Residents urge fiscal restraint and some back manager pay at Ponce Inlet budget workshop

During the public comment portion of the July 14 workshop, Sharone Lemieux of South Atlantic Avenue urged the Council to value the Town’s high level of municipal services and voiced support for a salary increase for the Town Manager, arguing that maintaining service quality requires appropriate compensation. "She voiced support for the Town Manager to receive an increase in salary and stated that perspective needs to be adjusted to maintain the high quality of service which residents have come to expect," the record states.

Barbara Davis, a Ponce Inlet resident, questioned proposed expenditures — including a government affairs consultant, museum cistern repairs and increases to legal services — and urged spending reductions instead of new fees or taxes. Elizabeth Caswell asked the Council to pursue expenditure reductions before increasing taxes or fees and sought clarification on the government affairs consulting services. Council acknowledged the comments and directed staff to include expenditure‑side alternatives in the FY 26/27 budget process.