Venice City Council FY 2027 Budget Workshop – June 18, 2026

The Venice City Council held a budget workshop on June 18, 2026, from 9:00 AM to approximately 1:30 PM to review the proposed FY 2027 budget. City Manager James Clinch and Finance Director Linda Senne presented a draft budget totaling approximately $161.5 million, a 7 % reduction from the prior year. The general fund was reduced by 9 % and eight vacant positions were eliminated. The budget maintains the current millage rate of 3.845 mills and includes a new in-house fleet maintenance fund, a capital improvement program, and rate increases for utilities and solid waste. Council discussed the potential impact of the November property tax reform referendum, which could reduce the general fund by $5.5 million (10 %) if fully implemented. No formal votes were taken; consensus was reached to modify the Venice Beach Pavilion roof project from $500,000 to $150,000 for a refurbishment. The draft budget will be revised and presented again at the August meeting, with final adoption scheduled for September.

Presentations and Discussion Items

• City Manager Introduction: Clinch outlined a challenging fiscal year with flat property tax revenue (0.07 % increase), a 7 % overall budget reduction, elimination of eight positions (all vacant), and the launch of an in-house fleet maintenance program (3.5 new FTEs). He noted the city will take over seven neighborhood parks and the Venice Community Center without adding staff, and that the property tax reform measure could cut general fund revenues by about $5.5 million (10 %).
• Finance Director (Linda Senne): Presented the city-wide budget structure, rate increases (water 5.25 %, sewer 3 %, reclaimed water 3 %, stormwater OM rate down from $8.55 to $6.03, solid waste 3 %), and closure of two funds. She explained that $800,000 from general fund reserves will seed the new fleet services fund.
• Fire and EMS (Chief Frank Gidddens): Discussed EMS transport fees, noting a $200 fee increase could raise $1.4 million annually. Councilmember Smith suggested raising fees to reduce property tax dependency. The chief stated 83 % of 9,000 annual calls are EMS-related, and the collection rate is near 80 %.
• Police (Chief Andy Leisenring): Addressed the elder crimes detective position (still vacant), the Salvation Army bed program funded via opioid settlement ($65,700 for four beds, 90 % occupancy), and planned e-bike patrols. Council deferred deeper staffing discussion to a June 23 meeting.
• Planning and Zoning (Roger Clark): Reported 25 % progress on the Seaboard master plan and swing bridge concept, and that the parks master plan will be delayed to capture seasonal public input. The affordable housing initiative is 50 % complete.
• Historical Resources: No significant questions.
• Information Technology (Roger Navarro): Discussed a proposed $521,700 backup server for Sarasota data center. Councilmember Weed questioned the cost and requested a cost‑benefit analysis of a cloud alternative; consensus was to keep the item in the budget pending further information.
• Human Resources (Alan Bullock): Noted a 44 % increase in health insurance costs driven by high‑cost claims, and described employee loyalty and merit award programs. Council discussed union negotiations with AFSCME.
• City Attorney (Kelly Fernandez): Addressed a 28 % increase in legal costs over three years, attributing it to litigation cycles. She stated the retainer has not been increased recently and that overall legal spending is variable.
• City Council and City Clerk: No questions.
• City Manager: No questions.
• Finance: Council thanked Senne for transparency.
• Engineering and Stormwater (Jon Kramer): Noted a $150,000 allocation for capital project management consultant. Discussed the Flamingo Ditch phase‑1 design and excavation of a county enclave lot. Stormwater fund fees are decreasing because expenses are lower.
• Public Works and Fleet (Ricky Simpson): Described metrics (100 % on‑time response), the new fleet services fund (a service truck with light‑towing capability), and that additional parks will be absorbed via schedule changes and contracted mowing/cleaning. Council approved the Venice Beach Pavilion roof revision to a $150,000 refurbishment.
• Solid Waste: Director reported positive feedback on recent schedule changes.
• Building Department (Derek Applegate): Explained that four positions were eliminated because the industry is shifting to private providers; the city still oversees through intake and certificate of completion.
• Airport (presented by Linda Senne and City Manager): Fuel flowage fee discussions ongoing; $130,000 in property taxes paid on mobile home park. Councilmember Smith asked about funding community‑requested noise walls and landscaping—Clinch recommended first improving airport revenue before discretionary projects. A tenant default letter was sent; negotiations underway.
• Utilities (Javier Vargas): Reported 90 % progress on a water master plan and feasibility study for a new water plant (to be presented early 2027). Seven of eight phases of pipe replacement completed on the island; reclaimed water expansion continues.

Key Outcomes

• Consensus to Modify Venice Beach Pavilion Roof: Council agreed to change the project from a full $500,000 roof replacement to a $150,000 refurbishment, pending updated CIP.
• No Formal Votes: All decisions are informal guidance for staff to incorporate into the draft budget, which will be brought back for adoption in August and September.
• Future Meetings: The next budget workshop is scheduled for July 8, 2026 (not June 19, as council saw no need for a second day). The police staffing study will be discussed on June 23.
• Request for Additional Information: Council requested a cost‑benefit analysis on the backup server project, a breakdown of the “other” $11.2 million general fund line item, and that the fleet service truck description and photo be revised to clarify its light‑towing capability.