The City of Boca Raton continues to lead with the lowest full-city tax rate and outstanding public safety. Once again, we are improving in both of these areas, as we expand services and plan for our future.
As summer winds down and kids are back in school, we are focused on new safety measures and smart spending. We have implemented a new school zone safety program, and we will be focusing on setting the millage rate and adopting a budget for the next fiscal year.
Budget preview
In September, the city is tasked with adopting its budget. Unlike Washington D.C., our budgets are always balanced, and we maintain healthy reserves. With our eye on the future, we remain dedicated to providing the unparalleled quality of life that our residents need, expect, deserve, and receive.
Our residents have not faced a property tax increase for over a decade, and I am proud that while I have been mayor and a City Council member, the rate has only decreased each year. I have repeatedly voted for consistent reductions and never for an increase — all while maintaining a strong financial reserve in the event of a natural disaster or economic downturn, and investing to improve infrastructure, parks, and green space
The millage rate is set to decrease yet again to 3.66 of $1,000 of assessed property value. Boca Raton maintains the LOWEST millage rate of any full-service city in Florida. Not only is our millage rate lower than our nearby cities of Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, Boynton Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Hollywood, our residents pay less than half the millage rate than property owners do in West Palm Beach or Miami – with outstanding services
School zone cameras
As our students travel to and from school, we want to take every precaution to ensure their safety. To do so, the City of Boca Raton has implemented a School Zone Safety Program with state-of-the-art camera technology.
The program, which complies with a new state law that permits speed cameras in school zones, has already rolled out at several of our schools: Addison Mizner Elementary School, Boca Raton Community High School, and J.C. Mitchell Elementary School.
Blue Lake Elementary School, Calusa Elementary School, Omni Middle School, and Spanish River Community High School will be added later this school year.
How it works:
- The City will start the programs with warnings before fines. The point of the program is to ensure safety, not revenue.
- Citations will be automatically issued during arrival and dismissal times when the school zone lights are flashing.
- Motorists will be cited only if they exceed the school zone limit by more than 10 mph.
Traffic studies found hundreds of drivers travel 10+ mph over the speed limit in school zones every day. School zone cameras have reduced speeds and improved safety. Again, tickets will only be issued when drivers are more than 10 miles an hour beyond the limit. So please take this opportunity to slow down for our students.
New city manager
As we prepare for a new fiscal year, we will have a new leader at the helm. At a special meeting on August 12, the City Council unanimously selected retired Navy captain Mark Sohaney as Boca Raton’s next City Manager, following the planned retirement of City Manager George S. Brown. Mr. Sohaney will be tasked with implementing the vision and policy direction of the Mayor and City Council Members.
After nearly 50 years with the City of Boca Raton, Mr. Brown will coordinate a seamless leadership transition to ensure continuity of City operations as Mr. Sohaney familiarizes himself with our city.
Mr. Sohaney has an impressive leadership background. As a naval officer with a distinguished 37-year career, he oversaw large, complex infrastructure projects in previous roles including chief executive officer at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and as chief executive officer of the Naval Air Station in Key West.
We are excited to bring his fresh perspective and experience to our city.
As always, you can share any thoughts you have at ssinger@bocaraton-fl.gov and stay connected on Facebook, X, and Instagram at @scottsingerusa.
Scott Singer is the 35th Mayor of Boca Raton and was re-elected in 2023. A South Florida native, attorney and small business owner, Scott and his wife Bella live in Broken Sound with their two children.
