Clearwater workshop focuses on budget strategy, hurricane recovery and utility spending

Clearwater city leaders and staff spent a multi‑hour strategic planning session reviewing financial forecasts, hurricane recovery costs and short‑term budget “belt‑tightening” measures intended to avoid a property tax (millage) increase while preserving core services.

The council’s budget directors and finance staff presented a 10‑year forecast that factors in recent operating and capital savings, utility rate assumptions and an anticipated drawdown of some reserves. “The focus … is gonna be more on budget strategy,” City Manager Jennifer said as she opened the session. Budget Director Kayleen Castle noted the council-adopted strategic plan and a new dashboard staff is developing to track projects and funding. “Our strategic plan was adopted by the council in May of 2023,” Castle said.

Why it matters: Clearwater continues to pay for hurricane recovery while planning multi‑year capital work for utilities, parks and public facilities. Staff told the council that a package of operating reductions, staffing adjustments and scaled‑back capital spending would keep the 10‑year forecast from requiring a millage increase under the assumptions used. At the same time the city must balance maintaining existing assets and services with requests for new projects.

Most important facts

- Finance Director Jay Raven summarized forecasts for the major enterprise funds and the general fund. He said water and sewer currently have a strong level of unrestricted reserves but those reserves are largely committed to major capital projects; the…