Delray Beach previews $23.9M budget gap; commission agrees to pursue SAFER grant and hold 3‑on‑rescue staffing

Delray Beach officials at a June 10 workshop outlined a preliminary $23.9 million general‑fund gap for fiscal 2025‑26 and won commission consensus to pursue a FEMA SAFER grant and to preserve three‑person staffing on rescue units while staff returns with funding options.

City Manager Moore and Chief Financial Officer Henry Dackowitz presented the preliminary numbers at the workshop and described cost, revenue and reserve assumptions used to close the gap ahead of the formal proposed budget. Moore said the department heads— initial requests were included in the projection and that the city has to weigh how to fund a contractual shift change in Fire Rescue that takes effect Oct. 1, 2025.

“We do not believe the city is in position to entertain a fire assessment in time for Oct. 1, 2025,” Moore said, explaining Delray Beach lacks a public safety assessment other municipalities use. CFO Henry Dackowitz gave the numeric summary: the 2025 amended budget baseline was about $189.2 million; baseline revenue for 2026 was projected at $177.9 million (an $11.3 million revenue shortfall after excluding a $10 million reserve drawdown in the current year). Projected expenses rose to $201.8 million, producing the $23.9 million gap when combined with the revenue shortfall.

Dackowitz detailed the staff approach to close the gap: take 50% of the current vacancies as a budgeted savings ($4.74 million in vacancies, with $2.37 million applied in the plan); apply…