Council sets preliminary fiscal limits, approves trash rate and water‑control assessment ceiling; multiple votes leave room to adjust

Loxahatchee Groves’ Town Council on July 1 took preliminary votes on tax and assessment items as part of the trim/levy process and approved the regular solid‑waste fee. The council also took up a number of routine appointments.

Lede: Council members set ceiling figures that will allow the town flexibility as staff finishes the FY26 budget: a preliminary millage ceiling of 3.5 mills (so council could set any final rate at or below that number), solid‑waste fees remain at $450 per unit, and the town’s water‑control district (WCD) authorized a maximum assessment level of $300 per acre for planning and notification purposes.

Nut graf: These preliminary choices are not final tax rates; they establish the maximums the council may adopt later in the budget process. Council members debated whether to hold the millage at a lower level and how much of any revenue shortfall should be borne by a town‑wide increase in the WCD acreage assessment versus a millage increase. Public commenters and council members emphasized protection of residents on fixed incomes while also noting long‑term capital and maintenance needs.

Key votes and items (Votes at a glance)

- Preliminary operating millage (Resolution 2025‑56): council approved a preliminary ceiling of 3.5 mills (final millage will be set at the public budget hearing); motion to set 3.5 passed 3–2. - Solid‑waste / trash service rate: council approved a $450 per unit annual rate for residential trash service (no change from previous year); vote was unanimous, 5–0. - Water Control District assessment ceiling (Resolution 2025DD07): council approved setting the assessment ceiling at $300 per acre for notification/trim planning purposes; vote passed 3–2. - Appointments: the council appointed Danielle Herrity to the Unified Land Development Code review committee (Resolution 2025‑53) and nominated Councilmember Todd McClendon as the town’s voting delegate to the Florida League of Cities (Resolution 2025‑49); both passed 5–0.

What council members said

Several council members urged caution about raising taxes during a period of economic stress for some residents and asked staff and the town’s Fiscal Advisory Committee (FACC) to pursue disciplined cost reductions and clearer budget options. Other council members and staff argued the town must maintain road and drainage services and that structural funding shortfalls cannot be solved without either higher millage or higher assessments.

Staff and committee follow‑ups requested

Council asked staff and the FACC to: (1) provide budget scenarios that show the impacts of the chosen millage and assessment alternatives (for example, budgets at 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 mills); (2) identify targeted cost‑savings options prior to final budget adoption; and (3) bring any further changes to the capital improvement program back for council approval (staff had proposed several reallocations of existing capital funds for drainage and road work; those reallocations will return to council as formal budget amendments if the council directs).

Ending

Council members closed debate by noting the preliminary actions preserve flexibility; final rates and assessments will be adopted at the statutory public‑hearing process later in the summer after staff provides the requested budget scenarios and FACC recommendations.