Oakland maintains 6.7-mill rate and adopts balanced FY2026 budget

At a Sept. 23 final public hearing, the Town Commission of Oakland, Florida, adopted Resolution 2025-09 to set the ad valorem millage at 6.7 mills for fiscal year 2026 and approved Resolution 2025-10 adopting the town’s balanced budget for the year beginning Oct. 1, 2025. The actions followed a staff presentation and a public comment period and passed on voice votes.

The town’s finance presentation said the rollback rate is 6.14 mills and that the proposed 6.7-mill rate represents a 9% difference from the rollback rate. "The rollback rate is the rate on the millage that we would have to charge in order to get the same amount of revenue that we got in fiscal year 2025," said Elise, a town staff member who presented the rates and budget materials.

The budget presentation broke down major revenue and spending categories. Staff reported intergovernmental revenue at approximately $9,900,000 (33% of combined funds), charges for services around $3,200,000, and said ad valorem taxes provide about 53% of the general fund’s revenue. Expenditures in the general fund are led by public safety, which staff said represents roughly 50% of the fund (about $5,400,000).

Staff told commissioners the town secured a renewal of general liability and workers’ compensation coverage with Preferred Government Insurance that produced a 38% savings compared with the expiring premium and included a two-year rate lock. Those savings and line-item reallocations increased the town’s contingency from $135,000 (tentative) to $302,000 in the final budget, while staff said the town’s broader reserves total more than $4,000,000 across funds.

Commission discussion and public comment addressed the budget’s reliance on reserves and specific allocations. Resident Steve Kulikowski asked about recent talks with Orange County Fire; staff confirmed a meeting occurred and said the county will provide operational information about the town’s fire services. Staff also described a $500,000 line item that staff said was intended primarily to cover a $200,000 payment to fire rescue, with the remaining $300,000 to balance the budget and serve as an available contingency. "We really shouldn't need to tap into that $500,000," Elise said, noting the appropriation is intended as a safeguard.

The commission voted to approve the millage resolution and then the budget resolution. The meeting record shows voice votes in favor; commissioners present included Commissioner Taylor, Vice Mayor Satterfield, Mayor Taylor and Commissioner Ramos.