Opa-locka adopts 8.9797-mill final tax rate and approves $80.4 million FY2025-26 budget

The City Commission of the City of Opa-locka voted 5-0 on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, to adopt a final millage rate of 8.9797 mills and to approve the city—s fiscal 2025-26 budget at a second budget hearing, city officials said.

City manager (name not specified) told commissioners the proposed millage — the rate used to compute property taxes — would generate about $1.5 million in additional revenue for the coming fiscal year and that the city proposes to use that increase to help fund capital improvements, address problems with red-light camera revenues and cover general personnel and compensation increases. "The proposed millage rate is 8.9797 mills, and I stand ready to answer any questions you may have," the city manager said during the presentation.

The millage ordinance was moved by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Commissioner Bass and passed unanimously. The ordinance was read into the record as adopting a final millage pursuant to Section 200.065, Florida Statutes; the commission recorded a 5-0 vote (Irvin, Vice Mayor Kelly, Santiago, Bass, Mayor Taylor).

Commissioners then considered and adopted the city's general, proprietary and special funds budget for fiscal year 2025-26. The manager presented highlights: total operating expenditures of about $57.2 million and a total city budget of $80.4 million when interfund transfers are included. The presentation listed an operating funds total of approximately $37.3 million, a $10.7 million capital improvement program and roughly $6.3 million in internal service funds.

That budget ordinance was also moved by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Commissioner Bass and passed 5-0. Commissioners and staff confirmed there were no substantive changes to the budget between the first and second hearings; the city manager said none of the figures had changed from the prior hearing.

During review, Commissioner Santiago asked whether higher property assessments and changes in homestead status reported by Miami-Dade County constituents would translate into additional revenue for the city. The manager replied that the city—s portion of property tax bills generally represents about one-third of the total bill for homesteaded properties and said most of the recent increase cited by residents was attributable to other taxing authorities. Commissioner Santiago pressed to be sure the city would receive any available increases.

Vice Mayor Kelly asked that staff correct descriptive errors in the budget document before it is published online, saying some line items and program descriptions read as if funded when they are not and questioning whether some job titles and salaries were clearly justified. "Please make sure you identify them and correct that because once this document goes out, I don't want folks thinking that we're doing something or have a program or something that's funding and it's not," Vice Mayor Kelly said.

City staff fielded a few technical questions about reading ordinances into the record (some commissioners and staff disagreed about whether certain text must be read again at second reading) and resolved presentation issues during the hearing. After the votes the commission adjourned.

Votes at a glance: - Final millage ordinance (adopting a final millage rate pursuant to Section 200.065, Florida Statutes). Moved: Commissioner Irvin. Second: Commissioner Bass. Vote: 5-0 (Irvin, Vice Mayor Kelly, Santiago, Bass, Mayor Taylor). Outcome: approved. - FY2025-26 budget ordinance (general, proprietary and special funds; fiscal year 10/01/2025 through 09/30/2026). Moved: Commissioner Irvin. Second: Commissioner Bass. Vote: 5-0 (Irvin, Vice Mayor Kelly, Santiago, Bass, Mayor Taylor). Outcome: approved.