City manager outlines post‑session budget adjustments, honors former police chief

City Manager Frank Martz told the Altamonte Springs City Commission on April 7 that the recent state legislative session has concluded and that several bills affecting the city either passed or failed. He said staff have already begun adjusting the city budget and are discussing a restructure to clarify how restricted and unrestricted revenues are used, with an emphasis on using unrestricted revenue to fund core services such as police and parks.

Martz said he has been meeting with the executive team to consider how the budget will be structured and presented. He said a special session is anticipated on at least two items and that several matters remain under consideration, including redistricting/reapportionment, property taxes and the overall budget.

Martz opened the report by acknowledging the passing of former Police Chief Bill Liquori, who led the department from 1982 to 2002. Martz described Chief Liquori’s contributions to progressive law enforcement and his emphasis on transparency through video; he said the city will send flowers and members of the Police Department will attend the service. Mayor Bates added that she knew Liquori well and called him a dear friend who would be missed.

The remarks were presented as a report to the Commission; the transcript does not include estimated fiscal impacts, specific line‑item changes, or timelines for implementing the budget restructuring. Those details were not stated during the meeting.