Tequesta staff present amended budget; council debates reserve use, station work and water projects

Village of Tequesta staff presented an amended fiscal 2025–26 budget at a council workshop on Aug. 18, and council members used the session to press staff for clearer assignments of reserve funds and to clarify the timing of several capital projects. No substantive budget votes were taken; two public budget hearings are scheduled for Sept. 4 and Sept. 11.

Jeremy, a village staff presenter, led a condensed review of amendments from the July workshop and said the millage rate would remain unchanged while assessed values produced an overall 8.4% increase in taxable value. He said the packet reflects a balanced budget and reminded the council that the first hearing is Sept. 4 and the second hearing will fall on the council’s regular meeting date, Sept. 11.

Staff outlined several line‑item changes: the budget removes $1.4 million from reserves (the majority previously designated for the Remembrance Park project), decreases capital improvement fund expenditures by about $1.3 million, and reduces certain personnel costs by roughly $52,000. Jeremy also said staff added a stipend for a retired K‑9 officer and noted a drop in insurance premiums.

“That shows you we have a balanced budget,” Jeremy said while pointing to revenue and expenditure slides and the packet summary. He also told council members staff expects to expend an $854,000 bridge component from the 301 infrastructure surtax early in the coming fiscal year if the project proceeds on schedule.

Council members pressed staff to avoid leaving large sums unassigned. Several members argued that the $1.3 million transferred from the Remembrance Park line should be assigned to projects or otherwise earmarked rather than left as an unassigned balance. Staff said there are multiple candidate uses—playground upgrades, roads, stormwater projects—and recommended caution while state property‑tax reform and potential FEMA threshold changes remain uncertain.

Council discussion covered the village’s capital priorities. Staff described planned capital outlays for Station 11 (interior work now; major renovations slated for the next budget year), and noted the village is funding roads at approximately $710,000 in the current plan. Constitution Park’s playground equipment, about 20 years old, was highlighted as an imminent replacement need; council members asked staff to present phasing options for replacement rather than committing to a single large outlay.

On utilities, staff reported a 3.5% water rate increase and outlined major projects: a membrane‑replacement program ($1.125 million), the Beach Road water‑main replacement phase two (about $4.7 million) and relocation of concentrate disposal (roughly $660,000). Jeremy summarized the village’s net position in the water fund and said those projects are planned in sequence with available resources.

The presentation also covered the 301 infrastructure surtax, which staff said sunsets Dec. 31. Jeremy said the village plans to exhaust most 301 funds this calendar year and hold roughly $323,000 to help meet a village share of a planned Northcom‑related bridge infrastructure project; he cautioned that final costs and participating agencies’ commitments remain subject to change.

Staff discussed the special law enforcement fund and a planned contribution to a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) boat‑lift project; staff said recent seizure proceeds have bolstered that fund and help pay for law enforcement needs so the general fund is not tapped for all purchases.

Council members and staff repeatedly framed the workshop as a planning and clarification session; no ordinances or budget items were adopted. The council did move to adjourn at the end of the meeting. The village will consider the amended budget formally at its Sept. 4 and Sept. 11 hearings.

Key numbers discussed at the workshop include: removal of $1.4 million from reserves (Remembrance Park majority), a planned $854,000 bridge component (301 fund), $323,000 remaining in 301 fund after planned uses, a 3.5% water rate increase, and roughly $710,000 budgeted for roads.