Photo by Cameron Healy
Madeira Beach Commissioners unanimously approved the City’s approximately $37.8 million fiscal year 2027 (FY27) budget and kept its property tax rate unchanged during a brief special meeting Sept. 18.
The spending plan includes approximately $6.2 million for capital improvements, including major projects such as drainage, sidewalks and other long-term infrastructure. Most of that money is directed toward stormwater projects. The largest allocation is $4.5 million for the Area 6a drainage improvement project.
Both the millage and budget ordinances passed 5-0 on their second and final readings. No members of the public spoke, and commissioners approved both measures without discussion.
Madeira Beach Keeps Millage Rate
Commissioners adopted Ordinance 2026-14, keeping the millage rate at 2.7500 mills, unchanged from the previous fiscal year.
A millage rate is used to calculate local property taxes based on a property’s taxable value. One mill equals $1 in tax for every $1,000 of taxable value. At 2.7500 mills, a property owner pays $2.75 in City property taxes for every $1,000 of taxable value.
For example, a property with a taxable value of $300,000 would owe $825 in City property taxes.
An unchanged millage rate does not necessarily mean an unchanged bill. If a property’s taxable value increases, the amount owed to the City would also increase at the same rate.
The adopted rate is 0.55% above the rollback rate of 2.7349 mills. The rollback rate would bring in roughly the same amount of property-tax revenue as the previous year, excluding revenue from new construction.
According to the Finance Director’s memorandum in the meeting agenda packet, the City budgeted $5.65 million in property-tax revenue for its General Fund for FY27, compared with $5.46 million for FY26.
Drainage Work Tops Project List
According to the budget included in the meeting packet, stormwater projects account for $4.9 million of the City’s approximately $6.2 million capital improvement plan.
The largest allocation is $4.5 million for the Area 6a drainage improvement project. It covers 153rd, 154th, and 155th Avenues, First and Second Streets East, Harbor Drive, and Municipal Drive.
The budget identifies drainage improvements as a priority for addressing chronic flooding in low-lying coastal neighborhoods. Area 6a is the largest single project allocation for FY27.
The John’s Pass Boardwalk and Jetty Sidewalk Rehabilitation and Resiliency Project also receives funding, with $250,000 allocated from the General Fund for FY27.
An additional $1.5 million is planned for FY28 to complete the project’s rehabilitation and resiliency work.
Reserves Help Fund Budget
Commissioners adopted the FY27 budget through Ordinance 2026-15. The fiscal year begins Oct. 1, 2026, and ends Sept. 30, 2027.
The budget includes approximately $32.5 million in revenue and other incoming funds, compared with $37.8 million in spending and other outgoing funds. The City will use money it has already set aside in reserves to cover the approximately $5.25 million difference.
The Finance Director’s memorandum attributes that gap largely to capital improvements. Excluding spending on major capital projects, budgeted revenues and other incoming funds exceed spending and other outgoing funds by approximately $967,000.
Commissioners initially approved both ordinances Sept. 9 before returning for final adoption Sept. 18. According to the memorandum, budgeted amounts had not changed since the Aug. 26 budget workshop.
The next Madeira Beach Commission meeting is Oct. 14 at 6 p.m.
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