The Longwood City Commission adopted a final millage rate of 5.5 per $1,000 of nonexempt assessed value and approved the city's fiscal year 2025-26 budget during a Sept. 15 public hearing.

The commission voted 5-0 to set the millage, which the city said is 6.82% higher than the rollback rate of 5.1489 per $1,000 as computed under Florida Statute 200.065. The commission also voted 5-0 to adopt the budget ordinance for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2025.

City staff said public notices and a summary of the final budget were advertised in the Orlando Sentinel on Sept. 11 as required by Florida Statutes Chapters 129 and 200. City Manager (as read into the record) presented the ordinance titles and the recommended rates and budgets for commission action.

The budget ordinance adopted by the commission lists major fund totals as follows: General Fund $25,429,932; Public Utilities $12,568,696; Public Facilities Improvements $4,236,464; Capital Projects $10,098,661; Stormwater Management $1,050,385; Other funds $1,246,390. The city recorded total resources of $74,171,379 for FY2025-26 as presented at the hearing.

During the public hearing the commission invited public comment; none were filed, and commissioners closed the hearing before taking the votes to adopt the millage ordinance and the budget ordinance.

The ordinances adopted are recorded as Ordinance No. 25-22-71 (final millage) and Ordinance No. 25-22-72 (annual budget and five-year capital improvement plan appropriation). The commission's adoption of both measures completes the formal budget process required by state law prior to the start of the fiscal year.

The commission directed staff to proceed with implementation and publication steps required under state statute.