Green Cove Springs City Council has locked in a series of financial decisions that will affect residents' wallets in the coming fiscal year. In their regular session held on Tuesday, according to a brief published by the City of Green Cove Springs, officials passed ordinances approving rate increases for water and wastewater services, as well as a contested millage rate hike.
Despite objections from the community, the council approved a 12% water rate increase for Fiscal Year 2026 to cover operating costs. The hike is expected to add an average of $3.32 to monthly bills, generating about $264,000 in extra revenue for the Water Department. "The increase is intended only to cover operating costs for the next 12 months," Assistant City Manager Mike Null detailed, in the midst of public calls for deferring any rate increase until an updated rate study is available. Residents voiced, concerns regarding the lack of confidence in senior staff and the need for transparency.
The wastewater service wasn't spared either, seeing a 5% rate increase, which is projected to bring in an additional $194,000. However, this figure falls short of the department's actual needs, closer to a 19% increase as pointed out by Null. These financial adjustments are part of the city's strategic response to an anticipated drop in Water Department revenue with the transition of irrigation systems in two developments to reclaimed water, which, unlike the case with potable water, the city currently has no retail customers for.
The session also saw a heated debate over property tax rates. A millage rate of $5.3000 per thousand of non-exempt real property was eventually passed after initial pushback from Council Members and citizens, who advocated for a lower rate of $5.1613. The approved rate represents a 7.3% revenue increase over the rollback rate. One resident emailed to the City Council, arguing to consider "those living below the poverty line," an appeal that read out loud during the meeting. However, a motion to approve the rollback rate failed (3–2), and the proposed 5.3 millage rate passed, despite Council Member Stutts voting no.
Additional budgetary matters addressed included a lease agreement for vacant space at City Hall and a capital improvement plan spanning five fiscal years. For the former, the council greenlit a bid of $299,490 for the buildout for Clay Economic Development Council to occupy space in City Hall. "The City agreed to fund the buildout upfront, with EDC repaying costs as rent over time at an interest rate comparable to City investment returns," Null explained, aligning with the council's ongoing focus on fiscal planning and municipal expansion. The latter item passed unanimously, cementing the capital development roadmap through 2030.
