Osceola County presents $2.3 billion recommended FY2026 budget; board approves tentative assessments and millage rates, schedules Sept. 4 hearings

The Osceola County Board of County Commissioners received an overview of the county manager’s recommended fiscal year 2026 budget and, by unanimous votes, approved tentative special assessment rates and proposed millage rates and set the first public hearings for 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 4, 2025, in the Board Chambers at 1 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee.

Matthew Peer, Office of Management Director, told commissioners the county is seeing substantial valuation growth that is shaping the FY2026 budget. “Based on valuations released by the property appraiser on July 1, a 9.9% increase in valuation over the prior years reflected, of which $2,700,000,000 of that was new valuation,” Peer said. He said the recommended countywide budget is just over $2.3 billion at this stage, with roughly $723 million in grant and capital carryforwards expected to be included at the tentative budget, which would bring totals to about $3.0 billion.

The budget presentation emphasized transportation and contractual obligations. Peer said this fiscal year will be the first in which the county “realize[s] the full expense” of SunRail maintenance and noted the county’s Link transit contract support is increasing by about $2.6 million over the prior year. Peer also identified a $12 million SunRail partner obligation…