Broward County adopts FY2026 budget, trims millage slightly after commission debate

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners adopted the county's final fiscal year 2026 millage rates and budget on Sept. 16 after extended public comment and several substitute motions.

Commissioners voted to set the countywide millage for general county purposes at 5.6658, a change the county calculated as a 7.24% increase in property taxes compared with the statutory rollback rate of 5.2832. The commission approved the final all-funds budget as amended, and commissioners also approved millage rates and budgets for a series of dependent districts and subdistricts, including the Broward Municipal Services District, the Fire Rescue Municipal Services District, the Street Lighting Subdistrict and multiple water-control districts.

Why it matters: Broward's adopted figures determine property tax bills and fund county services ranging from law enforcement and courts to parks, libraries and resiliency work. The adopted budget totals and the millage rates set the county's revenue plan for the year and were the subject of public appeals for tax relief during the hearing.

Most important facts - Final countywide millage: 5.6658 for fiscal year 2026; commission recorded the rate as representing a 7.24% increase over the rollback rate of 5.2832. (Resolution 2025-582, as amended) - Final amended general fund total and all-funds totals were announced during the adoption process; the county stated the amended general fund total as $2,034,725,420 and an amended total all-funds amount of $8,814,450,000 (figures provided by county staff during the hearing). - The commission approved related budget resolutions covering municipal services, fire rescue, street lighting and several water control districts; the meeting transcript lists resolutions including 2025-583, 2025-584, 2025-585, 2025-586, 2025-587, 2025-589 through 2025-598; county staff distributed the final amended resolutions at the dais and the commission approved them.

Public comment and commission debate Public speakers focused heavily on property taxes and housing affordability. Several residents urged a rollback in millage or larger reductions, saying assessment-driven increases had made housing unaffordable. Aaron Gonzales and Chris Nelson were among those who urged tax relief, citing sharp increases in assessed values and their effects on homeowners and renters.

Several commissioners, including Commissioner Michael Udine (mover of the successful final motion), Commissioner McKenzie, Vice Mayor Bogan and Commissioner Fisher, advocated a modest millage reduction to give taxpayers immediate relief. Other commissioners, including Commissioner (Senator) Geller and Commissioner Rich, pressed for preserving reserves and funding priorities such as affordable housing, public safety and infrastructure, arguing that Broward should maintain fiscal capacity for emergencies and future state-driven reductions.

County administrator's overview County administrator Monica Sapero provided the staff overview and noted that the FY26 budget totals approximately $8.756 billion, an increase driven in part by the transition of the countywide tax-collector function and capital additions (including Terminal 5 and other major projects). Sapero said the general fund proposal totaled $2,036,000,000 and described steps the administration proposed to restrain recurring costs, including a net reduction of 159 positions and recurring agency operating cuts of $20,000,000.

Commission action and outcome The commission considered multiple competing motions. After an initial motion on the originally proposed millage failed for lack of the six-vote threshold required for a rate different from the rollback, the board approved an amended millage and budget package. The final adopted millage of 5.6658 and the associated budget resolutions were moved and seconded on the record and then approved by the commission. County staff confirmed the amended resolutions were distributed and posted for public view at the meeting.

Votes at a glance (selected final outcomes) - Resolution 2025-582 (final countywide millage for general county purposes, as amended to 5.6658): Adopted (mover: Commissioner Michael Udine; second: Commissioner Fisher). Vote recorded as unanimous on the final amended motion at the time of adoption. - Resolution 2025-583 (final general fund/budget documents, as amended): Adopted (mover: Commissioner Fisher; second: Senator Rich). Adopted unanimously as amended. - Resolutions adopting millage and budgets for dependent districts and subdistricts (transcript references resolutions 2025-584, 2025-585, 2025-586, 2025-587, 2025-589–2025-598): Adopted unanimously; staff read the amended language and the commission approved each item in sequence.

What the budget funds and next steps County staff highlighted increases in law enforcement and fire rescue funding (including Broward Sheriff's Office contract adjustments), capital investments (airport Terminal 5 and communications center) and a one-time increase in reserves intended to improve fiscal cushion for emergencies. The board and staff agreed to post the amended resolutions and final documents and to present further detail online and in future meetings as required.

Selected direct quotes - "For fiscal year 26, there's a proposed 7.28% aggregate increase in property taxes when compared with the taxes generated from the aggregate rollback rate," Monica Sapero, county administrator, said during the staff presentation. - "If we can redirect $10,000,000 to fund a tax collector transition, we can certainly slow contributions to give taxpayers relief," speaker Aaron Gonzales said during public comment. - "We are one of the very few counties with a triple-A bond rating and we should be prudent about our reserves," Commissioner (Senator) Geller said during debate.

Ending note Commissioners closed the public hearing after the formal votes and directed county staff to publish the amended resolutions and the adopted five-year capital program. The adopted FY2026 budget and millage rates take immediate effect for this fiscal year and will be reflected in property tax notices and the county's public financial reporting.