Boca Raton council adopts tentative $233.5M budget, keeps millage nearly flat

The Boca Raton City Council on Monday adopted a tentative FY2024–25 budget and proposed millage rate, approved the city’s fire assessment and passed updates to the municipal user-fee schedule after a short debate over golf-fee increases.

Sharon McGuire, the city’s Office of Management & Budget director, told council members the proposed millage would fall slightly to 3.6782 mills from 3.6783 and that the city expects about $233.5 million in general-fund revenue next year — up from $222.8 million — driven largely by an estimated 8.5% increase in assessed values. “The millage rate is slightly lower for next year than for the current year. It’s, a millage rate of 3.6782 from 3.6783,” McGuire said.

The proposed budget projects a larger increase in expenditures — roughly $20.9 million — with most of that attributed to police and fire salaries, benefits and pension costs. McGuire also outlined new program funding and staffing, including creation of a traffic mobility and connectivity division, a public-art expansion, a neighborhood streets tree program, several parks and facility projects, and roughly 10 new general-fund positions plus additional positions across other funds.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 87-2024 (proposed millage rates): Adopted 5–0 (Drucker: Yes; Nacklis: Yes; Thompson: Yes; Wachter: Yes; Singer: Yes). - Resolution 88-2024 (tentative budget): Adopted 5–0 (mover: Miss Nacklis; second: Miss Drucker). - Resolution 89-2024 (fire services assessment rates): Adopted 5–0 (mover: Mr. Wachter; second: Miss Nacklis). - Resolution 90-2024 (municipal facilities and services user fee schedule): Adopted 4–1 (Wachter voted No).

Capital plan and funding McGuire described the five-year capital improvements program, noting only year one is approved and the full five-year plan is for planning purposes. She said the CIP totals more than $1 billion over the plan period, with next fiscal year capital costs of about $276.15 million and vehicles/equipment budgeted at roughly $10.94 million; nearly half of next-year capital spending is in municipal services, while utilities account for about 44%.

User-fee schedule and golf fees Jean Michel Nault, the city’s compliance auditor, presented changes to the user-fee schedule effective Oct. 1, 2024, including annual CPI-based adjustments (he cited a June regional CPI of 3.5%) and a proposed 4% increase to residential and commercial collection services. Nault said the monthly residential curbside solid-waste fee would rise from $26.02 to $27.06 and the multifamily container fee from $15.74 to $16.38. On golf, Nault identified small per-round increases at Red Reef Executive Golf Course and Boca Raton Golf and Racquet Club (for example, resident 18-hole winter fees rising from $85 to $91 at the Racquet Club).

Council member Reger pressed for the basis of the golf increases, noting construction at the club and concerned about impacts on retirees and other users. “Is the basis of the increase just inflation?” Reger asked. Nault and City Manager Brown said staff would supply detailed rounds and demand data to support fee setting and that fees can be adjusted during the fiscal year if warranted.

Council action and next steps Council members adopted the user-fee schedule on a 4–1 vote after debate and an ultimately withdrawn amendment request related to keeping golf fees unchanged for now. City Manager Brown said the administration can gather the requested data and bring amendments during the year if the council chooses; the council also noted the final millage rate and budget will be considered at the final public hearing scheduled for Sept. 23, 2024, at 6 p.m.

Reported by the City of Boca Raton City Council meeting transcript. The clerk recorded the roll, read the resolutions and announced the votes; public comment was not offered on the budget items this evening.