Cooper City adopts 5.845 millage rate, approves FY2025-26 budget; seeds veterans breakfasts
Loading...
Summary
At a second public hearing, the Cooper City Commission adopted a final millage rate of 5.845 and approved the fiscal year 2025-26 budget. Commissioners directed staff to retitle an expense line to "beautification of public streets" and authorized up to $5,000 in seed funding for veterans breakfasts while seeking sponsors.
The Cooper City Commission on an unanimous vote adopted a final millage rate of 5.845 and approved the final budget for fiscal year 2025-26 at a second public hearing held for the two measures.
City Attorney: "we're here tonight pursuant to section 200.065 of Florida statutes for your second and final public hearing on both the millage rate and the budget for the upcoming fiscal year," the city attorney said before the commission took up the resolutions. The commission then voted to adopt Resolution 25-62 setting the millage and Resolution 25-63 adopting the budget for the year beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and ending Sept. 30, 2026.
The city manager told the commission the proposed millage in the meeting packet represents a reduction from last year and is a continuation of multiyear rollbacks intended to fund operations under the aligned budget. "The millage that is in your package tonight for final adoption is, is a reduction, from the the last year's millage," the city manager said.
Commissioners praised staff for the reductions. Commissioner John Smith commended the manager and finance team for "carving down a little harder," saying the reduction reflects intent to ease pressure on household budgets. Commissioner Katzmann said the city has reduced the millage year over year for several years despite rising costs and emphasized that property taxes do not fully cover public safety expenses. Commissioner Mallozzi and Commissioner Schroeder echoed support for continuing the rollback.
During discussion of the budget resolution, commissioners asked staff to change the budget line-item title currently shown as "beautification/public art" to remove the word "art" and read instead as "beautification of public streets." The city manager agreed to make that change in the line-item title.
Commissioner Mallozzi also proposed the city host a veterans breakfast and asked whether the commission could provide seed funding to start the effort. Mallozzi described attending a veterans breakfast in Davie that drew a record turnout—"I would believe it was a 104 veterans showed up"—and suggested Cooper City consider hosting a regular event and recognizing veterans with banners. Commissioners discussed starting quarterly, seeking sponsors to cover recurring costs, and using contingency funds for an initial seed amount. The city manager said he would take the start-up funds from contingency and seek sponsorships; commissioners indicated support for an initial $5,000 seed and said staff should return to the commission if costs exceed that amount or if a formal amendment is needed.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 25-62 (final millage rate 5.845) — Motion and second not specified in the record; vote: Commissioner Smith — yes; Commissioner Mallozzi — yes; Commissioner Katzmann — yes; Commissioner Schroeder — yes; Mayor Curran — yes. Outcome: approved.
Resolution 25-63 (final budget for fiscal year 10/01/2025–09/30/2026) — Motion and second not specified in the record; vote: Commissioner Smith — yes; Commissioner Mallozzi — yes; Commissioner Katzmann — yes; Commissioner Schroeder — yes; Mayor Curran — yes. Outcome: approved.
The commission closed the hearing and adjourned after the votes.
Notes: The city attorney cited Florida Statutes Section 200.065 at the start of the hearing. Specific budget totals beyond the fiscal year dates and the adopted millage rate were not specified in the transcript.
