Naples council adopts $241 million 2025-26 budget, keeps city millage at 1.23; two special taxing districts approved

The City Council of Naples on Monday adopted its fiscal year 2025-26 final budget and fixed millage rates, approving six related resolutions that set the city general fund rate at 1.23 mills, the East Naples Bay Special Taxing District at 0.50 mills and the Moorings Bay Special Taxing District at 0.0125 mills.

Finance Director Stefan Massall presented the proposed budget and the required TRIM (Truth in Millage) disclosures, and described the principal reasons for the revenue increase over the rollback rate. "The main purpose for the increase proposed is the effectuation of negotiated salary increases and corresponding benefits for the contracts for fiscal year 2026," Massall said during his presentation. He also outlined higher personnel costs, increased pension contributions and one-time seawall-related costs as drivers of the budget.

The final city budget adopted Monday totals about $241,000,000, up from $208,800,000 in fiscal 2024-25. Council members said the additional revenue—about $2,364,656 compared with the general-fund rollback rate—will primarily cover negotiated salary increases, added positions and steps to address pension liabilities. Massall said that personnel costs make up roughly 36% of the proposed budget, operating costs about 31% and capital about 33%.

Why it matters: The council-approved millage and budget establish the city’s spending plan and property tax levy for the year beginning Oct. 1, 2025. The changes fund negotiated pay increases, modest staff increases in public safety, and continued investments in capital projects…