Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budgeting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Palm Beach commission approves not-to-exceed millage of 8.1308, sets first budget hearing for Sept. 8
Summary
The West Palm Beach City Commission unanimously approved Resolution No. 160-26 on July 16, establishing a not-to-exceed operating millage of 8.1308 mills for fiscal year 2026–27 and setting the first public hearing on the budget for Sept. 8, 2026. Staff said the rate can be lowered at later hearings but not increased.
The West Palm Beach City Commission on July 16 approved Resolution No. 160-26 to establish a not-to-exceed operating millage rate of 8.1308 mills for fiscal year 2026–27 and set the first public hearing on the proposed budget for Sept. 8, 2026.
Bridal Souffrant, the city's chief financial officer, told the commission the 8.1308 figure is 5.71% higher than the rolled-back rate of 7.6915. She said the resolution also sets the debt service millage at 0.0533 mills — a decrease of 0.0047 mills — and that the city's debt service payment on the 2020 parks and general obligation bond for fiscal year 2027 is $1,400,000. Souffrant said the combined not-to-exceed operating and debt service millage would be 8.1841 mills and recommended approval of the resolution and the Sept. 8 hearing date.
"From a procedural standpoint," Souffrant said, "the proposed not-to-exceed rate, if approved tonight, can be reduced at a future public hearing, but it cannot be increased higher than the rate that is voted on this evening." She reminded the commission that a July 27 Mayor–Commission budget workshop will provide additional information.
Commissioner Fox, who moved approval of the resolution, asked for clarification that the action was to set a not-to-exceed rate and not to finalize the levy. "What we're doing tonight is voting on the not-to-exceed rate, but that does not mean we cannot look for ways to lower the millage rate in the next coming weeks," Fox said, and noted outstanding variables including union contract negotiations.
Ms. Johnson, who arrived during the discussion, apologized for being late and said there was no update on the union negotiations and no timeline for when final numbers would be available.
Commissioner Fox moved to approve Resolution No. 160-26 and set the first public hearing on the proposed FY2026–27 budget for Sept. 8, 2026; the motion was seconded (the record does not name the seconder). The mayor called for the vote; the commission voiced unanimous assent and the motion carried.
The commission did not take further action on the final millage rate at the meeting. The budget process will continue with the July 27 budget workshop and subsequent public hearings, including the Sept. 8 session identified by the resolution.
