Budget clears first public hearing

PUNTA GORDA — Charlotte County’s 2024-25 fiscal year budget cleared its first public hearing Thursday, with a final vote planned for Sept. 24.

Commissioners approved the $2.27 billion total budget unanimously, along with a reduction in both the countywide and total property tax rate.

County Budget Director Gordon Burger gave a presentation to discuss the financials.

Burger noted the millage rate, which governs property taxes, would see a countywide rate shrink from 6.1687 to 6.0519 — meaning the property tax would go from roughly $6.17 per $1,000 of assessed real estate value to $6.05 per $1,000.

Commissioners previously vowed to lower or keep the millage rate steady, with Burger noting a planned increase to the millage rate for the capital projects fund. That was delayed per commissioners’ previous comments.

The county millage rate, which includes specialty taxing district such as the Public Safety Unit and the Lighting District, was calculated to come to 11.7759, down from 12.2092 the previous year.

Burger said the county’s operating budget — not including fiscal transfers or the use of reserves — comes to roughly $1.3 billion.

He also said even with the reduced millage rate, Charlotte County can expect to see an approximate $32 million increase in revenues due to a notable increase in property values post-Hurricane Ian.

“That spike in the last year is remarkable,” he said.

Commissioners moved the public hearings for the annual budget to the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, anticipating large numbers of residents.

However, only about 30 people attended the first public hearing Thursday, in addition to representatives from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and various civilian county departments.

Many of those in attendance were Ranchettes residents, who argued they were paying for county services that were not reaching their area.

Among them was Dave Kalin, recently a candidate for Charlotte County Supervisor of Elections.

“Our drainage is failing. Not just in my community, but across the county,” he said during public comment.

Another resident, Crystal Stone, said she was being taxed through the county’s Lighting District, despite her home street of Sweden Boulevard not having any street lights to keep on.

She accused commissioners and staff of ignoring requests for aid on littering and water management.

“I would love to give you a tour of what we have to go through,” she said.

Jim Kaufman said even a moderate change to property tax was a concern those living on fixed income from retirement and Social Security.

He cited his most recent tax bill, alleging he paid $6,000 in property taxes, and his upcoming tax bill is anticipating a $400 increase.

Kaufman said county departments could save on costs by driving older vehicles in their fleets.

“My strong suggestion is to make do like I make do,” he said.

Dave Kesselring — who recently lost a close primary race against Commissioner Joe Tiseo — went even further, suggesting nixing some local regulations and staff would save the county even more.

He named the Economic Development Office as an organization to be dismantled, citing recent disruption within that office.

“Picking winners and losers is not a function of government in America,” he said.

During commissioner comments prior to the budget vote, Commissioner Stephen R. Deutsch attempted to reach out to the more vocal attendees in the audience.

He noted the county had attempted to cooperate with the Ranchettes in the past, though installing waterlines were complicated by some residents on neighboring plots not agreeing to their placement in the right-of-way.

“If you can get the people on the street to get together, we’ll work with you,” he said.

Stone, during a second public comment period, argued requiring unanimous agreement for a problem with active public risk was asking too much from Ranchettes residents.

“I just want a solution,” she said.

The second public hearing for the 2024-25 Charlotte County budget will be held at 5:01 p.m. Sept. 24, again at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, on Taylor Street in Punta Gorda.