[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6180139,"mediaKeyId","5120388-b18b2ab420a77ae899d2074530497b42","parentId",5120388,"title","Committee debates raising commissioner pay; members ask for comparables and messaging before any change","audioSeconds",1026,"startMs",4159000,"endMs",5185000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5120388-b18b2ab420a77ae899d2074530497b42&start=4159&end=5185","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5120388-b18b2ab420a77ae899d2074530497b42/thumbnail_4159000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6180139/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Committee-debates-raising-commissioner-pay-members-ask-for-comparables-and-messaging-before-any-change","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180139-02df168336994cd37a3143714deed2b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775400736&Signature=ger4fRpDIbh5-pEWID4f5cwNB7gWNdlnOjVyp5XSjbZPF3sp7F9fKonubUpvOVD~nsfTVbTRKlpvpwTAUrNMK4QvEZ08YrhLxaBHLwhOUlyaB~T6RWAllGzFHl0aQByB8sePU8CjkDb6YPt84lVMnuKAwNHr3UODR57ifejZ036VdSrlnM8tONOqAe~j5YdrogNbydZ6fojl8fnYFi~WXPHNIgTbFWrMO9Xx16mAUUx5uFJyS-D9wP4qk-ZIqcDfAIKjw-mKmgf~g6ieJrVI46UbIULCRV9S0s0tyHg2fj3DGnOqLRUe38arIgud8R5wayyXM8Ml1XfEUgFWnonGyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of St. Pete Beach, FL","date","2025-07-03T08:15:53Z","article","Committee members discussed whether to recommend an increase to elected officials’ compensation and asked staff for more data before advancing a formal recommendation.

What happened

The committee reviewed a benchmarking slide that compared monthly and annual compensation and benefit eligibility among nearby municipalities. One committee member proposed doubling the current commissioner pay as a starting point; other members said the proposal should be approached cautiously given ongoing storm recovery, fiscal constraints and the need to explain to residents where funds would come from.

Why it matters

Raising elected officials’ pay is a visible change that requires clear public communication about funding sources and rationale. Committee members said they want population and budget‑size comparables added to the slide and asked staff to identify potential internal budget offsets if an increase is desired.

Next steps and staff direction

Staff agreed to bring back: population and budget comparisons for peer municipalities, an estimated fiscal impact of a proposed increase, and suggested messaging tactics for communicating a compensation change to residents. The workshop did not enact any pay change; members discussed recommending an increase to the commission at a later date if additional information supports it.

Ending

No formal motion was adopted at the workshop; the item will return for further analysis and a possible recommendation to the full commission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance & Budget Committee Budget Workshop #3 - July 02, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members discussed raising commission compensation (a proposal to double current pay was floated), but several members said timing and public messaging should be resolved first; staff will return comparative data on neighboring municipalities and budget impact analysis.","taxTitle","St. Pete Beach, Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",48406,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6180144,"Committee reprioritizes capital projects; Don CeSar/Boca Ciega and shoreline resilience top list with grant seeks",1320,4055000,5375000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5120388-b18b2ab420a77ae899d2074530497b42&start=4055&end=5375","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5120388-b18b2ab420a77ae899d2074530497b42/thumbnail_4055000.jpg","/articles/6180144/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Committee-reprioritizes-capital-projects-Don-CeSarBoca-Ciega-and-shoreline-resilience-top-list-with-grant-seeks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180144-16b4377c781da700b417f566154d43ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1775400736&Signature=i2xMbFJoWOHb1DnC~q2AtMikBGrZ~kDYNeab00Jg4xqfFQZkr6tG6I9WowyMP-JJAT5I~F7BwHeGsbcbJAp8cC0ew5COtWrJxgjHwYAul7DFMYk3voKVlhBQIZ2rDT-QTgPUE-unyF7bqme4atX3dG0znF5pHTCsAveJa3qOpnZXmkor0KRe-ghlGzCwdajjBWwLdb~NlFHtia7DaPSHdTbo8IJBHLoekZRvi9KtNhZxgJ9k6AuXNh~kCGYoWjeOunE7EOVbhId5CjH6275a5ft8iy2kK7Exw9xu8LE1tgYFaN6ReRj6byXwZcldUErKznNqm7WsHXL4mF0i8oz1~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance and Budget Committee asked staff to refine the city’s capital improvement plan and to accelerate resiliency and shoreline adaptation projects in light of recent storm damage.

Staff summary and committee direction

Staff reported they reduced the number of capital projects to match what can reasonably be completed in a year and reprioritized projects at the committee’s request. Committee members asked that the Don CeSar/Boca Ciega resiliency and adaptation project receive prominence; staff added $8.8 million for that project in the draft and said they will seek a 75% grant match to reduce local cost. The committee also discussed a $1.5 million FDOT grant tied to Boca Ciega Drive that expires in 2025 and directed staff to request an extension if needed.

