North Lauderdale approves 7.4-mill tax rate, adopts 2025–26 budget

The City Commission of the City of North Lauderdale on Sept. 22 adopted an ad valorem tax rate of 7.4 mills and approved the city’s fiscal year 2025–26 annual budget, with commissioners voting unanimously during a second public hearing on the proposed budget.

The commission was told the 7.4-mill rate represents an 8.10% increase from the rollback rate of 6.8458 mills and, according to the budget manager’s presentation, is expected to generate about $18,900,000 in property-tax revenue. The budget ordinance covers the period beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and ending Sept. 30, 2026; the budget manager also said the total for fiscal year 2025–26 is a decrease of $3,100,000 from last year, though the transcript’s stated aggregate figure was unclear.

City Clerk (name on the record) called the roll for a meeting convened by the mayor. The commission first heard the ad valorem ordinance read aloud. The budget manager summarized that the proposed millage rate is 7.4 — the ninth consecutive year the commission has proposed that rate — and said the rate would generate about $18,900,000 in revenue. After a brief opportunity for public questions, a motion to adopt the ad valorem ordinance was made and seconded; the roll-call vote recorded “yes” from Vice Mayor Louis Ricketts, Commissioner Bustamante, Commissioner Louis, Commissioner Dr. Martin and the mayor, and the ordinance was adopted.

Later in the meeting the annual budget ordinance was read. The budget manager reported the total for fiscal year 2025–26 and described the process used to prepare the spending plan. City Manager Sargis thanked staff and department heads and said the budget was created to reflect needs rather than wants, stating, “this was a budget based on, you know, needs, not want.” With no public questions or additional commissioner discussion, a motion to adopt the annual budget was made and seconded. The clerk recorded the same unanimous roll-call vote and the commission adopted the budget ordinance.

The meeting record shows little extended debate on either ordinance: commissioners moved promptly from the readings to motions, and the clerk’s roll-call entries indicate all members present voted in favor of both items. The city manager said staff will begin work on projects in the adopted budget starting Oct. 1, 2025. The commission also noted a separate closed-door session scheduled for Sept. 23 at 5:00 p.m. on a contracts negotiation, and the regular commission meeting for the next day would follow at 6:00 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Ad valorem tax-rate ordinance (7.4 mills; 8.10% above rollback 6.8458): approved by roll call (Vice Mayor Louis Ricketts — yes; Commissioner Bustamante — yes; Commissioner Louis — yes; Commissioner Dr. Martin — yes; Mayor — yes). Motion and second recorded; mover/second not specified in the transcript. - Annual budget ordinance for fiscal year 2025–26 (effective 10/01/2025–09/30/2026): approved by roll call (Vice Mayor Louis Ricketts — yes; Commissioner Bustamante — yes; Commissioner Louis — yes; Commissioner Dr. Martin — yes; Mayor — yes). Motion and second recorded; mover/second not specified in the transcript.

The commission’s actions complete the formal adoption steps taken at the second public hearing. Specific ordinance numbers and an exact, clearly transcribed total dollar amount for the adopted budget were not specified in the meeting record provided.