Lake Hamilton Budget Tops $99 Million
The Town of Lake Hamilton, one of Polk County’s smallest municipalities, has built a fiscal year 2026-27 budget of $99,260,480. This large figure comes almost entirely from outside grant money, rather than local revenue.
The town’s budget document shows $60,135,530 in capital expenditures for improvements and equipment. Of that, $2,956,920 comes from town funds, and $57,178,610 comes from grant funds. For every dollar of its own money the town plans to put into capital projects this year, it will spend roughly $19 in grant funds.
The largest part of the budget is funded through federal hurricane relief. The budget lists roughly $ 31.5 million for water system improvements and $23 million for wastewater system improvements under the Supplemental Appropriation for Hurricanes Helene and/or Milton and Hawai’i Wildfires, a program created by the American Relief Act, 2025.
Other grants in the budget are smaller and restricted to specific projects.
- Heartland Roads and Drainage Project: $2 million
- Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program for Gunter and Bruce Martin Parks: $100,000
- A Florida Boating Improvement Program to replace the boat ramp at Sample Park: $350,000
- Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance for taser and radio upgrades: $38,000
The town’s general fund millage rate for the new year is 7.0000 mills. For the second consecutive year, the rate has decreased because total property values in the town rose. A lower millage rate does not necessarily mean residents will pay less in taxes. The budget also included a 4% merit increase for employees.
The required statutory language in the budget states that the Town of Lake Hamilton’s adopted operating expenditures are 21.7% higher than the prior year’s total operating expenditures.
The town council approved both the rate and the budget at a special meeting on Sept. 28.
Your community. Your news. Your right to know. The Citrus Tea News.
Your community. Your news. Your right to know. Follow The Citrus Tea News for more across Polk County, or subscribe to our free e-Weekly newsletter at the link in our bio.
The Citrus Tea News does not endorse candidates and reports on all races without partisan preference. We accept paid political advertising, which is clearly labeled and offered to every candidate in a race at the same rates. Advertising has no influence on our coverage.
Bartow Property Taxes and a “Tale of Two Cities”: Why City Manager Mike Herr’s Facebook Post Drew Fire From Residents
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the Lake Hamilton budget?
The Lake Hamilton budget for fiscal year 2026-27 totals $99,260,480 across all funds, including $60,135,530 in capital expenditures.
Where is Lake Hamilton’s capital money coming from?
Of the $60,135,530 in capital expenditures, $57,178,610 is grant funded and $2,956,920 comes from town funds.
What is Lake Hamilton’s millage rate?
The general fund millage rate for fiscal year 2026-27 is 7.0000 mills, which the budget document describes as a decrease for the second consecutive year.
Are Lake Hamilton property taxes going up?
The rate went down, but the budget estimates net ad valorem revenues will rise by $172,410 because total property values in the town increased. Ad valorem tax revenue is budgeted at $2,545,160.
What parks projects are in the Lake Hamilton budget?
A state recreation grant carries $100,000 for Gunter Park and Bruce Martin Park, and a boating improvement grant carries $350,000 to replace the boat ramp at Sample Park.
Sources: “Fiscal Year 26-27 Annual Budget,” Town of Lake Hamilton, townoflakehamilton.com, undated; “Town Council Special Meeting Agenda and Agenda Summary Reports,” Town of Lake Hamilton, townoflakehamilton.com, Sept. 28, 2026.
