[{"_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",6164970,"mediaKeyId","5426505-5ae2ad1d8c279a5e8269144fe5352a58","parentId",5426505,"title","Committee reviews community policing deputy reduction, CRA move and donated‑fund options","audioSeconds",994,"startMs",2796000,"endMs",3790000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5426505-5ae2ad1d8c279a5e8269144fe5352a58&start=2796&end=3790","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5426505-5ae2ad1d8c279a5e8269144fe5352a58/thumbnail_2796000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6164970/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Committee-reviews-community-policing-deputy-reduction-CRA-move-and-donatedfund-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164970-f93ee5590d48418551067517c716ba3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773537110&Signature=GaI6Ob8s5xuaRwOHu16pjdtj9V~Ra8pE76~RR-5FT05aYScy-6yWjID5bKtV7rs1xbC8rq2z9ePuFsMH8UDPc76qHT5ou01wAgBNssEQ1jN0VjY8eiR3N7GErjuqbrVEqZR0dFTmiocMse0KL8-GtWX6OcRM7nKRMCPuYuLC7ImiJ~Vo24ym3D8IjG89j~FLVqonTrtuXHXkc2BVaXyMt5IoDHvjt3IpYeXHVXEqKWrdxl6~y2C1gCuiwhdEoNJ9ZAUTliNHwsbEfjeSH2tzIndfsirW68rEnLJahdaa3Vi7nlGiXxAit8Bg5jAhh3s4NfdxHzNBLq8rDnlWR8eU3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of St. Pete Beach, FL","date","2025-07-18T18:30:16Z","article","Staff recommended reducing the number of community policing deputies (CPDs) funded by the city from three to two and adding clearer role descriptions to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office contract. The recommendation came after staff analysis indicated two CPDs were more productive than three in prior years; staff said clarifying roles and expectations would improve accountability.

At the same meeting, staff said they will present to the City Commission a request to begin a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) process for a defined area (north of 70th Avenue and including commercial corridors). Staff explained that a finding of necessity is required to form a CRA; the district would allow the city to capture incremental county tax increments within the CRA area to fund infrastructure improvements in that district.

Committee members also raised the idea of a not‑for‑profit vehicle or similar structure that would accept resident donations for targeted city projects; staff said they had begun researching legal and operational models to allow residents to donate to specific city priorities with clear deliverable targets.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance & Budget Committee Budget Workshop #4 - July 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff proposed reducing community policing deputies from three to two and clarifying responsibilities in the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office contract; staff also noted a planned Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) finding of necessity that would enable capturing incremental tax increments for a targeted district.","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},6164978,"Committee reviews capital priorities: fire station funding, building security and Mary’s Pier repair",536,2758000,3294000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5426505-5ae2ad1d8c279a5e8269144fe5352a58&start=2758&end=3294","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5426505-5ae2ad1d8c279a5e8269144fe5352a58/thumbnail_2758000.jpg","/articles/6164978/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Committee-reviews-capital-priorities-fire-station-funding-building-security-and-Marys-Pier-repair","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164978-de60ee090709c45719134fe798601446/orig.mp4?Expires=1773537110&Signature=U4tVxNtqunWw9c4iARVFzXc9KHZFYq-SxA1B~1-D3icuSDLdPuvja8Ado7vHnPshfwePYZkKCsuO4kBgGxGlpRWF2nwyD0V8fOCam6IFsuSwOXZNSP55CmJCoBWZzX3pCUhVO2NZC6eajxCgSBzL~dMipWsxLHOfld4eQpniPiEK4UoJAblNA5B~UwXljVzHXEMAkAbvTMtTb6F2~aM7ZBmhSWRwZtsf7JA-9AxqvTLNK6xku8IRJexrKEcKnwNRFDxM6pLP16RdlYK9Yz7EmS2l3C~2yda0lKkyJf~pu1XHKDNvOaRdX8I5z~HRS3omKPOOBxR3L1j2lLIP~sTTAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Staff briefed the committee on capital changes in the proposed budget including a new intergovernmental revenue item and related capital expenses for Fire Station 22, an updated security and badge system for city buildings and the status of Mary’s Pier.

Devin Schmidt said the budget now includes $3,000,000 in intergovernmental revenue specifically tagged to support Fire Station 22 and the corresponding $3,000,000 in project expense. Camden and other staff walked the committee through the capital priority list and said that if higher millage options were adopted in future years, additional resilience and basin projects would become feasible.

On building security, staff described the city’s current badge and building‑access system as outdated and costly to maintain. The capital request couples a modern badge system replacement with targeted camera installations across city facilities to improve controlled access and building security.

Committee members also asked about the Mary’s Pier bait shack. Staff said the city is actively working through permitting and repair issues and that the hope is to have the facility operational in the 2026 budget year, though staff emphasized permitting and repair complexities.

Committee direction: staff to continue refining project schedules and funding sources and to provide the Commission with detailed project descriptions and associated funding as the budget moves forward.

