Bonifay sets budget and millage, swears in police chief

Bonifay City Council adopted the final budget and set the millage rate for the 2023-24 fiscal year when they met in regular session on September 25.

While the Ad Valorem tax may seem like a new tax, it is an existing option that hasn’t been utilized in more than 50 years. The council enacted the tax in order for their employees to enter into the Florida State Retirement system. The millage rate was adopted at 3 mils and will bring $354,575 in revenue.

The 2023-24 budget is set at $5,883,300.90 for the fiscal year. The sanitation department has the highest budget at $826,142.98 and the police department is the second highest at $802,587.82. 

After the council’s approval, Interim Police Chief Johnny Whitaker was sworn in as the new chief. Whitaker became the interim chief when former chief Jimmy Macon was terminated in August.

‘This is my hometown,’ said Whitaker. ‘I am excited to be able to serve my community in this capacity. We are starting at the bottom and will be adding policies and protocols that were not in use previously. We have a ways to go but we will get there.’

In other business, the council approved motions to accept applications for the vacant council seat and for a seat on the charter review committee. 

For those interested in filling the council seat for the remainder of the term, visit the City of Bonifay website or the Facebook page to find an application which can be submitted for the council’s consideration.

For those interested in sitting on the charter review committee, the same process will apply. 

Applications for both council and charter review committee are due before Oct. 9 meeting.

The Bonifay City Council will meet again in regular session at 6 p.m. on Oct. 9.