St. Johns County approves over $1.55 billion budget

St. Johns County commissioners recently approved the county's budget and property tax rates for the new fiscal year, which will begin on Oct. 1.

The more than $1.55 billion budget includes over $394.21 million in the county's General Fund, which covers many fundamental services such as law enforcement, court services, health and human services, county administration and culture and recreation.

While millage rates are staying flat or being reduced, property tax bills are expected to increase because of rising property values. But homesteaded properties won't see as much of an increase, said Jesse Dunn, director of the county's Office of Management and Budget.

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Dunn also provided some examples of what an increase might look like.

"With an assessed value at $200,000, your incremental property for next year is about $41 from last year's," he said.

The budget includes a salary increase for county employees of 3% plus $1.50 per hour to help with recruitment and retention, Dunn said.

The millage rates charged countywide will stay the same: the General Fund at 4.6537 mills, the County Transportation Trust Fund at 0.8444 mills and the County Health Unit Trust Fund at 0.0160 mills. The Fire District, which is charged countywide except for the city of St. Augustine, will stay at 1.3813.

Commissioners voted 5-0 to adopt the budget and 4-1 to adopt the millage rates. Commissioner Paul Waldron voted against the millage rates.

For the full budget and list of millage rates go to co.st-johns.fl.us/OMB/index.aspx.

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: St. Johns County budget tops $1.55 billion