Oakland commission approves 6.7 millage and tentative FY2026 budgets; staff warned to limit reserve use

The Town Commission of Oakland on Sept. 8 approved a tentative millage rate of 6.7 and unanimously approved tentative budgets for fiscal year 2026, including the general fund, the enterprise (water) fund, transportation impact fees and the Oakland Charter School budget. The commission also set a final public hearing for Sept. 23 at 6 p.m.

Why it matters: The tentative general fund budget relies on a $500,000 draw from town reserves to balance projected operating revenues against growing costs, including an unanticipated increase in the bill from Orange County Fire Rescue. Commissioners cautioned that repeated reserve use is not sustainable, and asked staff to identify revenue or expense adjustments before the final hearing.

Finance Director Gabby Leon presented the draft numbers and the rationale behind them. "The purpose of tonight's meeting is to present to the public the proposed millage and the tentative budgets," Leon said at the start of her presentation. She reported the general fund total as $11,020,949, composed of about $10,500,000 in operating revenue and a $500,000 draw from reserves. "We used the 6.7 millage to balance the budget," she said.

Leon told commissioners the town used a 6.7 millage and noted property values rose about 9.39 percent this…