Inside the City’s Budget: Responsible Planning for Our Community
Published on April 02, 2026
By: Larisa Svechin, Mayor
It is my great pleasure to share this special update on our City's Annual Budget Process, which is an exemplary example of the smart, responsible stewardship that keeps Sunny Isles Beach the vibrant, safe, and beautiful home we all love.
Every year, our dedicated City Commission, City Manager, department heads, and Finance team begin this important work months in advance. We start by listening, truly listening, to your input through public meetings, resident feedback, and our ongoing commitment to transparency. Guided by a clear vision of excellence, departments carefully identify the programs, services, and infrastructure that improve daily life for every family, business, and visitor.
The process follows our City Charter: a proposed budget and five-year Capital Improvement Program are developed with fiscal discipline at its core. We hold public hearings so your voices shape the final plan. Then, in September, the Commission adopts the budget that will guide us through the new fiscal year beginning October 1.
As we continue this process for the upcoming fiscal year, I am proud of the budget already adopted for the current 2025–2026 fiscal year. For the 13th consecutive year, we did not raise property taxes; in fact, we reduced the millage rate from 1.8 to 1.7 mills per $1,000 of assessed value. Thanks to a healthy 8.32% growth in our tax base, we are able to deliver even more value to residents without asking for a single extra dollar.
That commitment to fiscal responsibility means we continue funding what matters most: world-class public safety with an accredited Police Department embracing the latest technology, beautiful parks and recreation programs that bring our community together, timely street and drainage improvements (including the major Central Island Drainage Project), and essential services that keep our beaches sparkling and our neighborhoods secure.
Because of this prudent approach, your standard of living remains protected and enhanced. Home values remain strong, with record-breaking increases continuing. Insurance pressures are mitigated where possible, and the high quality of life you expect in Sunny Isles Beach, from ocean breezes to family events, is not only maintained but strengthened for generations to come.
We are building a brighter future together, living within our means while investing wisely in the City we cherish. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. I invite you to review the full budget documents on our website at sibfl.gov and to join us at upcoming Commission meetings, held on the third Thursday of each month. Your input always lights the way.
Contact Mayor Larisa Svechin at mayor@sibfl.net or 305.792.1753.