The Hallandale Beach City Commission unanimously adopted its 2026 state legislative program on Nov. 5 and authorized Ballard Partners to present the city's priorities to the Broward County delegation.

During discussion, a commissioner asked whether the package should specifically call for authorization of fee‑based local funding mechanisms for policing and emergency medical services should the state move to reduce or eliminate property taxes. The city manager and staff noted the draft already contains language that "support[s] legislation that ensures sustainable and diversified local revenue sources to replace property taxes if eliminated, including the authorization for cities to establish local option sales taxes, user fees, service assessments, impact fees, and revenue sharing programs with the state," and that the package includes clauses opposing elimination of property taxes without equivalent, reliable replacements.

Why it matters: Commissioners said they are concerned about the ripple effects of proposed property‑tax reductions on municipal services, staffing and infrastructure. Some members urged explicit legislative authorization to permit fee‑based alternatives in order to preserve police and EMS service levels; others argued not to provide potential workarounds that could enable the state to justify tax cuts.

Action taken: The resolution adopting the 2026 state legislative program passed 4‑0 (Commissioner Butler absent). The commission did not amend the packet language at the meeting; staff said the existing draft already seeks diversified local revenue authorizations and opposes unfunded elimination of property taxes.

Speakers quoted in this story: City manager (clarifying staff recommendations); Mayor Joy F. Cooper (read and presided over the resolution vote). A commissioner proposed adding more-specific fee language but that proposal was discussed generically and not entered as an amendment on the record.

Ending: Staff will transmit the adopted legislative priorities to the Broward County delegation and Ballard Partners per the resolution.