Commission certifies financial reports and sets proposed millage at 8.600 for public hearings

The Lauderdale Lakes commission voted to accept the Financial Services Department's May 2026 financial activity report and to set a proposed millage rate for public hearings. Assistant Director Cheryl Cuspa reported that property-tax collections were a strong revenue source: "property tax collections, which are at 16,300,000 which is 115% of the annual budget," and noted other revenues and expenditures trends by fund.

Financial Services Director Sharon Haynes presented the proposed millage resolution, telling commissioners: "This resolution sets a proposed millage rate of 8.6 mils for operating purposes." She also explained an additional debt-service rate and that setting 8.600 is above the rollback rate (8.2372) and so would require advertised notice and the scheduled public hearings. The commission moved the resolution forward and set the first required public hearing for Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. in the commission chambers.

The commission discussed specific fund balances: the building services fund has a deficit requiring monitoring; the stormwater and code-enforcement funds are showing negative balances as transfers from fund balance are pending. Commissioners asked staff clarifying questions about timing of contract payments (BSO) and settlement receipts; staff confirmed certain payments are made monthly and settlement receipts (reported at $269,500 through May) are being held in a separate account as intended. The resolution to accept the report and to certify the proposed millage advanced on a recorded vote.