The City of Tallahassee passed a $1.12 billion budget Wednesday night, including an 8.5 percent property tax increase. The commissioners who supported the budget said the extra funds would promote public safety, while those who opposed it said the city should have tried to save money elsewhere.
The city commission split along its usual lines. Mayor John Dailey, Mayor Pro Tem Dianne Williams-Cox and Commissioner Curtis Richardson supported the budget, while Commissioners Jeremy Matlow and Jack Porter voted against it. The final millage rate for Fiscal Year 2024 is 4.45, and city officials said most property owners will see a monthly increase of $3.50 or less.
But Matlow, who had been urging the commission to cut costs before raising property taxes, gave examples.
“…capping the 5 percent pay raises for executives making over $100,00 a year," he said, "looking to departments that don’t serve core functions like Strategic Innovation, that is relatively new and that provides something more than what people ask for their city to provide. I asked us to look at luxury travel.”
The commission majority pointed to the need for more police officers, saying the increased funds would go to hire 20 new officers, raise salaries and improve technology. They also agreed to increase the salaries of city employees by 5 percent, citing competition in the marketplace.
Matlow said the tax increase will be higher than city officials are acknowledging.
“When people are already struggling, when we know it’s going to impact rents," Matlow said. "And we can say it’s $3.50, but that’s not including the value of their house going up and what that’s going to add to their tax bill. It’s not including the value of their house going up and what the county portion is going to add to their tax bill. And also, it’s more than $3,50 that people are going to pay.”
The Leon County Commission approved a $316 million budget on Tuesday, including a 50 percent increase for Emergency Medical Services.
