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Lauderdale Lakes budget workshop: staff proposes keeping millage at 8.6 mills and raises for assessments
Summary
Finance staff recommended maintaining the proposed millage at 8.6 mills (total 9.06 with debt service) and presented preliminary assessment rates: fire $344.96 per residential unit, solid waste proposed $401/year (from $272), and stormwater $90/year (from $75); staff warned the general fund still faces a deficit and urged outreach.
City finance staff presented a preliminary FY2027 budget and a set of proposed revenue and expenditure changes intended to reduce a projected general‑fund shortfall.
Financial Services Director Sharon Haynes said the city’s proposed general‑fund revenues total about $32.7 million and recommended keeping the millage rate at 8.6 mills rather than adopting the rollback rate. "The rollback rate would have netted us approximately $640,000 less," Haynes said, and staff noted the city would still need to use fund balance even if the current millage is retained.
Budget officer Heidi Brock reviewed proposed preliminary assessment rates required by the Truth in Millage (TRIM) process: a proposed fire‑rescue assessment of $344.96 per residential unit (about an $11.12 increase); a proposed solid‑waste assessment of $401 per year (from $272); and a stormwater assessment increase to $90 per year (from $75). Brock told commissioners the fire assessment is projected to generate about $7.34 million and would fund roughly 55% of the city’s $13.2 million fire‑rescue contract with BSO.
Commissioners raised concerns about the combined effect of multiple increases on residents and asked staff to prioritize outreach and education. Vice Mayor Thomas and other commissioners recommended targeted notices to HOA and condo associations so residents understand what each assessment covers. Staff said TRIM notices will go out in August and that the commission must certify preliminary rates to the county property appraiser by early August.
