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Votes at a glance: council approves settlement‑authority change and two finance measures; utility payment covered from reserves
Summary
City Council voted unanimously to increase legal settlement authority and approved two financing measures related to fiscal policy and an $85 million non‑ad valorem revenue note; it also authorized use of existing fund balance for an upcoming public utility note payment.
The St. Petersburg City Council recorded four formal actions during the meeting: (1) a resolution to raise the legal department’s settlement authority, (2) a resolution amending fiscal policy and authorizing a not‑to‑exceed $85 million non‑ad valorem revenue note (covered in two votes), and (3) a resolution to use existing fund balances to make an upcoming payment on a public utility bond anticipation note.
Settlement authority (I‑1): The council approved a legal‑department resolution raising settlement authority to $50,000 and establishing a $25,000 authority for the risk management department, up from figures that dated to 1993. Ken McCollum of the legal department explained the change, citing inflation, rapidly moving circuit‑court timelines, increased use of nonbinding arbitration and higher vehicle values that make smaller‑value settlements administratively important. The motion passed unanimously, with Councilmember Gina Driscoll absent.
Fiscal policy and non‑ad valorem note (H‑1A and H‑1B): Council considered a two‑part package to amend fiscal policies and authorize the issuance of a not‑to‑exceed $85,000,000 non‑ad valorem revenue note, series 2025. H‑1A (the fiscal‑policy amendment and authorization) passed 6–1: Councilmembers Figgs Sanders, Brandy Gabbard, Chair Gerdes, Corey Givens, Vice Chair Hanowitz and Mike Harding voted yes; Councilmember Richie Floyd voted no; Councilmember Gina Driscoll was absent. H‑1B (the related implementation item) then passed unanimously with Driscoll absent.
Public utility note payment (H‑2): Council approved a resolution to apply existing fund balance to the May 1, 2025 principal and interest payment on the Public Utility Subordinate Lien Bond Anticipation Note, Series 2024. The motion passed unanimously with Councilmember Driscoll absent.
Procedural notes: For H‑1A the clerk announced the roll and tally after members used the voting machine; individual motion movers/seconders were not identified in the roll‑call announcement. The clerk read the tally results aloud for each vote.
Ending: The council did not take additional final votes on the hospital or clinic presentations; those presentations will proceed through staff follow‑up where applicable.
