The Tallahassee City Commission on Sept. 3 adopted a tentative fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budget and approved a millage just below the staff recommendation after a contentious debate over funding for fire services.

Lede: The commission voted 3–2 to approve a tentative budget and a proposed millage of 4.4072 mills (4.69% above the rollback rate) and separately approved a fire services assessment resolution by the same margin, while two commissioners opposed both measures citing the unresolved interlocal agreement with Leon County.

Nut graf: Staff presented a balanced FY2026 operating budget of roughly $942 million and a capital budget of about $267 million. The package included negotiated wage increases, 22 additional police officers, 26 added firefighters targeted to the five busiest stations and other personnel additions; it also incorporated a recommended 9.98% fire services assessment increase intended to fund firefighter wages and staffing levels. The county declined earlier offers to share certain costs, and commissioners debated whether the city should act unilaterally.

Key details: Budget and rates
- City Manager and finance staff proposed maintaining the current millage of 4.42 mills but noted that state rules this year require a supermajority to adopt that rate; without a supermajority the commission adopted a slightly lower 4.4072 mills that could pass on a simple majority.
- The FY2026 budget funds public safety investments, including 22 additional sworn police officers and 26 firefighters for the busiest stations, plus a 4% general wage increase and continuation of the city’s employee health plan sharing (80% city/20% employee).
- Staff said the recommended 9.98% fire-services assessment increase equates to roughly $2.01 per month for most residential city customers (approximately $1.97 in Zone 2) and is intended to balance the fire budget for FY26–28.

Fire services dispute and station pause: Commissioners described a breakdown in county negotiations over a package the county earlier signaled it might support (including station funding and debt refinancing). Commissioner Matlow said the county had previously agreed to fund Fire Station 17 and to share costs but later withdrew its support; he asked staff to reopen talks. Matlow declined to back the proposed millage until county negotiations resumed. The city manager said the South Side station (Station 17, Lake Bradford Road) is paused and that current adopted rates do not fund its construction; city officials said the station had been bid and some hiring had been initiated but that scale and design would have to change if the county does not participate.

Votes and next steps: The commission voted 3–2 to adopt the tentative budget and the fire assessment resolution (Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and Commissioner Richardson in favor; Commissioners Matlow and Porter opposed). Commissioners Matlow and Porter both said they preferred to resume negotiation with Leon County and to seek a joint approach before adopting the full fire funding package. The city attorney warned litigation risk if the interlocal agreement were interpreted to bar unilateral rate increases by the city; she described the city’s adopted approach as defensible but did not guarantee immunity from challenge.

Context and fiscal impact: Staff said the adopted fire assessment is designed to balance the department’s budget over the next three fiscal years; if the county later agrees to a shared plan, the assessment levels could be revisited. Commissioners also adopted related rate resolutions for solid waste, growth management fees and cemetery fees and approved minor FY2025 year-end budget amendments.