Getting to Know Your Florida Cities
Chapter 5: What funds are used in a city budget?
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This program brought to you by the Florida League of Cities is intended to familiarize those new to and interested in municipal government. The League is the official organization of municipal governments in Florida, designed and established to meet and serve the needs of Florida’s municipal officials.
Note: DVD visuals are indicated in olive green. The remaining text indicates DVD audio.
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Visual: Display pie chart.
Cities provide a number of services to its residents; however, in order to pay for such services, city governments must raise money called revenue. Property tax, user fees and other charges are some ways in which city governments raise revenue. Additional revenue sources for cities include communications and utility taxes, franchise fees on electric services and fees for solid waste collection.
Sales tax is another source for cities provided through the state. Six percent is the standard rate in Florida, however, voters can approve additional sales taxes for local use. These revenues are allocated to county and city governments by the state.
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Visual: List common city expenses.
Once cities acquire generated revenue, there are expenses cities must pay.
City expenditures usually include payments for maintaining the physical environment like water and sewer systems; supporting services such as public safety, recreation and culture; economic development; and transportation. Cities also pay salaries and benefits to their staff.
Visual: Did you know?
The Town of Yankeetown was founded by Judge A.F. Knotts and Eugene Knotts in the early 1920s. They had a small fishing camp and a few houses, and hoped to start a community. They put out literature advertising the community under the name of Knotts. But in derision of the northerners, the southerners that lived nearby called the place "Yankeetown." When the town was incorporated by a special act of the 1925 Legislature, that name was adopted.
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