Lakeland City Commission adopts tentative FY 2026 budget, holds millage at 5.4323 mills

The Lakeland City Commission adopted a tentative millage rate of 5.4323 mills and approved a tentative budget for fiscal year 2026 during a public hearing, voting unanimously to advance the proposals to the required second hearing and final adoption.

City Manager Sean Charles told commissioners that the budget preserves the commission's reserve policy and is built on property-value growth information from the property appraiser. "This is one of our biggest nights of the year," Charles said as he opened the presentation. Finance Director Mike Brosart summarized the tax-rate options and told the commission the staff "is not recommending a millage increase. We're recommending staying at the 5.4323."

The nut of the proposal: the millage rate would remain unchanged from the current rate; the proposed budget programs a 6.84% growth in taxable value for FY 2026 based on the property appraiser's data and assumes a 6% average for the following two years for planning purposes. The budget keeps the general fund reserve at the policy target of 45 to 60 days cash on hand and includes ongoing operational costs, personnel changes and a set of capital and maintenance projects across utilities, public works, parks and public safety.

Major budget elements and staff explanations

- Property values and reserves: Staff said the property-appraiser figure of 6.84% was used in the FY 2026 revenue projections. The budget maintains the city's policy goal of 45–60 days of cash on hand; staff…