COMMISSIONERS APPROVE AND FINALIZE FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET; PRIORITIZE PUBLIC SAFETY

MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners met yesterday to discuss, approve, and finalize the $690.2 million Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget that begins Oct. 1, 2026. The budget is less than the proposed July budget of $695.8 million. The budget keeps the same countywide millage rate as the FY25 and FY26 budgets at 2.6929, likely the lowest in the State of Florida again. While continuing the trend of protecting public safety, the aggregate millage rate increased to 3.3975, up by 7.45 percent from last year. 

The budget provides required compensation increases to attract and retain a qualified fire, EMS, and law enforcement workforce. It also includes funding to replace fire trucks, upgrade ambulances, and provide needed EMS operational equipment, along with various maintenance projects needed at the Monroe County Detention Center, including spalling, window, kitchen, and plumbing repairs.

 “This budget reflects our unwavering commitment to public safety and core responsibilities that keep our island communities safe and accessible,” said Monroe County Administrator Christine Hurley. “Monroe County continues to meet the extraordinary demands of serving our 84,000 residents, and a functional population of approximately 160,000, that includes our 4 million visitors a year."

The overall budget includes the Board of County Commissioners, the constitutional officers (Sheriff, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections, and Clerk of Court), and other appropriations for the Tourist Development Council, capital projects, and reserves. Each entity has its own independent budget within the total budget.

The budget absorbs unavoidable increases in operational costs such as contractually obligated increases for vendors and collective bargaining unit employees and prioritizes public safety funding. 

County departments made additional cuts to internal budgets to reduce the overall cost increase for FY27 and beyond. While the budget shows a year-over-year increase, it is primarily due to the Tourist Development Council’s use of accrued fund balance for additional community investment, capital projects, events, and advertising that is not paid through ad valorem (property) tax. 
​
For more information on the budget, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/budget.