Levy County board sets proposed millage at 8.25 mills and adopts $201.12 million tentative budget

The Levy County Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt a proposed millage rate of 8.2500 mills for fiscal year 2026–27 and approved a tentative county budget totaling $201,120,309.

During the public hearing on the millage (resolution 2026-40), a motion to lower the previously proposed 8.50 mills to 8.25 mills was made and seconded; commissioners discussed the potential fiscal effects and agreed to monitor outcomes, then approved the motion by voice vote. County staff later recessed to update two resolutions and returned with amended documents that reflected the recalculated revenue and rollback comparisons.

Finance staff told commissioners the tentative countywide budget is balanced — total revenues equal total expenditures — and outlined reserve projections. The tentative budget figure presented was $201,120,309; staff said the proposed 8.2500-mill rate is 3.8128% higher than the rollback rate of 7.9470 mills. Gary, who presented the budget summary, said the tentative budget reduces reliance on reserves compared with earlier plans while reflecting adjustments to the sheriff's office budget and other lines.

The board approved the millage resolution and the tentative budget by voice votes. The resolutions are subject to final adoption at a future meeting when the board returns to set the final millage and adopt the final budget.