City Council revises budget and millage rates following calculation errors

The City of West Palm Beach has taken significant steps to rectify a budgeting error that required the re-adoption of its fiscal year 2021/22 budget and millage rate. During a special city commission meeting on December 7, city officials addressed a miscalculation that led to the need for re-advertisement and a new hearing date.

The error, which was not caught by multiple staff members, involved a minor adjustment in the debt service millage rate. This recalculation resulted in an increase of $4,009.87 to the originally adopted budget of $569,000,008.75. The city is now moving forward with a revised budget totaling $5,000,069.08. The necessary advertisements were published in the Palm Beach Post on December 1, ensuring compliance with state regulations.

To prevent similar issues in the future, city staff have implemented new checks and balances. This includes submitting documents to the Department of Revenue for early review and enhancing internal review processes to ensure accuracy. City officials emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong track record in financial management and expressed confidence that these measures will prevent future errors.

The commission unanimously approved the resolutions to re-adopt the millage rates and the annual budget, marking a crucial step in restoring fiscal integrity. As the city moves forward, these actions are expected to reinforce public trust and ensure effective governance in financial matters.