Joint Commission-Budget Advisory Board Workshop – June 16, 2026

This joint workshop between the City Commission and the Budget Advisory Board (BAB) focused on the FY2027 preliminary budget, property tax reform, fire assessment fees, the millage rate, and long-term financial planning. The meeting also included a legislative update from state representatives and discussions on several other city projects.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar items were presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Paul Renaissance (District 1) asked how many employees would be furloughed and how quickly if the property tax reform referendum passes, noting it would be a dramatic cut for the city.
• Douglas (District 1) warned against fear-mongering in communications about potential cuts and urged the city to provide context to taxpayers rather than just throwing out percentages. He also questioned the city's approach to the City Hall project, suggesting a P3 model should be explored.
• Barbie (no district stated) suggested the city issue an impact statement in a general newsletter and noted the League of Women Voters could provide balanced information on the referendum.
• Lady Jordan (District 3, Dillard Park Home Association President) expressed concern about how property tax cuts would affect the city's ability to get things done, given the current slow pace of progress, and requested education on the impact.
• James Karras (Interim Executive Director, Invest Fort Lauderdale) spoke in support of the Sistrunk Empowerment Roadmap and outlined the organization's progress.
• Bernadette Norris Weeks (business owner, former HOA president) supported the I’M Sistrunk initiative and urged the commission to move forward with community-centered development.
• Dodie Keith (Broward Partnership) advocated for using the CRA and a streamlined state statute (Chapter 163) to expedite redevelopment of the post office site, while ensuring community engagement.

Discussion Items

Budget Advisory Board (BAB) Presentation (Chair Bill Brown)

• Chair Brown reported that the BAB held meetings in March and May, reviewing department requests, performance measures, and the need for lean budgets. Key concerns included the downturn in assessed value growth (from double digits to ~7-8%), the upcoming public safety union contracts, and the need to balance competitiveness with affordability.
• The BAB recommended maintaining the millage rate for the 20th consecutive year (4.1193 mills) and supporting an increase in the fire assessment fee to $444 (full cost recovery). The vote on the millage rate was 5-2; the minority wanted a decrease or an increase.
• Commissioner Herbst questioned the fire assessment fee methodology, specifically the recovery of capital costs for new fire stations over three years, arguing it violates intergenerational equity. The City Auditor was asked to review the study.
• Commissioner Beasley Pittman raised concerns about the cumulative impact of fee increases and suggested the city look for cuts like a household does.
• Vice Mayor Sorensen and Commissioner Glassman opposed a millage increase; Sorensen was open to considering a 0.1-point decrease, while Glassman opposed any change this year due to upcoming challenges.
• The commission directed staff to present options for a 0.1 millage increase, no change, and a 0.1 decrease at the July 2nd meeting.

Legislative Update (Daphne St. Vill, Intergovernmental Affairs Division Manager)

• Daphne St. Vill reported that the city secured $3.7 million in state appropriations, including full funding for the Galt Mile Street Safety Project ($1.25M) and a fire rescue boat ($643K).
• State legislators (Senator Osgood, Representatives Cassell, Lamarca, Dunkley, Rosenwald, Campbell) spoke about the 2026 session, highlighting bipartisan efforts, the property tax constitutional amendment (raising homestead exemptions to $150K-$250K over two years, with a 5-year residency requirement), and other bills passed or failed.
• Representative Campbell strongly criticized the property tax amendment, calling it a "property tax shift" not a cut, and expressed frustration with the legislative process.
• Ron Book (lobbyist) emphasized the need for creative thinking about how the city can continue to fund services if the amendment passes.

City Manager’s Preliminary Budget Presentation (Raquel Williams, Laura Reese, Parth Patel)

• The city manager outlined a FY2027 preliminary budget with a net increase of only one position, strategic reductions ($3.2M in revenue enhancements, cutting six positions), and a focus on public safety, infrastructure, and technology.
• Laura Reese (OMB) presented the taxable value growth (7.16% increase, adding $15.2M in revenue) and the fire assessment fee at $444 (full cost recovery, generating $70M).
• Parth Patel detailed key investments: $16M for public safety (including a harm reduction opioid program, group violence intervention, and traffic coverage at schools); $14M for homelessness response (15 additional shelter beds, bus service); $14M for sustainability and waterways (urban forestry, termite treatment, marine vessels, waterway skimmer).
• Laura Reese proposed $6.2M in additional savings strategies for FY2028 and beyond, including spending down the pension obligation bond reserve ($2.1M), using CIP interest earnings ($2M), reducing health administration fund contributions ($850K), lowering fleet replacement funding ($700K), reducing fire overtime ($350K), and cutting grant technical assistance contracts ($200K). The savings would be directed to one-time capital or reserve.
• The commission approved the direction to pursue these strategies.

