CLEWISTON -- The City of Clewiston Board of Commissioners approved a 2021-2022 fiscal year budget and millage rates Sept. 27 during a special BOC meeting and public hearing in a 5-0 vote.

The capital and operating budget is $30,433376.

PROJECTED EXPENDITURES/EXPENSES - UNRESTRICTED GENERAL FUND

General Government $2,851,693
Public Safety $3,576,378
Transportation $1,207,125
Physical Environment $339,496
Economic Environment $18,968
Culture and Recreation $2,093,207
Human Services $268,158

TOTAL PROJECTED GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES $10,355,025

ENTERPRISE FUNDS

Electric $13,372,594
Water/Sewer $4,446,733
 Solid Waste $1,688,427

 TOTAL PROJECTED ENTERPRISE FUNDS EXPENDITURES $19,507,754

PROJECTED EXPENDITURES - RESTRICTED

Community Redevelopment Agency $175,029
Community Redevelopment Agency Exp. $163,588
Library $231,980

TOTAL PROJECTED RESTRICTED FUNDS EXPENDITURES $570,597

TOTAL PROJECTED EXPENDITURES/EXPENSES - All funds $30,433,376

Commissioners also unanimously approved a millage rate of 6.5314 which is a 3.933% increase over the 6.2847 rollback millage rate as defined by Florida statutes, according to Mayor Kristine Petersen, but the same rate as the 2020-2021 budget as pointed out by Commissioner Mali Gardner.

One mill equals $1 in taxes for every $1,000 of taxable property value.

TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE - 6.53 14 MILLS

PROJECTED REVENUES – UNRESTRICTED

 Ad Valorem Taxes $1,893,764
General Fund $8,461,261
Electric Fund $13,372,594
Water/Sewer Fund $4,446,733
Solid Waste Fund $1,688,427

TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS $29,862,779

PROJECTED REVENUES – RESTRICTED

C.R.A. (T.I.F.) $160,959
BBF C.R.A. (T.I.F.) $14,070
C.R.A. EXPANSION (T.I.F.) $56,283
BBF C.R.A. EXPANSION (T.I.F.) $107,305
State Grants (Library) $131,852
BBF (Library) $100,128
Total Restricted Funds $570,597

TOTAL PROJECT REVENUES AND OTHER $30,433,376

The budget can be viewed at the City of Clewiston website or requested from the Finance Department.

After the vote, Gardner requested the board invite the property appraiser to come before the commission to talk about the assessments for the past year.

“I’ve been hearing a lot of comments about our assessments that it shows an increase,” she said.

Having a public meeting where the community can hear directly from the appraiser would be helpful, she said.

Martin said he would arrange that in a future BOC meeting.