Boca Raton City Council Final Budget Hearing - September 22, 2026

The Boca Raton City Council held its final budget hearing on September 22, 2026, at 5:15 PM, concluding at 6:05 PM. The meeting focused on finalizing the FY 2026-2027 budget, adopting millage rates, and approving the capital improvements program. Key actions included the adoption of the final budget with amendments, millage rate ordinances, and a six-year capital plan.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar was used; all items were discussed individually.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Earl Starkov (3260 St. Charles Way) inquired whether rebudgeted funds (already collected) would affect future tax bills. Staff responded that rebudgets have no impact on tax rates, as the funds are already in the city treasury.
• No other public comments were received on the budget or millage ordinances.

Nonprofit Grant Awards

• The council first addressed three organizations where Deputy Mayor Grau recused herself due to a conflict. A consensus was reached using the 'lowest common denominator' method:
  • Aid to Victims of Domestic Disputes (AVDA): $27,500
  • May Volan Center: $20,000
  • Vets Helping Heroes: $1,000 (new applicant, historical standard)
• For the remaining dozens of nonprofits, the council adopted the same method, except for three organizations that lacked consensus:
  • Community Greening: awarded $1,500 (increase from $1,000)
  • Friends of Foster Children of Palm Beach County: $1,000 (first-time applicant)
  • Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County: $1,000 (first-time applicant)
• Total nonprofit grant funding: $502,800, a reduction of $1,500 from the prior year.

Budget Amendments & Rebudgets

• Material Change: $1.8 million added to replace a fire truck damaged on I-95 (total loss expected; city has replacement cost insurance with $5,000 deductible). This is a new expenditure for FY 2026-2027.
• Fund Transfers: The city moved $8,811,300 from the Retirement Sustainability Fund into the General Fund to align with an updated fund balance policy. This includes pension benefits and investment earnings, with no net impact on the total budget.
• Departmental Shifts: $45,000 for the Seafood Festival and $120,000 for a Community Resource Coordinator moved to the new Public Affairs Department. A Downtown Marketing Coordinator (95% CRA-funded) was also transferred. All are net zero.
• Infrastructure Surtax: Corrected an inadvertent double-budgeting of $2.25 million in surtax revenue (which sunset); fund balance will be used instead.
• Operating Rebudgets (timing only): $2,103,000 moved from FY 2025-2026 to FY 2026-2027, including public art projects ($55,200), CDBG ($74,700), and SHIP ($1,973,100).
• Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Rebudgets (timing only): $78,176,800 rebudgeted, including $14.5M for water/sewer facility upgrades, $17.5M for critical infrastructure, $1.5M for El Rio Trail lighting, $5M for railroad crossings, and other items.

Millage Rate Adoption – Ordinance No. 5798

• Operating millage rate: 3.6476 mills (4.39% above the rolled-back rate of 3.4941).
• Voter-approved debt service millage: 0.0163 mills.
• Total proposed millage rate: 3.6639 mills.
• Council voted 5-0 to adopt the ordinance.

Final Budget Adoption – Ordinance No. 5799

• Adopted the final budget as amended by Exhibits 1, 2, and 3 (including the fire truck addition and all rebudgets).
• Vote: 5-0.

Capital Improvements Program – Resolution No. 117-2026

• Adopted the FY 2026/27–2031/32 Capital Improvements Program, incorporating the same exhibits.
• Vote: 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Final millage rate and budget adopted unanimously (5-0).
• Nonprofit grant awards set at $502,800.
• CIP resolution approved.
• Councilmember Drucker and Mayor Thompson thanked staff for their work on the budget.
• Meeting adjourned at 6:05 PM.