Naples budget talks include starting point at 1.29 mills

The Naples City Council on June 15 voted to set the proposed general fund millage rate at 1.29 mills, which is estimated to raise an additional $2.23 million in operating revenue. It is the starting number for the budget discussions, which will begin in August.

The number will be mailed to residents in what is known as a Truth in Millage Notice, and given public notice in advance of the budget hearings. The council can reduce that number during negotiations, but not increase it. A millage rate of 1.29 means property owners will pay $1.29 in tax for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value.

When combined with Collier County and school board levies, residents can expect an overall effective property tax rate of around 0.82%.

“We must certify this by July 1,” City Manager Gary Young told the council. “This will be what we advertise in the TRIM notice. Your maximum should be what you do so you only go down, not up.”

The decision to potentially raise the millage rate from 1.23 mills to 1.29 mills came after Council debated the effects of a November property tax referendum that could critically reduce what municipalities can collect in general fund revenue in 2027-28 and onward. The referendum requires municipalities to fully fund public safety departments, such as police, fire and code enforcement.

City Police Chief Ciro M. Dominguez and Fire Chief Phillip Pennington presented their budget requests during the debate. In making his case for more personnel, Dominguez cited large crowds on Fifth Avenue South during the holidays, increasing traffic and other stresses. 

He cited the department’s “Operation Beach Blanket” aimed at tamping down youth gang presence, disorderly behavior and public safety issues along the city’s beachfront areas.

“I am making a pitch for more people, which means you may have to raise the millage rate,” Dominguez told the council. “We have a season, a soft season and the season again. We have quality of life issues, noise … alcohol, drugs and the homeless.”

Dominguez asked the council for a dozen more officers and personnel, which would bring the department’s personnel from 76 to 86 officers between 2025 and 2027.

• Four police officers for nighttime patrols

• Two traffic unit officers

• One officer for beach patrol

• One crime analyst

• Two dispatchers

• One Special Investigative Unit detective

• One cybercrime investigator

When requesting a cybercrime investigator, Dominguez cited increased online fraud against elderly Naples residents and other citizens. In fact, the city itself was the victim of a cyberattack that resulted in the loss of $700,000, and it is not the only Florida city that’s been victimized.

Naples real estate agents have also been targets of online scammers posing as buyers. Crime analysts are specialized law enforcement professionals who support police investigations and community safety by collecting, mapping and analyzing crime data.

“Search your mind and heart and consider where we want to be in the world of public safety,” the chief said. “We really want this, we want to get in front of things before we get behind.”

To prevent local governments from defaulting on services, the November property tax referendum restricts them to spending remaining tax revenues on core public safety priorities, including police, fire and EMS. Critics warn if passed, the property tax referendum could slash up to $13 billion from municipal budgets such as Naples’. 

Council member Scott Schultz, who did a ride-along with the department, agreed that the city needs more officers.

“It’s a whole different city at night,” he said. “All the police cars but one were at one location because it required it. It was that problematic. These officers take so much crap. People get up in their faces and scream. The abuse that the officers take, you couldn’t pay me to do that.”

Pennington also had his requests, which included filling the following positions in 2026:

• Six new firefighters

• 1 operations division chief

• 1 fire inspector lieutenant

• 1 public education/outreach inspector

• 1 administrative specialist, fire prevention

Vice Mayor Ted Blankenship cautioned the council that it faces tricky financial ground if the November referendum passes.

“Ideally, we would fund everything that’s needed,” Blankenship said. “What if we can’t do everything, what would be the most important top one or two needs? I’d like to find money for everything, but we can’t.”

The first budget workshop is Monday, Aug. 17; Collier County mails out its TRIM notices Aug. 22; the first budget hearing is at 5:05 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, and the final budget hearing is at 5:05 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16.