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Tallahassee adopts tentative budget and millage; fire services rate increase passes amid county dispute
Summary
The commission approved a tentative FY2026 budget and a slightly reduced millage (4.4072 mills) on a 3–2 vote; commissioners split over a new fire services assessment after talks with Leon County stalled, and plans for a South Side fire station are paused pending further negotiation.
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…
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