Council approves $175,000 firefighter workers'‑comp settlement, backs Flood Insurance Relief Act resolution and amends fiscal policies

St. Petersburg City Council on Sept. 11, 2025, approved three separate items during its business agenda: (1) a $175,000 settlement of a contested workers’‑compensation claim involving former firefighter Matthew Davis; (2) a resolution supporting the Flood Insurance Relief Act; and (3) amendments to the city’s fiscal policies that consolidate and clarify financial responses to disasters and include other housekeeping changes.

Settlement of firefighter claim

City counsel (recorded in the minutes as Mr. McCollum) presented a proposed workers’‑comp settlement in the matter of Matthew Davis, a retired firefighter who developed pulmonary and cardiac conditions following treatment after illness. Counsel said the claim had been contested and that the full potential value of future benefits could exceed $2.4 million (not including the potential cost of a heart transplant or attorney fees), but that independent medical reviews in recent months created uncertainty about whether the injury would be found compensable at hearing. To resolve litigation risk, the city agreed to a $175,000 all‑inclusive settlement. Council voted to approve the settlement unanimously.

Resolution supporting Flood Insurance Relief Act

Council Member Brandy Gabbard presented a resolution from committee supporting the Flood Insurance Relief Act. The measure, which council approved unanimously, instructs the city to formally express support for the named act (presentation materials were provided to the dais). The council vote was recorded and the resolution passed without further amendment.

Fiscal policy amendments

Tom Green, presenting on behalf of staff, summarized changes to fiscal policies recommended by the Budget, Finance & Taxation committee. Most changes were housekeeping; staff called out a single substantive addition that organizes the city’s financial approach to disasters — consolidating disparate language about disaster response into a single new section. Council voted unanimously to approve the fiscal policy amendments. Staff said the changes will improve clarity and help coordinate funding and contingency planning for future storms and disaster events.

Why it matters

- The settlement resolves a contested workers’‑comp case that staff characterized as carrying litigation risk and potential multi‑million‑dollar exposure if litigated to a hearing; the $175,000 payment is intended to limit long‑term city liability and litigation cost. - The Flood Insurance Relief Act resolution signals local support for state/federal policy change affecting flood insurance affordability and program design. - The fiscal policy amendments centralize and standardize the city’s financial procedures for disasters, a priority the council identified after last year’s storms.

Formal actions and outcomes

- Motion to approve workers’‑comp settlement (agenda item I1): approved unanimously. Mover/second were on the record; clerk announced unanimous approval. - Motion to approve resolution supporting Flood Insurance Relief Act (agenda item H1): passed unanimously. - Motion to approve amendments to city fiscal policies (agenda item F1): passed unanimously.

Provenance and next steps

Council approved the settlement and the two resolutions during the regular session; staff will execute the settlement paperwork, update fiscal policy documents, and coordinate next steps for any legislative engagement associated with the Flood Insurance Relief Act resolution. The settlement requires administrative implementation through the city’s legal and risk management offices and will be reflected in the city’s claims records.