October 14, 2025

 

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners 221 Palafox Place

Pensacola, Florida 32502

 

Re:    Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Adopted Budget Honorable Members:

I am presenting the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Adopted Budget in accordance with my responsibility, as outlined in Florida Statutes Chapter 129.03(3).

 

VISION, MISSION STATEMENT, AND VALUES, POLICIES AND GOALS

Vision Statement: Escambia County - Exceeding expectations and leading the way through excellence in service and quality of life.

 

Mission Statement: To provide efficient, responsive services that enhance the quality of life, meet common needs, and promote a safe and healthy community.

Values: Character, Commitment, Communication, Consensus, and Competency.

 

Current and Future Initiatives: The Adopted Budget was developed around the framework set by the County’s strategic planning initiative. The primary themes of the strategic initiative are to Improve Customer Service, Restore Public Trust and Confidence, foster Economic Development, Maintain Infrastructure, and practice Fiscal Responsibility.

Customer Service:

 

We continuously strive to be more functional, effective, and organizationally efficient, as well as responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. In the last few years, we have made significant technological improvements to provide new and innovative ways to continue uninterrupted customer service to our citizens. This coming year we pledge to continue our focus on providing high-quality customer service to the citizens of our county at the lowest possible cost.

Long-Term Goal: Adopt Process Improvement Methodology to assess our Public Service

 

Process improvement is the key. We strive to review, promote, and adopt process improvements in all that we do as a local government. If problems arise in the processes themselves, we will undertake a thorough review of the process to determine ways to change and improve them; that is our goal. To that end the County is utilizing a centralized system called PowerDMS, where the County’s policies, processes and training are easier to find and cross-reference in one location for employees. CivicClerk software is used in the production of the County’s agendas. OpenGov software is being used in two departments, Management and Budget Services and Purchasing. For budgeting, it provides financial reporting and transparency as well as creates an online interactive budget document for the County and its citizens. For purchasing, it gives prospective vendors and suppliers one location for questions, guided processes, and the ability to receive bid notifications of future opportunities and ask questions. The County Engineering Department continues to use Procore, a subscription-based project management software, to help manage their projects.  Additionally, several departments began using the new eCivis software to track and find grant opportunities for the County. This software should help the departments manage their grants more easily. With these software systems, the County will be able to maintain its commitment to transparency, process improvement, and performance excellence.

 

County management and employees are committed to customer service and quality for its citizens. All County vehicles are equipped with vehicle tracking systems for monitoring their whereabouts in real-time. Communication efforts will continue to emphasize the fraud-waste-abuse hotline to maintain accountability with the community and our employees. These initiatives allow continuous tracking and reporting, which increases transparency and process efficiencies, as well as provide a way for employees and citizens to be more involved in their government. These transparency initiatives are a part of our plan to improve our service levels to go above and beyond what is expected.

 

The County currently uses Brightly, a work order system, with a citizen portal that allows residents to submit work orders by cell phone or the internet. Many departments, such as Facilities, Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, Public Works and Waste Services use this system. It is a centralized medium for assigning and tracking the progress of work orders, creating greater efficiency. MyGovernmentOnline software allows county citizens to conveniently submit permits, track applications, and access public records online, saving time and reducing the need for in-person visits. It also increases transparency and efficiency by streamlining communication between residents and county departments. Anything a citizen can do in-person can be completed online through this software for convenience. Human Resources uses Kronos/UKG software to provide a better solution for employee time keeping with all electronic time sheets, position tracking, and workflows. We strive to find ways to incorporate services between other County government agencies to reduce costs and increase functionality.

 

The County continues to provide neighborhood code enforcement services to address nuisance conditions, such as overgrowth and unsafe structures and supports strategic goals. During Fiscal Year 2024/2025, the Neighborhood and Human Services Department coordinated thirty Neighborhood Cleanup events throughout the County that focused on individual neighborhoods. These events allow area residents to bring yard debris and other household waste to the right-of-way to be picked up and properly disposed of free-of-charge. During these events, Waste Services handles the hazardous household waste collection, and the Road Department provides the manpower, equipment and logistics to conduct the cleanup. Escambia County has an agreement with City of Pensacola Sanitation for them to assist with ten of our cleanups a year.

