Tamarac adopts $293.98 million fiscal 2026 budget after heated public hearing over last-minute additions

The Tamarac City Commission adopted the fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budget on Wednesday, approving a tentative $293,982,462 total budget (including a $114,195,279 general fund) after a contested vote that split the commission 3-2.

The final vote followed a contentious public hearing and internal debate over several line items the city manager added late in the process — approximately $175,000 in new allocations for items including expanded travel for the commission, a public-relations consultant, a business expo, sister-city seed funding and a $25,000 grant for a Black/African American chamber. Commissioner Bolton moved to include the manager’s additions; that motion passed 3-2 (Bolton — yes; Wright — no; Patterson — yes; Vice Mayor Daniel — yes; Mayor Gomez — no).

What staff presented: Budget Manager Jeff Streeter and Finance staff said the tentative FY2026 operating and capital budget totals $293,982,462, an increase of $53,646,238 (about 23.8%) from the amended FY2025 budget of $240,336,224. The tentative general fund budget is $114,195,279, an increase of $12,050,722…