Coconut Creek outlines FY2026 priorities and signals up to 9% water rate increase

Coconut Creek city staff told a small group of residents at a budget town hall that the city plans to propose a cautious fiscal year 2026 budget that keeps the current millage rate steady while advancing major capital projects and addressing rising utility costs.

The presentation, led by Veronica Munoz, budget and grants manager, and Petey (Petey) Gay Lake, director of finance and administrative services, summarized revenues and expenses, recent grant awards, major upcoming capital projects and a potential water and wastewater rate increase of up to 9% driven by higher costs charged to the city by Broward County. "Coconut Creek continues to provide exceptional, responsive, and sustainable services for the Coconut Creek community," Munoz said during the town hall.

Why it matters: the city’s budget choices determine funding for police, fire, parks and public works and affect household bills through assessments and utility rates. Staff said residents will have an opportunity to comment before the commission votes on an ordinance authorizing the water and wastewater rate adjustment at an upcoming commission meeting.

Key fiscal points - Property values and millage: Staff reported a 7.22% increase in taxable home values for fiscal year 2025 and said the city's current millage rate is 6.8988. Based on information available at the town hall, staff did…