Sarasota commissioners adopt tentative $2.52 billion FY2026 budget, set millage and assessment rates; one commissioner dissents

Sarasota — The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners adopted proposed millage rates, certified non‑ad valorem assessment rolls and approved a tentative fiscal year 2026 budget totaling $2,524,495,075 at a public hearing on Sept. 10 at 1660 Ringling Boulevard.

The actions included adoption of the countywide millage rate of 3.3842 mills and an aggregate proposed millage of 3.8512 mills (a 3.35% increase over the aggregate rollback rate). The board also approved the fiscal year 2026 annual stormwater service assessment (Resolution No. 2025‑157), fire and rescue district rate settings (Resolution No. 2025‑158) and certification of non‑ad valorem assessments (Resolution No. 2025‑159). The tentative budget resolution (Resolution No. 2025‑161) passed with a 4–1 vote; Commissioner Knight registered the lone dissent.

The budget and rate decisions matter because they set the county’s revenue assumptions and service funding for the coming year and determine what taxpayers see on property tax notices. Kim Radke, who presented the tentative budget figures, said the countywide millage of 3.3842 mills is 0.0014 mills lower than FY2025, driven by a small reduction in the debt millage for the Legacy Trail extension. The tentative FY2026 budget is split into the Section 1 total of $2,003,687,394 and a Section 2 total of $520,807,681, for an aggregate tentative budget of $2,524,495,075.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that the stormwater assessment in the adopted resolution reflects board direction reached in recent workshops. County Administrator Jonathan said the stormwater resolution incorporates the board’s Sept. 5 direction to adopt “option A” for the assessment and that staffing requests tied to stormwater needs will be returned for consideration using other funding sources discussed by the board.

Public commenters urged both caution on tax increases and praised the board’s earlier land‑use decisions. Martin Hyde, a resident, praised the commission for a separate decision earlier in the day to deny a rezoning request for Procter Crossing and said residents were “extremely gratified.” Business owner Michael Conte urged commissioners against raising property taxes and said, “it’s easy to spend other people’s money, but it’s hard for some of us.” Michael Harland asked whether property taxes were funding Planned Parenthood; administrative staff responded that the board previously adopted a resolution (about a year earlier) that removed funding for abortion services from county allocations to outside agencies.

Commissioner Knight explained his vote against the tentative budget in detail during the hearing. “I will not be approving or partaking in the approval of this,” Knight said, criticizing reliance on more than $20 million in fund balance to close the budget gap and the increase in general fund spending and capital program commitments. Knight said he could not approve the budget as presented and signaled he expects tougher restraint next year.

Other commissioners voted to adopt the millage and tentative budget resolutions. Board members noted that state law requires proposed millage rates be adopted before final budget approval and that a second public hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in the Board Chambers at the Administration Building, 1660 Ringling Boulevard.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution No. 2025‑157, Fiscal Year 2026 annual stormwater service assessment — Motion by Commissioner Kutzinger; second by Commissioner Smith. Outcome: approved unanimously (5–0). - Resolution No. 2025‑158, Fire and Rescue District rate settings — Motion by Commissioner Mast; second by Commissioner Smith. Outcome: approved unanimously (5–0). - Resolution No. 2025‑159, Adopt and certify non‑ad valorem assessment rolls and rates — Motion read into record; motion by Commissioner Kutzinger; second by Commissioner Smith. Outcome: approved unanimously (5–0) by roll call. - Resolution No. 2025‑160, Adopt proposed countywide millage and Ad Valorem district millage rates (proposed aggregate 3.8512 mills; countywide 3.3842 mills) — Motion by Commissioner Smith; second by Commissioner Knight. Outcome: approved by roll call (5–0). - Resolution No. 2025‑161, Adopt tentative budgets for Section 1 and Section 2 for FY2026 (total $2,524,495,075) — Motion by Commissioner Smith; second by Commissioner Kutzinger/Cutzinger. Outcome: approved 4–1 (Commissioner Knight opposed). Notes: the tentative budget reflects adjustments tied to the board’s prior direction on stormwater assessments and incorporates the budget workshops held earlier in 2025.

What the numbers mean

- Countywide millage: 3.3842 mills (0.0014 mills lower than FY2025; reduction tied to voter‑approved debt millage changes for the Legacy Trail extension). - Aggregate proposed millage: 3.8512 mills (3.35% above the aggregate rollback rate of 3.7262). - Tentative FY2026 budget total: $2,524,495,075 (Section 1: $2,003,687,394; Section 2: $520,807,681).

Public input and administration notes

The record shows the county received calls and written contacts on the assessments and millage: staff reported seven phone calls, 15 online inquiries, 11 emails and 12 workshop attendees commenting on non‑ad valorem assessments and millage/budget matters. County staff told the board they had updated several resolutions after publication to reflect the board’s Sept. 5 direction on stormwater rates.

Next steps

The board must hold a final public hearing on the millage rates and budgets on Sept. 24, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. before adopting final millage and budget resolutions. Staff said additional staffing needs tied to stormwater will be returned for separate consideration using funding sources the board previously discussed.

Ending

There being no further business, the board adjourned the public hearing after closing remarks and a reminder of the Sept. 24 final hearing date.