Port Saint Lucie council adopts $869.8 million budget, lowers city millage to 4.975 mills

Port Saint Lucie City Council on Monday adopted its fiscal year 2025–26 budget, setting a total ad valorem millage of 4.975 mills and approving a $869,811,393 spending plan that includes $648 million for operations and $222 million for capital projects.

The action came after a public hearing and public comments urging coordination with other taxing authorities, including the county and the fire district, to reduce overall property tax bills. The council voted unanimously to approve ordinance 25-49 (millage), ordinance 25-50 (budget appropriation) and resolution 25-R-47 (capital improvement program).

Caroline Sturgis, director of the Office of Management and Budget and Procurement, summarized the proposal as the council's “commitment to fiscal responsibility, strategic investment, and enhancing the quality of life for our Port Saint Lucie residents.” Sturgis told the council the proposed millage — an operating rate of 4.6607 mills plus 0.3143 mills for voted debt — represents a 0.08-mill decline from the prior year and would mark the 10th consecutive annual reduction in the city's millage rate.

In th…