Draft budget holds headcount flat and still writes in 3% raises for every employee

Article based on July 27, 2026 City Commission Special Budget minutes, made available via city website ~Aug 8, 2026

Finance Director Patty Douylliez told the July 27 special budget meeting that most lines start at zero growth — then put a 3 percent raise for each employee in the same book: 2.5 percent cost-of-living and 0.5 percent merit. No new positions, she said. The executive line still ticked up to pay for the search for the next city manager.

Health insurance is budgeted at a 10.4 percent jump after last year's 48 percent shock from FMIT. The zero-based story does not include frozen pay.

Those raises sit in a budget built on a 2.67-mill notice, not on the 2.50 residents pay now. Headcount flat is the talking point; the payroll still grows.

Commissioners did not strip the 3 percent that night. It stays in the draft they will see again in September.

Sources

City Commission Meeting, July 27, 2026 agenda packet (PDF) FY27 packet: pay raises a maximum of 3% (2.5% cost-of-living, 0.5% merit); zero-based budgeting for most operating accounts; Douylliez to present the proposed budget July 27; millage table of 2.6700 vs FY26 operating 2.5000; staff asked the Commission to set 2.6700 as the tentative millage and pick September hearing dates.
City Commission Meeting, July 27, 2026 livestream (YouTube) Douylliez: majority of the book at zero percent year-over-year; estimated 3% for each employee (2.5% COLA, 0.5% merit); no new staff; executive department up for the new city-manager search; health insurance budgeted at 10.4% after FMIT's 48% increase last year; budget built on 2.67 mills vs current 2.50; TRIM notice will carry what they set; next hearings in September.

Draft budget holds headcount flat and still writes in 3% raises for every employee

Sources

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