[Normal]

Last night, Wildwood voted to raise taxes for next year. I guess there wasn’t enough money left over after building that parking garage in the middle of nowhere for more than 50 k a parking space. Money to burn, and it’s ours as taxpayers.

“Commissioners took their final vote Monday night on the $228-million annual budget.

Total spending is down 18.5% from $280 million last year after the city paid off more than half the cost of a $150-million wastewater treatment plant.

A property tax rate of $2.83 per $1,000 assessed valuation is the same as last year, but considered a tax increase because it is 4.2% higher than the rolled-back rate of $2.70. The rolled-back rate is the amount needed to collect the same revenue as the previous year except for new construction.”

280 million for next year fellow Villagers. Ask yourself what you get for all that, especially since in large part we are paying for the bulk of everything.

[Altavia]

Alert Sent On: 09/29/2026 09:15:49 AM EDT
View the release at Wildwood, FL | Official Website


Wildwood City Commission Adopts FY27 Budget
Holds Millage Rate at Historic Low

Wildwood’s elected officials last night adopted the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget, which goes into effect Oct. 1. The city commission’s 5-0 vote followed a public budget hearing, during which no one came forward to speak or ask questions. An earlier public hearing on the matter was held Sept. 14.

The budget maintains a historically low millage rate of 2.8287 for ad valorem taxes. In Wildwood, 30% of ad valorem revenue currently goes toward transportation for roadway infrastructure and maintenance, 27% goes toward public safety and police services, 25% goes toward recreation and parks, 16.5% is used for general government services, and the remaining 1.5% goes toward debt service.

In November, an amendment to the state constitution will appear on Florida ballots. If passed, it would change the state’s ad valorem taxing structure and reduce the associated revenue Wildwood receives.

“This looming unknown has made budgeting that much more challenging,” said City Manager Jason McHugh. “We tried to rise to that challenge by preparing different options that will enable the city to pivot quickly if needed.”

During budget workshops in August, city officials considered spending-reduction options if those changes were to occur, including the immediate adoption of a budget amendment defunding planned capital projects to account for the lost revenue.

Potential spending cuts include planned capital improvements such as a new community and outreach center at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, additional improvements at Millennium Park, and redevelopment of the former Martin Theatre property into a municipal center with a museum, street-level retail, community space, expanded city commission chambers, staff offices, and an elevated pedestrian crossing over U.S. 301/Main Street.

“As an urban planner by trade, it’s hard to plan when you don’t know what resources you will have next year or the year after,” McHugh said. “As public servants, however, we are here to serve the people and provide the services they vote to pay for. My goal is to be as prepared as possible to provide our community with whatever they tell us in November they want from us.”

The adopted fiscal year 2027 budget and other financial information can be found on the city’s website, wildwood-fl.gov, by clicking Government Transparency.


###

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Alert Sent On: 09/29/2026 09:15:49 AM EDT
View the release at Wildwood, FL | Official Website


Wildwood City Commission Adopts FY27 Budget
Holds Millage Rate at Historic Low

Wildwood’s elected officials last night adopted the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget, which goes into effect Oct. 1. The city commission’s 5-0 vote followed a public budget hearing, during which no one came forward to speak or ask questions. An earlier public hearing on the matter was held Sept. 14.

The budget maintains a historically low millage rate of 2.8287 for ad valorem taxes. In Wildwood, 30% of ad valorem revenue currently goes toward transportation for roadway infrastructure and maintenance, 27% goes toward public safety and police services, 25% goes toward recreation and parks, 16.5% is used for general government services, and the remaining 1.5% goes toward debt service.

In November, an amendment to the state constitution will appear on Florida ballots. If passed, it would change the state’s ad valorem taxing structure and reduce the associated revenue Wildwood receives.

“This looming unknown has made budgeting that much more challenging,” said City Manager Jason McHugh. “We tried to rise to that challenge by preparing different options that will enable the city to pivot quickly if needed.”

During budget workshops in August, city officials considered spending-reduction options if those changes were to occur, including the immediate adoption of a budget amendment defunding planned capital projects to account for the lost revenue.

Potential spending cuts include planned capital improvements such as a new community and outreach center at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, additional improvements at Millennium Park, and redevelopment of the former Martin Theatre property into a municipal center with a museum, street-level retail, community space, expanded city commission chambers, staff offices, and an elevated pedestrian crossing over U.S. 301/Main Street.

