Oakland Park adopts FY2026 budget, lowers operating millage to 5.6979 mills

Assistant City Manager Andrew Thompson presented the final fiscal year 2026 budget and recommended millage at the Sept. 17 Oakland Park City Commission meeting; after a public hearing the commission voted unanimously to adopt a 5.6979 operating millage and the operating budget for the year beginning Oct. 1, 2025.

The final-adopted citywide budget totals $171,400,000 and includes a $34,000,000 capital improvement program (CIP). The general fund in the budget is $85,300,000. The commission also approved adopted debt-service millage levies for the citygeneral obligation bonds; staff said debt-service millages were reduced to reflect the city's lower relative debt burden.

Why it matters: the budget funds city operations and dozens of capital projects, including a major increase in stormwater work under a multi-year master plan. Thompson told commissioners the CIP places a heavy emphasis on stormwater: roughly one-third of next year's CIP (about $13 million) is for stormwater improvements; staff expects the program to be funded in significant part with grants and low-interest state revolving loans.

Key details from the presentation

- Adopted operating millage: 5.6979 mills (staff said this is the eleventh reduction in roughly a dozen years).

- Debt service millages: decreased (staff cited a combined/representative debt-service levy of 0.511 mills across general obligation bond series).

- Citywide budget: $171,400,000; general fund: $85,300,000; capital improvement program: $34,000,000.

- Property tax base: staff reported the taxable value exceeded $6,000,000,000 and that the city has seen continued expansion of the tax base (staff said about $5,000,000 in new construction added since FY2022).

- Non-ad valorem and service fees: staff said the fire assessment rate was maintained (staff phrase in the presentation: "maintained the fire assessment rate at 3 82"). The stormwater residential equivalent-unit charge was increased from $125 to $138 per ERU in line with the stormwater master plan. Residential solid-waste service remains $340 per unit; commercial solid-waste rates were set to increase by 20 percent in FY26.

- Fund balance and staffing: the budget maintains general-fund reserves around 20% (within commission policy) and adds two positions (one plans examiner and one external communications/relations specialist) taking total city positions from 329 to 331.

State advertising and the rollback calculation

Thompson and commissioners noted that, under Florida law, the required newspaper notices make the package appear as a "tax increase" because of the rollback-rate calculation. Staff explained the millage cut still resulted in higher overall collections on some properties because of rising assessed values; the staff-calculated rollback and state required notices led to a reported 7.13% increase relative to the rollback rate (rollover figure cited in the presentation: 5.3187). Commissioners stressed that the adopted action is a reduction in the cityoperating rate compared with prior years, but individual homeowner bills may change because of property revaluations.

Public hearing and votes

The commission opened two required public hearings (one on millage and one on the budget). No members of the public spoke on either hearing. Vice Mayor Arndt moved to adopt the 5.6979-mill operating rate; the motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote (Vice Mayor Arndt: yes; Commissioner Gordon: yes; Commissioner Newbold: yes; Commissioner Budhu: yes; Mayor Tim Lonergan: yes). The commission then adopted the FY2026 final budget on a unanimous roll call.

CRA budget and related action

Acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board earlier in the evening, the commission also opened and closed a public hearing on the CRA proposed budget and adopted a CRA budget for FY2026 (total CRA budget reported by staff: about $916,000). That adoption likewise passed unanimously.

What commissioners said

Commissioners praised staff for securing grant funding and keeping the operating rate low while advancing a significant CIP. Multiple commissioners called out the stormwater investments and emphasized that much of the large CIP is grant-funded. One commissioner reiterated that despite the lower rate, some homeowners may see higher tax bills because of rising property values.

Next steps and implementation

The budget and millage take effect Oct. 1, 2025. Staff noted the city will continue to implement the CIP projects, pursue grant funding, and present fee schedules and the city fee booklet associated with the budget and rate changes.

Ending note

Commissioners closed the item after the votes and recessed for the CRA portion of the meeting and the evening's remaining agenda.