Public Trust & Confidence:

 

It is the on-going goal and objective of Escambia County to change the common perception of government red tape and bureaucracy. To that end, the County staff continues the education and implementation of the County’s ethics policy, conducting annual ethics and workplace harassment training, conducting community and employee surveys, giving greater citizen information access, and educating the public and media on our County processes.

 

Long-Term Goal: Enhance the relationship between Escambia County government, its citizens and the media through positive public and media relations

During Fiscal Year 2023, the County added a Strategic Communications Director who continues to enhance Escambia County’s communications with citizens through proactively sharing information about the County. This position is responsible for implementing strategies to promote county initiatives, projects, and plans for citizens. The Strategic Communications Director also develops community engagement plans, assists with short and long-range planning initiatives, and implements campaigns to increase community engagement and awareness.

 

The Office of Community and Media Relations is responsible for proactively coordinating Escambia County communications and releasing accurate and timely information to county residents, the media, and Board of County Commissioners’ employees. The department assists with heightening awareness of the county’s mission, programs, policies, initiatives, and services to foster good relationships with our citizens and media partners. They act as a full-service communication office for county departments, the services include:

 

• Developing educational and outreach campaigns for county departments to better inform residents of county services
• Serving as the liaison between the media and county departments, answering questions from media on county news, programs, and services
• Answering questions for our residents about county services
• Writing, designing, and distributing the county’s informational products including press releases, mailers, reports, guides, fact sheets, newsletters, and service brochures
• Curating county brand standards and ensuring consistency in all print and digital collateral
• Broadcasting meetings for the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and other county boards and committees
• Providing photo, video and social media coverage for county events and commissioner activities, including town hall meetings, neighborhood outreach, ribbon cuttings, and more
• Scripting and producing original programming for ECTV
• Managing website content and design
• Developing content for county social media pages, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter)
• Organizing and assisting with special events
• Working in the field during emergencies

Long-Term Goal: Restore Public Trust

 

The County has twenty-three (23) departments/equivalents for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 that provide access, assistance, and services to the public. While each County department has specific goals and measurements, which are necessary, the County’s mission is uniform and central to all that we do.

County Mission: To provide efficient, responsive services that enhance the quality of life, meet common needs, and promote a safe and healthy community.

 

The County’s website is located at www.myescambia.com. As mentioned previously, this allows the community to ask questions and submit service requests on a variety of subjects for the public to obtain quick responses from the County. The County continues to have a strong social media presence on multiple platforms to help answer questions quickly as well. We will continue to respond to and address any deficiencies in an ongoing capacity into the future.

 

Economic Development:

The County has promoted activities and programs designed to improve the quality of life in Escambia County. By implementing the goals and objectives contained in the Escambia County Comprehensive Plan, we are building a sustainable, livable community. Specific activities and programs, related to future land use planning, transportation planning, affordable housing, infrastructure monitoring, coastal management, conservation, recreation, improving intergovernmental and community relations, capital improvement monitoring, community redevelopment and economic development are highlighted in the 2022/2023 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Annual Report and can be accessed at the following link: https://myescambia.com/our-services/development-services/planning-zoning

 

Long-Term Goal: Promote Activities and Programs that Improve the Quality of Life and Build a Sustainable, Livable Community

In an effort to keep pace with growth and changes in the law, the County continues the process of reviewing its Land Development Code (LDC) with the intent of eliminating inconsistencies and streamlining multiple processes. This, in turn, is intended to make the development review process more efficient while boosting the standards demanded by the local community and the State of Florida. Changes to the Florida Statutes have returned much of the Comprehensive Planning Process to local government. Changes made to the County’s LDC are done by local ordinance moving forward.

 

Centrally located in Escambia County is the Central Office Complex, a one-stop facility, located at 3363 West Park Place. This facility handles all the various engineering, permitting, and zoning issues under one roof, providing a greater level of convenience and service to the citizens of Escambia County. At the current pace of construction, permitting commercial projects where a development order is necessary is approximately thirty days. Residential projects needing land use approval take approximately five days.

