then we will continue to drive that millage rate down. "Depending on how long it takes to get the values up. "The key is to get the values up so the millage can be reduced," Mayor Greg Brudnicki said. The city recently passed its $108,812,840 million FY 20-21 budget, which includes a decreased millage rate of 4.499 and revenues from a heavily debated fire assessment fee that is expected to generate more than $4 million.Ĭity officials anticipate millage rates to continue to tumble as property values go up and money rolls in from commercial development. More: Over 250 properties damaged by Hurricane Michael to be demolished What we're trying to do is take as much as we can off the taxpayers of Panama City," McQueen said. "We're all going to pay for the burden of the storm called Hurricane Michael. The funds are separate from FEMA reimbursement the city spent in the immediate response to the emergency needs of the storm that resulted in the city drawing a $75 million loan. "These are big things that are necessary to support and sustain a vibrant economy and the common household and businesses of our community." "We're on the threshold of getting those funds," he said. More: A year after Hurricane Michael, housing remains a challenge However, McQueen said he expects the $81 million, which was provided at 20% forgiveness and with the first payment on the remainder to be made in the next four years, to be available to the city within the next six weeks. Officials pointed to the eight-month political filibuster on passing the appropriation that has stalled work locally. "We're moving in a direction that's indicative of what's on the horizon of this great community," McQueen said.Īs a result of funds posted earlier this year through the legislative appropriation relating to Hurricane Michael, the city has planned for nearly $140 million in capital improvement projects, including $81 million for infrastructure, $35 million to replace 11 lift stations, and $30 million for water management. More: GALLERY: Mexico Beach one year after Hurricane Michael In the first five months post-storm, Panama City had 14,278 changes of address registered with the post office. Still, from the city facing a crumbling infrastructure further damaged by the hurricane to a shrinking population and housing rent costs remaining abnormally high because of insufficient stock, the county has much more recovery to do. Schools have established mental health services to help traumatized students get back on track with their studies. Housing has begun to bounce back and programs were created to help people buy homes. The area has received hundreds of millions of federal dollars in reimbursement for cleanup efforts - in some cases faster than first expected. More: GALLERY: Damage from Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beachĭespite such devastation, much has improved in the last two years. Hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed, thousands of trees were snapped and the lives of many families were uprooted. Panama City and the rest of Bay County on Saturday will mark two years since Category 5 Hurricane Michael struck, changing the area forever.
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