Winter Haven adopts 6.59-mill property tax rate and $216.3 million FY2026 budget

The City Commission of Winter Haven City on Sept. 22 approved two ordinances that set a 6.59-mill property tax rate and adopt the city's fiscal year 2026 budget, effective Oct. 1, 2025. The commission adopted Ordinance O-25-28 (millage levy) and Ordinance O-25-29 (budget) after required second-reading public hearings and voice votes.

The ordinances, read in full at the second public hearing as required by Florida law, set a millage rate of 6.59 mills, 5.86% above the rollback rate of 6.2254 mills, and adopt a budget that appropriates $216,326,606 for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025. Staff said the 6.59 rate will generate $31,202,469 for the city's general fund using an assumed 96.5% collection rate.

Deputy City Manager (presenting) told the commission the adopted budget figure on paper is $216,326,606 but the city's total budgetary plan for FY2026 is just under $252 million when one-time carryforward and capital project funds are included. The general fund is budgeted at approximately $79.5 million, and the city will retain a 31% general fund balance.

The presentation highlighted staffing and public-safety investments: the city will fund about 766 positions in FY2026, with market-based salary adjustments intended to support recruitment and retention. The budget includes three new police officer positions and four firefighter positions, construction of Fire Station 5, and replacement of roughly 30 police vehicles. Economic-support allocations total about $1,290,000 in partnership funding; the budget also includes roughly $1,000,000 in programs for affordable housing, homeless initiatives and small-business support.

Infrastructure funding in the adopted plan includes $9.3 million for transportation improvements (of which $2.0 million is for the annual road resurfacing program) and $43.3 million for water and sewer capital work, including $2.43 million identified for water/sewer repair and replacement.

Deputy City Manager also noted the city's fiscal management was cited when Fitch Ratings recently upgraded Winter Haven's credit rating to an Aa+ level, which staff said reflected strong reserves and a transparent, strategic budgeting process.

Both ordinances were introduced earlier this month (first reading and required public hearing on Sept. 10) and were considered at second reading on Sept. 22; no members of the public spoke on either item at the second hearings. The ordinances take effect Oct. 1, 2025.

The commission's action sets the tax levy and spending plan that will fund city operations, public safety hiring and capital projects for the coming fiscal year.