Coconut Creek adopts 2026 budget, sets operating millage at 6.8988 mills and approves capital plan

The Coconut Creek City Commission on Monday, Sept. 25, 2025, adopted its fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budget and set the city's operating ad valorem tax rate at 6.8988 mills after a second public hearing; the commission also approved a five-year capital improvement program and several related resolutions, all by unanimous vote.

Finance and Administrative Services Director Peter Gay told the commission this was the second public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget and tax rate and that the tentative operating millage rate "of 6.8988 represents a 6.47% increase over the rollback rate of 6.4793 computed pursuant to state law and represents a 0% increase over the current millage rate." Gay said the rate mirrors the figure on notices mailed to property owners in August.

Why it matters: the millage rate and adopted budget determine how much property owners pay and how the city funds services and capital priorities for the coming year. The approved spending plan funds operating needs and continues work on three stated capital priorities: Fire Station 113, police department renovations and Main Street work.

What the commission approved

- Ad valorem tax rate: Ordinance to set the city's 2026 operating millage at 6.8988 mills. The ordinance was moved by Commissioner Welch and seconded by Commissioner Riedell; the roll call vote recorded four "yes" votes and no opposing votes. The commission noted the millage is 6.47% higher than the computed rollback rate of 6.4793 but unchanged from the current millage on property tax notices.

- Fiscal year 2026 budget: Ordinance adopting the budget for the year beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and ending Sept. 30, 2026. The budget ordinance includes determinations of available funds and estimated revenues, continuation of several trust funds and re-appropriation items, including a stated re-appropriation of $500,000 of fund balance reserves for E911 dispatch services. The ordinance passed on a unanimous roll call after a motion by Commissioner Welch and a second by Commissioner Brody.

- Five-year capital improvement program (CIP): Resolution adopting the city's CIP for fiscal year 2026 through fiscal year 2030, pursuant to the city charter. The resolution notes that FY26 projects were funded in the adopted FY26 budget and that projects for FY27 through FY30 will be assessed and funding sources evaluated in future years. The resolution passed unanimously.

- Community Improvement Fund expenditures: Resolution authorizing expenditures from the Community Improvement Fund for outside legal services, professional services and association fees related to the Main Street area and Seminole-related projects. Staff said the Community Improvement Fund is supported by monies received through the municipal services provider agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The resolution passed unanimously.

- Nonprofit sponsorships: Resolution designating certain nonprofit charitable organizations for city sponsorship through fundraising events, cash donations and in-kind services, and authorizing personal solicitations by city commissioners on behalf of those designated organizations without additional reporting under the Broward County ethics code for the groups named in the resolution. The measure passed unanimously.

Public comment and deliberation

No members of the public signed up to speak on the tax rate, budget or the other items during the public hearings. Commission discussion was limited; staff described the budget's development and the factors that shaped it, including inflation, revenue pressures and competing priorities. Gay said the budget is balanced and aligned with the city's strategic plan.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance: 2025 ad valorem tax rate (operating millage 6.8988): Moved by Commissioner Welch; seconded by Commissioner Riedell; vote: 4 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain (Vice Mayor Wasserman was excused).

- Ordinance: FY2026 budget adoption (Oct. 1, 2025'Sept. 30, 2026): Moved by Commissioner Welch; seconded by Commissioner Brody; vote: 4 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.

- Resolution: FY2026-FY2030 capital improvement program (CIP): Moved by Commissioner Bridal; seconded by Commissioner Welch; vote: 4 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.

- Resolution: Community Improvement Fund expenditures for Main Street/Seminole-related legal and professional services: Moved by Commissioner Bridal; seconded by Commissioner Welch; vote: 4 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.

- Resolution: City sponsorships and commissioner solicitations for designated nonprofit organizations: Moved by Commissioner Bridal; seconded by Commissioner Welch; vote: 4 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.

What happens next

With final adoption of the ordinances and resolutions, the city will proceed with the FY26 spending plan and initial FY26 CIP work identified in the budget. The commission noted that FY27 through FY30 CIP projects will be evaluated in future budget cycles. The meeting record and materials were made available online and via the city clerk for those who wish to review the full documents or appeal a decision.