Lakeland adopts $815 million fiscal 2026 budget, keeps millage at 5.4323 and approves two ordinances unanimously

The City Commission of Lakeland adopted a $815,000,000 fiscal year 2026 budget and approved the city's millage ordinance by unanimous vote during the adoption public hearing.

City Manager Lisonbee Reeves opened the hearing by outlining the multi-month process that led to the adoption, saying, "welcome to tonight's adoption public hearing of our fiscal year 2026 budget," and noting the commission had logged more than 14 hours of public workshops and hearings on the budget plus additional one-on-one meetings with staff.

The adopted budget projects property value growth of 6.84% for fiscal year 2026 and assumes 6% growth in fiscal years 2027 and 2028. The commission approved a millage rate of 5.4323 mils, a rate the city has maintained since fiscal year 2022. Reeves noted that maintaining that millage while providing services amid inflation and population growth reflects extensive staff and commission work.

Finance Director Mike Brosart described the budget breakdown, saying the total includes a $191,000,000 general fund and that the electric utility accounts for about 56% of the total budget, though roughly $179,000,000 of…