The Children’s Trust of Alachua County (CTAC) passed its proposed millage rate and tentative budget for the 2026 fiscal year during its first TRIM hearing on Monday. 

CTAC’s proposed millage rate of 0.45, the same as last year’s adopted rate, is projected to generate a tax revenue of $815,789, which would be an increase of 8.1% over the fiscal year 2025 budgeted tax revenue.

“The proposed millage rate…provides for fiscal year ‘25-26 programming needs,” CTAC Executive Director Marsha Kiner said while explaining the organization’s proposed and rolled back millage rates. “Adequate staffing and planning for future programming needs for the 2025 tax year.” 

Kiner added that the rollback calculation is .4218.  

The board approved the proposed 0.45 millage rate unanimously, with member Susanne Wilson Bullard abstaining from voting due to Florida statutes.  

As a judge for the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida, which encompasses Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union counties, Bullard cannot vote on millage, according to CTAC Chair Ken Cornell.  

Meanwhile, the CTAC’s tentative budget for fiscal year 2026 totals $17,747,676, a 0.82% increase over the fiscal year 2025 amended budget. 

“This budget reflects the board’s recommendations to increase grants and AIDs funding by 5.1% and to increase operations and administration funding by 3.7%,” Kiner said.  

She added that the proposed budget “includes continued funding of community providers that have demonstrated the ability to provide results that align with our goals.” 

According to information provided in the agenda packet, the total amount of funds the proposed budget is offering to support the community and its providers is $12,639,820. This includes a 5% cost-of-living hike to address the inflationary growth impacting the community. 

The board approved the tentative budget by way of a 4-2 vote, with Bullard and member Lee Pinkoson dissenting. Member Maggie Labarta was absent from the meeting.  

Pinkoson expressed his concerns with the budget, particularly the $6 million difference between revenue and spending. 

“This year, we’re taking about $11.4 [million] in revenue. We’re spending about $17.3 [million],” he said. “We’re going to have to prioritize, as you’ve heard, but that’s a big chunk of money. What my concern is, there was a time when there were people out there bad-mouthing the trust. As we come up for renewal, as we make these decisions, some people are not going to be very happy with us.” 

While he voted in support of the 2026 tentative budget, Cornell told Pinkoson that he also shared some of the concerns he expressed. 

“…. Next year’s budget is going to be the one that I’m going to kind of be with Lee on…making sure that our use of fund balance is properly identified,” Cornell said. “I do think we are not going to spend what’s in the budget, as we historically had $2 to $3 million that has not been expended. But I hear you loud and clear. And I’ll be with you next year.” 

A final TRIM hearing for the proposed millage and tentative budget is scheduled for 5:01 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 22, at the CTAC (4010 NW 25^th Place, Gainesville). This hearing is open to the public.  

Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.