In the last week, Osceola County and the cities of St. Cloud and Kissimmee approved budgets for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
They all feature property tax millage rates that have remained unchanged for over a decade.
By far the largest, Osceola County’s approved budget totals $2.248 billion, about $700 million over the tentative budget proposed over the summer, but includes capital projects that will feature federal dollars for pandemic recovery.
Some of that spending includes the $50.8 million federal Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant to further develop the semiconductor and microelectronics industry cluster at NeoCity, a separate $23.4 million federal Center for Neovation expansion grant and a $5.9 million private match from SkyWater; and over $320 million for work to expand Neptune Road, Simpson Road, Boggy Creek Road, Partin Settlement Road, Poinciana Boulevard and Bill Beck Boulevard.
county is also about to embark on constructing new fire stations near Austin-Tindall Sports Complex on the east side of town and Calypso Cay on the west.
The county millage rate remains at 8.2308, or approximately $8.23 per $1,000 of assessed value of property.
“Our focus remains on making sure that our residents have numerous residential, professional, educational and recreational opportunities that can only be found in Osceola County,” County Commission Chairman Brandon Arrington said. “We continue to target major investments in transportation infrastructure, housing services, public safety and economic development.”
Last week, the St. Cloud City Council held a final public hearing to approve its $209.2 million budget. The millage rate remains at 5.1128, where it has been since 2016-17. Based on the average property value of $232,000, the average St. Cloud homeowner will pay $1,187 in city property taxes.
“St. Cloud is one of the fastest growing areas in a state that’s one of the fastest growing places in the country,” said new City Manager Veronica Miller. “With that growth comes challenges, but also opportunities. This budget allows us to keep our focus on providing great services to our residents and continuing to uphold our mission of providing a safe and healthy environment, managing our resources and planning for the future.”
Highlights of the budget include a $7.5 million earmark for the new Fire Station 35 to be built on Neptune Road near Tohoqua, $2.6 million for road extensions and improvements, $1.2 million for street paving and $1 million for the trail extension from the Lakefront to Chisholm Park.
Kissimmee approved its $240.95 million budget on Sept. 13, with a millage rate of 4.6253 that City Manager Mike Steigerwald said has been in place for 12 years.
The city is also planning a new fire station, on Martin Luther King Boulevard near the Kissimmee Gateway Airport, and is budgeted to add six new firefighters/ paramedics, three police officers and 10 other new employees.
The new Lancaster Park off south John Young Parkway, upgrades to Mark Durbin Park and a design update for the airport’s air traffic control tower are included in that budget.
