Boca Raton adopts first FY24–25 budget amendment, approves pension software and sewer upsizing

The Boca Raton City Council adopted the first budget amendment for fiscal year 2024–25 on Feb. 25, approving three line‑item changes: recognition of $65,000 in donation revenue for restoration at South Beach and Spanish River parks; a $1.4 million appropriation for a pension‑system modernization project (project number 1,510,601); and a $2 million allocation for utility work to upsize sewer capacity as part of the Old Floresta project.

Chief Financial Officer Jim Zervos explained that the pension modernization covers a purchased, turnkey software product that will be customized to the city’s three pension plans and replace legacy systems maintained by a single staff member. "This will be the first pension system refresh that the city has done since that early implementation years ago of that initial system," Zervos said, noting the need to reduce single‑point failures and improve administrative functionality.

During the public‑hearing portion, a resident (Anastasia Colas) raised general concerns about new technology and urged additional security checks before adopting new systems. Zervos and staff answered questions on procurement approach and noted the selected product is a turnkey, customizable solution intended to meet the city’s specific ordinance language and benefit structures.

Council members discussed the purchase approach and alternatives; the ordinance was adopted by roll call vote 5–0. The ordinance authorizes the specified appropriations and directs staff to proceed with implementation and necessary procurement steps.