Monroe County presents $674M FY2026 tentative budget, including $170.8M ad valorem levy and 45.32 FTE reductions

County administrators presented the Monroe County tentative FY2026 budget at the Sept. 3 public hearing, listing a balanced total just north of $674,000,000 and a proposed ad valorem property tax levy of about $170,800,000.

The budget presentation noted a $41.6 million year‑over‑year decrease driven largely by completion of capital projects and movement of Tourist Development Council surplus to capital housing projects. Staff said the tentative FY2026 ad valorem levy includes an added $2,000,000 countywide tax increase intended to bolster emergency reserves, and that roughly 69.5% of the ad valorem levy funds public safety and constitutional officers.

Staff also reported a total FTE reduction of 45.32 positions across departments and a variety of level‑1, level‑2 and level‑3 cuts that together produced about $2,000,000 in additional reserves. "There is a total FTE reductions of 45.32," the presenter said. The capital plan highlighted projects including the Boca Chica shoreside facility and continued work on the Key West Airport Concourse A, Marathon airport match projects and Card Sound Road bridge replacements.

Commissioners and staff debated whether to set aside additional operating reserves for nonprofit grants now or to await clearer guidance from Tallahassee in January. Staff flagged state and federal uncertainties — including a recent legislative change that gives the governor’s office new audit authority — as reasons for building reserves while commissioners and multiple public commenters urged preserving nonprofit funding. The commission ultimately adopted the tentative budget and millage as presented after votes recorded in the hearing.