WEST PALM BEACH, FLA (September 23, 2021) – West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James, with City Administration, has achieved a balanced $206 million General Fund budget for fiscal year 2022. Additionally, there will be no change to the millage rate of 8.3465—or $8.35 per $1,000 of assessed property value-- and no change to the annual fire assessment fee which, per residential property, remains at $100. In addition, after months of negotiation, the budget includes historic market adjustments and cost-of-living adjustments with the city’s four labor organizations including West Palm Beach Association of Firefighters, Fraternal Order of Police, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and Professional Managers and Supervisors Association (PMSA).
The budget, millage rate, and fire assessment fee received unanimous approval at a Budget Adoption Hearing of the City Commission on September 23, 2021.
Download the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget in Brief (PDF)
The $206 million balanced General Fund budget is centered around economic recovery from the COVID-19 public health crisis. Among the many programs and services that are provided in the budget are:
- Public safety, including an unprecedented market adjustment and the protection of 5% step pay for West Palm Beach Police and Fire Departments and the addition of new police technology,
- Parks and recreation, including continued youth and adult programming,
- Library services and enhanced cleaning measures,
- Customer service, including the implementation of technology aimed at identifying, tracking and responding to residents’ concerns,
- Personnel for continued development, design and management of infrastructure projects such as streetlighting, road and sidewalk repair, and signage,
- Mental health and services for individuals experiencing homelessness, workforce/affordable housing development incentives, and resources to expand community engagement,
- Cost of living increases for SEIU and PMSA employees (5%) and non-union employees (3%), and
- Economic development, including grants and incentives to continue attracting relocating businesses and to ensure the city’s continued economic vibrancy.
Separate from the General Fund budget, the Public Utilities Water & Sewer Fund and Stormwater Fund will finance protection of water quality from source to tap, an assessment of utility rates, and the continued provision of services to valued water customers. There will be no increases to current stormwater and water/sewer rates. Approved by voters in 2020, a parks bond not to exceed $30 million will fund improvements in many city parks.
“West Palm Beach’s approved fiscal year 2022 annual budget honors our city’s commitment to residents, neighborhoods and businesses,” said West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James. “Despite the health and fiscal impacts associated with COVID-19, we held the line on taxes, prioritized community services, focused on public health and safety and launched quality of life initiatives all while investing in our city’s infrastructure, supporting economic development and completing contract negotiations with our city’s first responders. The budget is a culmination of months of hard work, but we remained focused on our city’s top priorities. I want to thank City Staff, City Administration and the City Commission for their engagement in the process and commitment to ensuring we had a balanced, approved and fiscally responsible annual budget.”
To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, please visit: wpb.org. To learn more about the city’s budget planning, call (561) 822-1310 (TTY: 800-955-8771) or click here.
