Page 24 - CityofLakeWorthFY26AdoptedBudget

Strategic Importance

Given its function as the City’s primary operating fund, the General Fund must be
carefully managed to ensure service continuity and operational resilience. The City of

Lake Worth remains focused on maintaining a stable fiscal environment that supports

high-quality service delivery while responding to evolving community needs.

The FY 2025–2026 budget reflects the City’s commitment to fiscal responsibility,
strategic planning, and investing in key service areas—particularly public safety,

infrastructure maintenance, and quality-of-life enhancements. Despite projected

revenue fluctuations, the General Fund remains strong due to prudent budgeting,
careful resource allocation, and ongoing efforts to promote operational efficiency.

General Fund Expenditures, Fund Balance, and Staffing – FY 2026

For Fiscal Year 2025–2026, General Fund operating expenditures are estimated at

$20,058,064, representing a 29% increase from the current year’s adopted budget. This

increase is due to transfers in from grant proceeds for the Oaks Improvement Project.
Estimated expenditures, minus the Oaks Improvement Project funding total

$15,760,213, which represents a 1.9% increase in overall expenses. The proposed

budget reflects the City’s continued commitment to fiscal discipline and operational
efficiency, achieved through careful planning, cost containment efforts, and strategic

prioritization of resources.

Despite inflationary pressures and rising costs in key service areas, the City has

successfully crafted a balanced budget that supports essential municipal functions while
limiting expenditure growth. The General Fund continues to fund core services such as

police, fire, parks, streets, and administration without compromising quality or service
levels.