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Tarpon Springs presents balanced FY27 budget; public hearings set for September
Summary
City staff presented a balanced proposed FY27 budget that trims insurance and health‑care placeholders, freezes seven general‑fund positions and keeps key capital projects under review; tentative millage is set for Sept. 9 and final adoption on Sept. 23.
The City of Tarpon Springs presented a balanced fiscal year 2027 proposed budget at a budget workshop on Aug. 4, with two public hearings scheduled for Sept. 9 (tentative millage) and Sept. 23 (final adoption). Finance Director Ashley Kimpton said staff reduced placeholders for property/liability insurance and health insurance and incorporated a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees.
Kimpton quantified recent changes: "We were able to reduce our placeholder from a 10% increase over prior year to a 5% increase over prior year. This results in a $335,000 savings citywide," she said, and added that the health‑insurance placeholder was lowered from 18% to 12%, "This results in a $310,000 savings citywide." She also noted a 3% COLA will add about $1.1 million to personnel costs citywide and that seven general‑fund positions remain frozen, a total of about $787,000 including salary and benefits.
Mayor Kouliannis described the package as ready to go to public hearings but "a work in progress" through October, with staff continuing to refine several line items. Kimpton said accounting entries for fund balance and reserve changes will be finalized after outstanding adjustments are made and that staff will return with any needed late additions via budget resolutions.
The workshop did not include formal votes on the budget; instead the commission set the public‑hearing timeline and by consensus canceled an optional Aug. 18 workshop. The city expects additional refinement before tentative and final actions in September.
