NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The City Commission approved its $48 million budget for the new fiscal year Tuesday night with no acrimony, ensuring New Smyrna Beach ranks second to the bottom in tax rates across Volusia County during a time when taxpayers everywhere are screaming for relief.
The new fiscal year begins Friday, and although salaries for the mostly unionized city workers were frozen yet again, there were no massive layoffs, but the city does have to deal with a two-year projected deficit of $1.5 million, which would require a combination of further reductions and the generation of additional non-tax revenues.
Regardless, the commission went with a millage rate of 3.4793, equal to that of the fiscal 2009-'10 budget and below the rollback rate of 3.6431, which is not considered a tax increase based on previous year's revenues and revenues from new construction.
Commissioner Jim Hathaway led the way in fighting for the lower rate, saying in part: "We need to reel in the spending -- we need to send our citizens the message that we understand their plight.
Mayor Adam Barringer agreed: The public has lost faith in local government. We need to show good faith."
Commissioner Judy Reiker joined Hathaway and Barringer while Commissioners Jack Grasty and Lynne Plaskett favored the slightly higher rate because of an extra $150,000 shaved from road projects that have already been on hold, including Bouchelle Drive and North Atlantic Avenue.
There was no public comment and sparse attendance.