Fort Lauderdale commission tentatively adopts FY2026 millage and $1.19 billion budget; Vice Mayor Herbst votes no

The Fort Lauderdale City Commission tentatively approved the city’s fiscal year 2026 millage rates and a $1,194,366,687 all‑funds budget after the first of two statutorily required public hearings.

City Manager staff presented a recommended operating millage of 4.1193 mills and a combined debt‑service millage reduced to 0.2306 mills, producing an aggregate tentative millage of 4.123 (including dependent districts). "The recommended millage rate of 4.1193 exceeds the rollback rate of 3.8604 by 6.71%," the city manager said, attributing the increase to planned spending that includes $12,700,000 for salaries and wages, $10,400,000 for fringe benefits and $4,200,000 for capital equipment purchases.

Commissioners voted on a series of resolutions to introduce and approve tentative millage rates and budgets. The Sunrise Key Neighborhood Improvement District set a tentative millage of 1.0000 mil, estimated to generate $223,168 to support a $223,168 operating budget for that district; the commission introduced and approved the Sunrise Key tentative millage and budget.

On citywide items, the clerk read a resolution adopting the tentative operating millage and debt service rates. Vice Mayor Herbst stated during roll call, "I think we should be cutting our millage rate, not keeping it the same," and recorded a "no" vote when polled on the millage resolution. Commissioners Glassman, Beasley Pittman and Sorensen and Mayor Trentales voted "yes," and the resolution passed.

The city manager detailed adjustments to the tentative FY2026 budget since the June proposal: increases in general‑fund revenues of $481,923 for updated ad valorem and state estimates; a $514,283 decrease reflecting changes in the anticipated PFAS settlement payment schedule; and line‑item changes including a $108,576 increase in the transfer to the school crossing guards fund and a $35,301 decrease in the police and fire rescue pension payment. The tentative general fund budget was reported as $520,425,269.

The commission also introduced and tentatively approved a five‑year community investment plan covering Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2030 and a tentative operating budget for other city funds. When the clerk called roll on the final city budget resolution, Vice Mayor Herbst again registered "no" while the other voting members recorded "yes," and the motion to tentatively adopt the FY2026 all‑funds budget passed.

The commission scheduled the final public hearing to adopt the millage rate and budget for 5:01 p.m. on Sept. 12, 2025 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom, 201 Southwest 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. The Community Redevelopment Agency separately approved its final operating budget and community investment allocations for FY2026 during the same meeting.

The city’s tentative actions preserve previously negotiated salary and benefit increases and maintain funding assumptions that were included in budget development; staff said they can return with specific options to reduce spending if the commission directs them to do so before the final hearing.