Lighthouse Point sets tentative millage at 4.4207, adopts tentative budget and schedules final hearings

The City Commission of Lighthouse Point on Sept. 13 adopted a tentative operating millage rate of 4.4207 for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and approved a tentative general fund budget of $27,925,823. Finance Director Corey Olympio presented the millage proposal and tax impact, saying the “proposed millage rate to be levied is 4.4207” and that levying that rate “increases the net tax levy by about $2,481,000.”

Commissioners debated whether to set the millage at the maximum allowable level to begin building a dedicated bridge-replacement fund or to defer some projects to lower the tax burden. A motion to adopt the tentative millage and to set the second public hearing for Sept. 23, 2025, passed 4–1. The commission later approved the tentative operating budget by the same margin and directed staff to publish the budget summary before the second hearing.

Why it matters: the tentative millage starts the formal statutory budget process; setting a higher provisional rate preserves the commission's ability to allocate funds for long-term infrastructure projects (seawalls, dredging and bridge replacement) while allowing reductions before the final hearing. The commission and administration emphasized the budget remains tentative until the Sept. 23 public hearing and final adoption.