FY09 Adopted Budget

This challenging budget year required us to look at all of our services and make some difficult choices. In absorbing the significant revenue impact of Amendment One and the economic downturn, we focused on eliminating or reducing lower priority programs while maintaining the high quality of our high priority programs and services. Those services include award-winning parks and beaches, superior emergency medical services, and well-maintained roads, bridges, and public buildings. By continuing these critical programs at a high level, we will remain a major tourist destination, high-technology business area, and an excellent place to live, work, and play.

Reflecting the decline in property tax revenues resulting from the downturn in the real estate market and the impact of exemption increases approved in the January, 2008 referendum (Amendment One), the General Fund budget decreased by $59.2 million, or -7.9%. The county-wide millage rate remains at 5.4562 mills. The millage rates for other property tax supported budgets also were held at last year’s rates, resulting in similar revenue declines and corresponding budget decreases. The total FY09 Budget is $136,475,060 or 6.5% less than the total FY08 Budget.

	What are the details for the FY09 Adopted Budget?
	What factors are affecting county revenues?
	What reductions are budgeted for FY09?
	What is the process for developing the annual budget?