Margate commission adopts tentative millage, tentative budget and passes first reading of 2025-26 operating budget

The Margate City Commission on Wednesday approved a proposed millage rate, adopted a tentative fiscal-year 2025–26 budget and passed first reading of an ordinance adopting the city—s operating budget for Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026.

The commission voted unanimously to approve a proposed millage rate of 7.5378 mills per $1,000 of assessed valuation, which includes 0.4207 mills for voted debt service. The staff report states the operating millage component is 7.1171 mills, which the resolution describes as 7.47% higher than the rollback rate of 6.6221. The resolution will return for a second reading on Sept. 17.

Commissioners also voted unanimously to adopt a tentative budget for fiscal year 2025–26 and to authorize administration to operate under that tentative budget under Florida law until the final budget is adopted. That resolution likewise will return for a second reading on Sept. 17 at 6 p.m.

Separately, the commission approved first reading of an ordinance that the staff described as the city—s operating budget ordinance for the period beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and ending Sept. 30, 2026. The ordinance covers the general fund, special revenue funds, debt service funds, capital projects funds, enterprise funds and an internal service fund. The ordinance passed on a roll-call motion; staff told the commission the item is on first reading.

Budget details discussed at the hearing included a $250,000 increase earmarked for median improvements — beginning with Rock Island Road — that the mayor and staff described as added after prior feedback from commissioners. Staff also summarized a classification-and-compensation study and said the budget includes regradings and retitlings of existing positions rather than net new hires; those personnel changes will be incorporated into a budget amendment slated for November. Staff identified Mike Jones as the lead for planned meeting-improvement work. The mayor also noted the city recently received a new rescue truck ordered five years earlier.

Votes at a glance - Resolution (2A), proposed millage rate 2025–26: motion to approve; second not specified in the record; roll-call recorded as five "yes" votes; outcome: approved. Second reading: Sept. 17. - Resolution (2B), tentative budget 2025–26: motion to approve; second not specified; roll-call recorded as five "yes" votes; outcome: approved. Second reading: Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. - Ordinance (first reading), operating budget Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2026: motion to approve; second not specified; roll-call recorded as five "yes" votes; outcome: approved on first reading.

What the actions do and next steps The millage resolution sets the tentative tax rate the city will publish for the required TRIM notices; the tentative budget authorizes operations under Florida statutes until the final budget is adopted. Both items are scheduled for second readings, when the commission may adopt final rates and the final budget. The first-reading ordinance begins the formal adoption process for the operating budget and will return for second reading and final adoption on the schedule required by staff.

Implementation notes and context City staff said the personnel changes reflect an earlier classification-and-compensation study the commission approved, and that the changes largely retitle or regrade existing positions rather than adding staff. The budget before the commission included an additional $250,000 for median enhancements and reflected a reduced city contribution to the Community Redevelopment Agency consistent with commissioner feedback. The commission did not alter the millage components at the hearing beyond approving the proposed rates on first reading; the staff report and the motions on the record set the second readings for Sept. 17 as required under state law.

The commission adjourned after completing the budget items; no public speakers addressed the tentative budget at the hearing.