St. Pete Beach City Commission Budget Meeting - September 9, 2026

The St. Pete Beach City Commission held a budget meeting on September 9, 2026, to set the fiscal year 2027 millage rate and adopt the corresponding budget. The meeting included a check presentation from State Representative Linda Chaney, public comments, and staff presentations on community engagement and the budget proposal, culminating in a unanimous vote to set the millage to the rollback rate and a 4-1 vote to approve the first reading of the adjusted budget.

Consent Calendar

• The meeting agenda was approved unanimously (5-0) after a minor correction was made to the action request language on the millage and budget ordinances.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Vincent Tormenia (Casablanca Ave) advised the Commission against raising the millage rate, stating that doing so could compromise the state funding secured by Representative Chaney.
• Randy Shastine (Third Palm Point) criticized the recommendation of the Finance and Budget Review Committee and advocated for the rollback rate, noting it would cost the city roughly $80,000 in revenue.
• Susan Consell (Third Palm Point) argued that the 70 roadshow participants and 520 survey respondents did not constitute a statistically representative sample for a city of 9,000 residents and cautioned against selectively using data to justify a tax increase.
• Ruta Hans (Coquina Way) stated that tax revenue had nearly doubled in seven years, questioned the city's current spending, and proposed generating revenue through short-term rental licensing before considering a tax increase.
• Linda Lewellan expressed strong opposition to the budget, alleging city mismanagement and stating that the commingling of Penny for Pinellas funds with general funds meant the budget would not pass an audit.
• Vincent Tormenia returned later in the meeting to suggest the city utilize volunteer grant writers and implement a short-term rental registration fee similar to Manatee County's to increase revenue.

Ordinance 2026-19: Establishing the Millage Rate for Fiscal Year 2027

• The City Attorney read the ordinance, noting that the tentatively proposed rate of 3.6715 mills exceeded 110% of the rollback rate, which would require a unanimous vote of the full City Commission.
• Finance Director Devin Schmidt presented the results of the city's community engagement efforts. The budget roadshow (70 participants) showed a majority of participants in favor of an increase, while the online survey (520 respondents) showed 54% supported cutting spending rather than raising taxes. Staff noted the two data sources disagreed on the preferred rate but agreed on storm drainage as the top funding priority.
• Commissioner Causey, Commissioner Marriott, Vice Mayor Robinson, Commissioner Maldonado, and Mayor Tate all expressed support for a flat or rollback rate. Key cited reasons included the risk of losing state funding (emphasized by Rep. Chaney), the belief that project execution capacity is a greater constraint than revenue, and the likelihood of increasing ad valorem revenue due to rising property values.
• Vote: A motion to adopt the rollback rate of 3.0757 mills passed unanimously (5-0).

Ordinance 2026-20: Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 2027

• Finance Director Schmidt presented the FY 2027 budget, summarizing $86.6 million in revenues and $118.8 million in uses across all funds, including a $62.2 million capital improvement plan. The budget was originally built on a flat millage and required adjustment for the newly adopted rollback rate.
• Public Services Director Camden Mills requested approval to add a full-time Capital Project Administrator to help manage the city's capital program, citing administrative bottlenecks that delay project delivery.
• Mayor Tate and other commissioners discussed the FTE request in the context of other planned operational efficiency investments (sewer AI software, in-house asphalt patching, new permitting software). Director Mills stated the FTE was still necessary to handle the volume of the capital plan.
• Commissioner Causey and Commissioner Marriott supported the position as a strategic investment to reduce project costs and delays. Commissioner Maldonado supported the position with a stipulation for a one-year probationary period. Vice Mayor Robinson asked if the role could be part-time.
• Vote: A motion to approve the first reading of the FY 2027 budget, as amended by the rollback millage rate and the addition of the full-time Capital Project Administrator, passed 4-1 (Vice Mayor Robinson dissenting).

Key Outcomes

• Millage Rate Set: The Commission unanimously adopted a FY 2027 millage rate of 3.0757 mills, the rollback rate.
• Budget First Reading Approved: The Commission approved the first reading of the FY 2027 budget on a 4-1 vote, directing staff to adjust the figures for the lower millage rate and include a new FTE for public services capital project administration.
• State Funding Recognized: The city accepted a $3.4 million check from State Representative Linda Chaney for infrastructure. Rep. Chaney stated the city had received nearly $13 million in state funding under her tenure and warned that raising the millage rate could jeopardize future funding.
• Operational Efficiency Directive: The Commission directed the City Manager to continue pursuing operational efficiencies, including evaluating vacancies before filling them and investing in technology to reduce long-term operational costs.