Board reviews proposed FY 2026–27 levies and budget options, discusses transfers and reserves

Osceola County officials reviewed proposed levies and budget worksheets for fiscal year 2026–27 and discussed options to shift levy allocations and preserve fund balances.

Speaker 5 walked the board through the levy worksheet, saying the county’s maximum levy would be about 3.43137 and that debt service remained at $0.55; emergency levy was shown as $0.45. The presenter noted proposed increases that raised overall countywide levy rates by roughly 7¢ per $1,000 of valuation and described multiple columns showing current, proposed and comparative levy impacts on residential and commercial property.

Board members debated whether to reduce the general supplemental levy and instead increase transfers from the general basic levy. "I just need guidance — what do you want me to reduce the general supplemental levy to and how much you want me to increase the transfer?" Speaker 5 asked. The board acknowledged a deadline for the state reporting and public hearing schedule: changes must be finalized and submitted to the state by March 5.

Speakers also raised concerns about unfunded state mandates and whether a large required ending fund balance (10%) would hamper cash flow when bills are due in July. One member suggested exploring shared services with neighboring counties for positions such as an EMA/EMS director to limit personnel costs.

Next steps: staff will provide a revised levy proposal and, if the board requests, a reduced general supplemental levy option prior to setting the public hearing date.