St. Augustine commission accepts midyear financial report; revenues at 45.5%, expenditures 28.9%

The St. Augustine City Commission accepted the city’s 2025 midyear financial report by consensus after a presentation from finance staff.

Ms. Burns, finance staff, told commissioners that “currently the city of St. Augustine is within its budget with the revenues being at 45.5% collected and expenditures being at 28.9%.” She said the gap reflects timing: many projects are expected to finish later in the fiscal year and several revised budgets include commission-approved carry-forwards, transfers from reserves and grant-funded projects.

The midyear analysis broken out spending by function showed personnel at 48.26% spent, which staff said is close to the 50% midyear mark. Ms. Burns explained that revised budgets differ from original budgets because encumbrances carried forward from fiscal year 2024 amend the 2025 budget and are offset by “reserved for encumbrances.”

Commissioners asked questions about revenue timing and specific line items. Commissioner Cynthia Garris asked whether installment payments or quarterly filings could explain lower-looking tax receipts; Ms. Burns said property taxes are largely collected November through January and that other taxes often come in a month in arrears and will “catch up toward the end of the year.” Commissioner Jim Springfield noted personnel levels appear mostly full, with only limited vacancies.

No formal motion or roll-call vote was recorded. The commission registered a consensus to accept the report and directed staff to carry the midyear information into ongoing budget work and to bring back any items requiring formal action during the regular budget process.

The acceptance closes the midyear reporting item; further budget decisions will be considered in upcoming budget workshops where commissioners can submit requests.