All-funds budget
The combined spending plan across the County’s governmental, enterprise, special-revenue, capital, debt-service, and other funds. It is not one flexible account, and much of it cannot be redirected to ordinary operations.
General Fund
The County’s principal operating fund for services that are not required to be accounted for in a separate fund. Even here, legal obligations and adopted policy constrain many choices.
Millage
A property-tax rate expressed in mills. One mill equals $1 of tax for each $1,000 of taxable value. The final bill also depends on assessed value and exemptions.
Rolled-back rate
The calculated millage rate that would generally produce the same property-tax revenue as the prior year, excluding specified adjustments such as new construction. A rate above it is a tax increase under Florida’s public-notice framework even when the nominal millage rate falls.
MSTU / MSBU
An MSTU is a Municipal Service Taxing Unit funded through property taxes for a defined service area. An MSBU is a Municipal Service Benefit Unit, commonly funded through assessments tied to a particular service or benefit.
Special assessment
A charge imposed for a specific service or benefit, such as fire protection or solid waste. It is distinct from ad valorem property tax and must have a legally supportable relationship to the service or benefit.
Reserves / contingencies
Money set aside for emergencies, uncertainty, cash-flow needs, or specific future obligations. Reserves can bridge a temporary gap, but using them does not permanently replace lost recurring revenue.
Fund balance forward
Resources carried from a prior fiscal year into the new budget. It may include restricted, committed, assigned, or unassigned amounts and should not automatically be treated as recurring revenue.
Recurring vs. nonrecurring
Recurring revenue and expense are expected to continue year after year. Nonrecurring resources, such as a one-time balance or asset sale, can cover a temporary need but create risk when used for ongoing costs.
CIP
Polk County’s Community Investment Program: the multi-year plan for major facilities, infrastructure, equipment, and other capital projects. Later-year amounts are plans and projections, not proof that every project has been contracted or completed.
Surtax
An additional local sales tax authorized for defined purposes and, depending on the authority used, often subject to voter approval, duration, distribution, and eligible-use requirements.
Fiscal year (FY)
The 12-month accounting period used for the budget. Polk County labels budgets by fiscal year rather than the calendar year; always check the exact dates and whether a figure is adopted, proposed, or projected.
