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Palm Beach Gardens council sets millage at 5.0537 mills, adopts budget on first reading
Summary
At its Sept. 4 meeting the Palm Beach Gardens City Council adopted a proposed millage rate of 5.0537 mills and approved the fiscal 2025–26 budget on first reading, citing property-value growth and the need to preserve reserves amid state and federal uncertainties.
Mayor Tinsley and the Palm Beach Gardens City Council voted 5–0 on Sept. 4 to adopt a proposed operating and total millage rate of 5.0537 mills and to approve Ordinance 11-2025 (first reading), the city’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2025–26.
The council’s action sets the millage rate at the same level as the prior year and approves a budget staff said is built to preserve reserves while accommodating rapid local growth and rising operating costs.
City Finance Administrator Ariane Panzak presented the budget and recommended holding the millage flat. She told the council the city’s total taxable value rose to about $21.7 billion for FY26 (a 9.64% increase year over year), including about $595 million in new construction. Staff said the proposed rate is 6.64% above the rollback rate of 4.7391 and that keeping the rate flat helps preserve reserves to respond to disasters and policy uncertainty.
The budget package before council includes general, special revenue, capital (impact) and internal service funds. Staff said the total budget is a little over $300 million, with the general fund approximately $210 million. Ad valorem taxes are the single largest revenue source in the general fund (about 35%), and personnel makes up the largest expenditure category. Panzak’s presentation highlighted multiple cost drivers: growth-driven demand for services, planned facility expansions (including a new indoor recreation facility and tactical training facility expansion), and proposed additional staffing.
Council discussion and staff remarks: Council members repeatedly cited the uncertainty of pending state proposals to change property taxation and possible federal changes to FEMA reimbursement as reasons to maintain reserves. Council members also noted pressures from a competitive labor market and the need to add personnel to maintain 24/7 public-safety coverage. Staff said the FY26 budget includes 42 new full-time positions overall (38 in the general fund plus four in special revenue funds for recreation and golf operations) and specific planned investments such as a $3 million transfer to recreation for the new North District Park field house and $6 million toward a police training facility expansion.
Budget specifics referenced during the meeting include: - Proposed millage: 5.0537 mills (no debt millage); rollback 4.7391; 6.64% above rollback rate. - Total taxable value (FY26): $21,700,000,000 (approximately); new construction roughly $595,000,000. - General fund: ~$210,000,000; ad valorem revenue ~ $105,000,000; personnel costs ~ $102,000,000. - Unassigned reserves target: staff proposed increasing undesignated reserves by about $4.3 million to maintain a 20% threshold; projected unassigned reserves at end of 10‑year forecast ~ $41,000,000. - Noted exposures: actuarially driven pension increases (~$1.7M), medical/self-insurance cost increases (~$1.1M), and an estimated debris-removal cost after a Category 4 storm of roughly $38.2M (USACE estimate cited by staff).
Council members praised staff and the Budget Review Board’s work and emphasized transparency tools such as the city’s online “OpenGov” budget portal and a new city chat feature that staff said has improved resident access to budget information. The council set the required second and final public hearing for Sept. 18, 2025 at 6 p.m. and approved both motions on Sept. 4 by unanimous votes.
Votes at a glance: - Motion to adopt a proposed operating and total millage rate of 5.0537 mills (greater than rollback 4.7391 by 6.64%): Approved, 5–0. - Motion to approve Ordinance 11-2025 on first reading (adopt FY 2025–26 budget): Approved, 5–0.
What happens next: The council scheduled a second and final public hearing on the tax rate and budget for Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The budget remains subject to final adoption at that hearing.
Sources and provenance: Council presentation and vote recorded at the Sept. 4 city council meeting. Topic begins with Panzak’s presentation and concludes with the council’s vote and adoption on first reading.
