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Vero Beach council approves budget amendment; airport security role clarified, surplus held for contingencies
Summary
The Vero Beach City Council approved a fiscal-year budget amendment that raises unappropriated surplus by $41,125 and allows hiring steps at the airport; council members debated using the one-time funds for staff positions but voted to hold the funds pending budget season.
The Vero Beach City Council on July 14 approved an ordinance revising the fiscal year 2025–26 budget that adds $41,125 to unappropriated surplus, bringing the total to $327,274. Councilmember Linda Moore moved approval and the measure passed 5–0.
Councilmember John Carroll urged using the surplus to add staff — citing potential hires such as another code enforcement officer or an engineer — and argued the City should “do good in the community” by applying one-time funds now. City Manager Monte Falls and Mayor John Cotugno said the extra money is discretionary and recommended holding it for contingencies as the council enters formal budget deliberations. “We’re close to budget season,” Cotugno said, and keeping one-time funds in abeyance preserves flexibility for emergent needs and deficits, including outstanding Humiston Boardwalk costs.
The ordinance discussion also clarified that a proposed Airport Security Administrator position would be funded from the Airport Enterprise Fund rather than the General Fund. Interim Airport Director Brandon Dambeck said the role — now handled in two capacities by Assistant Airport Director William Howard — is intended to separate security duties from leasing responsibilities and allow staff to begin a hiring process contingent on the budget amendment’s approval.
The ordinance carried on a roll-call vote with all five councilmembers voting yes. The council did not adopt any immediate staffing additions with the vote; members requested that staff bring detailed staffing cost estimates and priorities during the upcoming budget-review cycle.
The council also approved a separate resolution establishing a $3,625 special assessment lien for a septic tank effluent pump (STEP) system at 556 Indian Lilac Road; that measure passed on a unanimous vote.
