St. Petersburg City Council members approved the mayoral administration’s tentative fiscal year 2026 budget Thursday evening, but not without some concerns and discontent.
The first of two budget hearings provided an opportunity for residents and the city’s other elected representatives to scrutinize the $1.18 billion spending plan[1]. Mayor Ken Welch did not speak at the meeting.
Funding for youth initiatives, St. Pete Fire Rescue, the city’s Complete Streets program and stormwater infrastructure dominated discourse. While the formula used to calculate property taxes remains unchanged, it represents a 3.93% increase from the rollback rate, which would generate the same amount of revenue as in fiscal year 2025.
What is officially considered[2] a tax increase will net the administration an additional $10.45 million due to rising property values. Assistant City Administrator Tom Greene said the funding would help offset soaring employee pension, health insurance and salary costs.
“I feel everyone’s frustration; I get frustrated myself,” said Council member Lisset Hanewicz. “But under the system we have now, we’re trying our best to meet the challenges. Just like everyone else.”
Council members Gina Driscoll and Corey Givens Jr. voted against the budget, albeit for disparate reasons, while Council Chair Copley Gerdes was absent. The spending plan and previously approved utility rate increases[3] take effect Oct. 1.
Youth programming
Multiple residents bemoaned the city’s lack of proportionate investments in youth programming[4]. However, the administration allocated $260,000 to the Childhood Homelessness Project; $50,000 to the Arts Conservatory for Teens (ACT); $400,000 to the Youth Employment Program; $500,000 to the Mayor’s Future Ready Academy; $295,000 to Youth Development Grants; $530,750 to literacy and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) education; and $234,320 for the Cohort of Champions/My Brothers and Sisters Keeper initiative.
Additional departmental funding also supports youth and family programming. Driscoll believes officials “can be proud” of the amount invested in those initiatives.
“I think the real challenge, I think what we need to take a closer look at, is how that money is being spent,” she added. “And should we ask our residents, who have been speaking on this for so long, pleading with us to help our youth, and ask them to help us with solutions.
“Because for all of what we’re spending on youth programming right now, it sounds like we could do a heck of a lot better than we are.”
Givens agreed with that sentiment. He noted the ongoing rash of gun violence among young people and does not believe “the programs we’re operating right now are going to cut it.”
Givens said the city must do more to mitigate food insecurity[5]. While the budget includes $100,000 for Community Food Grants, $245,500 for the Health Neighborhood Store program and $50,000 for the Fluoride for Families initiative, he hopes the revised version includes “those items that I’ve raised concerns about.”
Council member Brandi Gabbard said the city budgeted $20,000 for its nine elected officials to receive a raise. She offered to donate her share to support additional youth initiatives.
“If it’s a tough year, why are we taking increases in our salary?” Gabbard questioned. “It’s not a ton of money, but is the ambassador program and its stipends a ton of money? I don’t think they are.”
St. Pete Fire Rescue
Driscoll’s primary concern centered on a perceived lack of funding for firefighters[6] – specifically, for new bunker gear. The department will receive $48.34 million in fiscal year 2026.
For comparison, the St. Petersburg Police Department and Community Enrichment Administration, which encompasses Parks and Recreation, will receive $170.46 million and $69.33 million, respectively. However, multiple council members noted the firefighters’ union recently signed[7] a new collective bargaining agreement and agreed that new bunker gear could wait.
“I don’t feel comfortable with the level of funding,” Driscoll said. “That is so important to me that I will not be able to support this budget as it moves forward.”
Complete Streets
The budget includes $650,000 for the Complete Streets[8] program, and revenue from impact fees[9] will raise the total to $1 million. Council member Brandi Gabbard said state and federal changes will “put an even greater burden” on the city to fund initiatives that promote bicycle and pedestrian safety.
Driscoll motioned to move $150,000 from “Infrastructure TBD (to be determined)” to the $100,000 bicycle and pedestrian facilities line item. She said that would “really move the needle with creating a safer area for our bicyclists and pedestrians.”
The administration dedicated $23.58 million to infrastructure projects, and Budget Director Liz Makofske said the $150,000 would help cover cost overruns for those funded with Penny IV Pinellas tax revenues. For example, a new fire station in West St. Petersburg and roadway repairs[10].
Council member Richie Floyd suggested using parking revenues to support bicycle and pedestrian initiatives. Hanewicz similarly said moving the money “may solve one problem,” but could also cause other issues on interrelated projects. Driscoll’s motion failed 2-5.
Stormwater
The city will spend $47.26 million on stormwater operations. Public Works Administrator Claude Tankersley noted the capital improvements budget has increased from $1.7 million in 2015 to $32 million.
“That’s a huge increase, but we still got more to go,” he added.
Hanewicz reiterated that it would take 50 to 60 years to complete the over $1 billion in planned stormwater projects[11], without accounting for inflation or inevitable additions. Tankersley said the administration plans to “get up to” the $50 million in annual spending required[12] to complete those in 30 years.
“Unfortunately, we’re going to be in a very different place in a few years, as a viable, productive place where people want to live, if their houses are flooding every time it rains,” Gabbard said.
The city will hold its second and final budget hearing Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.
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Mark Parker[13] reports via St. Pete Catalyst[14]. Republished with permission.
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References
- ^ $1.18 billion spending plan (stpetecatalyst.com)
- ^ officially considered (www.flsenate.gov)
- ^ utility rate increases (stpetecatalyst.com)
- ^ youth programming (stpetecatalyst.com)
- ^ food insecurity (stpetecatalyst.com)
- ^ funding for firefighters (stpetecatalyst.com)
- ^ recently signed (stpetecatalyst.com)
- ^ Complete Streets (www.stpete.org)
- ^ impact fees (stpetecatalyst.com)
- ^ roadway repairs (stpetecatalyst.com)
- ^ stormwater projects (stpetecatalyst.com)
- ^ spending required (stpetecatalyst.com)
- ^ Mark Parker (stpetecatalyst.com)
- ^ St. Pete Catalyst (stpetecatalyst.com)