City Commission

City of Delray Beach 100 NW 1st Avenue - Delray Beach, Florida 33444 Phone: (561) 243-7000 www.delraybeachfl.gov Minutes - Final Tuesday, July 22, 2025 4:00 PM Special Meeting at 4:00 PM Delray Beach City Hall or Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc2j0JhnR8Hx0Hj13RhCJag/s treams City Commission Mayor Thomas F. Carney, Jr. Vice Mayor Rob Long Deputy Vice Mayor Angela Burns Commissioner Tom Markert Commissioner Juli Casale City Commission Minutes - Final July 22, 2025 Pursuant to Section 3.12 of the Charter of the City of Delray Beach the Mayor has instructed me to announce a Special Meeting of the City Commission to be held for the following purposes: SP.1. PUBLIC COMMENTS The July 22, 2025 City Commission Special Meeting was called to order at 4:03 p.m. Alexis Givings, City Clerk, called the roll, and the following were present: Present: 5 - Mayor Thomas F. Carney, Jr., Vice Mayor Rob Long, Deputy Vice Mayor Angela Burns, Commissioner Juli Casale, Commissioner Tom Markert Others present were: Terrence Moore, City Manager Lynn Gelin, City Attorney Alexis Givings, City Clerk Mayor Carney opened the floor for public comments. Christina Morrison,1000 Lowery Street, Delray Beach Expressed concern that the City’s budget now includes funding for services and various events that were previously sponsored privately, as well as the cost of operating Old School Square. These additions were not included in previous budget years and have contributed to the City's existing deficit. She proposed finding non-profit organizations to manage these events to relieve the City of the financial burden. Joy Howell, 25 NW 24th Court, Delray Beach Suggested keeping the same millage rate as the previous year, since residents keep being hit by inflated property taxes. Michelle Dadich, 23 SW 6th Street, Delray Beach Suggested that the City’s Freebie should not be included in the City’s budget. The people who use it should be required to pay for the service. Mark Ronald, 722 NE 2nd Street, Delray Beach Proposed directing City staff to revisit their budget and tighten it to 3 percent so the millage rate could remain unchanged. Seeing no one else present, Mayor Carney closed public comments. SP.2. FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE Sponsors: Finance Department City of Delray Beach Page 2 Printed on 9/5/2025 City Commission Minutes - Final July 22, 2025 Attachments: Agenda Cover Report 2025 TaxRoll Preliminary Media 06.26.25 Mr. Moore provided the Commission with an executive summary based on the current position, reflecting the feedback and guidance given during the July 8th Budget Workshop. He stated that the proposed operating millage rate of 6.1611 was a difference of 0.2548 from the previous year's rate. He noted that the majority of the City Commission had previously expressed their desire to maintain the current level of service, and achieving this goal required raising the millage rate. Mayor Carney proposed that staff be given a rate of 5.9% and develop a budget that complies with this rate. He informed the Commission that the government recommended that cities review their expenses carefully because if the City seeks funding from the state, officials will want to know what measures the City took to make the necessary budget cuts. He suggested that the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) absorb the costs of specific City events, as they benefit most from these events. He reiterated that he favored keeping the millage rate unchanged. He provided examples of how the City could save money. The Commission engaged in a discussion on the millage rate and emphasized the importance of maintaining service levels for both City stakeholders and visitors. It was mentioned that adjusting the current millage rate to 6.1611 would provide citizens with a strong police presence, well-paved roads, and properly equipped emergency vehicles, along with other essential services. Henry Dachowitz, Chief Financial Officer, stated the City’s expenses were outpacing its revenues, and reserves were being depleted at the current rate, as highlighted in the previous budget workshops. There was a proposal to raise the cap to stabilize the budget while also seeking ways to reduce costs in future budgets. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Long, seconded by Commissioner Casale, to approve staff's recommendation of 6.1611 mills for operating and 0.0309 mills for debt service for a total of 6.1920 mills. Mayor Carney passed the gavel to Vice Mayor Long and made a substitute motion to keep the millage rate at 5.9063 and the debt service at 0.0309, seconded by Deputy Vice Mayor Burns. A roll call was taken for the substitute motion, and the motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 2 - Mayor Carney, Deputy Vice Mayor Burns No: 3 - Vice Mayor Long, Commissioner Casale, Commissioner Markert. City of Delray Beach Page 3 Printed on 9/5/2025 City Commission Minutes - Final July 22, 2025 motion failed A roll call was taken to adopt the operating millage rate of 6.1611, and 5.9063 mills for the debt service, for a total of 6.1920 mills. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 3 - Vice Mayor Long, Commissioner Casale, Commissioner Markert No: 2 - Mayor Carney, Deputy Vice Mayor Burns motion passed There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Carney adjourned the meeting at 5:21 p.m. The City shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of a service, program, or activity conducted by the City. Please contact the Human Resources Department at (561) 243-7125 at least 24 hours prior to the program or activity for the City to reasonably accommodate your request. Adaptive listening devices are available for meetings in the Commission Chambers. City of Delray Beach Page 4 Printed on 9/5/2025