Property Tax Public Education Campaign (Kevin Polito, Director of Strategic Communications)

• The city presented a plan to educate residents on services funded by property taxes through flyers, social media, newsletters, and FTL Connect, without advocating a position. The city attorney reminded commissioners they may express personal opinions but cannot advocate as a body.
• Commissioner Beasley Pittman requested more robust materials (webinars, deeper content) to help her answer resident questions within legal limits. The city manager agreed to develop multiple levels of collateral.
• Chair Brown asked if the BAB could facilitate webinars; this was left for further discussion.
• The commission agreed to bring a list of potential reductions to the July 2nd meeting to enhance transparency about possible service impacts if the tax reform passes.

Future Use of the Post Office at 400 NW 7th Avenue (Deputy City Manager Chris Cooper)

• The city presented options for the site (currently leased by USPS until Dec 2027, appraised at $13.5M): retain for city use, surplus and sell, lease, or transfer to the CRA. CDBG restrictions may apply.
• Speakers (Karras, Norris Weeks, Keith) urged community engagement and consideration of affordable housing and historical significance.
• The commission directed staff to transfer the property to the CRA for redevelopment and explore the Chapter 163 disposition process, with robust public engagement in parallel.

Holiday Park Parking Project (Assistant City Managers Ben Rogers, Quentin Pugh)

• Staff presented the interim agreement term sheet for a 1,000-space parking garage, fire station, and vertiport, with a surface lot (~275-285 spaces) to be built in Phase I (9 months from NTP). The vertiport would be developer-financed and subject to federal approvals.
• The commission expressed support for moving forward with the interim agreement, with the surface lot and garage as priorities, and the vertiport contingent on regulatory clarity. The goal is to bring a comprehensive agreement to the commission within 12 months.

Long-Term Financial Plan (Kyle Stevens, Stantec)

• Stantec presented the FY2027–2036 financial outlook. Key findings:
• General fund: baseline deficits projected ($8.9M in FY2028, growing to $16.9M). A 0.25 mill increase in 2028 and 2031 would achieve structural balance. If the property tax reform passes, deficits would grow significantly ($25.3M in FY2028, $44.8M in FY2029), requiring a 0.5 mill increase in both years to offset.
• Water & Sewer: 5% annual rate increases after FY2027 are needed for sustainability.
• Stormwater: 20% increase in FY2027, then 15% through 2032, then 10%. Peer communities are also seeing high increases.
• Sanitation: 5% annual increases recommended.
• Parking: 3% increases in 2028 and 2029 due to debt service for the Holiday Park garage and other projects.
• Building fund: CPI-based increases, with a surplus expected to decline over time.
• Airport fund: financially stable with growing reserves.

Film Permitting Fee Proposal (Joshua Carden, Chief Cultural Affairs Officer)

• The cultural affairs office proposed a tiered film licensing fee ($50–$500) for commercial productions, estimated to generate $15,000–$21,000 annually. The city currently charges no permit fee.
• Commissioner Herbst raised concerns about neighborhood impacts from a past production (noise, parking, drug use) and urged better enforcement and notification of adjacent property owners. He also suggested separating commercial from non-commercial photography.
• Commissioner Glassman thought the fees were too low given production budgets, but staff cautioned against undermining the city’s film-friendly reputation.
• The commission generally supported the proposal and asked staff to return with details on public property use fees and stronger enforcement mechanisms.

Key Outcomes

• Millage Rate: The commission directed staff to present options (0.1 increase, no change, 0.1 decrease) at the July 2nd meeting. No vote was taken.
• Fire Assessment Fee: The commission supported the increase to $444 but requested further review of the capital cost recovery methodology by the city auditor before the July 2nd meeting.
• Budget Efficiencies: The commission approved the direction to pursue $6.2M in savings strategies and incorporate them into the proposed budget.
• Property Tax Communication: Staff to develop multiple education materials; commission to list potential cuts at July 2nd meeting.
• Post Office Site: Directed conveyance to CRA with public engagement; staff to report back on Chapter 163 options.
• Holiday Park Parking: Directed staff to proceed with the interim agreement term sheet and bring back a comprehensive agreement within 12 months.
• Film Permitting: Conceptual approval for a tiered fee; staff to return with a detailed proposal including park fees and enforcement improvements.
• Affordable Housing Advisory Committee: Approved creation of three subcommittees to focus on zoning/ADUs, incentives, and AMI standards.
• Fire Rescue Advisory Committee: Received communication urging continued consideration of a public safety training academy; staff will conduct further due diligence.