Parkland commissioners review FY2026 proposed budget, keep millage rate unchanged

The City Commission of the City of Parkland held a budget workshop on Wednesday, Aug. 13, to review highlights of the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, including staffing changes, capital projects and proposed assessments and hearings ahead of final adoption in September.

A city staff member who presented the draft said the proposal keeps the millage rate unchanged at 4.2979 and projects an additional $2,150,000 in property-tax revenue for the city. "This budget process is very fluid," the staff member said, noting changes to the budget book provided to commissioners a month earlier and to expect a revised September adoption packet.

The presenter said total taxable property values rose about 6.7% to roughly $8.7 billion and that the city’s single largest general-fund revenue source — labeled "Avalon" in the presentation — accounts for about 60% of general-fund revenue. The draft budget uses a proposed general fund of $59,000,000 within a total city budget of approximately $75,700,000, a figure the presenter said is lower than the number in the earlier packet.

Why it matters: staff emphasized that property taxes make up the majority of the city’s unrestricted general-fund revenue and that proposals at the state level to cut or eliminate property taxes would have limited local substitutes. The presenter also walked commissioners through how a resident’s tax bill is apportioned, saying Parkland receives about 23 cents of each tax dollar while Broward County and the school board receive larger shares.

Key numbers and program changes in the draft - Millage rate: proposed to remain at 4.2979 for FY2026. - Property values: overall increase of about 6.7%; total estimated value about $8.7 billion. - Projected additional ad valorem revenue: $2,150,000. - General fund: approximately $59,000,000. - Total proposed budget: roughly $75,700,000 (presenter said this is down from about $79,000,000 in the earlier packet). - Use of fund balance in current draft: $430,000 (presenter said this may fall with debt-service updates). - Public safety: the largest expenditure category, approaching half of the general-fund budget; projected to increase primarily because of a proposed Broward Sheriff’s Office contract increase of about 9.7%, adding roughly $1,200,000 in costs for FY2026. - Fire assessment: proposed increase of about $16 per year per account, estimated to generate about $200,000 in additional revenue.

Staffing, reserves and benefits The draft adds three positions (a senior director of development services and economic development, a senior engineer and an arborist) and eliminates six vacant positions in the building department as the city transitions from growth-mode to maintenance at buildout. For Wedge Preserve Park, the draft budgets eight positions (four full-time and four part-time) at one-quarter funding for FY2026, with full-year operating costs expected to appear in FY2027.

The draft includes a 3% cost-of-living increase for staff and merit increases ranging from 0% to 3%. Retirement contributions were described as an employer contribution of 11% for full-time employees, with additional matching rules tied to employee 457 contributions.

Reserves and insurance assumptions The staff member described a 25% stabilization reserve (about $13.5 million) and a 2.5% infrastructure reserve (about $750,000). General insurance increases were budgeted conservatively; the draft shows a 20% placeholder in some categories while the presenter said final insurer quotes were expected in about two weeks.

Capital program and special funds The presenter said all three capital funds (new capital projects, infrastructure replacement and vehicle/equipment/computer replacement) are planned to be fully funded in the draft, and highlighted several projects: a $679,000 payment to Coral Springs tied to an annexation land purchase; drainage work in the Ranches (about $437,000 for part of a pump, with the stormwater fund covering the balance); Pine Trails Park spectator improvements (about $200,000); Pine Trails restroom, playground replacements and a Liberty Park splash pad (about $500,000). The capital replacement fund was listed at about $740,000.

Two road-related special funds drew attention. For a planned milling and repaving project, staff explained the city intends to finance upfront work with a loan then repay it through special assessments, with assessments scheduled to begin in FY2027. For the Pine Tree Roads Fund, staff said an earlier budget figure of about $11.6 million was reduced after solicitation responses came in at a much lower price; the fund shows $2,000,000 of prior fund-balance transfers (from a settlement agreement) and the remainder expected as loan proceeds to be repaid by future special assessments.

AEDs and community safety Staff reported that the Parks Advisory Board recommended adding three automated external defibrillator (AED) locations — one at Terramar and two at Pine Trails Park — each paired with a stop-the-bleed kit. The presenter said the estimated cost is about $20,000 and sought confirmation to include funding in the September budget packet. Commissioners voiced general agreement in the meeting but recorded no formal motion. The presenter noted plans for a public rollout and education with parks and recreation and the fire department; a commissioner also urged communications to make residents and league users familiar with the devices. "Each AED location must also have a stop to bleed kit," the staff member said.

Process and next steps Staff reminded the commission that July resolutions already set preliminary maximum millage and assessments and that trimmed notices will be mailed to residents. The presenter said two formal public hearings on the budget and final millage/assessments are scheduled: a state-timed hearing on Friday, Sept. 12 at 5:01 p.m., and a second hearing at the regular commission meeting on Sept. 24. Staff said a revised budget book will be circulated before those hearings.

What the meeting did not do No formal motions or roll-call votes on budget adoption, allocations, assessments or AED funding were recorded in the workshop transcript. Several items were described as pending future agenda actions, including a recommendation on the Pine Tree Roads solicitation to be presented later in the evening for formal action.

Closing Commissioners thanked staff for the presentation. The commission adjourned after concluding questions and confirming next steps for the September hearings.