The Tavares City Council on Aug. 6 approved Ordinance 2025-07 to raise the per-meeting reimbursement for members of the Library Board and the Planning & Zoning Board from $20 to $75.

City staff told the council the $20 payment was adopted in 1987 and has not changed since. The proposed $75 rate has been budgeted in the FY2026 draft budget, staff said.

The change affects two advisory boards identified in the ordinance packet: the Library Board and the Planning & Zoning Board. A council member moved to adopt the staff-recommended option and a second was recorded. After brief remarks thanking volunteers for their service, the council approved the ordinance by voice vote; the clerk announced the motion carried.

The ordinance will be implemented in the upcoming fiscal year consistent with the budget presentation that followed the vote. The council did not attach additional conditions to the increase during the recorded discussion.

Council members praised the volunteer boards and described the reimbursement as a modest acknowledgment of members' service. No public comment, amendments or legal objections were recorded during the item.

The council then proceeded to other agenda items, including a budget workshop and community events.