On Wednesday, the City Commission adopted the 2025 fiscal year budget, marking a significant milestone for Oakland Park. The operating millage rate has been reduced from 5.8362 to 5.7243 mills, the lowest in 15 years and the tenth reduction in the last eleven years. These sustained efforts have saved taxpayers over $17 million since FY 2014. Additionally, the debt service millage rate on the city’s general obligation bonds will drop by 12.7%, resulting in a $10.44 savings for the median single-family homeowner. Compared to other similarly sized cities (40,000 to 80,000 residents), the City’s millage rate is now the second lowest, and the adopted special assessment rates remain substantially lower than average even as the City continues to make new investments and improvements.
The new $166.2 million budget is the largest and most ambitious in Oakland Park’s history, with $38.4 million allocated for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). These funds will drive key initiatives to improve infrastructure, enhance recreational spaces, beautify the city, and address drainage issues. Impressively, more than $25 million—or 66% of the FY25 CIP—will be funded through grants. Including current projects underway, the five-year Capital Improvement Program represents an investment of over $130 million.
The adopted budget reflects the City Commission’s strategic vision, which emphasizes Financial Stability & Sustainability, Infrastructure Development, Smart Growth, Community Wellness and Recreation, Public Safety, and Environmental Stewardship. The City continues to prioritize Oakland Park’s growth and quality of life, with over 190 different initiatives planned for FY 2025 that together are valued at over $8.5 million.
Community support remains strong. In 2018, more than two-thirds of voters approved the City’s General Obligation Bond, and recent surveys show that the majority of residents believe Oakland Park is on the right track.
The City Commission held two public hearings in September to discuss the budget. If you missed the final presentation on September 20th, click here to watch the video and learn more about the FY2025 budget.