[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6175027,"mediaKeyId","5362777-c742f39d9221c55bb8341748876d1901","parentId",5362777,"title","Palatka nonprofits seek steady city support; homeless-services group requests $86,000 for overnight staffing and new programs","audioSeconds",109,"startMs",1799000,"endMs",1690000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362777-c742f39d9221c55bb8341748876d1901&start=1799&end=1690","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362777-c742f39d9221c55bb8341748876d1901/thumbnail_1799000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6175027/Palatka/Putnam-County/Florida/Palatka-nonprofits-seek-steady-city-support-homeless-services-group-requests-86000-for-overnight-staffing-and-new-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175027-33e27b7a59bff48c1bdba73174e7c59f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145170&Signature=dEMOsV4gDdQuyeBpyoYbIJDOzN3MEJJvnKalrIBvLXs3EQ4R4OPMer9BZX3xAdO~SuLRIJU8~4xWR1zqZ7jYM8I69L41COaCiBjDWlfbSVi2ILUiQ2A4OJBdMAvy2H0MZRiUeX3W~bAVeihB4JhH5R3hnuw5GRU-G0PoOGHHk~oevi46uRZ~aZrb04Wn5TmoN~-sJQjy2lorjudd4gke69rFoCwFaIUDv~hxMj~BBRe~VNYbX57R1NNCi-3AmyMqIfDOi0CYf7rsJbCDVMw31zeb68kQHxpe2sngHSJ2FjfFYeyeqUtmpTK5opweVv1Jg2mOZffYDFiErzNPyZ6n3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Palatka","date","2025-07-11T09:57:35Z","article","Several local nonprofits asked the Palatka City Commission during the July 10 budget workshop for ongoing financial support and in-kind assistance.

Feed the Need of Putnam County representatives told the commission the group provides weekend backpacks for more than 800 children identified as food insecure during the school year and operates summer meal programs when funding allows. “Kids can't learn when they're hungry,” speaker Stacy Isold said, and staff estimated the annual in-kind and donated food value at more than $350,000. Feed the Need asked the city to consider assistance to offset rising food costs; a public commenter, Steve Crowley, suggested a modest $2,000 contribution.

Georgia Mitchell of the Putnam County Caring Coalition, which operates a temporary overnight safe space, said the group has received city COVID-related overhead support but needs ongoing help. Mitchell said the program recently surpassed 28,000 hours of service and is turning away one guest some nights; she said overnight staffing costs run about $86,000 a year and the coalition plans two new programs in the coming fiscal year: traditional transitional housing and a diversion program to help people pay small sums to avoid eviction. “We had to have someone there every night. That cost by itself comes in about $86,000 a year,” Mitchell said.

Palatka PAL (Police Athletic League) representatives described mentoring, summer camp, esports, athletics and an opioid-awareness mentoring program funded by a US Department of Justice award. PAL said this summer it serves about 115 campers, 90 basketball participants and 109 youth in its mentoring program and asked the commission for direct funding, matching funds for grants and in-kind support such as field use and transportation.

The Family Life Center asked the commission for $35,000 to support a return to full operations and provide free public swim hours, lessons and senior classes at an 80,000-square-foot facility on Palatka's North Side. The presenter said Phase 1 of the facility opened in February 2002 and the center hosts the city's back-to-school giveaway and other community events.

