According to a feasibility report released April 24 by Preserve Navarre, it would cost nearly $22.3 million by fiscal year 2028 to operate a proposed future City of Navarre, if voters approve moving forward with the effort, which excludes the community of Holley.
The proposal also includes borrowing $9 million at a cost of $525,000 to construct a city hall building within the first five years after incorporating. Future proposed borrowing includes $4.25 million for five electric battery buses (public transportation) and $1.2 million to fund a pedestrian walkover.
Preserve Navarre’s proposed revenue streams include but are not limited to:
- a 1 mill ad valorem tax levied on property owners within city limits, totaling roughly $5.47 million per year;
- $1.86 million for tourism development tax revenues (however, pursuant to Florida State Statutes that funding is distributed to counties, not cities);
- red light cameras;
- building permit fees;
- $656,255 in parking fees for tourists;
- $970,925 in traffic infractions;
- $1.66 million for a local option gas tax;
- $3.225 million in communication service tax/franchise fees.
Annual projected expenses for the proposed future City of Navarre include the following departments (with hourly pay for personnel for FY 2028 noted in parenthesis):
- Office of the Mayor (includes a mayor at $35/hr, Chief of Staff to the Mayor $28.90/hr, Deputy Commissioner for Community Affairs $28.90/hr, Constituent Services Assistant $23.50/hr, and Community Organization Liaison $23.50/hr);
- City Council (part-time speaker $23.50/hr and 6 part-time council members $20/hr and a full-time Red Light Camera Clerk $23.50/hr);
- Office of the City Clerk (Clerk $28.90/hr and part-time records assistant $17.25/hr);
- Office of the City Attorney ($46.25/hr and part-time records assistant $28.90/hr);
- Finance Department (Finance Commissioner $28.90/hr and full-time accountant $34.75/hr);
- Facility Manager (Facilities Commissioner $28.90/hr, full-time receptionist $17.25/hr, part-time receptionist $17.25/hr, part-time custodian $17.25/hr, IT Specialist $28.90/hr and Deputy Commissioner for City Hall $23.50/hr);
- Planning and Development (Commissioner of Planning and Development $28.90/hr, Deputy Commissioner for City Planning $28.90/hr, Assistant for City Planning $28.90/hr, Grant Writer $28.90/hr, Deputy Commissioners for Development Services $23.50/hr, Building Inspector $23.50/hr, Permit Reviewer $23.50/hr, Code Enforcement $23.50/hr);
- Main Street Commission (Chairman of Main Street Commission $19.23/hr and Board Commissioner $14.42/hr)
- Landmark Commission (Chairman of Landmark Commission $19.23/hr and Board Commissioner $14.42/hr).
An additional $3.7 million in salaries and benefits is included for the Navarre Area Transit Administration (Public Transportation) and Infrastructure Department.
Additionally, a budget line item was established for a Housing and Equity Fund (fund for future low-income housing and poverty abatement programs). However, no funding was allocated for the 2024 fiscal year. Other future positions include a Commissioner of Homelessness Prevention ($28.90/hr).
Other line items for annual expenses include
- nearly $50,000 per year for travel expenses;
- more than 385,000 for contracted/professional services;
- $140,665 for Community Organization Grants;
- nearly $110,334 for event sponsorships;
- $30,000 for “Pride of Navarre” scholarships.
A $2.5 million allocation to Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office for intergovernmental contractual services was included.
The study states that costs were increased by 7.625% per year to account for an estimated 5% annual inflation rate, assuming a 2.5% growth rate.
