Oldsmar council approves golf carts in parks on first reading, adopts rezoning and budget revisions

The Oldsmar City Council on a 5–0 vote approved the first reading of Ordinance 2026-08 to allow golf carts on park roads and in designated park parking areas while preserving prohibitions on sidewalks and multi-use trails. The measure was read by the city attorney and received no public comment before the roll-call vote.

Council also adopted Ordinance 2026-07 on second reading, rezoning the property at 4021 Tampa Road to Industrial Planned Development and approving a minor modification to the master development plan; there were no changes since the first reading and no public speakers during the hearing. The council voted 5–0 to adopt the ordinance.

Separately, the council approved Resolution 2026-09, a midyear budget revision for fiscal year 2025–26. The amendment recognized new revenue and adjusted reserves to fund items including a $75,000 consultant for a fire assessment fee study, $20,000 for FEMA compliance software and $80,000 for a new planning and zoning software solution, and $300,000 for HVAC repairs at the reverse osmosis water treatment plant. The resolution also realigned several vacant positions; staff said the reclassifications require no additional recurring funding and will be covered by existing savings and reserves.

City Attorney Tom Tras read ordinance and resolution titles aloud during the public hearings. Mayor Ganon and council members voted in favor of each item; council recorded no votes against the measures. The council also passed a resolution prescribing ballot language for a special election for council seat C3 on Aug. 18, 2026.

What happens next: Ordinance 2026-08 passed its first reading (vote 5–0) and will return for a subsequent reading per the city’s ordinance schedule. The rezoning ordinance is effective following adoption on second reading. The budget changes take effect immediately, according to staff.