 

The Pensacola Bay Center located in downtown Pensacola adjacent to the I-110 Interchange has approximately 10,000 seats for concerts and other forms of entertainment that includes the Pensacola’s Ice Flyers hockey team and the 2021-2025 Sun Belt Basketball Conference. During Fiscal Year 2024, the Bay Center performed a facility assessment to modernize the facility. Some of the identified improvements range from $50 million to $100 million to bring the Pensacola Bay Center into the future, modernizing the facility and increasing the Bay Center’s marketability for future events and activities. The Bay Center Management Company, ASM Global, agreed to contribute up to $10 million towards the total cost of identified capital improvements to the Bay Center facility. On April 16, 2024, the Tourist Development Council (TDC) approved the use of Tourist Development Tax (TDT) reserve funds and the following month the Escambia County Commissioners approved a multi- year capital improvement plan to be funded with Fifth Cent Tourist Development (TDT) funds in the amount of $9.9 million over 4 years. Funds will be used to replace the ice plant, arena ice floor, lighting, sound system and many other capital projects that are needed. If additional capital improvements are approved by the Board, the County would bond a portion of TDT revenues to provide a funding mechanism to fund the capital project.

 

The County Parks and Recreation Department procured a study on sports arenas and artificial turf. Staff presented the artificial turf project at the John R. Jones Park to the TDC, and they opted to fund the project for $25 million. The Board of County Commissioners accepted TDC’s recommendation, and this project is currently in the implementation and design phase.  In November 2025, Escambia County will be hosting the Women’s SEC soccer tournament for the 5^th year at Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park. Each game of the event will be covered live and aired on the SEC Network which could be seen nationwide.

 

The West Florida Public Libraries (WFPL) operates eight full-service locations. In August 2024, Pensacola was ranked fourth among the Best U.S. Cities for Book Lovers, with WFPL recognized as a key contributor to this national honor.  Operated under county governance, WFPL benefits from a dedicated funding source through a countywide millage, which generates approximately $12 million in funding.

The County has expanded services and emphasized the importance of social programs in our communities, specifically targeting youth. These include after school programs utilizing local teachers and volunteers; youth sports, such as basketball, tennis, and soccer in community centers like Brownsville, Ebonwood/Oakcrest, and Wedgewood. Our centers have internet service and some with computer labs. The summer camp program is an all-day program while students are out of school. Another county success is the Summer Employment Program. In 2025, approximately 250 participants aged 16-24, were employed part time in County departments learning job skills, time management, job readiness, resumes, and interviewing skills. As of this year, the County has hired 18 youth in full-time positions.

Long-Term Goal: Foster Economic Growth and Development

 

One of the primary focuses of the Board of County Commissioners during the budget process is to continue the enhancement of neighborhood services throughout the County. The Tax Increment Financing Districts fund a variety of Community Redevelopment Areas (CRA) and projects in the county. These funds are used to pay for infrastructure improvements in these districts, commercial façade grants, neighborhood programs, safety initiatives, streetlighting, and are intended to alleviate the blight felt in these communities, as well as increasing property values in the affected areas.

 

Escambia County’s recovery from prior hurricane damage led to newer and more up-to-date hotel/motel facilities being built. Construction of additional facilities continues in the downtown and surrounding areas. These activities contribute to a current revenue stream of over $21 million annually in bed tax collections. The County also undertook various bond defeasements, and bond refinancing that were partially funded with the “bed tax”. The bonds paid for by the bed tax were satisfied during Fiscal Year 2019/2020, the $1.3 million former bond payment was set aside as an additional reserve at that time. Since the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010, approximately $200 million in restoration funds have been committed to projects within the County, benefiting residents, visitors, and natural resources alike. Funding sources include the RESTORE Act, Natural Resources Damage Assessment (NRDA), National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), and Triumph Gulf Coast. Visit Pensacola (VP) and Pensacola Sports are both designated as Tourist Bureaus with VP also designated as the destination marketing organization (DMO) for Escambia County.

 

The Board approved the issuance of a $25.1 million bank loan during fiscal year 2024-25 using Tourist Development Tax as the dedicated funding source. Capital project funds will be used for improvements and artificial turf at the John R. Jones Sports arena.

 

The County continues to maintain its relationship with Visit Pensacola to do consolidated marketing and tourism efforts for the greater Pensacola Area. In 2024, the economic impact of tourism was roughly $2 billion with more than 2.5 million visitors to the County. These activities enhance the County’s ability to protect and expand one of its major industries and compete with areas like Destin, Florida and Gulf Shores, Alabama, as well as aiding local job creation. Increased tourism activities grow local option sales and gas tax revenues which benefit the County with non-County citizens paying a substantial portion of these taxes. For FY 2025/2026, the unified tourism budgets will include Visit Pensacola, and Art, Culture and Entertainment (ACE) operationally combined, and Pensacola Sports Association (PSA) totaling $14.6 million.

