Commission discusses state inquiry on municipal finances; city manager says reserves used for Hurricane Ian repairs will be restored

Commissioners spent a prolonged portion of Tuesday’s meeting discussing a recent inquiry from the governor’s office about municipal financial health and how North Port has managed storm repairs and reserves.

Commissioner Petro asked whether the road and drainage district fund showed a consecutive-year deficit as referenced in the governor’s office letter and whether the city should send a follow‑up letter seeking state attention or assistance. City Manager Fletcher replied the city will comply with any state direction and described the city’s post‑Hurricane Ian response: the road and drainage fund was used to pay for repairs, reserves fell below the city’s 20% internal policy level, but the fund itself was not in a negative balance. Fletcher said the city’s finance team planned to restore reserves within the city’s policy timeline (a three‑year recovery window noted in the transcript) and that staff has already been in contact with governor’s office staff on related grant questions.

Fletcher and several commissioners said the timing and content of any communication to the governor’s office should be strategic. The city manager suggested that although staff has responded to the governor’s initial questions, deeper, more contextual conversations about the city’s inability to borrow without voter approval and other long‑term infrastructure needs could be more effective later in the budgeting cycle. Mayor Stokes and other commissioners emphasized the importance of presenting accurate figures and giving the public notice if the commission wished to pursue formal correspondence.

No formal action was taken; commissioners debated whether to place a related agenda item before the commission so the public would have advance notice and the discussion would comply with agenda and sunshine requirements. Commissioner Petro said he had received multiple citizen inquiries and indicated he might request a future agenda item to allow a fuller public discussion.

Key factual points from the discussion: City Manager Fletcher stated the road and drainage fund was used to address Hurricane Ian damage, the fund’s balance did not go negative, reserve levels dropped below a 20% internal target but are being restored per policy, and the city has applied for grant support for projects such as the police headquarters. Commissioners expressed differing views on whether to send an additional letter to the governor’s office now or wait until staff can prepare a broader request with supporting data.