- Gainesville's FY27 general fund budget is set at $174 million, up from $170.6 million amended this year, with final approval on Sept. 17.
- The fire assessment increased by $8.1 million, raising rates from $0.09 to $0.1444 per square foot for single-family homes.
- Garbage fees and stormwater assessments will shift from utility bills to property tax bills due to GRU Authority changes, adding up to $486 for garbage fees.
The Gainesville City Commission tentatively approved major budget items Thursday for the next fiscal year (FY27), including the millage rate, fire assessment, garbage fees and stormwater assessment.
A final vote is set for Thursday, Sept. 17, to finish the budget season that started in March.
Overall, Gainesville’s general fund budget will be $174 million next year, though that number could change throughout the year. The city began the current fiscal year with a $162 million budget and later amended it to $170.6 million.
Gainesville faced a $12 million hole in its proposed FY27 budget heading into the summer.
Better than expected, property assessments helped narrow that gap. The overall taxable value of Gainesville properties rose 6.24%, allowing the city to keep its millage rate flat (6.7297 mills) but still collect $4.1 million more than last year.
An $8.1 million increase in the fire assessment covered the majority of the gap. It’s the equivalent of a 0.7 mill increase to the property tax.
The increase comes after the City Commission voted to collect 85% of fire costs through the assessment, up from 53%. The remaining 15% this year, compared with 47% previously, will be covered primarily by property taxes.
The fire assessment rate will change from $0.09 per square foot for single-family residential properties to $0.1444 per square foot. For a 1,500 square foot home, the assessment will move from $135 to $216.60.
In a big change, the City Commission will begin collecting garbage fees for residential pickup and stormwater assessments on the property tax bill. Commissioners pushed against the change but were forced into it by the Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) Authority.
GRU used to collect both garbage and stormwater as part of the monthly utility bill, but the authority directors voted to stop doing the collection for the general government side of the city.
Since the implementation of the GRU Authority, the utility remains a part of the city of Gainesville but is under independent operational control.
Commissioner Ed Book said the commissioners had unanimous concern over the transition and noted that even the utility CEO favored continuing to charge on the monthly bills—with GRU able to receive payment for the service.
For garbage, a residential house could see from $368 to $486 added to its property tax bill depending on what size cart is used. For stormwater, the charge will be $138.55 per Equivalent Residential Unit. But a methodology change will hit apartments and condos differently.
The Gainesville Police Department will see nearly a $2.8 million budget increase from its amended budget this fiscal year. Gainesville Fire Rescue will see a $2.3 million increase.
Commissioners said public safety spending has driven much of the recent budget growth as the city continues to recover from GRU-related revenue losses.