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Council approves settlement authority increase and three fiscal resolutions; H1A passes 6–1
Summary
The council voted to increase the legal department’s settlement authority (to $50,000) and approved three fiscal items: H1A (6–1), H1B (unanimous), and H2 (unanimous), with Council Member Driscoll absent for the roll calls.
The St. Petersburg City Council approved a set of procedural and fiscal measures during its April meeting.
Legal department and risk management authority: Ken McCollum presented a resolution to increase the legal department’s settlement authority from $25,000 to $50,000 and to allow the risk management department to settle certain matters up to $25,000 without routing through the legal department. McCollum cited inflation (the prior figures date to 1993) and faster court timelines as reasons for the change. "We are seeking from council a resolution to increase our authority to $50,000," he said. Council members moved and seconded the resolution; the clerk announced the motion passed unanimously with Council Member Driscoll absent.
Fiscal actions: Council separately considered a resolution authorizing issuance of a not‑to‑exceed $85,000,000 non‑ad valorem revenue note (H1A) and related fiscal policy amendments. H1A passed 6–1 (Council Member Floyd voting no; Driscoll absent). A companion item (H1B) passed unanimously with Driscoll absent. Council also approved a resolution (H2) to use existing fund balances to make a May 1, 2025 principal and interest payment on the Public Utility subordinate lien bond anticipation note series 2024; that motion passed unanimously with Driscoll absent.
Council discussion included remarks from members who said the settlement authority increase was overdue due to inflation and faster procedural timelines in circuit court. No additional amendments were made on the floor.
Votes at a glance: • I1 (settlement authority limits): approved unanimously; Driscoll absent. • H1A (non‑ad valorem revenue note, series 2025): approved 6–1 (Floyd no; Driscoll absent). • H1B (related fiscal item): approved unanimously; Driscoll absent. • H2 (use fund balances for May 1 payment on bond anticipation note): approved unanimously; Driscoll absent.
The council did not direct staff to provide additional changes to the ordinance language at the meeting; staff indicated next administrative steps would follow.
