First Public Budget Hearing 9/14/26

The City of Pompano Beach held its First Public Budget Hearing on September 14, 2026, to discuss and adopt tentative millage rates and budgets for fiscal year 2026-2027, including the city and the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) District. Budget Director Joshua Waters presented a comprehensive overview of the city's $496.7 million budget, highlighting a 3.59% increase in the tentative millage rate above the rollback rate to cover non-discretionary cost increases such as the Broward Sheriff's Office contract, employee salaries, pension contributions, and fuel costs. The budget also included a modest increase in the fire assessment fee to address rising fire service costs. Commissioners discussed challenges including a significant reduction in transportation surtax funding, impacts on road resurfacing projects, and concerns about expenditures related to the Air Park and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) plans. The commission unanimously approved resolutions adopting the tentative millage rates and budgets for both the city and EMS District, as well as the final fire assessment fee resolution. Several commissioners expressed interest in further scrutiny of consultant contracts, fleet management, and city manager spending authority in future budget discussions.