The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a $1.898 billion budget for fiscal year 2026 on Tuesday evening while reducing property tax millage rates, marking the end of an eight-month budget development process.
The meeting began with Chair Commissioner Joseph participating by phone, with Vice Chair Christian Murphy running the proceedings. Murphy expressed gratitude for Joseph’s participation, saying, “We have been praying for you, and we are glad you can join us by phone, and we just wanted to extend our heartfelt feelings of gratitude for you and the work you have done.”
The meeting opened with a prayer referencing both the September 11th anniversary and the recent death of Charlie Kirk, with the sheriff’s department representative stating, “We think God for the prophets and the disciples, and people like Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln, and Charlie Kirk who would speak the truth despite being killed for it.”
Budget Details and Tax Rate Reductions
Budget Director Wade Schroeder presented the final budget figures, highlighting that commissioners had reduced overall millage rates at the previous meeting. “The board at the last meeting actually reduced overall millage rates, so there is an overall reduction in the millage rates for fiscal year 2026,” Schroeder explained.
The budget includes over $159 million for capital improvement projects and establishes a $20 million emergency reserve fund, plus an additional $5 million reserve for Summer Haven grant matching. The county will add 65.39 new full-time positions, with the largest increases in fire services due to new station openings.
Schroeder detailed the millage rate impact, explaining that the final aggregate millage rate of 6.7573 represents a 3.58 percent increase over the rollback rate of 6.5237. However, he noted that homeowners with homestead exemptions should see less than a 3 percent overall tax increase due to the Save Our Homes provision and millage rate reductions.
The county’s taxable value increased 9.8 percent overall, comprising 4.3 percent from new construction and 5.5 percent from existing properties. “Those properties with the homestead, the homes provision won’t see 9.8, they won’t see 5.5, they showed closer to 3% increase,” Schroeder said.
Sharp Public Criticism Over Spending
Public comment revealed significant taxpayer concerns about county spending and tax burdens. Devon Cook, chairman of the St. Johns Republican Party, presented a detailed analysis showing dramatic tax revenue growth over recent years.
“We are annually collecting 90% more than you did five years ago. That difference is $175 million,” Cook stated, arguing that property value increases have essentially doubled the worth of each millage point. He calculated that taxpayers could have saved over $538 million if the county had implemented rollback rates consistently.
Cook praised the commissioners’ millage reduction while calling for deeper cuts, saying, “What you guys voted on, which is a reduction of 0.651 mills with a tax value, saving the taxpayers… I want to thank you, all five [commissioners] agree that this would be the right thing to do this year.”
A Tennessee transplant compared St. Johns County unfavorably to his former home in Williamson County, noting that despite similar demographics, “the overall county budget here, including schools, is more than double that of Williamson County.” He reported his annual property taxes would reach $16,549, nearly four times what he paid in Tennessee for a similar home.
Another resident questioned the county’s spending growth, asking, “How did we get to this point? What has happened over the last five to 10 years with the budget reviews? Did leadership fall short? Was it financial irresponsibility?”
Mixed Perspectives on Tax Burden
Not all public comments opposed the budget. Resident Margo from Saint Augustine offered a contrasting viewpoint, stating, “I’m going to be part of a very non-vocal minority that doesn’t think my taxes are enough.” She calculated her annual tax bill at $2,300, or roughly $200 monthly, calling it insufficient for the services provided.
“That is $200 per month for the use of facilities like this, it is $200 per month for use of all the libraries, $200 per month for fire and police protection,” she explained, expressing appreciation for county services.
Several speakers called for forensic auditing of county finances. Eric Burke from the financial services industry suggested future budget presentations include all revenue sources together, stating, “I think bringing other revenue sources and state appropriations, impact fees, other revenue sources, if you bring those into the budget for future years, that might provide some folks some reassurance.”
Memorial Tribute and Community Impact
The meeting included a significant discussion of Charlie Kirk’s recent death, with multiple speakers from Turning Point USA chapters addressing commissioners. Addison Tucker, president of a local Turning Point chapter, thanked commissioners and law enforcement for supporting a memorial vigil.
“Charlie empowered my generation to stand up for what we believed in; he taught us how to be open-minded and respectful and engaging in conversations,” Tucker said, reporting increased interest in forming new chapters following the vigil.
Michelle Kirk, vice president of the Creekside Haskell chapter, emphasized continuing Kirk’s work, stating, “We are ready for what comes next, and we know Charlie would want us to continue the work that he began, to keep fighting for our country and our children’s future.”
Devon Cook noted the community response to the memorial, saying, “Well over 1000, maybe 2000 people showed up from the community to show their support for these kids and for Turning Point.”
Commissioner Responses and Transparency Efforts
Commissioner Whitehurst defended the county’s fiscal position, noting, “We do have the lowest millage rate in northeast Florida, and we are going to cut that tonight so it’ll be even lower than was already the lowest millage rate.”
Whitehurst emphasized transparency measures, explaining that budget workshops are now available on demand through government television. “We have never been more transparent with where your dollars are going than we are today,” he said, describing how every department must justify spending requests during recorded sessions.
He clarified that while the total budget appears large at $1.898 billion, much consists of enterprise funds and carry-forward projects over which commissioners have limited discretion. “We have discretion over about $400 million, which is what the general fund and other funds comprise,” Whitehurst explained.
Commissioner Taylor expressed appreciation for public engagement while acknowledging taxpayer concerns about rollback rates, saying, “I know that doing rollback was very important to me for a long time, and I appreciate that we almost got there.”
Budget Adoption and Future Challenges
Vice Chair Murphy emphasized the scope of budget cuts achieved, noting the county found “$10 million cut to our budget, not just $3.9 million” when combining millage reduction with fire department shortfall solutions.
Murphy expressed optimism about efficiency improvements, citing automation projects and new information systems expected to generate savings. “I’m really excited about that. There was a lot of work done, and I know we have a lot more work to do,” he said.
The commissioners unanimously approved both the millage rates and final budget through voice votes, with Commissioner Joseph confirming her agreement through staff despite technical difficulties with the phone connection.
Capital Projects and Staffing Changes
The approved budget carries forward $607 million in previously authorized but incomplete projects, with major emphasis on transportation and utilities infrastructure. Schroeder used State Route 16 improvements as an example, explaining that the $20 million project recently broke ground but requires funding carried into the new fiscal year for completion.
New staffing focuses heavily on public safety, with firefighter positions representing the largest category of additions to support new station operations. The budget also includes positions for a new hydrant maintenance crew, library services for opening branches, sidewalk and maintenance crews, and various administrative roles.
County Administrator positions will receive what one speaker questioned as 7 percent raises across all departments, though this detail was not confirmed by staff during the meeting.
Property Assessment Concerns
Several speakers questioned property assessment methods, with resident Dan Green noting a disconnect between market conditions and assessed values. “When I look at 2024, based on how you arrive at home values and what the market looks like… it looks like in 2024 for St. John’s County, home values at best were flat, at worst maybe down a couple percentage points. Yet I look at the assessments here, quite different,” Green observed.
The meeting concluded with commissioners expressing appreciation for public participation while acknowledging ongoing fiscal challenges. The approved budget takes effect October 1, 2025, and commissioners indicated continued focus on finding additional efficiencies and cost reductions in future budget cycles.
