ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — Altamonte Springs city leaders advanced a proposed 4.0-mill millage rate for fiscal year 2026-27 during a public hearing as the city continues budget discussions, which didn’t originally involve funding for Red Hot & Boom and the city library.
City Manager Franklin Martz said the city is working to find the best way to address residents’ budget concerns. Martz said the proposal would reduce the overall cost of the city’s budget for the second consecutive year.
Red Hot & Boom and the city library were not budgeted for this year, and Martz encouraged residents to stay engaged as the budget process continues.
City Commissioner Jim Turney made an amendment that would put enough funding back into the city budget to operate the library through the end of September 2027.
“But the more important part is that it creates a framework that will allow others to prepare an option for keeping the city library going for many years, but not in the city budget, so we don’t end up with this every year,” Turney said.
A second reading of the proposed budget is scheduled for Sept. 16. If the budget passes, it will take effect on Oct. 1.