Coral Springs commission sets 2025-26 millage at 6.0232 and adopts $2025-26 budget

The Coral Springs City Commission on Sept. 25 adopted a final millage rate of 6.0232 mills and approved the city’s fiscal 2025–26 operating and capital budget following a second reading and public comment. The vote on the millage carried unanimously, 5-0. The commission said the total millage of 6.0232 is 0.3789 mills, or 6.71 percent, higher than the rollback rate of 5.6443 mills. City staff also established a 0.1659 debt service millage for the fiscal year. City Manager Catherine Givens and budget staff told the commission there were no changes for the millage item since the prior hearing; budget staff were publicly thanked for securing about $6.9 million in awarded grant funding before the fiscal year end. Budget adjustments made between first and second reading included holding solid waste and stormwater rates flat, which staff said reduced overall budget pressures. Public comment included a request from resident Joe Marrero for the commission to consider a 0.0232-mill reduction; Marrero said that change would translate to roughly $8 in savings per household and asked the commission to consider the savings for residents. The commission discussed the distribution of local property-tax dollars across city, county and school board levies in explaining the adopted rate. The ordinance adopting the budget and capital improvement program (CIP) references Chapter 166, Florida Statutes, and covers multiple internal funds including general, water and sewer, fire, solid waste, charter school, stormwater, public art and capital improvement program funds. The commission adopted the ordinance on a 5-0 vote. Commissioners emphasized maintaining high levels of city services — police, fire, parks and public works — as justification for the adopted rate and budget. Mayor Brooke and other commissioners noted the city’s longstanding focus on safety and quality-of-life amenities as drivers behind the budget choices. The commission directed staff to continue outreach explaining the budget and to provide residents with information on how the adopted rates affect household bills. The budget and millage are effective for fiscal year 2025–26.