Palm Beach Gardens council adopts 2025–26 budget, sets final millage at 5.0537 mills

The City Council of Palm Beach Gardens on Sept. 18 adopted its fiscal year 2025–26 budget and set a final operating and total millage rate of 5.0537 mills, a 6.64% increase over the rollback rate, the council announced after a public hearing.

At the second and final budget hearing, Finance Administrator Ariane Panzak told the council the recommendation was to adopt a 5.0537-mill rate and to proceed with adoption of Ordinance 11-2025 to approve the budget for Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2026. "Tonight is our second and final budget hearing for fiscal year 26," Panzak said, explaining staff had no changes from the prior hearing.

The council took the formal votes after a brief opportunity for public comment; no comment cards were filed on the millage or the budget. Vice Mayor Middleton moved to adopt the final millage and the motion passed unanimously, 5–0. The council then approved Ordinance 11-2025 on its second and final reading, adopting the budget by a 5–0 vote.

Why it matters: the adopted millage sets the property tax levy that will fund city operations for the coming fiscal year, including public safety and other services. Panzak said the recommended rate exceeds the rollback rate of 4.7391 mills by 6.64 percent.

The votes were unanimous, with the council recording five "ayes." The city clerk was directed to forward a certified copy of Resolution 54-2025 setting the millage to the Palm Beach County property appraiser and tax collector within three days of adoption, as the resolution requires.

Next steps: With the budget ordinance adopted, city staff will implement the 2025–26 spending plan beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and perform routine reporting and execution tasks called for in the ordinance.