St. Pete Beach approves first reading of fiscal 2026 millage and budget ordinances

The City Commission of the City of St. Pete Beach on Sept. 8 approved first readings of two ordinances setting the fiscal year 2026 millage rate and adopting the fiscal 2026 budget. Devin Schmidt, the city's finance director, told the commission the ordinance proposes a millage rate of 3.0913 per $1,000 of taxable value for fiscal year 2026 and that the figure is “0.8889 percent lower than the rolled-back rate.” Schmidt said the recommended budget reflects revenue and capital plans developed across five budget workshops and the finance review committee and asked the commission to approve first readings of both measures. The proposed budget documents show governmental funds revenues at $67,200,000 with governmental expenditures of $86,700,000; enterprise funds revenues of $23,300,000 and expenditures of $36,000,000. Schmidt summarized total city revenues and transfers at $90,609,137 and total expenditures at $122,829,040, leaving a draw from existing fund balance of $32,219,903 for one-time capital projects. The proposed workforce total is 159.6 full-time equivalents, with 44 FTEs in fire and EMS. Commissioners said they had no substantive questions at the meeting because the documents and numbers had been vetted during multiple prior workshops. After brief discussion, the commission voted unanimously to approve first readings of Ordinance 2025-18 (millage) and Ordinance 2025-19 (budget). Why it matters: the millage ordinance formally announces the rate the city intends to levy and begins the statutorily required public-adoption sequence; the budget ordinance sets spending limits and ties to the capital improvement plan and programs commissioners and residents prioritized during workshops. Supporting details: Schmidt outlined capital reappropriations and new projects included in the fiscal 2026 capital improvement plan, including seawall replacements, watershed management planning, Mary Pier bait shack rebuild, Don CeSar baffle/outfall work, tide check valve replacements, replacement four-wheel-drive trucks, and City Hall AV reappropriation. He reported $58,700,000 in total capital projects across multiple funds (capital improvement, resiliency, wastewater, reclaimed water, stormwater, parking and fleet). He also told the commission the millage revenue estimate tied to that rate is roughly $15,100,000 in ad valorem revenue adjusted for discounts and exemptions. The vote: roll-call votes recorded all members present approving both first readings. The measures will return for subsequent readings as required under Florida law. Next steps: First readings were approved; the commission may hold required hearings and further readings before adopting final ordinances. Staff will return with the standard follow-up steps in the tax and budget-adoption schedule.