TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Tallahassee city commissioners approved the budget for the next fiscal year.
There's a lot that goes into understanding how the city spends its money.
For the fiscal year 2019, Tallahassee has an $889 million budget.
Let's go over some of the key points.
First, your utilities. Both your electric and gas bills should be lower.
The typical electric bill could drop three percent and for gas, it's around 10 percent.
The city says that's because of more efficient power plants, better management, and more customers.
"We are looking out to the future and recognizing that as we invest in the community, it benefits their ability to have a good quality of life," said Robert Wigen, Resource Management Director for the City of Tallahassee.
Next, the millage rate is staying the same, but that still impacts your property taxes. Because property values are going up, so are those taxes.
But the city says the savings from the utility bill reductions should make up for it.
"An average homeowner who may $13 more for property taxes in the next fiscal year during 2019 will see a reduction in their utility bill of around $50," said Wigen.
The city is continuing its investment in public infrastructure, $62 million to resurface roads, maintain sidewalks, and improve stormwater drainage.
Looking at the city's capital improvement plan, there's money in the budget for the public safety campus, two new parks and electric buses at Florida State University.
City staff, police, and firefighters will get raises in Fiscal Year 2019, which starts on Monday, Oct. 1.
