Wellington expects surplus sales-surtax revenue; staff to seek budget amendment, aquatics complex timeline updated

A staff member told the Village of Wellington Parks & Recreation Advisory Board on Feb. 21 that the village has collected $950,020 in sales surtax revenue so far this fiscal year on a $550,000 budget and will ask the Village Council in April to amend the budget to reflect additional revenue.

The staff member said the extra funds result from Palm Beach County allowing municipalities to receive additional surtax revenue through the end of fiscal year 2025. The surtax program, the staff member said, is scheduled to end by the earlier of Dec. 31, 2026, or upon the receipt of approximately $38,800,000.

Those receipts will be used, the staff member said, to replenish general-fund amounts that were used to pay for the new aquatics complex because “the intention was for the majority of the aquatics complex to be built using sales surtax funds.” The staff member said a budget amendment is expected to be submitted to council in April.

Why it matters: council budgeted…