Deerfield Beach commission adopts FY2026 millage and budget first readings; approves FRS participation for police and firefighters

The Deerfield Beach City Commission on Sept. 8 held the first public hearings on ordinances to set the city's 2025–26 millage rate and adopt the FY2026 budget and also approved two separate ordinances on second reading to extend Florida Retirement System (FRS) participation to the city's police officers and firefighters.

The commission voted, by roll call, to advance the following measures at the meeting:

- Ordinance adopting the millage rate to be levied by the city for fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025 (Item 4). Motion to approve by Commissioner Michael Hudak; second by Vice Mayor Todd Preston. Roll call: Commissioners Hudak, Plaut, Shanetzky, Vice Mayor Preston and Mayor Todd Drozky — all voted yes. - Ordinance adopting the final city budget for fiscal year Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2026 (Item 5). Motion to approve by Commissioner Hudak; second by Vice Mayor Preston. Roll call: unanimous yes. - Ordinance approving the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) budget for fiscal 2026 (Item 6). Motion to approve by Commissioner Hudak; second by Vice Mayor Preston. Roll call: unanimous yes. - Ordinance declaring the city's intent to extend Florida Retirement System benefits to police officers as of Oct. 1, 2025 (second reading, Item 7). Motion to approve by Commissioner Hudak; second by Commissioner Plaut. Roll call: unanimous yes. - Ordinance declaring the city's intent to extend Florida Retirement System benefits to firefighters as of Oct. 1, 2025 (second reading, Item 8). Motion to approve by Commissioner Hudak; second by Commissioner Plaut. Roll call: unanimous yes.

Additionally the commission approved consent agenda items 9 through 18 in a single roll-call vote. The meeting record shows all recorded roll-call votes on the ordinances and consent slate were unanimous in favor.

Key budget and tax details presented

City staff and the chief financial officer (CFO) presented the budget as part of the first public hearing required by Florida's TRIM process. The chief legal reading announced the city's proposed operating millage rate for fiscal 2026 as 6.0018 mills, which the city said is 7.59% above the computed rollback rate of 5.5786 mills. The total proposed millage for fiscal 2026 — including voted debt service millage of 0.1711 mills — is 6.1729 mills.

CFO Oleg (presented as the finance presenter) told the commission the city expects to collect about $69.5 million in property taxes for the General Fund in FY2026, an amount that the presentation said includes an estimated $1.3 million in delinquent taxes. Staff noted the operating millage figure has not changed since 2020.

Fire assessment and options

Staff also presented information on the city's non-ad valorem fire assessment. The city is using TRIM notices to advertise a maximum proposed residential fire assessment rate of $365 (the legal maximum advertised for final adoption), and the presentation included alternative rate scenarios and the percentage of assessable costs each would recover. The commission discussed the options but did not finalize the fire-assessment rate at the Sept. 8 meeting; the final hearing and adoption is scheduled for Sept. 15, 2025.

FRS ordinances (police and firefighters)

Commissioners also approved second readings of ordinances that declare the city's intent to extend FRS participation to police and firefighters effective Oct. 1, 2025. City public-safety staff told the commission that, under current plan structures, most retired members and many active participants in the existing municipal pension plan would not be adversely affected by the city's action at this stage; commissioners were told the ordinance is a step to permit future enrollment if the commission decides to pursue it.

Public input and legal requirements

The council held public hearings on the millage and budget items as required by Florida law. Multiple residents spoke during the public comment period on the budget and public-safety topics; no votes changed as a result of the comments. City Attorney and staff reminded commissioners of the statutory timeline for final adoption and noted that adopting the millage at second reading will require a four-fifths vote.

Votes at a glance (recorded roll-call outcomes from Sept. 8 meeting)

- Item 4 (millage ordinance, first hearing): Approved; motion Hudak; second Preston; roll call yes (Hudak, Plaut, Shanetzky, Preston, Drozky). - Item 5 (city budget ordinance, first hearing): Approved; motion Hudak; second Preston; roll call yes (Hudak, Plaut, Shanetzky, Preston, Drozky). - Item 6 (CRA budget ordinance, first hearing): Approved; motion Hudak; second Preston; roll call yes (Hudak, Plaut, Shanetzky, Preston, Drozky). - Item 7 (FRS for police, second reading): Approved; motion Hudak; second Plaut; roll call yes (Hudak, Plaut, Shanetzky, Preston, Drozky). - Item 8 (FRS for firefighters, second reading): Approved; motion Hudak; second Plaut; roll call yes (Hudak, Plaut, Shanetzky, Preston, Drozky). - Items 9–18 (consent): Approved as a slate by roll call; unanimous yes.

What comes next

The commission scheduled the final public hearing and second reading on millage, final budget adoption, and related assessments for Sept. 15, 2025. Commissioners and staff said they will finalize the FY2026 budget, fire-assessment options, and any remaining procedural steps at that meeting. The commission was reminded that final adoption of the millage will require a four-fifths vote under applicable rules.