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Miramar adopts 7.1172‑mill rate and tentatively approves $458M FY2026 budget
Summary
The City Commission approved a 7.1172‑mill ad valorem operating rate and adopted a tentative FY2026 budget totaling $458 million, with the measure passing despite a no vote from Commissioner Sherazard; staff said the increase is driven largely by capital projects and service needs.
The City Commission of Miramar voted to set the ad valorem operating millage at 7.1172 mills for the 2025 tax year and adopted a tentative FY2026 budget that totals $458,000,000. The millage was announced at the hearing as “7.1172 mills,” a rate staff said is 6.41% above the rollback rate of 6.6885 mills and is needed to fund the city’s operations and capital plan.
Budget director Rafael San Miguel told the commission the tentative budget emphasizes fiscal responsibility while funding public safety, transportation and utilities. He said the general fund accounts for roughly $241.7 million (about 53% of total) and that ad valorem taxes represent the largest single revenue source (about $110 million). The presentation attributed most of the year‑over‑increase to inclusion of the capital improvement program (CIP) and to enterprise fund investments. “We bring to you a budget that emphasizes fiscal responsibility, investment in our most important resource, the human resource, and investment in community well‑being,” San Miguel said.
Commissioner Sherazard urged a lower millage and urged deeper departmental savings, telling colleagues: “The millage rate isn't about coffee. It's about survival for some.” Sherazard said seniors and renters would feel the effects of higher property valuations and urged the commission to reduce the rate where possible. City staff and other commissioners responded that the budget is structured to protect core services and that some increases reflect one‑time or previously budgeted items that will not recur.
On the roll call vote for the millage ordinance (temporary ordinance 18‑52), Vice Mayor Colburn, Commissioner Chambers, Commissioner Edwards and Mayor Messam voted yes; Commissioner Sherazard voted no. The motion to adopt the tentative operating and CIP budget (temporary ordinance 18‑51) passed unanimously. Next steps: these are tentative/adopted for record and will be finalized in the final budget adoption process and any technical adjustments required by statute.
