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County staff flags $11 million projected general-fund shortfall and plan to rebuild reserves after storms
Summary
Pinellas County budget staff said May 15 that preliminary planning assumptions generate about an $11 million operating gap for next year; commissioners were briefed on storm-related reserve use, FEMA reimbursement timing and potential fee increases as staff prepare budget hearings this summer.
County budget staff presented a preliminary forecast May 15 that shows an estimated roughly $11 million shortfall in the general fund under planning assumptions for fiscal 2026, and outlined constraints staff will bring to the upcoming budget hearings.
Chris Rose of the Office of Management and Budget told commissioners staff used working assumptions — a 4% property-tax roll growth and a 3% salary increase for planning — and noted that the county has obligated about $78 million related to three recent hurricanes. Rose said much of that hurricane spending is expected to be reimbursed by FEMA over multiple years, but the timing is uncertain and the county is building a multiyear…
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