Groveland Mayor Keith Keogh says the city's new budget lowers the tax rate even as it adds six firefighters, a new paramedic unit and a fire station built to keep pace with the city's growth. The budget also folds in a quick-response vehicle for the fire department, continued work on Gaffney Park, and millions of dollars in utility infrastructure upgrades.
Groveland's City Council adopted a staff-recommended millage rate of 5.5 mills for the upcoming fiscal year, down from the 5.7 mills in place for FY2025-26, according to the City of Groveland. City leaders and staff built the budget with the goal of staying within the city's means, managing growth-related costs, strengthening its financial footing, supporting essential services and providing property tax relief, per Mid Florida Newspapers. Christopher Williams, the city's new chief financial officer, worked with the finance department and city leadership throughout the budget process, the outlet reports.
Growth Pressure Shapes the Numbers
Keogh has repeatedly pointed to Groveland's rapid development as the central challenge facing city government. When he was sworn in as mayor, he said previous administrations had approved more than 20,000 future homes, a volume he described as a burden on infrastructure that is already stressed, according to sltablet.com. He also said at the time that the city's budget of more than $300 million for capital improvements represented a real challenge for Groveland. Keogh took his oath of office at a November 18 City Council meeting, replacing former Mayor Evelyn Wilson, the outlet reported; before stepping into city government, he was a retired chef and owner of Olive Isle Family Farm in Groveland.
The new budget's infrastructure list extends well beyond fire service. It includes continued development of the city website and upgrades to mass-notification text services, preparation for the police department's third Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation assessment, downtown improvements tied to the State Road 50 realignment and Coast-to-Coast Trail expansion, and restoration and beautification work at the historic train depot and brick streets, per Mid Florida Newspapers' reporting. Keogh credited city staff with advancing both the State Road 50 realignment and Groveland's portion of the Coast-to-Coast Trail bike and pedestrian path.
New Firefighters, a Fire Station and a Record-Setting Ladder Truck
Fire service has absorbed some of the most tangible investment in recent months. The City Council voted 4-1 on July 6 to hire three additional firefighters to reduce unscheduled overtime, improve staffing and enable a Quick Response Vehicle, according to citizenportal.ai. Vice Mayor Gaines cast the dissenting vote, citing concerns about budgeting timing, the site reported. The new budget adds six firefighters overall, intended to reduce unscheduled overtime and improve work-life balance, along with an additional paramedic unit to supplement the department's three paramedic-equipped fire engines, per Mid Florida Newspapers.
A new fire station is planned on O'Brien Road, according to the same account. The fire department is also planning broader station and staffing adjustments that include quick-response vehicles and a permanent Station 3, citizenportal.ai reported separately.
Groveland's $1.7 million ladder truck officially entered service in August after a three-and-a-half-year wait, the fire-department coverage noted. The 2025 Sutphen SPH100, equipped with a 100-foot ladder, is the city's first tower truck. The department reported a 2025 average response time of 7 minutes and 15 seconds across all calls, an improved ISO rating of 2/2X, and specialized capabilities including dive and search-and-rescue work with a rapid-diver setup on each pump truck, according to citizenportal.ai's report on the department's response-time data.
Parks, Preservation and a Push on the Palatlakaha
Keogh thanked Parks and Recreation for its work on South Lake Regional Park, per Mid Florida Newspapers, and the new budget includes improvements at Gaffney Park covering a playground, sports courts, pavilion and walking paths. Groveland is also planning public access to the Palatlakaha Blueway, the outlet reports, with residents advocating for preserving Wilson Island for future generations. The city's own Wilson Island page describes the site as one remaining opportunity for public access along the middle Palatlakaha River, according to groveland-fl.gov.
The budget also directs millions of dollars toward utility infrastructure improvements meant to support reliability and service, Mid Florida Newspapers reported. Keogh thanked the Citizens Advisory Group for advocating Groveland's priorities in Tallahassee and the Youth Council for helping the city listen to younger residents, while crediting the City Council broadly for thoughtful debate and a willingness to make difficult decisions during his first two years alongside fellow council members.
City Manager Search Continues
Groveland's City Council is conducting a nationwide search for a permanent city manager, a role that oversees the city's day-to-day operations, according to Mid Florida Newspapers. The council decided to continue that nationwide search after reviewing candidates, the outlet reported. Keogh has framed the city's direction around five strategic values he identified as knowledge, connectivity, intentionality, vitality and heart.
