Green Cove Springs approves increases in millage rates, budget

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — Unlike the first reading of proposed millage and budget increases two weeks earlier, Tuesday night’s City Council meeting only had a handful of residents who wanted to oppose plans for raised taxes.

The council listened politely until a few mentioned that the city could cut expenses by eliminating expenses in the human resources department, reducing trash collection to one day a week and revamping the police department. One also questioned the amount the city was paying for health insurance.

That’s when Councilman Ed Gaw heard enough.

“I can certainly say more times than I can count about the quality of the people that Green Cove Springs who have been doing the heavy lifting,” he said. “You heard about health insurance tonight, used as a shining example of where we can make cuts. Our human resource department

manufactured, installed and brought our employee healthcare program in-house. For example, all of them right here resulted in $1.4 million in savings for this city and its citizens. Everybody in this room knows the challenge of health care. I challenge anybody not to say that they haven't seen increases.”

Mayor Steven Kelley again resisted suggestions that the budget and millage rate increases were quickly introduced two weeks ago and passed on the first reading without input from the public. He reminded residents that months, if not years, of research and consultant studies went into the final reports, available in open council and workshop meetings.

That said, the council approved a 19.13% increase in the millage rate from 4.7 to 5.3 with a 5-0 vote. Entering the first reading, the council was considering a 6.0 rate, but they compromised on a 5.3 rate that will allow the city to upgrade its infrastructure projects and put their plans to offer pay raises on hold for another year. Green Cove Springs employees are already being paid less than 50% of other cities of similar size and resources.

Moments later, they approved the 2024-25 fiscal budget of $64,772,912 — an overall increase of $6,882,482, or 10.6%.

 In other business

 The council also approved a 20% water rate increase, a 5% wastewater increase, reclaimed water increases, a $2 a month increase in monthly residential garbage pickup, varied customer service charges depending on demand and a $2,200 capital installation fee for each lot for new development.

The city council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 321 Walnut St.