North Lauderdale holds first budget hearing; commission sets 7.4-mill rate, approves amendments and assessment resolutions

The City Commission of the City of North Lauderdale held the first public hearing on the 2025–26 budget on Sept. 12 and approved, on first reading, an operating millage rate of 7.4 mills and a set of budget-related resolutions and amendments.

The commission adopted an ordinance establishing the city's ad valorem operating millage at 7.4 mills ($7.40 per $1,000 of taxable assessed value) for the 2025 tax year and took separate votes on the annual budget and several assessments for fire rescue, solid waste and stormwater services.

Why it matters: The millage and the budget frame how the city will allocate resources for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2025, and how much property owners will pay in local taxes and service assessments. City staff said rising property values increased the city's taxable value but the commission maintained the millage to avoid a rate increase for residents.

City Manager Mike Sarges summarized the budget presentation and revenue context, saying the city's taxable value increased about 8.35%, from $2.49 billion to about $2.698 billion, producing roughly $18.97 million in property tax revenue. Sarges noted that of every property tax dollar paid by residents the city receives about 34 cents, with the remainder distributed to other taxing authorities including the school board and county.

The commission voted to maintain the city millage at 7.4 mills. The ordinance read into the record states the 7.4-mill levy represents an 8.10% increase from the rolled-back rate of 6.8458 mills as calculated for the 2025 tax year.

During the first-reading budget item, Mayor Bordelon offered a package of amendments and asked that the city manager incorporate them into the final budget to be adopted at second reading on Sept. 22. The amendments the mayor moved and the commission approved to…