NEWBERRY – Newberry property owners will pay a $360 residential fire assessment in the coming fiscal year, while city commissioners have increased the proposed property tax rate to help pay for fire station improvements and an additional firefighter.
The Newberry City Commission approved the final fire assessment for fiscal year 2026-27 during its Aug. 24 meeting. The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
The $360 assessment represents a $60 increase, with half of the increase designated for higher service levels and inflationary costs and the other half directed toward the city’s fire master plan.
The city expects the assessment to generate approximately $2.06 million toward fire rescue costs. Residential property owners will see the assessment on property tax bills issued by Alachua County.
Nonresidential properties are assessed based on square footage. Commercial properties will be charged 41 cents per square foot, industrial and warehouse properties 11 cents per square foot and institutional properties 36 cents per square foot.
Commissioners also revised the city’s proposed property tax rate as they work toward adopting a final budget for the coming fiscal year.
Newberry’s current millage rate is 5.8800 mills, and commissioners had initially proposed reducing the rate to 5.8500 mills. Instead, they increased the proposed rate to 5.9500 mills to help fund an expansion of the fire station intended to reduce firefighters’ exposure to cancer-causing contaminants.
Firefighters can be exposed to hazardous substances that collect on protective clothing and equipment. The planned improvements are intended to provide space and procedures for properly airing and handling equipment after use to reduce contamination.
The city’s plans also call for adding a firefighter as part of the service-level increase.
“The final adoption of the millage will be in September,” Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Dallas Lee said.
The proposed millage rate is not final and could change before commissioners adopt the city’s budget and tax rate in September.
CountryWay II rezoning approved
In another major action, commissioners unanimously gave final approval to rezoning approximately 160 acres for a planned residential development expected to accommodate as many as 500 homes.
The property, commonly known as CountryWay II, is at the southwest corner of Southwest 15th Avenue and Southwest 234th Terrace, approximately a half-mile east of State Road 45.
Commissioners approved the ordinance on second reading, changing the zoning from Agricultural to Planned Residential Development.
The rezoning follows an earlier large-scale amendment to the city’s future land use map for the same property, changing its designation from Mixed Use to Residential Low Density, which allows up to four dwelling units per acre.
The Planned Residential Development designation provides the zoning framework for the proposed residential project.
City investigates missing water
City officials are also trying to determine what is happening to an estimated 100,000 gallons of municipal water that goes unaccounted for each day.
City Manager Jordan Marlowe told commissioners the loss is estimated to cost Newberry approximately $100,000 annually.
Officials believe some of the discrepancy may be attributable to leaks or water used during construction projects, but the city has not determined the full cause and is continuing to investigate.
Marlowe also announced that construction has begun on the city’s wastewater treatment plant project.
Commissioners took additional action to reduce costs associated with city public works projects, unanimously approving a resolution allowing Newberry to participate in fee-reduction programs offered by the Suwannee River Water Management District and Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The programs provide reduced application fees for qualifying public-purpose projects undertaken by smaller municipalities. City officials estimate Newberry will save more than $2,000 in application fees.
“This resolution for fee reduction programs is adopted yearly for cities with a population of less than 25,000,” Public Works and Utilities Director Rance Green said.
Green said Newberry’s population is 9,953.
The city also announced that the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center is seeking volunteers for its “My Time” tutoring program. Volunteers are needed Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m.
The next Newberry City Commission meeting is scheduled for Sept. 14.
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