Palm Beach County Commission approves $9.91 billion budget

The Palm Beach County Commission has approved a $9.91 billion balanced budget for the 2027 fiscal year. The new spending plan is $303 million higher than the previous year and maintains a millage rate of 4.5 mills.

The budget allocates $8.2 billion to countywide funds and $1.1 billion to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Despite the overall increase, officials noted that $35 million in cost savings were achieved, including a $32 million reduction from the Sheriff’s Office’s original request.

Commissioners voted 5-2 to approve the millage rate. While Mayor Sara Baxter and Vice Mayor Marci Woodward voted against the millage rate, they supported other budget items, including funding for the library district and fire rescue services.