Episcopal Children's Services (ECS) requested $3,000; ECS said a $3,000 local contribution would generate roughly $47,000 in federal funds and another $3,000 in state match for school-readiness subsidies, “a total return of $50,000 for your $3,000,” speaker Britney Spangler said.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions and several said they would consider increasing nonprofit line items during budget deliberations. No formal funding decisions were made at the workshop.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Palatka's General Budget Workshop","oneSentenceSummary","Representatives of Feed the Need, Palatka PAL, the Family Life Center, Episcopal Children's Services and the Putnam County Caring Coalition asked the Palatka City Commission on July 10 for city assistance ranging from small operating grants to $35,000 for restored pool operations and $86,000 for overnight staffing at a temporary safe space.","taxTitle","Palatka, Putnam County, Florida","taxId",54767,"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},6175032,"Palatka officials outline $1.7 million general-fund shortfall; millage, fire assessment and utility rates flagged as options",88,2892000,2980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362777-c742f39d9221c55bb8341748876d1901&start=2892&end=2980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362777-c742f39d9221c55bb8341748876d1901/thumbnail_2892000.jpg","/articles/6175032/Palatka/Putnam-County/Florida/Palatka-officials-outline-17-million-general-fund-shortfall-millage-fire-assessment-and-utility-rates-flagged-as-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175032-19389e60e7e770b27a5989f195016efa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145170&Signature=OC000UNdha0QlYorMqp5dSM3BZGA4g0lOQ3pqt-EP1mxBhCzVxjvKRqJ9TJ7mebkCXzAjaBbg~ruXCSGr7z5mKvEWF2-~7ZkFIzW66t1k5Eced1HV3BJNDyuaLvaWhKR6n0CIwiXidPfks2ePqlfjcLrknaWQGN~DQjA6sOIaKPeQDZdTsVrXYlU~i~F5kR6y0JkNfV3D4rbgMUThlUxCDlPDojHKTG5brxEte7mINH7ydCcdt6s2YeghlSkxhVZQc0VFbua1K1sihyOdoRP7jRBlpFkVSELIPFF37Hz1CWMWb9JApxAI77o0EJdT0FGt7qUo0TurHgYuaGU43tLaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Palatka city staff told commissioners at a July 10 budget workshop that the third draft of the fiscal 2025–26 budget shows about a $1.7 million gap in the general fund and that a new fire engine priced at about $1.8 million is the primary driver of the shortfall. City staff said total revenue and expense projections including grants are roughly $81 million, but the unrestricted general fund is not balanced.

Finance Director (acting) Carty said the city is evaluating three levers to close the gap: the city millage rate, the fire-assessment rate and utility-rate adjustments. “Our current millage rate is 6.4. The rollback millage is about 6.2397,” Carty said, and noted the difference in revenue between those rates is roughly $44,000; staying at 6.4 would generate about $4.7 million, while a 6.8 rate would generate about $5.0 million. On the fire assessment, staff said they had reduced the variable Tier 1 rate from 2.46 to 2.35 last year; restoring the prior level would raise roughly $80,500 more than the lower rate. The fixed portion of the assessment remains $125 per parcel and staff reported about 3,950 parcels under assessment.

Carty also reported that water-utility net margins are thin and recommended a 6–7% rate increase to prevent an operating loss in utilities, noting rates were last increased on Sept. 22, 2022, by 7.15 percent. City staff said several capital items not funded by grants — including about $2.4 million in planned street projects and $1.818 million in planned city-funded street renovations — will further pressure operating and capital budgets.

Commissioners emphasized public-safety obligations when discussing potential revenue changes. Commissioner Davis said the commission must “be cognizant of balancing” the desire for lower rates with the cost of maintaining public-safety services and infrastructure. Commissioner Campbell and others agreed that relying on historically large grant receipts is uncertain and staff should plan for reduced grant levels.

Staff identified additional steps before the next public budget presentation: finalize state revenue estimates in July, complete an Appendix A rate review of city service charges, and present refined numbers at the next budget meeting (staff flagged Aug. 4). The city manager also said staff is pursuing an operational audit to identify efficiencies and better match spending to priorities.

