Davie council adopts 2026 millage rate and budget after public questions about grants

The Town of Davie Town Council adopted an operating millage rate of 5.625 mills and the fiscal year 2026 budget after a public hearing and roll-call votes, council members said. The council also recorded a voted debt service rate of 0.1725 mills.

Town Administrator Richard Lemack told the council that compliance with Florida's Truth in Millage (TRIM) requirements required discussion of the percentage increase over the rollback rate and reasons ad valorem revenues are changing. "We will not be repeating the full presentation made at the first budget hearing on September 2025. However, we do want to remain in compliance with Florida's truth in millage or trim statutes," Lemack said. He noted the tentative operating millage is 6.87% above the rollback rate and that increases in the town's tax base are driving additional ad valorem revenue.

The millage rate was read into the record by a staff member identified in the transcript as Mr. Weinfold: "The Town of Davie's operating millage rate to be levied for fiscal year 2026 is 5.625 mills, which is 6.87% greater than the rollback rate of 5.2633 mils. The voted debt service millage rate for fiscal year 2026 is 0.1725 mils." After a call for public comment produced none on the millage, the council moved and seconded approval. The roll-call vote recorded "yes" from Council Member Lewis; Vice Mayor Hatton; Council Member Starkey; Council Member Whitman; and Mayor Paul. The motion passed.

During the subsequent public hearing on the budget, resident Justin Dace spoke about the grants-and-aids portion of the General Fund. Dace said the General Fund contribution to grants and aids was "slated to raise by 75% this year over last year, growing 5 times faster than the General Fund operating expense contribution," and further asserted that grants-and-aids spending had grown "by more than 8,000% from $21,000 5 years ago to nearly $2,000,000 this year." He asked for clarification about whether some developer credits and previously allocated water-and-sewer fund responsibilities had shifted to the general fund and whether the apparent shrinking of the Community Endowment Fund signaled a policy change.

Town staff responded that the Community Endowment Fund is not funded by taxpayer dollars but by donations tied to collection bins for recyclables and clothing; staff said the town receives a revenue share when those items are repurposed. The mayor and staff offered to meet with Dace and staff to review the budget details and provide additional information.

The council then moved and seconded adoption of the fiscal year 2026 budget ordinance (fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025, ending Sept. 30, 2026). A roll-call vote recorded "yes" from Mayor Paul; Council Member Whitman; Council Member Starkey; Council Member Lewis; and Vice Mayor Hatton. The motion passed and the public hearing was closed.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance — second and final reading establishing millage rates for fiscal year 2026 (operating millage 5.625 mills; 6.87% above rollback rate 5.2633; voted debt service 0.1725 mills). Motion: approve (mover/second not specified in transcript). Vote: Lewis — yes; Vice Mayor Hatton — yes; Starkey — yes; Whitman — yes; Mayor Paul — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance adopting the fiscal year 2026 budget (Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2026). Motion: approve (mover/second not specified in transcript). Vote: Mayor Paul — yes; Whitman — yes; Starkey — yes; Lewis — yes; Vice Mayor Hatton — yes. Outcome: approved.

Context and next steps

Council members did not request additional changes on the floor during the hearing. Staff offered to follow up with the public commenter to review classifications for grants and aids, remaining developer-credit balances, and the sources and status of funds cited in the budget. No further public hearings or amendments were announced on the record during this session.