On September 19, the Town Council held its final budget hearing and unanimously adopted the effective millage rate for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025.
The millage rate of 0.7000 mills is unchanged from the rate of the current fiscal year, 2024 through 2025.
A dominant factor in setting the millage rate and adopting the budget was consideration of the impact on the Town's reserve funds of a forthcoming project to repair the eroded dune system, which sustained significant damage from Hurricane Milton in October 2024. The Town Council authorized the dune repair project, tentatively scheduled for the start of 2026, and selected Guettler Brothers Construction, LLC for the work.
The project's preliminary design by Coastal Waterways Design & Engineering anticipates the largest volume of sand placed by the Town yet.
Over the past 10 years, the Town Council has focused on building ample reserves to be able to absorb projects of this nature, which are important to the safety of the community. The Town is in a strong financial position, allowing the Town Council to avoid increasing the millage rate.
You may be wondering why the budget was finalized in September, a time of year when many of Orchid's residents are out of state. You may also have correctly guessed that it's due to requirements in state law. Next, you may be questioning the timing of the anticipated dune repair project.
Again, legal requirements are at play, as the Town is not permitted to engage in construction activity on the beach once sea turtle nesting season begins on March 1. If you have any questions about the budget or the dune repair project, please contact the Town Manager or speak to any of your Councilmembers.