Miami Lakes reviews budget options as manager proposes millage increase and optional FPL franchise-fee hike

Town Manager presented two budget scenarios for the coming fiscal year at a Miami Lakes council workshop: a fully funded proposal funded by a proposed general-fund millage of 2.6372 and a flat-millage option that keeps the current rate but would require service reductions.

The manager said the higher millage would restore staffing and recurring programs cut in prior years and fund the town’s infrastructure sinking fund. He told the council the fully funded scenario would generate roughly $13.13 million for the general fund and noted the difference between the two scenarios is about $2.8 million. “For $13.81 a month, you can fully fund the budget,” the manager said, using the example of an average homesteaded taxable value he provided.

The manager outlined what a fully funded budget would preserve: regular police staffing plus traffic and burglary enforcement details, a fully funded infrastructure sinking fund for capital replacement, full park and median maintenance (including tree trimming, mulch, pressure washing and athletic-field upkeep), three daily litter crews, committee and events funding, and a cost-of-living adjustment for staff. In contrast, he said a flat millage would require cuts including eliminating traffic enforcement details and holiday policing details such as the Grinchbusters program, zeroing the…