TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Leon County now has a new budget in place.
A second and final public hearing was held Tuesday night and after no objections from the crowd, the Board of Commissioners approved the new budget unanimously.
The budget is set at $253.7 million, a 3% increase from last year. The millage rate will not increase but because property values are going up, homeowners will pay slightly more: about $28 more a year, for the average homeowner. The county expects that increase to bring in an extra $5.75 million.
Some of the money will be used for a new ambulance and 12 jobs at the Leon County Sheriff's Office.
"We've got a crime problem that we have to deal with and one of the best things we can do at the county level is listen to our sheriff, not only on the day to day issue of public safety but let's think about when we have hurricanes and storm responses," said John Dailey, Leon County Board of Commissioners Chairman. "Law enforcement and emergency management, along with all the other members of Leon County, play a critical role."
Leon County Commissioners say part of the reason this new budget is going over so well is how the tax money is being spent, and part of it is because the county's millage rate has rarely increased over the years.
The new budget also includes merit-based raises for some county workers, plus more than $135,000 to raise the minimum pay for Leon County employees to $12 an hour.
"It's very important that you respect people, that people live in dignity," said Bill Proctor, Leon County Commissioner. "You can't expect people to come to work and to give their very best and you're not giving yours."
A million dollars will also be allocated to help build up Apalachee Regional Park.