Other CIP adjustments

Staff said Gulf Winds Drive work was pushed out to 2027–2028, some sidewalk expansions were removed to reduce scope, and the Mary Pier bait‑shack and adjacent shuffleboard building remain in planning with options other than demolition being considered. The Pass-a-Grille stormwater/resiliency effort was moved to a phased design‑build approach with design and permitting planned in 2026 and construction likely to span 2026–27. Staff also flagged long lead times for some elevator replacements and noted several hurricane‑damage right‑of‑way and seawall rehabilitation items were spread over multiple years to match cash and staffing capacity.

Why it matters

The reprioritization shifts scarce local dollars toward shoreline and storm‑resilience projects and places several large projects into multi‑year phasing to match available grant opportunities and staff capacity.

Next steps

Staff will pursue grant opportunities and return a refined CIP to the commission and the committee. No appropriations were approved at the workshop; the committee asked that staff continue to revise project timing and scope and provide clearer funding sources when the tentative budget returns in August.","Committee members asked staff to reprioritize projects in the capital improvement plan, elevate resiliency and waterfront projects, pursue a 75% grant match for adaptation work and seek an extension for a $1.5 million FDOT grant for Boca Ciega Drive.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6180151,"Committee creates separate parking fund, launches fee study and flags demand pricing, residency charges and bad‑debt as issues",2358,1524000,3882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5120388-b18b2ab420a77ae899d2074530497b42&start=1524&end=3882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5120388-b18b2ab420a77ae899d2074530497b42/thumbnail_1524000.jpg","/articles/6180151/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Committee-creates-separate-parking-fund-launches-fee-study-and-flags-demand-pricing-residency-charges-and-baddebt-as-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180151-a5dd5dbc140dc9808078e81ea0cd036a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775400736&Signature=fSuD8CW6pZY105chggrBCepXrOUGVlaZvM6uogAMNzOXZqCJ7K6ZXK9yl98JjvXRgBgEQAaRKORXhasdFbNGXjncLtUC6R6gjRpV4yDuZ9qL8Bi~3RsggGWje2ya3svEOawrOZ3NwumKXmRmwDqGq28xHqHw4rt9kVIwXwVp-aj9QmA8r2zXPXiol-XV70pyRYIv7jtGa6wKwe2y3TGLscnbLRKOazLKy8uYeLwGb0dY3ZQvSbJKTQH9EdG8XV-L3-WFlgmbX4rIrHatHVy0oJlnH3RJ7Wg0k5898fRQSqC5b3eoxgl1nTDMMBn-Qz529yKQ2wHI2~sR6-JybFgRmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Pete Beach staff told the Finance and Budget Committee they have created a separate parking enterprise fund so parking revenue and expenses can be monitored outside the general fund.

Why it matters: parking revenues are being used to support streets, beaches, parks and a portion of public safety costs that patrol the beachfront. Separating parking into its own enterprise fund makes those flows more transparent and will be a focus of the fee study staff is completing.

What staff said and committee questions

Staff reported the parking fund is rebounding from storm impacts, but not yet at the levels budgeted in 2025. The committee heard that the fund currently includes revenue from parking facilities, parking tickets and a 50% cash share with the county for certain park income. Staff identified a $3.2 million transfer that was temporarily parked in the general fund packet and said that will be shown properly once account mapping issues are resolved.

Committee members asked staff to research the parking fund’s accounts receivable and bad‑debt exposure (including so‑called “ghost plates” where plate ownership limits collections), whether ParkMobile or demand pricing can display variable rates, and whether residential parking permits should be reinstated or restructured to shift costs to non‑residents. Staff said a comprehensive parking study is already under way and will look at residential parking, beachfront pricing and demand pricing (peak vs. off‑peak rates).

Enforcement and revenue recovery

Code enforcement and law enforcement roles for beach rules (for example, dogs on the beach) were discussed; staff said enforcement responsibility and revenue attribution depends on which agency issues the citation (city code enforcement versus Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office). Committee members asked whether revenue from privately permitted events (weddings, races) nets out after staffing costs; staff said event organizers often reimburse personnel costs, resulting in near net‑zero effect for the city in many cases.

Next steps

Committee members requested: (1) the parking fee‑study results; (2) a review of outstanding receivables and proposed bad‑debt treatment; (3) a clear mapping of transfers between parking and general funds in the tentative budget; and (4) consideration of demand (surge) pricing via ParkMobile or similar apps. No formal fee changes were adopted at the workshop.

