By Mary Thurwachter
Lantana held its second budget workshop on July 14, and the process is running smoothly, according to Town Manager Brian Raducci.
Residents may be pleased to learn that the Town Council is not planning an increase in the tax rate, which will remain at $3.75 per $1,000 of taxable value. The rate has not changed since 2022, though taxes will increase due to rising property values.
Significant factors affecting budget preparation, in addition to economic uncertainty, include world unrest, a challenging labor market and the 2.3% inflation rate, Raducci said.
Budget priorities and goals, Raducci said, are to maintain infrastructure, continue beautification projects, develop responsibly, attract and maintain valuable employees, continue to attract new business (especially along Ocean Avenue), continue to support the library, resume a dune restoration project, install an ADA accessible ramp at the beach, and enhance public safety with state-of-the-art technology.
At their visioning session in April, Town Council members agreed by consensus to support the redevelopment of Ocean Avenue — on land owned by Steve Handelsman and Marsha Stocker — with three of the five council members saying they would consider building heights of up to five stories. The other two wanted heights to be limited to four stories. Raducci said each potential project would be independently evaluated.
At the beach, the town would like to replace sections of the boardwalk and install the ADA accessible ramp. Working with CPZ Architects, the town wants to develop a comprehensive 7.10-acre conceptual site plan to be constructed in phases. The goals are to:
• Gather input from stakeholders through public charettes, staff reports, the master plan committee and the Town Council;
• Maximize site utilization in a cost-effective and consistent manner;
• Minimize disruption to parking, the playground, the beach and businesses; and
• Allow sufficient time to secure the necessary funding.
Also being considered is a rebranding project that would include creating a new town logo and tagline, official color palette, and logo usage guidelines. Raducci said that minimal cost would be involved and that the plan is scaled down from what had been discussed during the visioning session.
Another considered expense involves speed bumps and a speed table pilot program. A speed table is a flat, raised surface of road designed to slow traffic. Traffic engineer Kimley-Horn is working with the Palm Beach County Traffic Division/Fire Rescue to ensure that the specs of the proposed speed tables meet all their requirements, Raducci said.
“We want to ensure that the new speed tables still have the same impact in terms of slowing traffic down while providing a smoother transition from the existing asphalt to the speed tables,” Raducci said. The town will test that theory by conducting the pilot program on four speed bumps, Raducci said, on South Lake Drive between South Oak Street and East Ocean Avenue. He said each speed table will cost between $3,000 and $4,000.
The town is also interested in seeking public input regarding selling some town-owned property along the Intracoastal Waterway. That would require a potential amendment to the Town Charter. If sufficient public support is identified, a special election would be planned.
Finance Director Stephen Kaplan presented budget details. He said the certified taxable value for the upcoming fiscal year is $2.061 billion, surpassing the taxable value for the current year, which was $1.938 billion, an increase of 6.37%, or $123.5 million.
Kaplan said the proposed tax rate, given a 95% collection rate, will produce about $7.343 million in tax revenues, a 5.6% increase of about $390,000.
He said total revenue projections are $18.06 million, a decrease of $1.2 million compared to the fiscal year 2025 adopted budget. Other budget highlights include:
• There is no change in electricity franchise taxes & fees;
• A $25,000 increase in metered parking revenues;
• A $63,000 increase in interest income, and
• A $1.6 million decrease related to a one-time grant budget in FY 2025.
As for special assessments for garbage collection, property owners will face a 2% increase for curbside pickup and a 1% increase for container pickup.
Employees can expect a 4% cost-of-living raise, and — based on annual evaluations — could receive up to a 5% merit raise.
Kaplan said health and dental insurance premiums are projected to increase 24% for a total cost of $2.3 million.
Some new staff positions are in the works.
Lantana will spend $42,000 to add a part-time administrative assistant at the Police Department, $91,000 for a youth librarian, and an additional $14,000 to reclassify one water plant operator to lead water plant operator.
The Development Services Department will add a business development specialist. That person, whose salary remains unfunded, will partner with the town’s liaison from the Chamber of Commerce.
By category, 70% of the budget will fund personnel, 25% other operating expenses, and $1.26 million for capital expenses. The town has no debt.
“The budget is nearly balanced after considering using $175,000 worth of the building permit fund balance and $324,000 worth of capital carryover,” Kaplan said.
The first budget hearing is at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 8. The second hearing, including final adoption of the budget and tax rate, is at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17 in the council chambers.
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