GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Tuesday’s meeting of the Green Cove Springs City Council saw one of the most contentious votes in months from five council members who are known for their unanimous votes.

On a 3-2 majority vote, members of the council set the tentative millage rate to 3.6, the same it has been since the 2015 fiscal year, but not without a fight from council member Mitch Timberlake.

“There’s a significant number of projects in and about the city that we keep pushing off and it’s going to affect us as the growth goes in around us in our inability to provide the infrastructure and support that will make this the attractive city that we want it to be,” Timberlake said. “I have no problem explaining to the ratepayers in the City of Green Cove that we’re going to do things with that that we’ve been putting off for years.”

Timberlake explained that the city has $700,000 in stormwater projects alone that would directly benefit from the increase. He did note, however, that he didn’t think he would get the 5-0 vote necessary for the one mil increase, so he would also settle for an increase to 4.2763, which would only require a 4-1 vote. To keep things at the 3.6 rate, the council would only need a majority vote.

Before Timberlake made his argument for the increase, council member Van Royal led off the conversation, saying that city staff had prepared a good budget with the 3.6 millage rate in mind and that they wouldn’t need more money from Green Cove citizens.

“I think that we’ve taken some great steps in the last couple of years,” Royal said. “We’ve looked at capital improvements, across the board now with the addition of electric. We’ve looked at stormwater, we’ve got those things in place.”

He continued, “Being somewhat conservative, leaving it at that 3.6, assuming we’ll get 3 percent, and as Danielle [Judd, city manager] has pointed out in her memos, we can live within that and I think that at certain times it’s fair to the public to ask us to live within our constraints and with what we have.”

Councilor Pam Lewis spoke next, agreeing with Royal.

“I think that the budget was well done, it gives us the funds that we need to continue building our city infrastructure, which is very important,” Lewis said. “It provides adequate facilities for our workers to work in and I think we need to proceed with that. I’m pleased with 3.6 as well.”

Council member Steven Kelley also spoke in favor of keeping things where they are at, agreeing with the two preceding council members.

“I think setting the precedent of working within the 3.6 is good, especially in this time of appreciation that we’ve had over the last year,” Kelley said.

Timberlake took to the microphone next, “Madame Mayor, I’ll be the contrarian tonight, which doesn’t surprise anyone.”

Royal made a motion to keep the rate at 3.6, but Timberlake advised the mayor to hold out on that vote so he could make a motion and offer members of the council a chance to support his request for an increase.

“[By approving the millage rate at 3.6] we’re essentially locking ourselves into an arbitrarily low number before we sit down and look at the various budget items that are before us and it affords us no opportunity, or very limited opportunity, to raise the millage rate on a going-forward basis,” Timberlake said.

Royal offered a rebuttal.

“There are going to be times that we can’t get everything done, but the city has made large strides [within the budget constraints],” Royal said. “Everybody doesn’t get a 4.6 percent increase in their salaries and it would be fair across the board.”

Timberlake spoke again before a vote could be taken on Royal’s motion.

“There’s a difference between being conservative and being ill-advised,” Timberlake said. “Nocatee is an area that has taxes and fees that are significantly higher than ours, and it’s one of the fastest growth areas in Florida.”

Mayor Connie Butler spoke up supporting Timberlake’s tax hike.

“I would rather have something to work with, personally, than just the 3.6,” Butler said. “I would feel more comfortable with having a little bit more there to work down from, if we think we can still work with the 3.6.”

Royal’s motion passed 3-2, with Lewis and Kelley sticking to their previous statements, and Timberlake and Butler dissenting, holding out for a tax hike. The vote also set dates for public budget hearings, which cannot coincide with those of the School Board and County Commission. Green Cove Springs will hold budget hearings in conjunction with their regularly scheduled meeting dates and times on Sept. 4 and 18.

Though this was the only item presented under council business, the consent agenda saw the passing of two projects that will each bring their own impact to the city.

The first item passed will allow for the purchase and construction of a large electronic sign in front of City Hall to be used to inform citizens of city events and other information they might find useful.

The $44,944.82 sign will be paid for by $70,000 that was set aside for this year’s CIP budget, which included the sign and one more that will not be built yet. Due to the size, however, Tuesday’s 5-0 vote to approve the sign is contingent on the Planning and Zoning Board’s decision to allow a variance to allow for the large size.

Also, on the consent agenda was a proposal for the purchase and installation of a T-shaped dock for Vera Francis Hall Park. The dock will cost approximately $16,911.19 and will be paid for out of a pair of $50,000 Florida Recreation Development Assistance Project grants for the park and the Augusta Savage Arts and Community Center.