPERATING COSTS. NO SUCH PLAN HAS BEEN OFFERED BY THE MAJORITY OF THE COMMISSION. NO PLANTS STATED IN THIS BUDGET AND HOW TO FUND THE DOWNTOWN RENOVATIONS, SEAWALL RIVERWALK OR NEEDED STORM WATER PROTECTION. WE FOUND OUT OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS THAT WE NEED. ONLY THE EMPTY PROMISE THAT THESE THINGS WILL BE PROVIDED WITHOUT ANY ADEQUATE FUNDING BEING IDENTIFIED. THE BUDGET ADEQUATE FUNDS NEXT YEAR'S OPERATIONS THANKS TO THE DILIGENCE OF STAFF.

OTHERWISE, IT'S A POLITICAL STATEMENT TO POST THE ELECTION CHANCES OF THE MINORITY AND I WILL NOT BE NOTING TO APPROVE

THIS BUDGET. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. ROSS. ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO MAKE THE VOICE HEARD ON THE BUDGET ? OKAY.