Fort Pierce presents balanced FY26 budget; commissioners debate police pay, solid waste rates and capital priorities

The City of Fort Pierce presented a proposed fiscal year 2025–26 general fund budget of $67,537,211 at a July 14 commission budget workshop. Finance director Morris and city manager Chess described the draft as balanced with no change to the current millage rate (6.9 mills), driven in part by a 10.46% increase in taxable property values that generated an estimated $2,778,920 in additional ad valorem revenue.

Why it matters: Commissioners said public safety and basic services must be funded amid uncertain economic indicators — including a projected probability of recession in the next 12 months cited by staff — and possible state policy changes that could affect local revenue (for example, proposals affecting ad valorem collections or utility/ franchise transfers).

Key numbers and proposals - Proposed general fund total: $67,537,211 (4.4% increase from current year). - Millage rate: no change proposed; remains at 6.9 mills. - Ad valorem/assessed value increase: staff reported a 10.46% rise in taxable property values (estimated $4.88 billion in total assessed value change), producing about $2.78 million more in tax revenue. - Personnel: net eight new full-time positions proposed in the general fund (city manager’s office, IT/network administrator, two public-safety positions, public works engineer among additions). Police net additions were clarified as two positions overall. - Cost-of-living: the draft budget includes a 5% across-the-board COLA for bargaining and nonbargaining employees; the draft also includes a 5% COLA for commissioners (to be removed if…