GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Despite getting a smattering of complaints, the Green Cove Springs City Council pushed its plan to increase the millage rate by 32.12% to increase salaries for city employees.
Not only did the council advance a resolution to a second public hearing to raise the millage rate from 3.8 to 4.5 to generate an additional $2,845,534, but it also sent a proposal to set the city’s budget at $52,306,229 to a second public hearing. According to finance director Marlena Guthrie, that figure is $3,521,456 less than fiscal year 2022.
A couple residents questioned why the millage rate was increased, especially while the country is dealing with inflation and rising prices.
“I think it is horrible on you all’s part of thinking of raising the millage rate with everything else being so high,” Audrey N. Dornbusch said. “You nailed this last year with the storm drainage fee added to our tax build that increased my tax bill by $124. People here in Green Cove don’t make that kind of money.”
Dornbusch said one of her neighbors is considering moving to an apartment because she can’t afford rising costs.
“A lot of seniors you have are living on Social Security,” Dornbusch said. “My neighbor is 87, and when she got her estimated tax bill she cried. She is now having her daughter have her look to see if she can find an apartment she can afford because she feels she’s going to lose her house.”
Councilmembers said they were sympathetic to residents who will feel the pinch of higher taxes, but they said it was necessary to attract and keep city workers.
Councilman Steven Kelley said the turnover rate for some of the city’s departments is between 35%-75%.
“I’m so confident we have the highest level of service, I think, as any utility as any municipality and county – even before making this decision as part of this budget session,” Kelley said. “We’re still the lowest millage rate of any of the municipalities, I believe, in the county. I know (other taxing municipalities) may not have increased, but I still think we have cared for the level of services received here.
“It was definitely not something I had hoped that we wouldn’t have to take such a big improvement. It was a big ask and I’m certain it’s something we’re all feeling.”
Dornbusch received applause from about five other residents when she walked away from the podium.
Moments later, the council approved the first reading.

In other business
In other business, the council also approved a plan for the city to collect a solid waste assessment from the Magnolia West Subdivision and the reimposition of stormwater management service assessments against real property.