Bradenton Beach commissioners reached consensus July 30 on a proposed $6.58 million fiscal year 2026-27 budget that maintains this year’s property tax rate while funding pay increases, infrastructure improvements and rebuilding reserves.
The proposed budget, at $6,575,382 in expenditures, is up from $5,029,211 this fiscal year.
The proposal keeps the city’s property tax rate at 2.3329 mills, unchanged from the current fiscal year. However, the rate remains above the rollback rate — the revenue-neutral rate that would generate the same property tax revenue as this year, excluding new construction. Under Florida’s Truth in Millage law, a proposed rate above the rollback rate is considered a tax increase.
Under the proposed millage, a property with a taxable value of $1 million would generate about $2,332.90 in property taxes. At the rollback rate, the same property would generate about $1,996.60.
During the meeting, city officials said maintaining the current millage rate will help replenish reserves depleted after the 2024 hurricanes and strengthen the city’s preparedness for future storms.
“We are all in our second year of recovery from the 2024 hurricanes,” Mayor John Chappie said. “This budget reflects the needs, not wants, to maintain that high level of essential services our residents, property owners and visitors expect.”
Chappie said the reserves allowed the city to recover without borrowing money, paying interest or raising taxes after the storms.
“We don’t want to be caught short like other communities have,” he said.
One of the largest changes in the proposed budget is a restructuring of police officer salaries.
Commissioners requested a review of compensation after comparing salaries with other local law enforcement agencies.
Under the proposal, officers with seven years of service or less would receive $6,000 annual raises, mid-level officers would receive $5,000 raises and the department’s senior officer would receive a $4,000 raise.
The police department’s proposed budget would increase from $2.13 million to $2.22 million, reflecting the compensation adjustments and higher benefit costs.
The proposed budget also includes a 5% pay increase for most city employees, while code enforcement officer Evan Harbus would receive an additional $5,000 salary adjustment after earning a state certification.
Commissioners also reviewed staffing changes in the building and planning department, where funding is included for a building official and an additional permit clerk.
Before concluding the workshop, commissioners agreed to add $50,000 to replace the aging city hall roof after repeated repairs failed to stop leaks.
Commissioners reached consensus on each departmental budget before unanimously advancing the proposed spending plan to public hearings.
“The budget is the single most important item that we act on every year. It’s your past, where you’re at in the present and preparing for the future. It’s everything,” Chappie said.
The first public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 3. Final adoption is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 9, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.
BB millage rate
2025-26: 2.3329 mills
Tentative 2026-27: 2.3329 mills
Expenditures
2025-26 Budget: $5,029,211
2026-27: $6,575,382
Change: Up $1,546,171, up 30.74%
General fund
2025-26: $4,995,565
2026-27: $5,460,503
Change: Up $464,938, up 9.31%
Administration
2025-26: $868,358
2026-27: $917,810
Change: Up $49,452, up 5.70%
Commission
2025-26: $188,157
2026-27: $196,410
Change: Up $8,253, up 4.39%
Police
2025-26: $2,128,305
2026-27: $2,220,493
Change: Up $92,188, up 4.33%
Emergency operations
2025-26: $95,400
2026-27: $138,238
Change: Up $42,838, up 44.90%
Building & Planning
2025-26: $531,860
2026-27: $617,435
Change: Up $85,575, up 16.09%
Pier
2025-26: $133,770
2026-27: $151,135
Change: Up $17,365, up 12.98%
Streets & Roads
2025-26: $516,730
2026-27: $587,307
Change: Up $70,577, up 13.66%
Stormwater
2025-26: $240,301
2026-27: $283,188
Change: Up $42,887, up 17.85%
Capital projects
Stormwater flood prevention construction: $1 million
Replacement police vehicle: $75,000
Police radio equipment upgrades: $11,426
City hall roof: $50,000