Coral Springs presents $303.6 million FY2026 budget; tentative millage rate set at 6.0232

Coral Springs city staff on Monday presented a proposed $303.6 million net operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2026 and the City Commission set a tentative operating millage rate of 6.0232. The commission voted unanimously to advertise that tentative rate and to hold a final public hearing on Sept. 25. "Today, we are here for our first public budget hearing," budget presenter Ileana Kurikiles said during the presentation. The proposed budget is spread across 13 funds and would support 1,002 employees. The general fund in the plan totals about $139 million; capital spending is about $27.5 million and special funds together total about $165 million. The city manager, Catherine Givens, highlighted staff efforts to secure outside funding: "It really does take every single person and every employee, and I’m so grateful to serve as your city manager, knowing that this budget is something that’s going to be there, and set a great foundation for the year ahead." The presentation emphasized grant revenue and federal allocations as offsets to local taxes. The grants team, a 2.5-person unit, reported roughly $4.4 million awarded so far this year from about $47.8 million in proposals pursued; the city also reported $20 million in ARPA funds that have been programmed to projects through Dec. 31, 2026. Staff said ad valorem property taxes account for 48% of the general fund revenue, but less than 30% of the typical property tax bill goes to the city because other taxing authorities — notably the school board and Broward County — collect the rest. Staff noted that 80% of the city’s taxable value is residential and roughly 61% of properties are homesteaded. For residents served by the Coral Springs Water District, staff said a planned water-membrane upgrade will trigger a weighted average rate increase of about 12.6 percent — roughly $10 a month depending on consumption — for those service zones only. City staff told the commission it needs a four-to-one vote to keep the millage rate at 6.0232 and thereby collect an estimated $5.8 million more than if the city set the rollback rate. The commission adopted the tentative rates by unanimous vote and scheduled the final public hearing and adoption vote for Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Coral Springs City Hall. The budget documents, staff presentations and a recorded Budget Academy webinar are available on the city’s budget web pages.