In reading the county budget, I'd say Sumter County is in a very healthy position considering the rapid growth it has experienced in recent years...and millage has gone down, not up.
"The Cash Balance Forward are reserves and other cash carried over from the previous fiscal year as beginning fund balances.
The figure of $56,314,160 includes unspent revenues from the previous fiscal year, reserves for emergencies, and proceeds of borrowing for capital projects that were not completed during the year. It also includes the difference between fund assets and liabilities at the end of the year."
MAJOR REVENUE SOURCES
Category Amount
Ad Valorem Taxes $42,165,067
Sales, Use & Other Taxes 13,206,223
License & Permits 23,282,851
Intergovernmental Revenue 14,210,592
Internal Service 3,921,446
Other Sources 4,060,173
Miscellaneous Revenue 790,120
SubTotal Revenue $101,636,472
Transfers - In 21,807,360
Cash Balance Forward 56,314,160
Total Revenue $179,757,99
"Through efficient cost management, the projected Operating Cost per Capita in Fiscal Year 2011/2012 ($1,073) is comparable to that in Fiscal Year 2003/2004 ($1,030)."
Sumter County Board of County Commissioners
Citizens Guide to the Fiscal Year 2012/2013 Adopted Budget:
http://sumtercountyfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3836
And, millage has gone down over the past decade:
http://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/916