Marcus Point Commerce Park has one parcel left available. The other parcel remaining consists of stormwater and greenbelt areas. Any sales would contribute to revenues for the County and spur economic development by luring new businesses to the area. Central Commerce Park only has retention ponds and conservation areas remaining.

 

The County worked with the United States Navy on a land-swap deal for the design of an additional commerce park to grow the local economy. The OLF-8 Navy property is located in District 1 off 9 Mile Road; geographically close to Navy Federal Credit Union, it is a prime location for economic growth and close access to Interstate 10. The Board worked with DPZ to develop a master plan which was approved on October 14, 2021. The proposed activity includes a new master plan that contains mixed-use development. The plan includes retail, multi-family (over retail), multi-family (standalone), commerce area, offices, and townhomes in the master plan. The County is currently marketing for sale the undeveloped parcels that includes aspects of the master plan. The County has received several offers ranging from $36-$40 million for 540 acres, $1.2 million for 12 acres and $2.479 million for 24.79 acres for the OLF-8 property. The County continues its discussion on the sale of the OLF-8 property to enhance quality of life for Escambia’s citizens and increase economic activity.

 

The County agreed to cooperate in the joint funding for the development of a Regional Medical Examiner Facility for the District 1 Medical Examiner’s office, which is located in Santa Rosa County. Four counties are participating in the shared construction costs of this facility with a revised estimated cost of $22.5 million: Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, Okaloosa County and Walton County. This facility will be centralized and accessible to all stakeholders.

 

On October 4, 2007, the County adopted Economic Development Incentive Ordinances and have renewed the ordinances several times since. The first of their kind in Escambia County, they provide rebates/grants of local taxes/funding to companies in targeted industries that create a minimum of 10 new jobs in the County with an average salary greater than the area average. The County will also donate business lots in the Technical Park for qualified industries as well as EDATES. Economic incentives for various businesses meeting this criterion totaled $3,588,173 for 2025.

 

Maintain Infrastructure:

 

It is of vital importance that the County maintains its infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and stormwater holding ponds. Well-maintained infrastructure adds to public safety initiatives undertaken by the County. The County leverages our dedicated funding source of the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) to support local infrastructure needs; LOST must be approved by voter referendum for this purpose. As part of these initiatives County Code Enforcement is more involved in making sure our neighborhoods are clean and meet County codes. MyGovernmentOnline software enables our citizens and County Commissioners to be informed of code, roads and building permit activities in real time. Maintenance of County infrastructure comes from various revenue sources including gas taxes, LOST for park maintenance on parks built with LOST, holding pond MSBU’s, and the general fund. The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) also funds certain infrastructure projects within the various Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts. Revenues that are generated within these TIF Districts are used to maintain any capital projects paid with this funding source.

 

Long-Term Goal: Capital Improvement Elements & Projects

 

During November of 2014, the citizens of Escambia County voted to extend the one-cent local option sales tax (LOST) for infrastructure; these funds are included in the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 budget. This is the fourth time the citizens have approved levying this tax. The County has invested more than $729 million with LOST III and LOST IV in the County’s infrastructure with the third and fourth allocation of LOST. The proceeds of this tax have made large investments in the construction of new libraries, including a new “main” branch, road reconstruction and dirt road paving, fire facilities, drainage improvements and vehicle replacements for EMS, the Fire Department and the Sheriff’s Office. Approximately $50.4 million of LOST IV was used to build the new Escambia County Jail Facility. Of this amount non-residents of the County will pay one-third of the tax; thus, reducing the amount paid by the citizens of the County. The construction cost for the new Jail facility was $135 million and the acquisition cost of the land including demolition of the McDonald Shopping Center was $4,976,123.

The fifth allocation of LOST is anticipated to be placed on the 2026 election ballot for the Escambia County voters’ consideration. The County is currently evaluating the size and scope of the 2nd addition of the new jail. While the cost has not been determined, it is anticipated that the fifth allocation of LOST will be a pledged revenue source for bonding the cost to construct the new jail facility. Additionally, a study was completed to determine the cost ranging from $25-$30 million for a new animal shelter facility which is currently in the design phase for future construction.

