Hallandale Beach sets proposed rollback millage, adds code enforcement position and balances FY 2026 budget

The Hallandale Beach City Commission on June 18 advanced a manager-recommended, balanced FY 2026 budget and set the proposed operating rollback millage, while approving a staff-recommended addition to code enforcement.

Commissioners approved a proposed citywide operating rollback millage of 7.3952 (the rate that would generate roughly the same property-tax revenue as the prior year) by a 5–0 vote. The commission also voted 5–0 to add an additional code-compliance specialist position to the budget and instructed staff to include the position in the FY 2026 personnel plan. The commission’s budget presentation and exchanges with staff included details on revenue sources, cost pressures and reserve projections.

Finance and budget staff described the recommended $217.1 million total city budget, with the general fund representing about $118 million (approximately 54.6% of the total). Staff emphasized the FY 2026 budget is balanced with no planned use of general-fund reserves and said reserves are projected to grow under the presented plan. Major upward cost pressures noted in the presentation included a roughly $2.3 million increase in city salaries and benefits (planned merit and cost-of-living adjustments), an approximately $2.0 million increase associated with BSO (police contract) salary and benefit adjustments, and a $3.1 million increase in tax-increment (TIF) payments to the Community Redevelopment Agency tied to higher assessed values.

Budget staff also flagged a potential one-time, large expense related to Shaves Lake remediation; staff used a conservative placeholder of $10 million in the five-year financial outlook until the city obtains a firmer remediation estimate. The city manager and budget staff said they expect firmer numbers on Shaves Lake in July, and any required accounting entries would be reflected in the next budget revision.

Staff presented several revenue and stabilization strategies that underpin the five-year plan: continued diversification of revenues (including strengthened parking program revenue and enforcement), a delay or pause on an increase in the solid-waste franchise fee pending further study, and modest programmatic adjustments. The parking program was reported to be outperforming early projections, and staff noted additional parking revenue was available for program priorities.

Commissioners and staff debated targeted neighborhood millages. In discussion about the 3 Islands Safe Neighborhood district, finance staff noted the district’s reserves and the district operating budget would allow the commission to significantly reduce that district’s millage rate if it chose to do so; staff described a lower rate (0.4588) that would cover the district’s operating costs. The commission ultimately enacted the citywide rollback rate at this meeting and directed staff on district-level options and messaging.

Commissioners voted 5–0 to add an additional code compliance specialist to the FY 2026 budget after a motion and roll-call vote; the mayor and the full commission supported the addition. Commissioners discussed the role as a measure to improve neighborhood livability and to free police resources to focus on enforcement priorities. Staff said the new position would be funded within the proposed budget and suggested an offset from projected parking revenues.

Other formal actions included unanimous approval of a commission resolution supporting increased federal funding for nonprofit security grants to help secure synagogues and other religious institutions (co-sponsored by Mayor Joy Cooper and Vice Mayor Michelle Lazaro). The measure passed 5–0 and the mayor and vice mayor co-sponsored the resolution.

City staff will return with revised budget materials and firmer Shaves Lake cost estimates in July and with the formal first and second budget hearings in September (dates and times set during the meeting). The city’s budget calendar includes August workshops and first and second public hearings in September with final adoption scheduled in October.

Ending: Commissioners praised staff for producing a balanced budget recommendation, reiterated continuing uncertainties (state-level property-tax reforms and insurance-cost pressures) and asked staff to continue outreach on budget details and to provide updated cost estimates on Shaves Lake before formal adoption proceedings in September.