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Boynton Beach sets millage rate at 7.75 after debate over one‑time settlement funds
Summary
The Boynton Beach City Commission voted to set the tentative millage rate for FY2025–26 at 7.75 and adopted the tentative budget, after debate about whether to use a one‑time PFAS settlement to lower taxes or to shore up capital and utility needs.
Vice Mayor Hay presided over the Boynton Beach City Commission on Sept. 8, 2025, and the commission voted to set the tentative millage rate for fiscal year 2025–26 at 7.75. The body also adopted the tentative budget and scheduled a second public hearing for Sept. 18, 2025.
The commission took public testimony and held a lengthy exchange about whether to use recent one‑time settlement funds to reduce property taxes or to invest the money in capital projects and utilities. Miss Lam reported that the city has “secured the second installment of the settlement funds from 3M in the amount of $5,800,000,” bringing the city’s proceeds in recent months to just over $8,000,000. Budget Director Fabio Baca told the commission the rollback rate was 7.3764 and warned, “If the city were to do that, we would lose $4,400,000 in revenue.”
The debate centered on whether a one‑time infusion should be used to lower the millage or conserved for aging infrastructure. Several commissioners said they were reluctant to rely on one‑time money. Commissioner Kelly, who moved to set the rate at 7.75, said staff should explore targeted ways to help residents, such as exemptions or waivers, rather than a broad cut that could imperil long‑term service funding. Commissioner Turkin argued for continued scrutiny of utility spending and possible alternatives to ad valorem reliance, including expanded enterprise fund uses.
During public comment, resident David Wesley Cornish criticized the tax increase calculations, saying, “They tell us our taxes are going up 5.74%. That’s not acceptable,” and urged the commission to find other revenue sources. Susan Oyer, also speaking, urged the commission to pursue operational savings and to improve emergency communications after a recent service disruption.
After public comment and discussion, the commission voted to set the tentative millage at 7.75. Vice Mayor Hay called the vote and recorded the motion as carried; meeting remarks show Commissioner Kelly moved and Commissioner Angela Cruz seconded. The commission adopted the tentative budget by vote the same evening; both items will be revisited at the Sept. 18 hearing, where the millage can legally be changed.
The commission’s action leaves the millage modestly below the previous advertised rate but above the rollback rate, a result staff said balances near‑term relief with preserving revenue for utility investments and other recurring costs.
