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Pembroke Pines gets early budget preview; general fund shows $8.2 million shortfall
Summary
Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Lisa Chong presented a preliminary budget visioning that showed all major funds balanced except the general fund, which has an $8.2 million gap; commissioners pressed staff on state property‑tax reform timing, asked for more resident outreach, and were told preliminary taxable values arrive June 1.
Lisa Chong, assistant city manager and finance director, presented Pembroke Pines’ early budget visioning to the City Commission, saying the exercise is "the kickoff or the starting point of our budget process" and asking elected officials to flag projects and priorities for staff to include in the coming fiscal year. Chong told commissioners that, after a department‑by‑department review, all major funds are currently balanced except the general fund, which shows a preliminary shortfall of about $8.2 million that staff expect to close before a formal June budget return.
The presentation delivered a high‑level snapshot of assumptions and pressures that will shape the next budget. Staff are using a conservative 5% assumed increase in taxable values (below last year’s roughly 6.87%) and expect preliminary values from the property appraiser on June 1 and final values in July. Chong also noted that some grant figures (for example SHIP and CDBG) are not yet included because state and federal allocations are pending.
Chong outlined revenue and spending mixes: ad valorem property taxes account for about 38% of city revenues, charges for services about 17%, and special assessments and intergovernmental revenues the remainder. On the expenditure side, police, fire and rescue make up roughly 63% of general‑fund spending (37% police combined with 26% fire/rescue). The general‑fund personnel budget currently is near $176 million (about 60% of the general fund). Staff proposed adding five positions in the coming year: an assistant division chief in fire, three fire lieutenants and a real‑time crime center analyst in police. Major capital items noted include $5.4 million for police replacement vehicles and equipment alongside roughly $4.0 million in fire capital (engines, a tactical support unit, an ambulance) and several technology and facility investments.
Commissioners asked follow‑up questions about the state’s property‑tax reform process and the implications for the city’s timing. City Manager Charlie Dodge told Vice Mayor Hernandez that "if you vote on it in November, it doesn't take effect until the next fiscal year," underscoring the timing uncertainty and why staff must prepare multiple scenarios. Commissioners urged more public outreach explaining where property tax dollars are spent, highlighted the need to monitor pending state actions, and pressed staff for details on how the $8.2 million gap might be closed.
Other requests from commissioners included more investment in communications and the city website, a review of consistent park signage and branding, consideration of an intergovernmental affairs position for legislative tracking, and modest stipends for interns. Chong said those items can be folded into further budget conversations.
The commission did not take formal action tonight on tax rates or final dollars; staff said they will return with more detailed figures in June and that the city will set the millage for advertising later in the process. Staff also committed to a follow‑up report on short‑term recycling options and other budget decisions tied to state outcomes.
