Oldsmar council adopts budget revision to fund temporary planning staff and appraisal reviews after storms

The Oldsmar City Council on April 1 approved Resolution 2025-09 revising the fiscal year 2024-25 budget to add temporary staffing and professional services for post-disaster permitting and FEMA compliance.

City Manager (unnamed) said the Planning and Redevelopment Department needs three temporary planning and permit clerks through the end of the fiscal year to assist with post-hurricane permitting, and requested two position upgrades: the floodplain and building coordinator (grade 121) to a floodplain manager/building coordinator (grade 123), and the senior customer service clerk (grade 109) to customer service technician (grade 111). The manager said the upgrades are intended to help the city manage increased FEMA compliance responsibilities.

Staff presented estimated costs: roughly $3,000 for the position upgrades and approximately $64,000 for the three temporary employees, plus an additional $50,000 in professional services for appraisal support and cost-estimate review. The manager cautioned, "I'm not sure how far this $50,000 is gonna get us. So, I may be back for more," and said appraisal reviews are billed hourly and capped at about $525 per appraisal.

Council members congratulated the staff who would fill the upgraded roles and approved the resolution by voice vote after a brief discussion and a motion and second. There was no roll-call tally recorded on the public transcript; the chair announced the motion passed.

Ending

City staff will implement the temporary hires and contract appraisal reviews from the General Fund appropriated reserve and report back to council if additional funding or adjustments are required as FEMA/state assistance phases out.