A staffing crisis led to an overdue overhaul of pay and benefits in the police department. A brewing personnel shortage of regular city staff led to a refreshed compensation structure. While health insurance costs held stable, other insurance costs jumped.

Last summer’s budget cycle for Wilton Manors was filled with one seismic shift after another and led to a 10% property tax increase. This summer appears to be less complicated.

During the first budget meeting of the season, city commissioners received a General Fund Financial Sustainability Analysis from consulting firm Stantec. It projects city revenue for the next five years starting with FY26, which begins Oct. 1, 2025.

The bad news is the city is projected to run a deficit over several of the next years. The good news is that unassigned/reserve money is about twice (39%) what it should be (15%-20%).

The analysis showed that reserves can cover projected deficits and come into line with the 15%-20% goal, theoretically eliminating the need to raise property taxes for five years.

However, that is just a suggestion. Consultants don’t set policy, that’s the job of the commission.

Maintaining healthy reserves is important so that money is on hand when there’s an emergency. For example: a major sewer line break can cost $100,000 and isn’t the type of repair that can be delayed.

The first draft of the budget is expected around July 10 and the city’s Financial Advisory Board will take a deep dive and make recommendations to the commission.

For FY26, the city must set a ceiling for the millage rate by Aug. 5, and adopt a final rate and budget by Sept. 30.

Read the analysis here.