The Town Council of Jupiter on Thursday adopted its fiscal year 2026 operating budget, approved a millage rate of 2.3894 and amended the town’s five-year community investment program (CIP), actions the council said will fund the next phase of Jupiter Fire Rescue and several capital projects.

Finance Director Scott Reynolds presented the second and final public hearing on the proposed operating and community investment plan and explained the numbers driving the budget. “The proposed millage rate of 2.3894 would have brought in $44,000,000,” Reynolds said during his presentation, noting a 7.15% increase in assessed valuation for 2026 driven by roughly $105 million in new construction and valuation increases totaling about $1.2 billion.

Councilors said the adopted budget maintains services while using reserves to support the transition to Jupiter Fire Rescue. The operating budget increase totals about $41.5 million over FY 2025; Reynolds said roughly $20 million of that increase finances Jupiter Fire Rescue implementation. The council also approved a reduction in certain CIP allocations and directed staff to include funding for athletic-field repairs under the community investment plan.

Why it matters: the budget sets property-tax revenue, fund balances and capital priorities for the coming year and funds the town’s plan to begin delivering its own fire and emergency medical services in 2026.

Key numbers and budget details
- Adopted millage rate: 2.3894 (FY 2026). The council held a public hearing and voted to adopt Ordinance 14-25 on second reading.
- Assessed value change: from $17.2 billion (2025) to $18.4 billion (2026), an increase of about $1.2 billion (7.15%).
- Estimated new construction: about $105 million of the valuation increase.
- Operating budget change: proposed FY 2026 operating budget represents about a $41.5 million increase over FY 2025; approximately $20 million of that increase is for Jupiter Fire Rescue implementation.
- Use of fund balance: approximately $17.7 million to fund fire operating, capital and debt service in FY 2026.
- Reserves: staff said the town’s unassigned fund balance was $54 million and projected to be about $37 million after FY 2026 activity.
- Utilities: water rate index assumed at 3%; stormwater rate index at 7%.
- Revenue changes called out by staff: a $2.0 million increase in general fund revenues (before reserves); a $1.6 million decrease in interest earnings; a $862,000 increase in charges for service (solid waste and utility allocations); and a $128,000 decrease in intergovernmental revenues.

Athletic-field options
Council asked staff to develop funding options for athletic-field repairs and replacements. Staff presented three options for Jupiter Community Park (JCP):
- Option 1: one turf field plus irrigation and pump maintenance — just over $1,000,000.
- Option 2: two turf fields plus irrigation and pump replacement — $1,500,000 (staff said this was the council’s prevailing preference).
- Option 3: replacement of two artificial-turf fields (fields 9 and 10) — $1,500,000.

Multiple council members voiced support for Option 2 during the dais discussion. Finance staff said adding Option 2 to the general-fund cash flow would leave the budget balanced as presented.

Council action and votes
- Ordinance 14-25 (adopt millage rate for FY 2026): motion approved on second reading; vote recorded as unanimous.
- Ordinance 15-25 (amend comprehensive plan to update the five-year community investment program): motion approved on second reading; vote carried 4–1, with Mayor Koretsky recorded as dissenting.
- Resolution (operating budget and pay plan for FY 2026 — recorded in the meeting as Resolution 102-25): motion approved; vote carried 4–1, with Mayor Koretsky dissenting.
- Consent agenda included Ordinance 16-25 (see separate article on fire services transition); the consent agenda passed unanimously.

Discussion and concerns
Several speakers on the dais and during the CIP discussion raised concerns about CIP project management, carry-forwards and unspent funds. One commenter (during the CIP discussion) urged improved project controls and questioned large carry-forward balances on multi-year projects.

Public comment
One resident, Andy Weston of Dolphin (address given in public comment), urged the town to prioritize widening and improved drainage on Dolphin (Dolphin Street). Weston recommended delaying driveway and landscaping restorations until the town funds full road widening and warned of drainage and mosquito concerns if swales remain. Town staff did not announce an immediate action tied to that request during the meeting.

What happens next
The town will implement the adopted FY 2026 budget beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and proceed with the Jupiter Fire Rescue implementation schedule and the CIP as amended. Staff said any adjustments tied specifically to athletic-field work will be incorporated into the adopted budget and cash flow. Council members asked staff to continue refining CIP project-management practices and provide follow-up at future meetings.

Ending details
Council thanked finance staff for the year-long budget work. The manager and finance director emphasized the budget reflects several policy choices, including a continued 90/10 health-care premium split for employees, a 5% increase in non‑union salaries and continued negotiations with the police union.