Venice City Council Budget Wrap Up Workshop – July 8, 2026

The City Council held a budget wrap‑up workshop on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, from 9:00 AM to approximately 11:30 AM in the Council Chambers. The session focused on an IT server vs. cloud cost/benefit analysis, two items removed from the General Fund budget, additional budget questions, a millage rate discussion, and public comments. Key outcomes included a consensus to postpone a $750,000 redundant server project, a decision to leave two removed capital items out of the FY27 budget, and direction to staff to bring back costs for new police officers and a fire department staffing/fee study for the July 14 meeting.

IT Server Project vs. Cloud Cost/Benefit Analysis

• IT Director Roger Navarro presented the history and status of the proposed redundant server site. The original $500,000 project had risen to $750,000 for hardware; a cloud option was quoted at over $1 million for five years due to increased demand for data center space and AI race.
• The current highly redundant system is located in a hardened inland building with private fiber connectivity. In a catastrophic event (e.g., hurricane, fire) the city would face a two‑to‑three‑week outage, though data would not be lost (max 12–24 hours of data loss).
• Council Member Weed clarified that the risk is not data loss but a time delay, and noted that emergency life‑safety systems could be protected with a smaller option.
• City Manager confirmed staff recommendation to wait a year, as many systems are moving to the cloud and costs may decrease, reducing the risk profile.
• Consensus: Council directed postponement of the project for at least one year, with annual re‑evaluation.

Items Removed from the General Fund Budget

• Finance Director Linda Senia presented two items previously removed to balance the budget after property values dropped 2.5%: $50,000 for professional services (Seaboard Master Plan) and playground equipment for the VABI trailhead.
• Public Works Director Ricky Simpson stated the playground is safe but dated; the Master Plan delay does not affect ongoing demolition and environmental remediation.
• Council debate: Mr. Engelke favored postponing due to fiscal caution; Vice Mayor Bolt noted the city has not added staff for new parks and the VABI trail is still developing; Mr. Smith acknowledged extra revenue of $114,000 from July 1 assessed values but preferred not to add back.
• Consensus: The two items will not be added back into the FY27 budget.

Additional Budget Questions/Discussion

• Mayor Pichoda recommended a comprehensive review of fire department staffing, fee structures, and potential efficiencies with police (similar to the police staffing study).
• Vice Mayor Bolt suggested using any extra general fund money for additional police officers first.
• Council Member Engelke asked for costs of a fire study and of adding police officers including training and equipment.
• Direction to staff: Bring back to the July 14 meeting (1) full cost of adding one or two police officers (salary, benefits, training, equipment) and (2) a preliminary estimate for a fire staffing and fee study.

Millage Rate Discussion

• City Attorney representative Carla explained new Senate Bill 4F: if the proposed millage rate exceeds 100‑110% of rollback, a two‑thirds vote is needed; over 110% requires unanimous vote. Because the current proposed rate of 3.8450 mills is lower than the rollback rate (3.9261), a simple majority would apply.
• The maximum millage set on July 14 cannot be increased later; it can only be decreased at the September hearings.
• The rollback rate 3.9261 would generate an additional $596,000 in property tax revenue while keeping taxes flat for existing homeowners (since property values dropped).
• Council members expressed differing views: Mr. Engelke favored setting a higher rate (up to rollback) to preserve flexibility; Mr. Smith supported the lower 3.8450 millage, noting the city achieved the rollback rate last year for the first time in 15 years; Mr. Weed opposed raising to the rollback rate unless it is a safety net and will fight for the lower rate; Vice Mayor Bolt noted the rollback rate does not raise taxes and would reduce reserve draws.
• Mayor Pichoda indicated the July 14 memo will propose 3.8450 mills and list the rollback option for council choice.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steve Carr, chair of the Central Venice Coalition, spoke about maintenance of Curry Creek through the Sawgrass community. He argued that plat discrepancies indicate the creek should be a public drainage easement (like Blackburn Canal, which the city maintains) and that public funds may be used per the floodplain management plan. He requested the matter be placed on a future agenda. Council Member Smith suggested adding it to the August meeting.

Key Outcomes

• IT Server Project: Postponed for at least one year, with direction to re‑evaluate annually.
• Removed General Fund Items: Not restored; they remain removed from FY27 budget.
• Police & Fire Studies: Staff to provide costs for new police officers and a preliminary fire staffing/fee study estimate at the July 14 meeting.
• Millage Rate Setting: The July 14 meeting will set the maximum millage; the proposed rate is 3.8450 mills, with the rollback rate (3.9261) listed as an alternative. Council will decide on that date.
• Curry Creek issue: Council Member Smith requested placement on the August agenda.