City staff presented options to adjust Fort Lauderdale’s local business tax receipt, which has not been increased since 2004. Portia Garcia, director of community services, reviewed benchmarking and four increase scenarios and said staff’s preferred model was the maximum state‑allowed approach: a 5% increase every other year.

Garcia said the city collects renewal fees from more than 20,000 registered businesses, with a most common tax amount of $157.50. She reviewed a historical chart showing revenues declined during the COVID‑19 period and then recovered. A 2023 business tax study done with HDL was cited during the presentation; Garcia said Fort Lauderdale’s average tax revenue per business lags several peer cities on a per‑business basis.

Staff presented four options: a conservative 1.5% increase (projected to yield roughly $300,000 over nine years), a 3% option (roughly $500,000 over nine years), a staff‑recommended approach of 5% every other year (projected nearly $800,000 over nine years) and a blended approach. Garcia provided examples of how modest increases would affect typical tax receipts.

Commissioners asked about intended use of revenues and staff replied business tax receipts flow to the city’s general fund and help support city services, including the costs of licensing and code compliance. After discussion, commissioners present expressed support for the staff’s option 3 recommendation (5% every other year). Staff said it would prepare an ordinance draft for first reading and return it to the commission for formal action.