Melbourne adopts $315.4 million FY2025-26 budget, raises operating millage to 7.0112 mills

The Melbourne City Council adopted a $315,391,394 citywide budget for fiscal year 2025-26 and set the operating millage rate at 7.0112 mills — an 11.4% increase over the rollback rate — during a special budget public hearing. The council also approved a 0.2977-mill debt service rate for the Police Headquarters and created two dedicated funds for pavement management and machinery and equipment replacement.

City staff told the council the higher millage is intended to cover increased employee compensation, previously awarded union contracts and to dedicate ongoing revenue for pavement management and equipment replacement. Ross McGinn, speaking for staff, said council had revisited earlier drafts, incorporated the higher millage council requested and adjusted capital project funding, including removing an FDOT drainage utility adjustment from the capital improvements program after it was…