Okaloosa County commissioners have approved the current millage rate of 3.4308 for the 2014-15 fiscal year budget.
A final budget hearing is set for 6 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Water and Sewer building, 1804 Lewis Turner Blvd., Fort Walton Beach.
Millage set at the tentative hearing cannot be increased at the final hearing.
Commissioners increased the Municipal Services Taxing Unit rate from .1800 to .2990 to fund stormwater projects. The increase affects just unincorporated Okaloosa County residents.
“Because of pressing needs in the county’s stormwater management, this budget calls for a very slight increase in the MSTU millage that will be used for stormwater projects," County Administrator Ernie Padgett stated. "The increase will generate an additional $781,000."
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa commissioners OK tentative budget