Lighthouse Point sets final millage at 4.1329% and approves $32.48M budget after unanimous votes

The City Commission of Lighthouse Point voted unanimously Sept. 18 to set the city's final operating millage rate at 4.1329 and a debt-service millage of 0.2689, then approved the city's combined fiscal 2024–25 budget totaling $32,475,910.

The finance director presenting the figures said the proposed operating millage of 4.1329 compares to a rollback rate of 3.5549 and is 16.26% higher than that rollback rate. The director tied the increase to rising property and liability insurance costs and capital needs including canal dredging (year two), a ladder fire/rescue truck, a public-works pickup, and park improvements at Frank McDonough Park.

After the brief presentation and an opportunity for public comment (none were taken on the item), a commissioner moved to adopt resolution 2024-2630 to set the millage rates; the commission was asked to take a roll-call vote to satisfy statutory and Department of Revenue record requirements. The roll call recorded unanimous approval; the motion carried 5–0.

The commission then held the second and final public hearings and voted on four budget resolutions by grouped roll calls: resolution 2024-2631 (final general fund budget), resolution 2024-2632 (garbage and trash special revenue fund), resolution 2024-2633 (2019 debt service fund), and resolution 2024-2634 (stormwater utility fund). The clerk recorded all four votes as unanimous.

City staff emphasized the budget process began in February and included multiple workshops and public sessions. The finance director noted the combined budget covers general operations, garbage and trash services, stormwater utility needs and the debt-service fund for previously voter-approved obligations including the fire station, emergency operations center and library expansion.

Next steps: the adopted millage and budgets become the city's final rates and spending plan for FY 2024–25, effective Oct. 1, 2024. The commission closed the public hearings and moved on to communications and project updates later in the meeting.

(Reporting note: specific individual names for motion makers and seconders were not identified in the transcript lines; roll-call tallies and resolution numbers are recorded in the public minutes.)