 

The Pensacola Bay Bridge Project had a major impact on the Greater Pensacola Area. The bridge replacement cost an estimated $399 million connecting downtown Pensacola with the City of Gulf Breeze. The Florida Department of Transportation allocated funds to cover the cost of the bay bridge to replace the old and aging infrastructure. The new bridge opened in March 2023 and has three lanes per bridge span and includes a bike and walking path. The old bridge spans were removed and used for artificial reefing activities. Hurricane Sally did major damage to the new bridge in September 2020 that caused the Pensacola-Gulf Breeze connector to close for several months. The newly named Chappie James Pensacola Bay Bridge is a great addition and asset to the Pensacola area.

 

The Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge sustained major damage during Hurricane Sally. During the storm, multiple construction barges from the adjacent Pensacola Bay Bridge construction project broke loose and impacted the fishing bridge causing extensive damage. FEMA and the State of Florida have obligated 95% of the entire cost with Escambia County responsible for the remaining 5%.  Construction is anticipated to begin November 2025 with an estimated completion date of July 2027.

 

On June 22, 2018, Pensacola Bay Ferry began offering ferry service from Downtown Pensacola to Ft. Pickens and Pensacola Beach. Day passes are: $30 for 16 and older, $24 for seniors 62 and above, military, college students, and persons with disabilities, $20 for children ages 3 to 15, and free for children 2 and under. The goal is to reduce traffic congestion and lower the number of vehicles on Pensacola Beach.

 

The all-electronic toll system on the Bob Sikes Bridge to Pensacola Beach was implemented on March 20, 2020. The toll remains $1, and cash and change are no longer accepted at the location. Motorists can use either SunPass®, another interoperable transponder or be billed utilizing the toll-by-plate system. Toll-by-plate customers will be charged a $1 toll, plus a monthly $2.50 administrative fee and will receive a bill by mail.

 

The State of Florida awarded Escambia County several grants related to Hurricane Sally totaling $83 million. The Board authorized a revolving, interest free, interfund loan from LOST IV funds to create the CDBG-DR Rebuild Florida Fund to provide cash to support these projects until grant reimbursements are received from the federal government. The projects consist of drainage and road improvements in the Town of Century, evacuation shelter/multi-purpose facility in the Town of Century, a new transit center, regional drainage improvements, bus shelters, voluntary home buyout projects and housing repair, replacement and mitigation projects in Escambia County.

 

Fiscal Accountability:

 

It is our goal to provide the most efficient and effective budget strategies for the citizens of Escambia County.  On September 23, 2025, the county-wide millage was reduced from 6.6165 to 6.600.  This rate hasn’t increased or decreased since fiscal year 2014 when it was approved at 6.6165.  The County will continue to capitalize on alternative revenue sources whenever possible to cover increasing expenses. Historically, the County millage rates were 8.756 in 2007, 8.0170 in 2008, 6.9755 in 2009, and 6.6165 in 2014.

 

Long-Term Goal: Promote Fiscal Responsibility & Cost Effectiveness

 

The Florida Amendment One called for reductions in local government millage rates and caps on ad-valorem growth. As a result, in FY 08/09 the Escambia County BCC reduced the millage rate from 8.017 to 6.9755 mills for a thirteen percent reduction in ad-valorem tax revenue and later reduced to 6.6165.  For twelve years, the County maintained this rate up until Fiscal Year 2025/26 when the county-wide millage rate was reduced to 6.600. The County has maintained the Library MSTU at .3590, and .6850 for the Sheriff’s MSTU. Consequently, the County continues to create prudent financial strategies to maintain basic and targeted increases to service levels to the residents of Escambia County. These include funding a consolidated Library System, County Jail, Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) Public Safety and Public Works, and Mass Transit services under the BCC.  The County incorporated and consolidated the two SRIA Divisions during Fiscal Year 2015/16 and conversely decreased the SRIA budget by an estimated $4 million. The County eliminated the contract for public transit services and brought mass transit in-house for FY 2017/18 at an estimated savings of $700,000 primarily from differences in health and dental insurance premiums. We continue discussions with the other constitutional officers and other governmental organizations to gain efficiencies through consolidation efforts and promote cost effectiveness on a range of issues including employee benefits, healthcare, financial and software systems, and GIS systems.

 

In February 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 25-44 establishing Florida Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), a statewide initiative to review spending and identify inefficiencies within state and local governments. In response, Escambia County continues to evaluate its own operations to reinforce accountability, reduce redundancy, and ensure that public funds are managed responsibly and efficiently.

