Indian River Shores council adopts tentative 2025–26 millage rate and budget

The Town Council of Indian River Shores on Sept. 16 adopted a tentative ad valorem millage rate of 1.281 per $1,000 and a tentative general fund budget of $10,430,738 for fiscal year 2025–26.

The council adopted Resolution 25-09, “adopting the tentative levy of ad valorem taxes of 1.281 mills for fiscal year 2025–2026,” and Resolution 25-10, adopting the tentative budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025 and ending Sept. 30, 2026. Both resolutions passed by roll-call vote with Mayor Foley, Vice Mayor Atwater, Council member Altieri and Council member Dane recorded as voting “Aye.” Council member Carroll was absent at the meeting.

The tentative millage of 1.281 is 4.51% higher than the rollback rate cited during the meeting, 1.2257 per $1,000. Council members discussed the millage rate and the budget in the public hearing but recorded no changes at the meeting. The proposed general fund budget figure presented to the council was $10,430,738, described in the staff materials as 3.77% lower than the prior fiscal year.

Council members also reviewed other tentative fund amounts included in staff materials: roads and off‑state drainage fund, $114,200; solid waste special assessment fund, $337,329; and planning, zoning and building fund, $955,876. The council confirmed the discussion-only nature of the hearing at that time and took no amendments to those fund figures before the votes.

There was no substantive public comment on the budget items during the hearing; a staff member noted receipt of only brief verbal praise in prior communications. Town staff and the town attorney advised the council on quorum and voting requirements for subsequent budget hearings, including that the second budget meeting will require a supermajority for final adoption.

The council adjourned the public-budget hearing after the roll-call votes and moved to a special-call meeting immediately afterward.