The Lauderhill City Commission on Sept. 12 approved the city's fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budgets and set the operating property tax rate at 7.4998 mills and the voter-approved debt-service rate at 1.1212 mills. Commissioners voted 4-0 on the ordinance and companion resolution adopting the millage and on the operating budget and capital budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025.

Why it matters: The millage and budget determine the city's primary revenue and spending plan for the year that begins Oct. 1. The commission and staff framed the actions as part of a wider effort to hold tax rates lower than recent peaks while aligning revenues and expenses across departments.

The vote followed brief public comment and staff presentations. City Manager Hobbs and finance staff presented the budget and answered questions. Commissioner Campbell asked the city manager to provide historical context on the city's millage. Hobbs said the city's operating rate is below some recent years and provided a multi-year comparison on the record, noting that the 7.4998 mills approved Sept. 12 is lower than the high point recorded in prior years.

Resident Lawrence Martin asked for additional public explanation about the budget's staffing changes, legal services and nonprofit grant awards. City Manager Hobbs described the staffing adjustments as a mix of positions the city had budgeted but chose not to fill and managerial positions eliminated after departmental reorganizations; he said front-line "boots on the ground" positions for parks and code enforcement were not reduced and that the city added part-time maintenance crews for corridor cleanup. On legal services, Hobbs and the city attorney said the city follows prior practices when outside counsel is required for conflicts, noting hours and outside counsel hiring would be handled on an as-needed basis. On nonprofit awards, Hobbs said the organizations had followed the city's application and review process and that supporting documentation and agreements would be provided on request.

The budget ordinance and resolution were approved by unanimous vote. The adopted budgets and rate ordinances take effect for fiscal year 2026, which begins Oct. 1, 2025.

Looking ahead: City staff said they will publish additional explanatory materials on the budget and the city's millage history to help residents understand how city, county and other taxing authorities combine to produce a homeowner's final tax bill.