Dunedin commission adopts tentative millage and tentative FY2026 budget; staff re-times large capital projects

The Dunedin City Commission on Wednesday adopted a tentative millage rate of 4.1345 mills and approved a tentative operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2026 after the first public hearing on the proposed figures. The votes on Resolution 25-22 (millage) and Resolution 25-23 (tentative budget) were unanimous.

City Manager Jennifer opened the hearing by calling it the first public hearing and a predicate to adoption of the FY2026 budget, which runs from Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2026. Finance Director Les Tyler read the required TRIM and statutory disclosures and said the millage of 4.1345 mills is 5.43% above the 2025 rollback rate and would generate roughly $17.85 million in ad valorem revenue for the general fund at a 95% collection rate. "At our 4.1345 mills, the tax revenues are projected to generate $17,850,000 in the general fund in 2026," Les said during his presentation.

Why it matters: the tentative documents set the tax rate and spending priorities for the coming year and schedule a second and final public hearing for Sept. 23, 2025. The adoption at first reading does not finalize the budget; commissioners and staff said they will continue work to close projected outer-year…