No formal votes were taken at the workshop; commissioners directed staff to return with options and updated revenue estimates.","City staff told the Palatka City Commission at a July 10 budget workshop the draft budget shows about a $1.7 million gap in the general fund, with a new fire engine and several capital projects the main drivers; commissioners discussed millage, fire-assessment tiers and a possible 6–7% water-rate increase as ways to close the gap.",{"_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},6175011,"City attorney outlines aggressive code enforcement and lien-recovery efforts; legal team reports precedent-setting interpleader win",248,4172000,4420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362777-c742f39d9221c55bb8341748876d1901&start=4172&end=4420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362777-c742f39d9221c55bb8341748876d1901/thumbnail_4172000.jpg","/articles/6175011/Palatka/Putnam-County/Florida/City-attorney-outlines-aggressive-code-enforcement-and-lien-recovery-efforts-legal-team-reports-precedent-setting-interpleader-win","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175011-377f689ecb6f2479ab755e7172b1d666/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145170&Signature=Db1v-fYEVGCllEUSOqzCvVcB~~D3MaeZYmDDxVjX0CJDBIL8Smmrl7suN4SupmmbomwjwatsTqWr1MuxZIMblr31TpPrbZG6EU9L9EBUulio5dOVh6lBl95FGYl~yw1FV8AMK7ZltralwERZ0dPlIoGPoVv-kWHkSKHHERn4bVt4KnTpanNwxQxmx2m~l6j2i1tq1dHqOgcN0Dnzg-6xa7X4I0k0PkPNpuygR2pgTNQrcNiEeiVk0kGZcjNGLru6lcqT2N1WLrVU6GuFrgoFF~1tN-FZH8s~KftpDs~AZBFjUqXnNaR0TBrv7b7csbgFGdVt6FE06LUcF4YgjmFXiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Palatka's city attorney told the commission on July 10 that legal and code-enforcement work has focused on foreclosure of derelict properties, abatement (demolition) of blighted structures and reestablishing enforcement and fine-collection systems.

City Attorney West said the office — a single full-time attorney function supported by interns and outside specialists — handled roughly 20 active cases including multiple foreclosures and interpleaders. West said an aggressively defended interpleader produced about $48,000 for the city and that the court opinion interpreting a Florida statute in that case is drawing attention from other municipal lawyers in the state.

West said the office is working to restore the municipal fine-collection process and to pursue surplus claims, garnishments and fair-market-value reviews of city leases. “We are going to get that back on its feet again,” West said of the fines process.

Code Enforcement Coordinator Christie Lowe reported a year of active enforcement: about 135 cases taken to the special magistrate, more than $100,000 collected in liens and fees and six abatement (cleanup/demolition) projects completed or initiated. Lowe said the department has stabilized staffing and is transitioning to an integrated case-management workflow that reduces administrative overhead and improves filing processes.

Both legal and code-enforcement staff said higher outside-attorney hourly rates have increased costs for litigation, and the legal department requested no personnel increases but plans to continue pursuing foreclosures, abatements and revenue recovery to offset costs. Commissioners asked for continued coordination between code enforcement, legal and finance.","Palatka's sole in-house attorney described litigation, foreclosure and lien-collection activity July 10, saying recent work produced roughly $48,000 from an interpleader action and that legal has prioritized foreclosure of derelict properties and stronger code-enforcement fines and collections.",{"_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},6175018,"Palatka airport advances taxiway design and corporate hangar plan as part of revenue-focused capital program",166,4688000,4854000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362777-c742f39d9221c55bb8341748876d1901&start=4688&end=4854","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362777-c742f39d9221c55bb8341748876d1901/thumbnail_4688000.jpg","/articles/6175018/Palatka/Putnam-County/Florida/Palatka-airport-advances-taxiway-design-and-corporate-hangar-plan-as-part-of-revenue-focused-capital-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175018-c36d9260221fe3b4df1dc384d265279c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145170&Signature=b0OXTm~DuCSKNlXkeA3M6jlWU8Rk8XfXU7a3mleU0Nv7z~oKxk6DGWsccuUoesH-56Cb2~9sonqdmyrLp49owBjSMTh63INOiMilrWfAYHInI~C12zf9nVeY61HdQcy5rrZS9XXSKMi3X63JMO6-0ufvukDATaDKXYHtYL7VdmWPeWCHXUdpu6tTmxo645RczzN~9O7jCjTdjNH3ueaE0L5J~oGog2YLmQqIpO4THY1uA9s4adYal6bezl~c2HHmyvq9t29xW2YFbphu5hOBdi-en7A~V6zwylq8JwxICOwC1YT0NYH-wCzr47zADjV3Xpv~WPtr2F-xrb5evjw8Sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Palatka Municipal Airport staff briefed the City Commission on July 10 about a sequence of capital projects and recent operational upgrades aimed at increasing revenue and accommodating growth.

Airport Director McNair said the FAA signed off on the environmental review for Taxiway E, clearing the way for design work; staff reported a federal grant offer for design was received and would come to the commission for formal acceptance. McNair described a second large project — a new corporate-style \"community hangar\" and jet-center development adjacent to the terminal — that the airport is designing and expects will produce daily, weekly or monthly revenue from multiple aircraft users.

