Lynn Haven Commissioners Approve 4.25 Millage Rate, $54.5 Million Budget with Departmental Cuts

Lynn Haven Commissioners approved a new millage rate and a budget of nearly $54.5 million on Tuesday night. The decision came after six budget meetings and included cuts across almost every city department, reflecting a challenging fiscal environment.

The approved millage rate stands at 4.25, marking a 0.2 increase from the 2026 rate. Commissioners voted 4 to 1 to pass this rate, despite the financial review committee's recommendation for a slightly higher rate of 4.35. The budget, just under $54.5 million, received unanimous approval from the commission.

Mayor Dave Lowery addressed the difficult choices, stating, “We realize times are tough, we realize there are a lot of folks out there struggling to make ends meet every month, and we as the city leadership did not want to increase that millage rate, that tax burden, any more than humanly possible.” He emphasized the city's efforts to cut and scrub the budget for efficiencies. One exception to the cuts was the animal shelter, which saw a 4% increase in its budget.

City leaders are also looking ahead to the November election, where the potential passage of Amendment 3 could financially impact city operations. The city plans to continue assessing the budget and making adjustments as needed, preparing for any future fiscal shifts.