NEWBERRY — The Newberry City Commission approved a proposed property tax rate for the 2026-27 fiscal year Monday while advancing several development projects, including the final phase of a residential subdivision, a new self-storage facility and future plans for Champions Park.
Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution establishing a proposed millage rate of 6.0 mills. The action sets the maximum property tax rate that can be considered during the budget process, although commissioners retain the option of lowering the rate before adopting the city’s final budget.
The proposed rate is higher than last year’s adopted rate of 5.8 mills. One mill equals $1 in taxes for every $1,000 of taxable property value.
The proposed rate also exceeds the city’s rolled-back rate of 5.5515 mills. The rolled-back rate is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as the previous year, excluding revenue from new construction. Under Florida law, adopting a rate above the rolled-back rate is considered a tax increase and requires additional public hearings before a final rate is approved.
Property owners will see the proposed 6.0-mill rate reflected on Truth in Millage (TRIM) notices mailed by Alachua County later this year.
The commission also unanimously approved construction plans for Phase 5B of the Avalon Woods subdivision.
The approximately 9.74-acre phase is located east of U.S. Highway 41/State Road 45 and west of the Easton Newberry Sports Complex. The application was submitted by JBPro on behalf of property owner M3 Avalon Land LLC.
Representatives Jimmy Jones of JBPro and Dave McDaniel of 3M Development answered commissioners’ questions during the meeting, including questions about the mix of residential and commercial development and the location of commercial properties within the overall project.
Commissioners also approved a site and development plan, along with development conditions, for YSU Self-Storage at Highland Park.
The approximately 3.13-acre project includes three storage buildings and a covered outdoor storage area designed to accommodate 12 recreational vehicles. Plans presented to the commission included temperature-controlled storage units connected by a wide indoor drive-through corridor, as well as architectural renderings of the buildings and proposed landscaping.
In other business, commissioners unanimously approved on second reading an amendment to the city’s Land Development Regulations eliminating the requirement for a special exception to allow outdoor dining, open-air restaurants and open-sided or freestanding commercial pavilions in commercial zoning districts.
City officials said the amendment had been reviewed by the state and returned without comment.
The commission also approved on second reading a large-scale Future Land Use Map amendment for Champions Park. The amendment changes the future land use designation on two parcels from Agriculture to Public Facilities and Land, clearing the way for future recreational development.
Following the land use action, Parks and Recreation Director Rod Clark sought direction from commissioners regarding the design of recreation fields planned for Champions Park South.
“Staff recommends setting up those fields as multi-purpose fields,” Clark said.
Clark told commissioners the city currently has three multi-purpose fields that are used primarily on weekends. Multi-purpose fields can accommodate a variety of sports, including soccer, lacrosse, flag football, kickball and baseball.
Commissioners agreed with the recommendation to develop the new fields as multi-purpose facilities.
The next regular meeting of the Newberry City Commission is scheduled for Aug. 10.
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