By Mary Thurwachter
After two public hearings in September, the Lantana Town Council adopted a $29.5 million total budget with the same tax rate as last year — $3.75 per $1,000 of assessed taxable value.
Property tax revenues are estimated at $6.95 million. That’s an increase of $538,000 from last year and makes up 39.4% of the town’s anticipated revenues. The taxes are used to support the town’s $17.8 million operating budget, which covers the day-to-day costs of government. The town’s total budget also includes its water and sewer fund and stormwater improvement fund.
In presenting the budget, Town Manager Brian Raducci said Lantana “continues to be financially healthy and stable due to a fiscally conservative approach in maintaining its operations.”
The general fund’s reserves are $15.9 million, which is about 96% of the FY 2025 operating budget that took effect Oct. 1 and exceeds the town’s adopted fund balance policy, which includes reserve funds for emergencies, according to Finance Director Stephen Kaplan.
In accordance with priorities set during a council visioning session in April, the town will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to maintain infrastructure, including $250,000 to put hurricane windows on Town Hall.
Residents can expect more twinkling lights around Town Hall this Christmas, thanks to a beautification project that will cost $30,000 for holiday decorations and another $20,000 for lighting to support holiday decorations around Greynolds Circle.
Other beautification efforts include $20,000 for landscaping and trash receptacles throughout town and $20,000 toward benches, landscaping and trash receptacles in parks.
Another priority will involve supporting the library, with $19,000 for books, computers and carpet panels. The library will be adding a full-time community engagement and outreach coordinator and adding 14 hours to a part-time staffer to permit Saturday hours.
Police are due to get new firearms and three SUVs, two new laptops for road patrol and money for license plate reading cameras.
Town employees will receive 4% cost-of-living raises and could get merit raises of up to 5% based on annual evaluations.
Lantana’s budget is broken down into three categories, including 67% for personnel, 26% for operating expenses and 7% for capital projects. The town has no debt.
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