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2027 Budget Workshop 3

  • Writer: Al Causey
    Al Causey
  • Jul 13
  • 2 min read

Tomorrow will be the commission’s third budget workshop. We will also hear the Fee Study presentation by our financial partner.


Before the Budget Workshop 3, I’d like to say I like the way we are tracking so far in funding critical infrastructure (wastewater and stormwater). One question I am continually asked, “Why can’t the city fix our Mini-Park dock and install the sun shade over the kid’s play equipment.”


My answer is that infrastructure is my priority. Yet, I do realize “nice-to-haves” should be balanced into the budget — not every cent should go to infrastructure. So, given limited finances, where would we find an extra $150,000 to fund these two D3 wants?



Prior to the Fee Study presentation, I‘d like to highlight a couple of thoughts:

—Our 2011 fee study provided an ERU formula to fairly distribute stormwater fees. A key point is none of our fees have been adjusted for many years, and the city is underfunded to maintain our assets. On top of being underfunded, we have experienced a very large loss in hurricane damage that drained our city saviings to the minimum level. While a fraction will be reimbursed by FEMA, the city has suffered a huge financial loss. Perhaps we should consider a special assessment to account for the 2024 hurricane disasters.

—The 2026 Fee Study also considers our millage rate. Turns out we have about the lowest tax rate in the county, actually 1/2 the tax paid in many Pinellas County municipalities (See my previous Budget blog). Some say we should increase our taxes to help rebuild our financial position, while others suggest a special assessment. What do you think? This decision could happen this month.



 
 
 

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1 Comment

jewelsfromheaven
Jul 14

Any discussion of raising taxes should begin with a thorough review of existing spending. Residents do not have the luxury of simply demanding more income when expenses rise. In today's economy, families are forced to cut costs, prioritize needs, and make difficult budget decisions. Government should do the same.

For example, City reports indicate that Freebee costs approximately $536,000 to $708,000 annually, while only about 15% of residents use the service. Before asking taxpayers for more money, it is reasonable to question whether spending over half a million dollars each year on a transportation service—when Uber, Lyft, taxis, and personal vehicles already exist—is the best use of limited public funds.

Many residents believe those funds could be better directed toward…

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