Lake Wales approves millage and budget ordinances for fiscal 2026–27

The City of Lake Wales commission approved two ordinances on second reading that finalize the property tax levy and adopt the city's fiscal 2026'27 operating budget.

Clerk read Ordinance 2026-18 "adopting the final levying of ad valorem taxes for the City of Lake Wales" and staff noted the rolled-back rate is 7.5304 and the millage to be levied is 8.0462, which is 6.85% higher than the rolled-back rate. After brief commissioner discussion and a motion and second, the ordinance passed on a roll-call vote. Ordinance 2026-19, appropriating the estimates of expenditures and setting the revenue allocations for the upcoming fiscal year, was also read and taken to a vote.

During the public hearing portion of the budget item, citizen Jason Wade asked the commission to consider an immediate, not-to-exceed first-year authorization of $200,000 from the Cemetery Fund reserves to address staffing and condition issues at the Lake Wales Cemetery and two other municipal cemeteries. The commission and staff clarified that Wade's request was a citizen proposal not included in the budget and explained the city can address additional needs through mid-year budget amendments; a city attorney and staff explained state statute requires amendments to be completed before Nov. 30 and that the commission has the authority to approve budget amendments later in the year.

Both ordinances were approved as presented; the formal roll-call votes were recorded during the meeting minutes.