","Staff presented capital priorities tied to potential new intergovernmental revenue and insurance proceeds, including $3 million in revenue and expense for Fire Station 22, replacement of an aging building access/badge system and camera upgrades, and continued efforts to return the Mary’s Pier bait shack to service.",{"_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},6164980,"Staff to finish fee studies after committee flags enterprise funds running deficits",129,1407000,1536000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5426505-5ae2ad1d8c279a5e8269144fe5352a58&start=1407&end=1536","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5426505-5ae2ad1d8c279a5e8269144fe5352a58/thumbnail_1407000.jpg","/articles/6164980/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Staff-to-finish-fee-studies-after-committee-flags-enterprise-funds-running-deficits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164980-d75d7be89fbf2ab54e59fd0250642151/orig.mp4?Expires=1773537110&Signature=apCHYO59c7sUb3RqjDklm-TG7S2iO4TmJXiGjWuAM1SItTZsLB~lPvUsVxUe~dG3n5J2YKe~fcMvLgMDUnVByevw1qaUF2rImW3yzReny3-sbcFmBYtvQrta-pfZA-padI1v2-8ukbTvUBbNINrjXWM8py1lgZu5kNwj6U8XGurqzu9-V-mVm007l6nJ-VyWQGVzteEsNly63Va-oHS5GKPqhKwiGPzRWuikKstMHaXDkOihDfmin3vuC8hvzHm0Hl4f4kDJGBJmQezwqZ6y6OLjxARRdw0OacN5HO~B8WY602Q~WOFYYOTfTgAG~eH0YjwtlR5nA48GsziLfv9CDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members and staff discussed the financial condition of the city’s enterprise funds and the fee‑study work intended to address persistent shortfalls.

Francis and other staff explained that several enterprise funds have operated without capital and maintenance funding for years, and the committee heard that parking is currently the only enterprise fund not dipping into reserves. The city intends to complete separate fee studies for sewer, stormwater, reclaimed water and parking and bring recommended mid‑year adjustments to the commission; staff estimated the fee studies would be completed in September and that any recommended changes would include public engagement.

Staff noted that enterprise funds have been used to subsidize general fund needs in the past (for example, transfers to the general fund and prior years’ siphoning from stormwater), and that returning enterprise funds to health would, over time, create more capacity to support general fund priorities including resiliency projects. Committee members pressed staff to clarify timing and the likely magnitude of fee adjustments and asked that staff return clear analyses of impacts to residents and businesses.

Staff said the fee studies will include parking and that parking revenue projections were corrected in the current budget; staff also reiterated that fixing long‑deferred capital needs will take multiple years even if fee adjustments are adopted.

","Staff told the Budget Review Committee the city’s enterprise funds (stormwater, sewer, reclaimed water, parking) are drawing down fund balances and that fee studies—scheduled to conclude by September—will propose rate changes and public engagement to restore fund health.",{"_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},6164985,"Budget committee recommends rollback millage after ad valorem briefing",861,81000,942000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5426505-5ae2ad1d8c279a5e8269144fe5352a58&start=81&end=942","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5426505-5ae2ad1d8c279a5e8269144fe5352a58/thumbnail_81000.jpg","/articles/6164985/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Budget-committee-recommends-rollback-millage-after-ad-valorem-briefing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164985-9966338ec59eaf8b4a68fe3a88fb3d2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773537110&Signature=VKMOslWZxBcPownxAgKSn0A2mHq6AjdsfAt5doSju8dQaEeKAsz-PIsIpWxIvubB07-ZmJKwsHT14k1guPcbccdJ5siFpCfY~hDqfYBsTHooy4QpXlPCZjjbP4dgmIZa28YFEm6jQuRETlVYhKkWetTSLkRJvWBST3lvgprBgBtyeU1AggqxRWDB1LTDVStyk780s3emaAAiKb8~-1~trOtSwderuhQJioXBNbOWASKe70kYi~dBx9d6VFefoGf58q9QJtq~1RR-WcEuKbsJbf4PZrPJsDP-8y2tQM0ouKWmdFK-VIeHTT00XA2uMdRe6cf~Q-Y1jkkevlrlKGZu0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Devin Schmidt, finance director for the City of St. Pete Beach, briefed the Budget Review Committee on the city’s ad valorem taxes and the options before the committee, then committee members recommended the rollback millage rate be forwarded to the City Commission.

Schmidt said the presentation was intended to become the annual standard for the budget process: “So today, we're gonna take you through what we're calling kind of the story of ad valorem taxes,” and to show “where do our taxes come from, who pays them” and how changes would translate into the city’s general fund.

The presentation emphasized that roughly 20% of a typical property tax bill for St. Pete Beach stays local; the other 80% is remitted to schools, the county, EMS and several other districts. Schmidt told the committee that, based on county data, approximately 70% of the city’s taxable value for the general fund comes from non‑homestead property and about 30% from homestead property (the latter reported as roughly $4.7 million in revenues to the city).

Committee members reviewed four millage options that Schmidt presented: the current rate used to build the budget (3.0913 mills as stated in the presentation), a rollback rate (3.1189 mills), a majority‑vote maximum (3.2596 mills) and a two‑thirds‑vote maximum (3.5856 mills). Schmidt explained how each option would translate into additional revenue under the current assessed values, and showed examples of what ten‑year totals could look like if assessed values and other factors remained unchanged.

After discussion about affordability and infrastructure needs, the committee coalesced around option B, the rollback rate, and instructed staff to forward that recommendation to the City Commission. Under the rollback option as presented to the committee, the staff estimated approximately $70,000 would be available for the city’s resiliency fund and about $70,000 for capital improvement projects (CIP) under the allocation rules in the city’s comprehensive plan.

Committee members and staff repeatedly framed the choice as balancing near‑term affordability for homeowners with the long‑term need to fund deferred infrastructure and resiliency projects. Committee members asked for continued tracking so the commission and staff can show year‑to‑year how additional millage revenue is allocated and spent.

Next steps: staff will carry the committee’s recommendation to the City Commission, continue the multi‑year project and resiliency planning work and return with additional budget detail at the next workshop.

","Following a detailed presentation on how property-tax (ad valorem) dollars flow, the Budget Review Committee recommended the rollback millage (option B) be forwarded to the City Commission, directing modest additions to the resiliency and capital funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee reviews community policing deputy reduction, CRA move and donated‑fund options

Committee reviews capital priorities: fire station funding, building security and Mary’s Pier repair

Staff to finish fee studies after committee flags enterprise funds running deficits

Budget committee recommends rollback millage after ad valorem briefing