St. Petersburg City Council Meeting and FY2027 Budget Hearing – September 3, 2026

The City of St. Petersburg City Council held a regular meeting on September 3, 2026, convening at 20:00 UTC. The meeting included routine approvals, several proclamations, two action items (F1 and F2), council committee reports, and the first public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2027 millage rate and tentative budget. Council members present: Mayor Ken Welch; District 1 Copley Gerdes; District 2 Brandy Gabbard; District 3 Mike Harding; District 4 and Council Chair Lissette Hanewicz; District 5 Deborah Fick Sanders; District 6 Gina Driscoll; District 7 Corey Givens Jr.; District 8 and Council Vice Chair Richie Floyd.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously. Vice Chair Floyd noted the eviction diversion program was on the consent agenda and expressed support for its expansion citywide under the codes department.

Public Comments & Testimony (Open Forum)

• Kathy Harrelson (32nd Ave N) expressed concern about a pending policy change to prioritize required tax increment financing (TIF) district contributions from ad valorem revenues before allocating funds to public safety, questioning why general fund money would go to the downtown TIF rather than the other direction.
• Dr. Perry G. Washington raised concerns and was admonished for speaking loudly; after a brief disruption, council recessed and resumed with no further open forum speakers.

Proclamations

• Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (September 2026): Presented by Councilmember Driscoll on behalf of Mayor Welch, who shared her personal cancer journey. The proclamation cited estimates of 21,010 new cases and 12,450 deaths nationwide in 2026, including 1,850 new cases and 850 deaths in Florida. Advocates from the Selma Mastery Ovarian Cancer Foundation and ovarian cancer survivors spoke in support.
• Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month (September 2026): Presented by Mayor Welch, recognizing the St. Petersburg chapter of the Sickle Cell Disease Association led by Mary Murph, as well as the one-year anniversary of the Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research Center. Mary Murph and Councilmembers Givens and Fick Sanders spoke about the disease's impact and the need for continued advocacy.
• Patriot Day and Day of Remembrance (September 11, 2026): Presented by Mayor Welch, marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Fire and police chiefs attended and promised to never forget.
• Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15, 2026): Presented by Council Chair Hanewicz, who read a Spanish poem by José Martí. Representatives from Canguros, Excelsior University, Mi Gente Mi Pueblo, and the Hispanic Outreach Center spoke, highlighting community events and partnerships.
• National Service Dog Month (September 2026): Presented by Councilmember Gabbard, recognizing Dogs Inc. and St. Pete Fire Rescue's canine program (Brady and Shadow). Speakers highlighted the importance of service dogs for veterans, first responders, and people with disabilities.

Discussion Items

• F1 – Fiscal Policy Changes: Liz Mikowski (Budget) presented three changes to the city's fiscal policies: (1) clarifying that TIF district contributions are made from ad valorem revenues; (2) removing the statement that the 50% cash/50% bond funding target for the public utility had been met, replacing it with language that it remains a general guideline due to the stormwater portion moving to a 30/70 ratio in FY27; (3) adding a framework for the economic stability fund under section BB3, per the Budget, Finance, and Taxation Committee's January 29 request. Councilmember Gerdes clarified this only codifies existing required transfers above the threshold within TIF areas, not new money. Councilmember Harding confirmed the economic stability fund would still require council approval for use. The item passed unanimously.
• F2 – Drainage Improvements Construction Contract: Rajesh (Engineering) presented an award for drainage improvements along 50th Avenue from 4th Street to 7th Street, discharging into the 54th Avenue Canal. The project includes an 8x7/8x6 box culvert, seven water quality hydroplanters, and grant funding of $2.7 million from SWFTMD. Construction cost is approximately $6 million, with total project costs including design to be provided later. Construction expected to begin early next year, last about 360 days, with community outreach planned for November/December. The project will increase stormwater capacity and water quality. Councilmember Harding asked about the purpose; Rajesh explained the 1950s system is under capacity for current rain events and sea level rise. Passed unanimously.
• H1 – Council Committee Report: Councilmember Gabbard reported from the HERS Committee (August 27, 2026), requesting a report to council on actions taken to address nuisance concerns in Child's Park neighborhood since August 2025, including cross-departmental coordination and corrective action. Brother John Mohammed, president of the Child's Park Neighborhood Association, voiced support, asking the city to exercise its authority to investigate and address nuisances. Councilmember Givens stressed environmental and public health concerns. Passed unanimously.
• H2 – Council Committee Report: Councilmember Driscoll requested removal of the advanced air mobility item from the Economic and Workforce Development referral list, noting it would be brought back as a broader project. Councilmember Harding added he expects to have something in 4-6 weeks. Passed unanimously.

