FORT WALTON BEACH — The City Council approved a $34.7 million budget Wednesday that increases property taxes for fiscal 2013-14.
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Council members voted 4-3 to approve the spending plan, which raises the city’s property tax rate from 4.53 mills to 5.76 mills.
Councilmen Bobby Griggs, Trey Goodwin and John Mead voted against the tax increase.
Mead said he would not support the tax rate or the budget because he’s heard from numerous residents who say they can’t afford to pay more.
“Overwhelmingly, they’re telling me not to raise their taxes,” he said. “ … We are the stewards of their money.”
The council’s decision came after a public hearing that drew more than a dozen residents, most of whom voiced opposition to the tax hike.
“We need to live within our means,” Sharon Trenary said. “It’s insulting to the public for you to be asking for this increase.”
Many residents urged the council to compromise and consider a smaller tax increase.
But council members in support of the budget said the increase is necessary to replace vital fire and police vehicles, raise salaries to retain city workers, replace computers and offset declining revenue from Gulf Power’s franchise fee.
“This is what needs to be done for the city,” Councilwoman Amy Jamieson said.
Councilman Joyce Gossom said the idea of making further cuts and putting off necessary expenditures for another year is “irresponsible.”
The council did agree to cut $15,000 the city’s Fourth of July fireworks and pay for it from reserves.
The tax rate hike will raise the bill of the owner of a $100,000 home by about $123.
The increase is expected to generate about $1.3 million.
The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Kari C. Barlow at 850-315-4438 or kbarlow@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KariBnwfdn.