Citrus County fire protection board votes to keep fire millage at 0.0000 in preliminary budget hearing

The Citrus County Fire Protection Special District voted unanimously to set the fire protection millage at 0.0000 during a preliminary budget hearing in July 2026 (the transcript does not specify the exact calendar date).

"Make a motion that we set the millage at, the fire protection millage at 0.0000," said Commissioner Jeff Kennard, who moved the proposal; Commissioner Jana Barrick seconded the motion. The board chair later announced, "Motion carries 5 0." The tally recorded in the hearing was 5 yes, 0 no.

Board discussion before the motion noted that the special taxing district includes the City of Inverness and that the district currently does not levy a millage. A board member summarized staff guidance that the recommendation was to continue not levying a millage for the fire protection district. No members of the public spoke during the allotted public comment period.

The vote was procedural and limited to the district's preliminary levy decision; the board adjourned the fire preliminary hearing and scheduled a follow-up meeting to consider the general fund and the remainder of the county budget.