This was a budget WORKSHOP which is more informal and conversational than an official Council meeting. So instead of trying to perfectly capture the entire meeting and all of the “numbers”, I’ve just listed some salient points.
1) SECOND BUDGET WORKSHOP – is scheduled for July 14, 2026, 6PM at the Lodge. A lot of numbers will be further broken out and firmed up between now and this second workshop. Then two days later at the July 16th City Council Meeting, the preliminary budget will officially be presented and a tentative millage rate approved. (Reminder, last year’s millage rate was 4.6 mils.) For the record, Mayor J.P. O’Connor said again, that he will never ever vote to raise the millage rate; and in fact would love to still lower the millage rate even a minimal amount if even as a symbolic gesture.
2) ATTENDEES – I, Westlake Wanderer, was the ONLY resident to show up tonight. Please, ya’ll, do NOT trust me to report on budgets… ugghhhh
3) WE GOT MONEY!!! – No line item vetoes this year! We are officially expecting State funding for the future SID Park Phase I (see item 1 HERE) (a match of 50%) and for the GoWest transportation program (a match of 25%)!
4) CITY OF WESTLAKE LAND – Now that Minto has sold the city land for a song, we are landowners (see item 5 HERE)! Did you know, we pay no taxes on this land because it’s for government use? More good news!
5) PROPERTY TAX RESOLUTION HJR 1-F – is the resolution up for a big vote this November 3, 2026, it needs a 60% supermajority to pass. While this resolution would increase the homestead exemptions for homeowners, it could also greatly change the landscape of Florida municipalities. Uniquely, Westlake, being a toddler city, is in a situation wherein coming and future commercial tax revenue could offset the upset we might otherwise incur if the resolution passes. So some monies going up while others go down, like two ships in the night. We again, we’ll have more information at the second workshop July 16th.
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