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Sanford commission adopts 2026 budget and millage rate; multiple consent items approved
Summary
The City Commission adopted the proposed 2026 budget and set the tentative millage rate after a public hearing. The commission also approved routine consent items and several contracts and budget transfers; the earlier proposal to levy a separate fire assessment was denied later in the meeting.
The Sanford City Commission adopted the tentative millage rate of 7.325 mills and approved the City of Sanford’s proposed FY2026 budget during a Sept. 8 public hearing. The motion to set the millage and the separate motion to adopt the budget each passed unanimously.
Finance director Cynthia Lindsey presented the budget, saying the tentative 7.325‑mill rate is roughly a 6.8% increase over the rollback rate and would raise between about $57 per average single‑family homeowner annually (presentation cited $57.26) in ad valorem taxes. Lindsey told the commission the general fund is projected to increase by 9.53% driven in part by personnel costs and outlined approximately $5.5 million in unfunded capital requests for 2026, plus ongoing capital and operating needs in future years.
Why it matters: Adoption of the millage and budget sets the city’s baseline spending and tax rate for the coming year. Several residents who later testified on the separate fire‑assessment item said the city’s revenue growth and recent development warranted a more careful explanation of new charges and a review of existing spending priorities.
Votes at a glance (items with formal recorded motions during the Sept. 8 meeting) - Millage rate, FY2026 (tentative): Motion to approve millage rate 7.325 mill — motion seconded; vote: unanimous (outcome: approved). - FY2026 budget: Motion to approve the budget — motion seconded; vote: unanimous (outcome: approved). The final hearing set for Sept. 22, 2025. - Approval of minutes (08/11/2025 work session and regular meeting): Approved unanimously. - Consent agenda (items A, C–L, N): Approved; item M (Mayfair Golf Course contract) pulled for discussion and approved separately. - Mayfair Golf Course clubhouse contract change orders and hours provisions (Item M): Motion to approve — passed unanimously. - Resolution creating temporary battalion chief of EMS position (Resolution 3415 / pay‑and‑classification amendment): Motion to approve — passed unanimously. - Interlocal agreement with Seminole County for airport market study ($5,500): Approved unanimously. - Revised agreement for school resource officer services at Elevation High School (ALS Education LLC): Approved unanimously. - Shuttle services agreement with Winston Singh LLC ($240,000): Approved unanimously. - MOU with Osceola County Sheriff's Office for internet crimes against children coordination: Approved unanimously. - Budget transfer for lift station SCADA project ($621,000): Approved unanimously. - Budget transfer for Arrow Lane & Fifth Street paving and drainage project ($2,470,111): Approved unanimously. - Change orders for Mayfair Golf Course clubhouse (additional $139,599.35, amended GMP $6,222,492.26): Approved unanimously. - Budget transfer / purchase order for 1,4‑dioxane expert witness support (purchase order $345,000): Approved unanimously.
What commissioners said: Commissioners and staff emphasized the multi‑month process used to prepare the budget; Cynthia Lindsey described the budget development timeline beginning in February and noted proposed increases in public safety and other divisions. Several commissioners acknowledged resident concerns raised later in the meeting about new or additional charges and promised to pursue better public communication about future proposals.
Context and next steps: The adoption on Sept. 8 establishes the tentative millage and budget and schedules the final public hearing for Sept. 22, 2025. Separately, staff presented a proposed fire‑assessment resolution later in the meeting; after extended public comment the commission denied that measure. Staff said it will pursue other funding avenues and return to the commission with alternatives and additional outreach.
Ending: The commission completed a packed agenda on Sept. 8, approving the city’s budget and several contracts and transfers while also responding to extensive public concern over a proposed fire assessment that the commission ultimately rejected.
