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Naples proposes $236.8 million budget, keeps 1.23 millage; continues public safety and sea‑wall spending
Summary
City staff presented a proposed $236.8 million fiscal 2025–26 budget that holds the millage at 1.23, funds two additional public‑safety officer positions, boosts pension contributions and keeps seawall reconstruction and other capital projects on the plan.
The City of Naples presented a proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget totaling $236,800,000 and recommended continuing the current 1.23 millage rate.
City Manager Gary Young and interim Finance Director Stefan Massol told council the plan does not increase the city’s millage and includes limited new personnel — chiefly two police positions tied to prior public‑safety enhancements — while funding several capital commitments already in the capital improvement plan.
The proposal shows increases in overall expenses compared with the current year, reflecting higher personnel costs, increases required by recently settled labor contracts and a rise in capital spending. Massol said the budget assumes continuation of the 1.23 levy set earlier this year and that staff prepared informational millage scenarios showing the effect of changes between the rollback rate and a hypothetical higher rate.
Pension funding is a notable line item: council was told actuarial changes and recently settled contracts together mean a planned additional contribution across funds of about $2,460,000 to continue improving the funded status of the city’s pension plans.
Capital projects in the draft budget include continuing seawall reconstruction tied to the Irma settlement and related costs. Massol said the budget includes a roughly $4,500,000 appropriation for seawall work in 2025–26, followed by more in a later year; he also noted a state appropriation of $3,750,000 that reduced the planned draw on reserves for the project. Massol told council the beach outfall and other major projects will be brought to council as separate authorization items when timing requires.
Council members and staff emphasized resiliency, stormwater and the need to continue funding multi‑year projects. Young told council the proposed budget sets emergency reserves consistent with city policy and does not increase the millage rate.
Where things go next: staff said the city will hold two public budget hearings — the first on Sept. 3 and a second on Sept. 22 — before the fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
