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Fort Pierce hears alarm on solid‑waste operations as second‑quarter finance report flags shortfalls
Summary
Commissioners were briefed on the second‑quarter financial report showing general fund revenues at 68% and highlighted the animal shelter’s sizable revenue shortfall; commissioners also approved increased purchase orders to cover refuse truck repairs and rentals while staff outlined steps to address failing fleet and illegal dumping.
City finance staff presented the second‑quarter fiscal update on May 18, reporting a $67.7 million general‑fund budget with about $46.0 million (68%) collected and $36.0 million (55%) in expenditures to date, leaving about $9.2 million in available net resources.
The finance presentation flagged several department variances. The marina and Sunrise Theater are affected by timing and contract transfers; the Sunrise deficit would be offset by a planned $5,000 FPRA transfer that had not yet been booked. The animal shelter showed a substantial revenue shortfall (actual revenue reported at about $157,000 versus budgeted amounts) and a negative available resource after expenditures of roughly $332,222, which commissioners said warranted a workshop to analyze revenue generators and options.
On the consent agenda, Commissioners approved increases to purchase orders to maintain and rent refuse trucks: approval to increase a purchase order with a local Peterbilt vendor and an increase to a purchase order with RDK Truck Sales (covering refuse truck rentals). Commissioner Johnson pulled those items for discussion and elicited a detailed operations briefing from Devon Shay Johnson (interim Public Works). Staff described a failing fleet, high staff turnover in solid‑waste drivers (average tenure ~1.8 years), recent spikes in landfill tipping and damage from illegal dumping (concrete, tree trunks), and plans to implement route‑optimization tablets, additional administrative staff/dispatch, two service lots, and possible contracting for supplemental pickup services. Code enforcement will escalate citations and a 90‑day pilot with cameras is planned to address illegal dumping.
Commissioners asked staff to coordinate with St. Lucie County on overlapping pickup responsibilities and to pursue outreach to landlords and the public about proper curbside timing to lower tipping costs. Several members requested a future workshop focused on the animal shelter’s budget.
Next steps: staff to bring back more detailed financial analysis and potential workshop dates; public‑works staff to implement routing technology, pursue supplemental services contracts and provide reports on enforcement trials and pilot outcomes.
