Okeechobee council approves FY 2025–26 mid‑year budget amendments

The Okeechobee City Council on April 7 approved mid‑year amendments to the FY 2025–26 budget that raise projected revenues to $8,440,720 and increase expenditures by $94,084 to cover unanticipated personnel and operating costs.

Council members heard a department‑by‑department rundown of the changes: Building and Inspection Fees were increased by $47,500, code enforcement fines by $5,000, and a $41,558 transfer into the General Fund from the Capital Improvement Projects Fund was recorded. The General Fund saw multiple line‑item salary and benefit adjustments, including a reclassification of the Public Works Director salary into executive pay and the addition of a 20‑year longevity award.

"Revenues increased a total of $94,058," the budget presentation noted, and specific line items were cited including Administration executive salaries (+$9,900) and Police fuel and oil (+$16,020). The council also accepted a $1,200,000 appropriations grant from the State Department of Commerce (Agreement No. D0339) to fund roadway improvements in the city's commerce center.

Council Member David R. McAuley moved to approve the amendments; the motion carried unanimously. Staff said the amendments address recent retirements, temporary hires, increased unemployment claims, and higher fuel costs and reflect corrected accounting entries for transfers between funds.

The council packet includes a line‑by‑line summary of the fund impacts and department adjustments; staff said those exhibits are incorporated into the official minute file and available on the city's records.