Plantation council sets preliminary maximum millage for FY 2026; debate over rollback rate continues

The City of Plantation City Council on July 23 adopted preliminary maximum millage rates for fiscal year 2026, approving a general ad valorem millage of 5.800 mills and district rates of 1.7108 mills for the Gateway Development District and 0.9707 mills for the Midtown Development District. Council members also set dates for the required public budget hearings in September.

Finance Director Anna Antiano told the council the proposed all‑funds budget is about $282,000,000 and that the 5.800 mills general rate, combined with Broward County property appraiser valuations, would generate roughly $82.3 million in ad valorem revenue at an assumed 96% collection rate. “Tonight is a maximum millage which means we are voting to tell Broward County the maximum rate that you will charge in fiscal year 26,” Antiano said. She noted the Council may reduce the millage at the September public hearings.

The council heard repeated requests from residents and at least two council members to lower the preliminary rate. “I would like to propose that the millage gets reduced to 5.7,” Councilmember Fadgen said during discussion, asking staff to return numbers showing the revenue impact of a 5.700 rate. Several speakers during public comment urged a rollback to provide relief to fixed‑income homeowners and other residents. Dennis Conklin urged the…