Clermont residents packed council chambers on Tuesday, September 20, many there to speak on their objection to increasing the millage rate.
After 7 years of no millage increases, Clermont City Council considered increasing the millage 30%. The current millage is 4.2. The rate would be capped at 5.5.
The increase would provide for costs incurred for the increase in needed personnel, fire and police services, and grounds/street maintenance.
One of the speakers, a Lake County teacher, noted that times are not easy and the increase in property taxes would put his family in jeopardy of losing their home.
Another concerned citizen said that developers should be made to invest in Clermont rather than exploit it; Developers are making money and hurting the citizens. They should be made to be more responsible and accountable.
After listening to citizens who were for and against the tax increase, Councilman Tim Bates made a motion to increase the millage rate from the current 4.2 to 5.06. The motion was passed 4-1. Ebo Entsuah voting nay.
The increase in millage will still leave the city operating at a deficit; however, there’s room in the budget to pull approximately $600,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funds (ARPA) which are federal COVID-19 relief funds that were given to every city.
City Manager Brian Bulthuis commented that people may think there is some sort of magic bullet, but there isn’t.
It’s been 7 years since the millage has been increased and Clermont has one of the lowest rates in the county, says Councilmember Michele Pines.
Mayor Tim Murry said he understood that an increase or change in millage affects all Clermont residents, especially those on a fixed income, but these changes need to be made.
