North Bay Village sets tentative millage at 6.5 mills amid resident protests over tax hike

The North Bay Village Commission on Monday approved a proposed general-fund millage of 6.5 mills for fiscal year 2026–27 and adopted the tentative general fund and capital outlay budget, after hearing more than an hour of public comments and a detailed staff presentation on costs.

Mayor Rachel Streitfeld and village staff told residents that rising infrastructure needs — including scheduled stormwater bond principal payments and the operating costs of a new community center — left the commission little room to cut. Finance staff explained that the rollback rate is 5.3686 mills and that higher thresholds require progressively broader votes; staff recommended a 6.3975 mill starting point, and the commission set 6.5 mills for the record before the second public hearing.

The timeline of decisions: staff read the millage resolution into the record, explaining the proposal "in the amount of 6.5 mills, which is 21.07% higher than the rollback rate of 5.3686 mills"; after discussion, Commissioner Chavoni moved and the commission voted unanimously to set the proposed millage at 6.5 mills. The commission then adopted the tentative budget and scheduled the second hearing as required by law.

The manager framed the increase as a response to multi-year infrastructure needs and debt service on the stormwater bond. He told the dais that prior practice of paying state revolving loan principal and interest from the general fund left the village at risk and that "you have to adjust your rates to be in compliance, or we will call the loan," a point staff used to justify utility rate adjustments and the budget posture. Commissioners said they would continue to seek cuts before the next hearing.

Residents who spoke at the meeting pushed back sharply on the timing and size of the increase. Tamara Feola, a nine-year resident, asked bluntly, "Why now?" and pointed out that several large developments are underway and questioned whether the commission had calculated when those properties would begin generating tax revenue. She warned that a shift from 5.7 to 7 mills represented a heavy near-term burden for longtime residents.

The commission left the millage open to further refinements at the required second hearing but said legally it cannot be increased after the public-notice process; it can be reduced. Staff promised more line-item detail and directed the manager and finance director to pursue further cuts and to provide updated revenue timing for the new developments before the next hearing.

The action recorded: a motion to adopt the proposed general-fund millage at 6.5 mills and the debt millage at 2.1659 mills (roll call unanimous). The tentative budget for FY26–27 was also approved by roll call.