 

It is anticipated that the State of Florida legislature will approve a new Property Tax amendment and referendum to be placed on the ballot for the 2026 election cycle. While local governments have great uncertainty related to the financial impacts of property tax revenue reductions, the county stands ready to move forward in a fiscally responsible manner.

 

The Human Resources Department began implementing a new pay plan during Fiscal Year 2022/2023. Lapse salaries and vacancies were used to fund the implementation of the County’s new pay plan, increasing the County’s ability to compete in the local market, with adjacent counties, and the City of Pensacola. In addition, funds were used to raise salaries of current employees to competitive wages. The County will continue to build on this initiative into Fiscal Year 2025/2026, as well as continue, to raise wages per the minimum wage requirements approved by Florida voters increasing wages up to $15/hour by 2026.

Santa Rosa Island (SRI), a gulf-front community within the County, is comprised of governmental properties and privately held leasehold properties. The term on these land leases is ninety-nine (99) years with automatic options to renew. In October of 2004, the improvements on the leasehold properties were placed on the tax roll for the first time; the ensuing residential lawsuit was won in the County’s favor and held to be taxable by the trial court allowing the taxation of improvements on Pensacola Beach. The Property Appraiser placed the land associated with the leasehold properties on the tax roll, generating an estimated $3.5 million in additional recurring property tax revenue, also resulting in litigation. During Fiscal Year 13/14, the cases involving improvements on Pensacola Beach were resolved in the County’s favor. During Fiscal Year 2015/2016, certain cases involving land taxes associated with condominiums were not ruled in the County’s favor by the Florida Supreme Court. However, other land taxes are anticipated to remain on the tax roll. The County has refunded a total to date of approximately $10.4 million for certain condominium beach property owners based on a reduction in taxable values on those properties involved in this litigation. Conversely, it is estimated that the Santa Rosa Island 2025 property taxes will generate $13.4 million in annual recurring property tax revenue.

 

Future Budgets will be scrutinized and reviewed in all areas for efficiencies and services that can be combined to provide savings to Escambia citizens. The County has had consistent growth in property valuation to maintain levels of service historically ranging from $7-$9 million annually in additional revenue. Property valuation for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 increased by roughly $16 million over Fiscal Year 2024/2025. Even with this growth, there are continued challenges to fund law enforcement, public safety, targeted increases in services, capital replacement, and competitive wages.

 

OVERVIEW OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Growth and Service Requirements: Most of the growth in the County over the last 12 years continues to be in the unincorporated area of the County. Escambia County has a current population estimated at more than 336,000 citizens, which means County government provides services to the largest “city” in the County, with an urban population of more than 279,000. These urban-type services provided by the Board include parks and recreation, public works, growth management, engineering, code enforcement, social and veteran’s services, fire protection services and a host of internal services, such as information resources and facilities management. In addition, the Board provides emergency operations, emergency medical services, building inspections, environmental protection programs, mass transit, the bay (civic) center and solid waste disposal facilities.

The Board is also responsible for funding the Medical Examiner, Baker Act Services, County portion of State mandated Medicaid, Department of Juvenile Justice reimbursements and a wide array of county-wide services that are provided by other Constitutional Officers, such as the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections, Sheriff’s Law Enforcement, Jail Facilities and certain court functions.

OVERVIEW OF ADOPTED BUDGET

The Government Finance Officers’ Association of the U.S. and Canada presented, for the 29th year, an award for the Distinguished Budget Presentation to Escambia County for its Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Annual Budget. The County has also earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 41st time for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

Balanced Budget: State law requires that the Board adopt a balanced budget; that is, projected expenses must be funded by available revenue sources. The Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget was balanced at the following levies: 6.600 county-wide millage rate, .3590 Library MSTU millage rate, and .6850 for the Law Enforcement MSTU. Escambia County’s Adopted Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget totals $867,962,562 and includes a 3% pay increase for County employees. The County maintains its commitment to responsible levels of taxation.

 

Future Operating Impact: There continues to be pressure from a variety of sources on County governmental revenue streams, some of these pressures have been mitigated by funding various functions from other legally allowable sources instead of the General Fund. There is no change in the Library MSTU levy for Fiscal Year 2025/2026, which fully funds the County Library System, Library Facilities, and Library Information Technology needs with no need for additional tax increases.

The County anticipates conservative growth in its major revenues. The following summary of major County revenues are projected and forecast for the next three fiscal years.