FY2027 Budget First Public Hearing

• The hearing began at approximately 6 p.m. The clerk read the budget ordinance title. Liz Mikowski presented the TRIM process. The proposed millage rate is 6.4525 mills, a 1.05% increase over the rollback rate of 6.3854 mills. The increase in ad valorem revenue is about $14.816 million, driven by contracted wage increases for police and fire rescue, six new sworn fire positions, and increases to the CALL and AXON programs. The rolled-back rate assumes a 6.85% increase in taxable property values. The city's general fund expenditure budget is $437.325 million, with public safety at 55.07%, wages and benefits at 68.5%. The total operating budget is $1.018 billion. The CIP totals $196.551 million for FY27, and the five-year CIP is $1.191 billion. No changes to general fund revenues since the recommended budget, but expense adjustments include $446,440 for increased fuel costs and other fund changes related to the utility rate study.

Public Comments on the Budget

• Lauren Hubbard and Kristen Ehrlich (31st Street South / Lakewood Trail Connector): They described turning a $5,000 city grant into a $60,000 community mural investment, and requested funding for safety improvements, studies, and maintenance for the trail connector and 31st Street corridor.
• Neil Camardola and Andrew Wells Bean: Supported increased complete streets funding, citing ~150 deaths since the completion of the Complete Streets plan and calling for more investment to save lives.
• Lema El Hassan and Andres Intrung (Bay Area Dream Defenders and 13th Street Heights): El Hassan read names of gun violence victims and called for funding the Save Our Streets proposal (including active outreach) rather than increasing police budget. Intrung advocated for safety improvements on MLK Jr. South, citing recent pedestrian deaths and injuries.
• Sloane McCann and Max McCann: Supported safe streets funding, praised use of parking revenue for bike lanes, called for stronger measures than crosswalks, and asked for school zone safety cameras (noting a prior commitment that hadn't materialized).
• Jay James and Sierra Clark (Bay Area Dream Defenders): James listed youth killed by gun violence, criticized police budget increases while youth outreach is cut, and demanded funding for Save Our Streets. Clark echoed that community needs are not being felt.
• Jerry Funt and Tatiana Hovercamp (Dream Defenders): Repeated years of budget advocacy, met with council and mayor, but proposals still not in budget; asked for ~$1 million for first-year programming, including navigator services and door-to-door outreach.
• Danny (no last name given) and Justin Cornoyer: Danny criticized downtown meter changes and BID, and expressed support for Save Our Streets. Cornoyer (Campbell Park Neighborhood Association) supported complete streets, noted the funding increase is modest, cited 24 traffic deaths last year vs 10 homicides, and asked for general fund dollars for complete streets.
• Franklin Alves and Rodin Osmola: Alves (Kona president) spoke on youth investment and street safety. Osmola supported Save Our Streets and active outreach programs.

Council Discussion on Budget

• Councilmember Floyd asked about youth outreach increases; administrators described hub outreach, community support hub RFP, and TASCO school events, while noting discomfort with teens going door-to-door. Floyd expressed concern about the disconnect between community asks and administration responses.
• Councilmember Fick Sanders stressed relationships and culture, criticized a $200,000 research allocation for disengaged youth when community members already know the issues, and called for continued negotiation.
• Councilmember Driscoll opposed holding the millage rate steady, citing multiple financial burdens on residents (utility rates, property taxes, potential GO bond referendum), and argued complete streets funding is still insufficient. She also asked about the 31st Street Trail Connector; Evan (Transportation) said short-term improvements are 6-12 months away and cameras/wayfinding are being explored.
• Councilmember Gabbard emphasized creative approaches for youth outreach, including transportation access, and questioned the $200,000 study.
• Councilmember Givens expressed concern about the millage rate, fuel cost increases, and the police budget increase. She proposed employing youth as ambassadors through TASCO and discussed CALL program limitations with Chief Holloway. She also called for greater use of CRA funds.
• Council Chair Hanewicz provided broader context on budget constraints, noting intergovernmental funding impacts (e.g., SWFTMD, JWB) from potential Amendment 3 effects, and emphasized that the city's $1 billion budget is not all discretionary.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• F1 (fiscal policy changes) approved unanimously.
• F2 (drainage construction contract) approved unanimously.
• H1 (Child's Park nuisance report request) approved unanimously.
• H2 (remove advanced air mobility from referral list) approved unanimously.
• J1A – Millage Resolution: Approved 6–1 (Givens voted no; Driscoll not mentioned in the tally as voting no? The clerk announced: "Givens voting no and council members Fick Sanders, Floyd, Gabbard, Gerdes, Hanewicz, and Harding voting yes." This leaves Driscoll unaccounted, but subsequent motions show Driscoll voting no. The transcript indicates J1B and J1C passed 6-2 with Driscoll and Givens voting no. For J1A, only Givens is listed as no; however, it appears Driscoll may have also voted no but was not named. Per accuracy rules, we note the discrepancy: J1A is recorded as 6-1 in the clerk's announcement, but J1B and J1C are recorded as 6-2 with Driscoll and Givens opposing. We will report as stated in the transcript.)
• J1B – Tentative Budget Ordinance: Approved 6–2 (Driscoll and Givens voting no).
• J1C – Budget Resolution (Tentative Budget): Approved 6–2 (Givens voting no; Driscoll's vote not explicitly tallied in the transcript, but likely also no based on her stated opposition). The final public hearing on the FY2027 millage and budget is scheduled for September 17, 2026, at 6 p.m.