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Palm Beach Gardens council adopts proposed FY 2025–26 budget on first reading, holds millage flat
Summary
On Sept. 4 the Palm Beach Gardens City Council voted 5–0 to adopt a proposed operating and total millage rate of 5.0537 mills and approved the FY 2025–26 budget on first reading, a plan that keeps taxes flat while adding 42 full‑time positions and increasing reserves.
Palm Beach Gardens adopted a proposed operating and total millage rate of 5.0537 mills and approved the fiscal year 2025–26 budget on first reading at its Sept. 4 meeting, voting 5–0.
City budget director Ariane Panzak presented the plan, saying the total budget is “a little over $300,000,000,” with the general fund comprising about $210 million and a recommended millage that is 6.64% above the rollback rate. Panzak said the city’s total taxable valuation rose to about $21.7 billion, driven by nearly $595 million in new construction and a 6.64% increase in existing property values year over year.
The budget proposal includes 42 new full‑time positions (38 in the general fund), a number of capital projects and transfers, and an increase to reserves. Panzak told the council staff recommends a $6 million transfer to the police impact fund to help fund expansion of the tactical training facility and noted planned draws from stabilization funds to support public safety communications upgrades.
Council members across the dais praised staff for conservative forecasting and transparency. Council member Primeroso said the approach had delivered “positive outcomes to our financial performance,” stressing the need to maintain reserves against potential changes at the state and federal level. Vice Mayor Middleton and other council members cited public safety and rising service demand as reasons to hold the millage steady while building reserves.
The council set a second public hearing for the final budget on Sept. 18, 2025, at 6 p.m. The motion to adopt the proposed millage rate carried 5–0; the council then approved Ordinance 11 on first reading to adopt the FY 2025–26 budget (vote 5–0). The measures will return for final action at the required public hearing in mid‑September.
