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Orlando proposes balanced FY26 budget with no millage increase, adds public‑safety staff and capital plan
Summary
City staff presented a proposed FY2026 budget that holds the millage rate steady, adds net 10 positions (including 16 sworn officers), proposes targeted rate increases for utilities and solid‑waste, and outlines a $200 million bond plan to fund fire stations, parks and stormwater projects.
City finance staff presented the proposed fiscal 2026 budget at the Orlando City Council workshop on July 14, describing a balanced plan that keeps the city’s millage rate unchanged for the 12th consecutive year while adding staff for public safety and infrastructure work.
The numbers: The proposed General Fund for FY26 totals about $742.6 million, and the citywide all‑funds budget is roughly $1.8 billion, staff said. Property‑tax revenue is projected to increase about 6.2% and remains the largest General Fund source (about 48%). The staff presentation said the city’s total taxable value increased to approximately $56 billion for 2025, with about one‑third of that growth attributable to new construction.
Top items in the proposal include staffing, rate changes and capital: - Staffing: The budget adds 30 new positions and deletes 20 vacancies for a net gain of 10 positions. Police staffing increases by 16 sworn roles (10 officers, 3 sergeants, 1 captain and 2 school resource officers) plus four civilian positions for records and analytics; fire adds three civilian program managers to support planned station openings. Staff said police currently show about 70 vacancies. Council discussion indicated the 20 new police hires are intended to staff newly annexed or growing areas and to reduce overtime pressure. - Rates and fees: Water‑reclamation rates would rise 5% (staff estimated an average residential impact of about $3 per month); solid‑waste rates would rise 4% (under $1 per month average). Stormwater rates reflect a multi‑year plan previously approved by council; staff explained the FY26 step is part of a 5‑year rollout that the council approved under state statute. - SunRail and OUC: The city’s contribution to SunRail increases because FY25 covered nine months and FY26 covers a full 12 months; staff said the additional SunRail cost to all funds is about $4.5 million and the city’s share is roughly 32% of system costs. Payments from OUC (utility dividends and franchise equivalents) were presented as flat overall this year after a one‑time true‑up. - Capital and bonds: Staff reaffirmed the city’s earlier declaration of intent to issue bonds of up to $200 million for priorities including fire stations, park improvements and road projects in the Southeast. Estimated annual debt service for the proposed bond package is approximately $7 million, with about $2 million attributed to stormwater projects; staff said stormwater capital needs include a $40 million project list already identified. - Fund balance and ratings: Staff noted the city maintains a strong fund balance above its 25% target and highlighted the city’s high bond ratings and fully prefunded OPEB position as fiscal strengths.
Council questions and staff clarifications focused on overtime, vacancies, and program details. Police Chief (unnamed in the transcript) told council the department has roughly 70 vacancies and that adding the 20 officers would reduce overtime by assigning coverage for newly annexed areas; he said typical overtime spikes are driven by events, investigations and temporary spikes in crime. Commissioners asked for additional materials the staff promised to deliver: a commissioner budget notebook with line‑by‑line details, a diversity plan for police and fire hiring, a list of grant applications and awards tied to special operations, and a clearer list of streets and parks included in the capital program.
Rate timing and process: Staff clarified that the stormwater rate adopted last year was approved as a multi‑year (five‑year) rate plan as required by state statute; the FY26 step is a programmed portion of that plan. Any tentative millage resolution to set the city’s rate was on the council’s regular agenda later in the day, staff said; public hearings are scheduled in September.
Bottom line: The FY26 proposal holds the millage steady while adding targeted public‑safety staff and preserving capital investments; staff urged commissioners to review the forthcoming commissioner notebook and scheduled briefings before final adoption.