McNair said recent accomplishments include terminal upgrades, self-serve fueling, successful airfield and fuel-quality inspections, and improvements to the west-side taxi-lane area funded through about $1.2 million in grants. He also said the airport has a compliance-action plan and an updated airport master plan to guide 8'10 years of development.

The department proposed a largely flat operating budget and identified capital needs including repainting airfield markings and hangar maintenance. McNair also said surplus and contingency revenues generated by the airport are being held for reinvestment in equipment and field maintenance.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions; no action was taken at the workshop beyond direction to bring required grant acceptances and designs forward for commission approval.","Airport officials told commissioners July 10 they received FAA environmental approval for Taxiway E and have a grant offer for design; the airport is also designing a community hangar to host corporate aircraft and generating more nonoperating revenue to fund maintenance and improvements.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6175023,"Mural advocates urge Palatka to protect and expand public art; commission hears calls for ordinance and budget increases",195,813000,1008000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362777-c742f39d9221c55bb8341748876d1901&start=813&end=1008","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362777-c742f39d9221c55bb8341748876d1901/thumbnail_813000.jpg","/articles/6175023/Palatka/Putnam-County/Florida/Mural-advocates-urge-Palatka-to-protect-and-expand-public-art-commission-hears-calls-for-ordinance-and-budget-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175023-7dfcada851ed17a44c5a7665d584da15/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145170&Signature=HW5jToXbQITDclOvhsVFtjMd9a-S-5hU4I0Kig2kpnJS3cgkExG5gMU4WaabgUuXUl-pKRllSGvl-2p3YwcPkHdmTHF5XWpjIqtvm9EKt9XciV2117wURJcsGpG7MdR2FlxNkKU661fCjoTw3ZGikxZbEg3JYYU3Mcf3S2BCuhL3D7wyaXhKePhpS--XpbW81juCcO7BxM6j7qrnqTFV2OOlKoAGmVlAQaZWPJg1eWMg0qZGYcLtC3qwS~luZ68cZyXQhlwMgtgR2NPRUxKe0FVFxaRjYtciA-TELIZyWmCpev0KIC1yoiUxYUthdkded88JT1xYRJHRVBj5K4xJYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speakers at the July 10 public-comment period urged the Palatka City Commission to enact protections and steady funding for public art and murals.

Allegheny Kitchens, a member of the Connolly Snyder Mural Committee, described the group's origin and said the committee was formed to make Palatka “the mural city of Northeast Florida,” to honor local history and to attract tourists. John Alexander, the committee chairman, said murals are used in guided tours with QR-code content and that the group seeks city help to protect existing murals and expand murals onto the North Side, including proposals to use portable mural panels where walls are not available.

Shelley Shanker of the Arts Alliance told commissioners some municipalities allocate a percentage of municipal budgets to public art and recommended the city consider similar measures when finalizing the budget. Public commenter Steve Crowley urged a dedicated ordinance and suggested modest funding; he said public art establishes “the quality of life in a community.”

Speakers asked that the city consider an ordinance to protect murals, commit more Community Redevelopment Agency funding to public art and explore placing murals on the Jenkins Building to highlight Black history. Several commissioners expressed support for increasing the CRA arts allocation during budget deliberations, though no ordinance was proposed or adopted at the workshop.

Commissioners asked staff to consider the mural requests in budget discussions and to examine options for protecting public art.","Members of the Connolly Snyder Mural Committee and arts advocates pressed the commission to adopt protections for murals, expand funding beyond the downtown CRA to North Side neighborhoods, and consider ordinances to preserve public art.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Palatka nonprofits seek steady city support; homeless-services group requests $86,000 for overnight staffing and new programs

Palatka officials outline $1.7 million general-fund shortfall; millage, fire assessment and utility rates flagged as options

City attorney outlines aggressive code enforcement and lien-recovery efforts; legal team reports precedent-setting interpleader win

Palatka airport advances taxiway design and corporate hangar plan as part of revenue-focused capital program

Mural advocates urge Palatka to protect and expand public art; commission hears calls for ordinance and budget increases