Broward County Board of County Commissioners FY2026 Budget Public Hearing - September 4, 2025

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners held the first of two required public hearings on proposed millage rates, budgets, and special assessments for Fiscal Year 2026 on September 4, 2025, starting at 5:01 PM. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Beam Fur, who noted Vice Mayor Bogan was absent due to a medical issue. County Administrator Monica Sapero presented an overview of the proposed $8.756 billion budget, a $930.8 million increase over FY2025, driven by higher operating costs, capital projects, and the transition of the tax collector function. The countywide millage rate is proposed to remain flat at 5.6690, which represents a 7.30% increase in property taxes compared to the rollback rate of 5.2832. The final public hearing is scheduled for September 16, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Denise Falconer (first-time homebuyer): Expressed confusion about her property assessment increase post-purchase. Commissioners and staff directed her to the Property Appraiser's office for explanation and the Value Adjustment Board (VAB) appeal process. Commissioner McKenzie suggested tracking her case to improve future public notification.
• Kareen Llewellyn: Stated that property taxes on her primary residence are unaffordable—exceeding her mortgage—and argued that primary homes should not be taxed. She urged the commission to change the budget and called the situation “unfair.” Commissioner Rich noted that Save Our Homes limits annual increases to 3%, and suggested her mortgage increase may be partly due to rising insurance costs. Ms. Llewellyn disputed this, saying her insurance is minimal.
• Spencer Lazdy: Asked about county funding for flood resilience and mitigation, noting recent serious flooding. Commissioner Fisher (who chairs the Water Advisory Board) and Commissioner Fur directed him to the Central and South Florida Flood Resilience Study meeting on September 9 and the Water Advisory Board meetings for detailed information.
• Bill Owens: Criticized the 5:01 PM start time as inconvenient for working people (county attorney noted state law requires the hearing after 5 PM). He argued the county should tighten its budget and not increase taxes, saying “enough is enough.”
• Aaron Gonzalez: Urged the commission to adopt the rollback rate (5.2832), calling the proposed flat rate a “stealth tax increase” costing residents an extra $145 million. He detailed specific spending increases, including $216 million in non-departmental spending and $36 million in general fund reserves, arguing the rollback could be achieved without cutting essential services.
• Matthew MacIntosh (Plantation Planning & Zoning Board): Noted that the ground floor door was locked, hindering public access. He advocated for later meeting times (e.g., 6 PM) and urged the county to complete the BCT Cost of Operations Analysis (COA), which he said was due December 2024 but still pending. He called for small, incremental transit improvements rather than large projects.
• Lewis Campbell (unscheduled): Inherited a ~600 sq. ft. home in Sanders Park, assessed at $435,000 despite offers of ~$250,000. His taxes with homestead exemption were $8,400. Commissioners directed him to the VAB and offered their office's assistance.
• Brianna Reeves (unscheduled): Asked whether the county has complied with the state’s DOGE task force audit request. County Administrator Sapero confirmed full compliance, turning over over 55,000 files, and that the report is expected around November 2025—after the budget adoption.
• Timothy Benoit (unscheduled): Questioned how his taxes could increase when his property value dropped by $43,000, calling the flat millage rate a “stealth tax increase” and a “money grab.” He was referred to the Property Appraiser’s office.
• Mayota Francois (unscheduled): Purchased a home in Melrose in March 2023; it flooded a month later, causing mold. She asked what the county is doing about flooding and taxes. Commissioner Fur noted potential federal funds for flood mitigation in areas like Melrose and offered a follow-up with staff.

Discussion Items

• Countywide Millage Rate Debate: Commissioner Udine made a substitute motion to lower the countywide millage rate to 5.6674 (a slight reduction from the proposed 5.6690), as previously discussed at the June 17 budget workshop. The reduction would have used $8 million for BSO detention deputy raises, $1 million to reserves, and approximately $500,000 for the rate cut. Commissioner McKenzie seconded, calling the current assessments “not real” for fixed-income residents. Commissioner Fisher supported the reduction as a good-faith gesture. Commissioner Geller strongly opposed, arguing that in good economic times the county should build reserves and fund capital projects, not cut taxes. He noted that the county has a triple-A bond rating and that state-mandated tax cuts may be coming; cutting now from a lower base would hurt more. Commissioners Davis, Rich, Rogers, and Fur echoed concerns about unmet needs (affordable housing, flooding, infrastructure, homeless services) and the need to maintain the current rate to fund core services and prepare for economic downturns. The substitute motion failed 3-5 (Commissioners Udine, McKenzie, Fisher in favor; Commissioners Davis, Rich, Fur, Geller, Rogers opposed).
• Original Motion Vote: The original motion to adopt the tentative millage rate of 5.6690 (Resolution 2025-561) passed 6-2, with Commissioner Fisher voting yes to allow further discussion at the second hearing on September 16. Commissioner Udine indicated he would continue to advocate for a reduction at the final hearing.
• Budget Adoption: The tentative budget for general county purposes (Resolution 2025-562) passed unanimously. Commissioner Geller thanked Budget Director Norm Foster for his years of service in his last budget cycle.
• Other Districts: All subsequent agenda items—Broward Municipal Services District, Fire Rescue District, Street Lighting Subdistrict, special assessments for fire and garbage/trash, and various water control districts—were presented as maintaining the same millage/assessment rates as the prior year (except for garbage/trash: $20 increase to $390 per year). Each passed unanimously after brief presentations and no public comment.

Key Outcomes

• Commission failed to adopt substitute motion to lower countywide millage rate to 5.6674 (vote 3-5).
• Adopted tentative millage rate of 5.6690 for general county purposes (vote 6-2). This sets the maximum rate; the board may lower it at the second hearing on September 16, 2025.
• Adopted tentative budgets for all countywide and district funds unanimously (with roll call votes recorded for each resolution).
• Adopted special assessment rates for fire and garbage/trash in the Broward Municipal Services District (unanimous). Garbage/trash assessment increased by $20 to $390 per year.
• Noted that the final public hearing is scheduled for September 16, 2025, at 5:01 PM in Room 422 of the Broward County Governmental Center East.