Ending

Staff said the parking study will return to the committee after completion and that any policy changes would be recommended to the commission for action.","The committee agreed to isolate parking as a separate enterprise fund, asked for a comprehensive parking study covering residential permits, beachfront pricing and demand pricing and requested staff analysis of outstanding receivables and enforcement challenges.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6180155,"St. Pete Beach committee reviews preliminary proposed budget, flags FEMA, insurance and parking transfers as major revenue drivers",5720,311000,6031000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5120388-b18b2ab420a77ae899d2074530497b42&start=311&end=6031","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5120388-b18b2ab420a77ae899d2074530497b42/thumbnail_311000.jpg","/articles/6180155/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/St-Pete-Beach-committee-reviews-preliminary-proposed-budget-flags-FEMA-insurance-and-parking-transfers-as-major-revenue-drivers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180155-fd2bd4813854feac1ee719b180ea10bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775400736&Signature=TZ4xkN-9km2BFiBT6yz9G6y8n3svyGtfbb3wcUVmVlmOCVZTTNUwIRK0tBA57NEJh5DigkPPiDOEF7dpTr~aCUITPpcSIfHoNKbLIcE2aZ72IiDIil7hixOsAqPyppUlrVNC6jVS7OMWugVSlbCv-5VbcJ3SMJXa~xZemR27YSQ7HRChTQ-1POjbBRYF~J5TPRL-TFiTR8Dp0SCEubKU2oHRQZPTARxTVfETKETMGpCls0QYqcKNdtC5EINIkZ5tSXXlISGiAgCuTUyoXOCN9wigrpT7hAMZmUHidNzYVffQ6Q9C6QWGDTU8UdO69vC~YxPdoxsRrDgmwYO-g46LiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Pete Beach Finance and Budget Committee reviewed the city’s preliminary proposed budget and the assumptions behind its revenue and spending forecasts during a July workshop.

Committee members and staff said the budget reflects recent disaster reimbursements and insurance recoveries and includes a newly created parking enterprise fund. Staff told the committee they are projecting ad valorem revenue of about $15.1 million for the year, expect roughly $4 million more in FEMA category A/B reimbursements over the next 12–18 months, and are carrying insurance-recovery estimates and a $3.2 million transfer from the parking fund as part of general fund revenues.

Why it matters: the budget sets staffing, capital and service priorities for the city and shows how disaster-related money and decisions about enterprise funds will affect operating capacity and reserves.

Committee discussion and staff presentation

Staff said the city will aim to track departmental spending against a target metric — departments should aim to spend near 96% of their adopted budgets — and that tighter invoicing and p‑card cutoff dates could reduce incentives for last‑minute purchases to “use up” remaining allocations. Staff also described centralizing certain services (IT, fleet and facilities) to build replacement cycles and to make maintenance and technology purchases subject to department‑wide oversight.

On revenues, staff noted the budget incorporates: (1) ad valorem property tax forecast using the July 1 Pinellas County property appraiser run with a conservatism that accounts for the November discount behavior of many taxpayers; (2) $3.8 million already received from FEMA and an additional roughly $4.0 million expected; (3) insurance proceeds estimated at about $2.6 million; and (4) a $3.2 million miscellaneous line that staff said is a transfer from the parking fund that had to be parked for reporting purposes. Staff also said general fund reserves are currently about $8.5 million and that financial advisers recommend a 2–3 month operating reserve (roughly 6.4 as presented) though catastrophic scenarios would require much larger amounts.

Expenditure assumptions include a 2.6% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees tied to regional CPI, a worst‑case 27% increase in workers’ compensation/property casualty based on recent storm claims, and no planned increase in employee benefits in the current budget cycle. Major departmental cost centers remain public safety (fire and EMS) and nondepartmental transfers to enterprise and capital funds.

Decisions, directions and next steps

No formal motions or votes were taken; staff will bring back a detailed ad valorem analysis that separates homestead and non‑homestead taxpayers, finalize fee studies for parking and other enterprise fees, and return a tentative budget in August reflecting any reappropriations and committee direction. Staff also said they will continue to pursue grant or reimbursement opportunities for capital projects and refine fund balance targets for individual enterprise funds.

Ending

Staff closed by noting a larger communication effort is planned so residents and businesses better understand revenue sources, recovery funding and capital priorities as the city moves from immediate storm response toward long‑term planning.","The Finance and Budget Committee reviewed a preliminary proposed budget that relies on FEMA reimbursements, insurance recoveries and a newly isolated parking fund; staff outlined reserve targets, a 2.6% cost‑of‑living adjustment and tighter controls to discourage year‑end “spend down.”","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee debates raising commissioner pay; members ask for comparables and messaging before any change

Committee reprioritizes capital projects; Don CeSar/Boca Ciega and shoreline resilience top list with grant seeks

Committee creates separate parking fund, launches fee study and flags demand pricing, residency charges and bad‑debt as issues

St. Pete Beach committee reviews preliminary proposed budget, flags FEMA, insurance and parking transfers as major revenue drivers