Commission sets tentative budget calendar, public hearings and summer recess dates; millage to remain unchanged pending appraiser’s report

The Town of Pembroke Park commission reviewed and tentatively approved a budget calendar for the summer and fall, set dates for tentative and final budget hearings in September and agreed on a summer recess schedule that removes the late-May workshop and resumes meetings in August.

Finance Director James Davenman told commissioners staff will lock in preliminary expense items before the summer recess and rely on the Broward County property appraiser’s report in June to finalize revenue estimates. The commission agreed to tentative public hearings for budget adoption on Sept. 10 (first hearing) and Sept. 24 (final hearing), with hearings to start no earlier than 5:01 p.m., and to hold workshop sessions in late August to finalize the preliminary budget. Commissioners requested individual briefings with the manager and finance director before the hearings so they could resolve questions without protracted public sessions.

Town Attorney/finance staff advised that the commission may adopt a tentative millage at the same or lower rate than the current year but that the final rate must await the appraiser’s report. The resolution before the body would carry a proposed millage equal to the current rate as a procedural step; staff said the commission may lower that rate later but may not increase it beyond the adopted tentative rate without further legal steps.

The commission also agreed on a summer schedule that eliminates the May 28 workshop meeting and resumes formal meetings and a budget workshop in early August, with additional individual commissioner briefings scheduled. Staff will publish required notice and return the formal millage resolution to the commission for adoption consistent with the calendar.