Opa-locka City Leadership, State Financial Board Discuss Proposed FY 2027 Budget

Opa-locka city leadership, departmental directors, and the State of Florida Financial Emergency Board recently held a budget workshop to outline the financial vision for Fiscal Year 2027. This workshop provided an opportunity for residents to review and discuss the city's proposed budget.

City Manager Shamecca Lawson and Assistant City Manager George Ellis, Jr. led the administration in presenting the proposed budget. Key departmental directors involved in shaping the financial plan included Niema Gantt for Finance, Aria Austin for Public Works, and Dr. Robyn Starks as Police Chief. Other directors contributing to the budget included Laura Woodley for Human Resources, Floyd Harris as Budget Administrator, Marilyn Bernard for Building & Licenses, Owen Carney as Interim Building & Grounds Maintenance Operations Manager, Gregory Gay for Community Development, Adelina Gross as CIP Manager, Zonya Ray for Parks & Recreation, Philpot Walker for Information Technology, and Wilma Wilcox for Code Compliance.

The State of Florida Financial Emergency Board provides oversight for Opa-locka's financial planning. Andrew R. Collins chairs this board, which includes members Melinda Miguel, Chief Inspector General, Angela Knecht, Kim Mills, Vernita Nelson, J.D. Patterson, Jr., and Frank Rollason. City Attorney Burnadette Norris-Weeks and Legal Attorney Brian Hunter also participated in the budget workshop.

The proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027 was the central topic of the workshop.