Commission approves 2023–24 final budget amendment on first reading and approves grant fund amendments; auditors and debt figures discussed

Fort Pierce staff presented and the City Commission approved on first reading ordinance 25-017, the final amendment to the fiscal year 2023–24 budget.

Finance staff explained the amendment increases the budgeted total from $58,887,439 to $59,515,389. Finance director Jana Morris told the commission the change was necessary as the auditors and staff finalized figures; "Our budget started at the 58,887,439, and we are amending that to 59,515,389," Morris said. The amendment increases the city's unassigned fund balance while reserving approximately $600,000 for next year's capital expenditures; Morris said the net increase to fund balance was about $807,000 after set-asides.

Morris outlined department-level variances, including additional police payroll and expenditures related to security details, facilities maintenance unanticipated costs (chiller and other capital repairs), HR accrual payouts for departing staff and public works maintenance items. Commissioners asked for additional line-item detail for facilities costs and for clarification on debt balances; Morris said the city's outstanding debt stood at roughly $44 million at the end of the last fiscal year and was expected to be about $42 million after payments made during the current fiscal year. Staff also said the city's last scheduled debt payment (related to marina financing) is projected for February 2032 under current schedules.

Separately the commission approved resolution 25-R26, the final budget amendment for grant funds (CDBG, SHIP and program income). Morris described timing delays and project rebids that affected Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) spending — contractors withdrew after a hurricane and some programs required rebidding, which delayed expenditures. The SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) down-payment assistance allocation was underspent because applicants have struggled to find qualifying housing in the current market; staff emphasized that unspent grant funds remain program income or reserved program balances rather than lost revenue and can be used for future eligible activities.

Commissioners also discussed federal reimbursements for emergency and public-safety events and noted that FEMA and other federal payments can take years to materialize after events.

On first reading the ordinance passed unanimously on the roll call vote. Staff said auditors will present the completed audit and final figures in a forthcoming session.

The commission also approved other budgetary items on the agenda including the grant fund amendment and the consent items tied to the budget packet.