Oldsmar council adopts budget revision to split Public Works and create Director of Public Utilities

Oldsmar City Council on Oct. 7 adopted Resolution 2025-528, a fiscal-year 2025–26 budget revision that restructures the Public Works department, creates a Director of Public Utilities position, and adjusts several operating and capital accounts across the General Fund and Water and Sewer operating funds.

City Manager Felicia Donnelly described the reorganization: the Public Works Department will be split into Public Works (technical services, streets, fleet maintenance, stormwater) and Public Utilities (utilities maintenance, distribution and collection, water reclamation facility, reverse osmosis, water treatment plant, environmental management). The change creates one new Director of Public Utilities position (grade 142) and downgrades the existing Director of Public Works position to grade 140 with the cost split between the Streets Division General Fund and the Stormwater Utility Fund. Donnelly said the reorganization increases personnel costs by $72,000 in each affected fund but does not require additional appropriations because of existing vacancies and transfers; appropriated reserves will cover adjustments.

The resolution also included several line-item adjustments: General Fund—library stucco and roofing repairs ($55,000); parks replacement UTV ($23,000); RE Olds Park pier hurricane repairs ($130,000) funded by prior insurance proceeds; Oldsmar Sports Complex batting cage construction ($60,000, partially funded by a $13,000 Oldsmar Little League donation); municipal facilities camera upgrades ($115,000). Water and Sewer adjustments included $50,000 for asset-management software and $12,000 for additional lab testing related to an aquifer storage and recovery permit renewal.

Councilmember comments acknowledged the agenda memo’s detail and staff recommended approval. The council approved the resolution by voice vote.