“As an urban planner by trade, it’s hard to plan when you don’t know what resources you will have next year or the year after,” McHugh said. “As public servants, however, we are here to serve the people and provide the services they vote to pay for. My goal is to be as prepared as possible to provide our community with whatever they tell us in November they want from us.”

The adopted fiscal year 2027 budget and other financial information can be found on the city’s website, wildwood-fl.gov, by clicking Government Transparency.


###

Do we need a museum? Expanded city commission chambers? Expanded staff offices? My vote for the proposed amendment change is YES. It will keep local government SMALL. Museums and expanded offices will need more tax revenue year after year to maintain.

Wildwood was able to find their wasteful spending. They will not move forward with their plans for luxury staff and commissioner offices. I am certain all local governments throughout Florida can easily identify waste. Notice: There is no mention of losing police, fire rescue, or 911 services if Amendment 3 passes. No mention of losing road maintenence or parks and recreation. There is plenty in the tax coffers to cover ALL. Why wouldn't there be? Wildwood is proud that they kept the tax rate at a historical low. They failed to mention the amount of homeowners and businesses paying Wildwood tax is at an historical HIGH. Thanks to the large amount of construction. Each year, as construction continues, WIldwood's tax revenue WILL INCREASE. It will not diminish.

[Maker]

Originally Posted by Normal

... I guess there wasn’t enough money left over after building that parking garage in the middle of nowhere for more than 50 k a parking space. Money to burn, and it’s ours as taxpayers.

Actually it's $100,000 per NEW parking spot, because they lost the existing 60 parking spaces they built on top of.

[Maker]

The first thing Wildwood posted was how the "held the rate and didn't increase tax rate".
Pure BS public relations double speak. They raised the total taxes collected, even though they didn't need it.
Perhaps if they lowered the tax rate - even just a tiny bit - it could have said they are trying. NOPE.

[Bill14564]

I see the press release says not one person spoke at the meeting. Interesting

[kansasr]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

I see the press release says not one person spoke at the meeting. Interesting

And I haven't seen any of the anti-Wildwood posters on here run for city commission either....interesting.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by kansasr

And I haven't seen any of the anti-Wildwood posters on here run for city commission either....interesting.

And I haven't seen opposers to Amendment 3 continue with their fear mongering : "We will lose police and fire service. There will be an increase in sales tax. Parks and recreation gone. They will tax you another way to cover the huge loss in tax revenue." Interesting.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

I see the press release says not one person spoke at the meeting. Interesting

Zombie plants?

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

And I haven't seen opposers to Amendment 3 continue with their fear mongering : "We will lose police and fire service. There will be an increase in sales tax. Parks and recreation gone. They will tax you another way to cover the huge loss in tax revenue." Interesting.

If I don’t buy nothing I don’t get taxes.. which way it should be IMO.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

And I haven't seen opposers to Amendment 3 continue with their fear mongering : "We will lose police and fire service. There will be an increase in sales tax. Parks and recreation gone. They will tax you another way to cover the huge loss in tax revenue." Interesting.

Nothing has changed. No one said police and fire would be gone, only that they may be underfunded. Both the Wildwood and Sumter contingency budgets indicate cutbacks in parks and rec. There will still be tax increases elsewhere- the amendment is a tax shift. Nothing has changed.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

I see the press release says not one person spoke at the meeting. Interesting

They will speak when they vote in November.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

They will speak when they vote in November.

And complain for the next 15 months about something they could have affected but chose not to. Brilliant

[Road-Runner]

Are the Wildwood Commissioners who 'Gold Wingnut' is now a part of? Story says the new budget was passed unanimously so perhaps not a total boondoggle??? Perhaps one or two more 3rd shift police officers patrolling the neighborhoods would be more worthwhile than a Wildwood museum. That would get my vote.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Nothing has changed. No one said police and fire would be gone, only that they may be underfunded. Both the Wildwood and Sumter contingency budgets indicate cutbacks in parks and rec. There will still be tax increases elsewhere- the amendment is a tax shift. Nothing has changed.

The amendment is a tax shift in your opinion. There has been no indication of an increase in taxes in other areas of local government.

Please...NOT ONE stated police and fire would be gone? Not only did some of the opposed state it but they also posted

Enjoy paying 20% sales tax
Veterans will suffer
Parks and recs will be closed
Libraries will close
People will lose their jobs
If you call police, fire, or 911, you will be charged
and more.....