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Tavares council adopts FY27 budget priorities and agrees to discuss term-limit charter changes
Summary
Council approved a set of FY27 budget priorities—covering parks, downtown, staffing and infrastructure—and agreed to schedule a future discussion about term limits and possible charter revisions, including staggered or longer terms.
The Tavares City Council on Feb. 18 adopted its draft FY27 budget priorities and agreed to add a future agenda item to discuss potential charter changes relating to term limits and term lengths.
Mr. Drury presented the draft list of priorities for inclusion in the FY27 budget process, which council members reviewed and amended during discussion. Priorities included maintaining or lowering the millage rate, pursuing grant funding for capital projects, paying down debt, investing in parks and recreation facilities, West Main Street revitalization, and budgeting for a downtown parking garage and gateway signage.
Council members debated whether to pursue full build-outs of projects immediately or phase them as grant funding becomes available. Mayor Pfister urged staff to identify full project costs before accepting partial or phased work, saying he wanted “to find out what the costs are and then let's go after every penny we can get to do the complete build.” Another council member asked that the motion include additional funding for the arboretum; the council incorporated that request and then approved the priorities unanimously.
Separately, a council member asked to add term limits and charter revision to the next meeting agenda; council members discussed options including staggered terms and moving to four-year terms to reduce odd-year election costs. The attorney was asked to provide process and timeline information for placing revisions on the ballot.
Why it matters: The adopted priorities frame staff budgeting work for FY27 and guide grant-seeking and capital planning; the charter discussion could lead to ballot language affecting election timing and council composition.
