Bradenton Beach commissioners moved Sept. 4 to advance a proposed $5 million budget for fiscal year 2025-26, holding the city’s property tax rate steady despite storm-related declines in property values.
The tentative budget would set the city’s property tax rate at 2.3329 mills, unchanged from this year. By comparison, the rollback rate — the level that would generate the same tax revenue as this year — is 2.7804 mills, meaning the adopted rate reflects a 16.09% decrease from the rollback rate.
City finances were pressured after hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024 cut property values by about 11%.
However, officials said reserves and a conservative fiscal approach allowed the city to withstand the storms and maintain stability without raising taxes.
The proposed general fund budget totals $5,045,506, supported by projected revenue of $5,652,680. The $607,174 balance is expected to help rebuild reserves depleted by storm recovery.
On the revenue side, the budget includes adjustments to transient public lodging license fees, which apply to vacation rentals and other fee increases intended to shift more costs onto the city’s tourism sector.
On the spending side, commissioners approved targeted improvements to public spaces and set aside $48,800 for scanning equipment to modernize records management in the planning department.
Also, emergency management staff will see compensation increases tied to expanded storm-recovery duties.
While employees are slated for a 5% raise, commissioners deferred adding new staff positions in the planning and police departments until the 2026-27 budget cycle.
The budget process will continue with a final public hearing and adoption at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 11 at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.
The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
… and advances CRA 2025-26 budget
By Robert Anderson
Islander Reporter
The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency took its next step toward adopting a reduced tax rate and leaner budget, while still charting a course for capital improvements.
During a Sept. 4 public hearing, the CRA members — the mayor and city commissioners — voted unanimously for a 2025-26 millage rate of 2.3329 mills, 16% lower than the rollback rate of 2.7804 mills.
The proposed budget for the CRA projects $776,404 in revenue, nearly 23% less than this year’s $1,010,230. Much of the drop stems from a $217,114 decline in redevelopment shared revenue, which funnels a portion of property taxes into CRA coffers. The revenue is projected to fall from $864,714 to $647,600 because of state-granted temporary tax exemptions for storm-damaged homes left uninhabitable for more than 30 days following the 2024 hurricanes.
City officials have noted that while the lower millage eases the burden on property owners, it also limits the CRA’s ability to recover revenue in the short term, since storm-damaged parcels will temporarily contribute less, resulting in a leaner operating budget.
Despite slimmer revenues, the agency plans to increase project spending. The tentative budget allocates $1.86 million for capital improvements, up from $349,606 this year, as Bradenton Beach shifts its focus to redevelopment goals such as continuing to underground utilities.
Budgeted projects include:
- $300,000 for underground utilities;
- $300,000 for parking lot pavers;
- $50,000 for street signs;
- $29,050 seagrass and waterfront improvements;
- $50,000 for parking infrastructure;
- $30,000 for sidewalks and streets.
The second and final public hearing for the CRA’s 2025-26 budget and millage will be at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 11, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.
