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Palm Beach Gardens council reappropriates $29.5M, approves budget amendment on first reading
Summary
City council approved Ordinance 2-2025 on first reading to carry forward roughly $29.5 million in unspent purchase orders and CIP balances and to reallocate funds for several street, park and public-safety projects.
Palm Beach Gardens city council voted unanimously on March 6 to approve Ordinance 2-2025 on first reading, a budget amendment that carries forward $29.5 million in unspent purchase orders and capital-improvement project balances from fiscal year 2024 into the current fiscal year and reallocates funds for a number of projects.
Finance administrator Ariane Panzak told the council the amendment rolls forward $7 million of purchase-order balances and $22.5 million in unspent CIP balances. Major carryforwards listed by staff included $9.9 million for the District Park field house, $4.8 million for the Coyote Gardens Drive widening and $4.6 million for a police department expansion project.
The ordinance also restores $2 million to the Coyote Gardens Drive project after funds were moved because of a bond covenant timing issue. Staff requested $1.3 million to build a four-lane segment of Coconut Extension now rather than phasing it, $1.1 million to expand transit-oriented development intersection improvements (including a roundabout and two traffic signals), and contingency and small allocations for playground resurfacing, tennis-center roof repairs and lighting for pickleball courts.
Panzak said the city closed the books with a higher-than-expected beginning fund balance—largely from building-permit and investment income—and proposed conservative allocations that leave an increased unassigned reserve of about $28.3 million, roughly 19% of budgeted expenditures and above the city's 17% policy threshold.
Council discussion praised staff for conservative budget preparation and for using investment income to fund projects. Mayor and council members repeatedly described the amendment as a routine, conservative housekeeping and funding exercise. The ordinance will return for a final public hearing and second reading per statutory procedure.
Ending: The measure passed on a unanimous voice vote at first reading; staff will bring the ordinance back for adoption at the second reading after the statutorily required public-notice interval.
