Commission reviews large facility repair needs; finance committee seeks clearer funding for Fire Station and Don Vista repairs
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Summary
Staff presented a list of essential facility repairs — including fire station replacement, Don Vista Art Center repairs and multiple roof and elevation projects — and the Finance Budget Review Committee asked staff to refine funding strategies and assess return on investment for city‑owned assets.
At the June 10 St. Pete Beach budget workshop, Finance Director Devin Schmidt presented a list of essential facility repairs and replacements that staff and the Finance Budget Review Committee consider high priorities. The list included roof replacements, facility elevation work, repairs to city hall and the Warren Webster facility, and a placeholder for a new fire station.
Schmidt said Fire Station replacement work currently shows a $10 million placeholder in 2027 while $1.5 million is listed in 2026 as the remainder of a $2 million grant the city already has. “The $10,000,000 that we currently have slated out in 2027 is a placeholder for now until we can determine some funding sources,” Schmidt said, and staff is working with the city manager’s office to secure funding alternatives.
Commissioners asked for more detail before committing large sums. One commissioner asked staff to present a historical return‑on‑investment analysis for Don Vista Art Center before allocating hundreds of thousands of dollars for repairs, noting the building was a federal gift and that previous capital and operating returns should inform future spending. “Before we pour hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Don Vista, I think we should have some sense of what the return on investment was on that building pre storm,” a commissioner said.
Staff clarified demolition and design costs for Fire Station work: a demolition cost of about $35,000 was referenced and an approximately $450,000 line for design was discussed. Commissioners and staff agreed the finance committee wants staff to “continue the aggressive progress on Fire Station 23” while also seeking additional funding sources and refined bids for generator projects and other large capital items.
The Finance Budget Review Committee recommended staff return with alternatives on the emergency backup power generator (to sharpen bids and seek less expensive options) and to provide a refined capital program and preliminary budget at the July 8 meeting. The committee also asked for a compensation review comparing nearby jurisdictions for commissioner pay and benefits, to be returned in the next preliminary budget discussion.
No final funding authorizations or ordinances were approved at the workshop; staff will return with more detailed cost breakdowns, funding sources and prioritized projects.
