Nationwide, inflation is cooling off. But Florida continues to have an inflation rate about twice the national average and local governments, including Wilton Manors, are not immune.

During a special budget meeting on July 11, city commissioners were given an overview of expenses facing the city. Many cost increases are the same faced by average households. Health benefits for city employees are expected to jump 22%, garbage and recycling fees could go up 25%, and increases in operating expenditures are driven by an increase in property and general liability insurances at 41.8%.

The number of city employees is staying about the same, and they are scheduled to get a 6% pay increase (excluding police, who are negotiating a new contract). The increase is larger than most years due to recent inflation. As of April, unemployment in the city is 2.3% while inflation is 10.5%.

These are just a few of the “headline” numbers from a very detailed, $52M budget proposal. You can find the entire proposed budget at wiltonmanors.gov.

Commissioners, finance director Pennie Zuercher, and her staff are still examining all revenue streams and proposed spending.

Additional meetings are scheduled for July 26 and August 22, both at 6:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers in City Hall. City staff will review the recommended budget with the Financial Advisory Board (FAB) on July 19 at 6 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at City Hall.