Key Biscayne residents will have an opportunity to question Village officials and recommend budget priorities during a community meeting set for 6 p.m., on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Village Manager Steve Williamson and Chief Financial Officer Benjamin Nussbaum will explain the process and review the proposed 2026-27 budget. The meeting will take place in the Lighthouse Room at the Key Biscayne Community Center.
The preliminary spending plan totals $56.1 million, including a $44.4 million baseline operating budget, roughly $966,000, or 2.1%, below the current fiscal year. Another $7.5 million would come through special revenue and enterprise funds, while approximately $4.1 million is included for eight recommended new initiatives.
Among those initiatives are $1.3 million to renourish beaches and dunes, $1.25 million to replace the athletic field turf at MAST Academy, $500,000 to rehabilitate Village facility elevators and $350,000 to replace police vehicles.
Other proposals include replacing a police boat, adding a firefighter, upgrading the Community Center sewer system and improving the Council Chamber’s multimedia equipment.
The MAST field project would be funded through a 50-50 partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Several other projects also depend on matching funds or grants.
The Village Council set a preliminary maximum property tax rate of 3.0066 mills, 4.2% above the current 2.8846 rate. That figure establishes a ceiling and may be lowered before the budget is adopted. Mayor Joe Rasco has said he expects the final rate to come down.
The proposal also includes a multiyear capital improvement program totaling approximately $64.1 million, with nearly $27 million directed toward flood reduction and $10.4 million toward public safety. The projects would draw from grants, bond proceeds, the general fund and money carried over from previous years.
During an earlier workshop, Village leaders also discussed sponsorships, naming opportunities and other creative partnerships that could help support future projects without relying entirely on property taxes.
The meeting is intended to give residents a less formal opportunity to ask questions and offer recommendations before the budget returns to the Council for formal hearings in September.