Special City Commission Meeting - September 3, 2025

This special meeting of the Sarasota City Commission, held on September 3, 2025, at 5:30 PM in City Hall, focused on the first public hearing for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget and millage rates. The Commission considered six resolutions covering the city's general fund millage, debt service millage, and budgets for the city, the Golden Gate Point Streetscape Special District, and the Downtown Improvement District. Commissioner Kathy Kelley Ohlrich was absent. The meeting adjourned at 6:02 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Martin Hyde (resident): Criticized the proposed budget and tax increase, citing examples of city spending such as a "one-stop center" costing millions, a $900,000 fountain, a $80,000/year consultant, and a planned trip to Delray Beach. He argued that government expansion reduces liberty and that the budget is incomplete, noting that staff raises are not included. He urged the Commission to reject the higher millage rate.

Discussion Items

• Budget Presentation (5:35 PM - 5:45 PM): Financial Administration Director Kelly Strickland and Budget Manager Tyler Harris presented the proposed budget. The total proposed city budget is $303.5 million, with a general fund expenditure budget of $108 million. The overall city budget decreased by $2.1 million. Proposed millage rates were: general fund operating at 3.3000 mills (current 3.0000), citywide debt service at 0.1348 mills (current 0.1436), Golden Gate Point Streetscape operating at 0.6148 mills and debt service at 0.5899 mills (down from 0.6979), and Downtown Improvement District operating at 2.0000 mills (unchanged). Strickland noted that the Golden Gate operating millage requires a 4-0 vote due to increased assessed values.
• Commissioner Questions (5:45 PM - 5:56 PM):
  • Vice Mayor Trice asked if any unforeseen circumstances justify the higher 3.3000 millage over the previously discussed 3.2730. Interim City Manager Bullock responded that no new developments warrant the higher rate. She also asked about funding for staff raises (still in negotiation) and Fruitville Road improvements (minimal $10,000 in CIP).
  • Commissioner Ahearn-Koch clarified that the majority of any staff raise costs would come from the general fund (approximately 70% general fund, 30% enterprise funds).
  • Commissioner Battie asked about fund balance levels. With the 3.3000 millage, the fund balance would be 20.4%; with 3.2730, 20.0%; at the current 3.0000, it would be 13.9% starting and 15.6% ending. The staff recommended a higher millage to maintain a safer fund balance above 20% given hurricane risk.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on General Fund Operating Millage (Resolution 25R-3339): A motion to adopt the proposed 3.3000 millage failed by a 2-2 vote (Vice Mayor Trice and Commissioner Battie voting no, Mayor Alpert and Commissioner Ahearn-Koch voting yes). A subsequent motion by Vice Mayor Trice to adopt a millage of 3.2730 was seconded by Commissioner Battie and passed 4-0. This set the general fund operating millage at 3.2730 mills.
• Vote on City Budget (Resolution 25R-3340): Motion by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch, seconded by Vice Mayor Trice, passed 4-0.
• Vote on Golden Gate Point Streetscape Special District Millage (Resolution 25R-3341): Motion by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch, seconded by Commissioner Battie, passed 4-0.
• Vote on Golden Gate Point Streetscape Special District Budget (Resolution 25R-3342): Motion by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch, seconded by Commissioner Battie, passed 4-0.
• Vote on Downtown Improvement District Millage (Resolution 25R-3343): Motion by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch, seconded by Vice Mayor Trice, passed 4-0.
• Vote on Downtown Improvement District Budget (Resolution 25R-3344): Motion by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch, seconded by Commissioner Battie, passed 4-0.
• Other Matters: City Auditor and Clerk Griggs announced that Slavin Management Consultants withdrew from the city manager search firm interview process and will not present at the September 9, 2025 special meeting.