The council’s discussion on the community budget input meeting revealed concerns regarding a conservative estimated taxable value increase of 7.5%, with hopes it might be closer to 10-12%. The alignment of budget proposals with the city’s commission priorities was underscored, focusing on infrastructure facilities, a safe community, and sustainability.

Updates on the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) were also significant. The rewrite of the ULDC is seen as a means to convert single-family land to job-intact land, crucial for addressing the city’s growth and sustainability needs. The council also emphasized the importance of attracting businesses to decrease the residential tax burden.

Economic development discussions included the Gateway committee’s study of land use and the potential of areas around the new hospital location. The council expressed confidence in these areas, emphasizing flood mitigation and responsible development. Furthermore, the potential creation of a walkable downtown area received attention, which would cater to all residents.

Construction projects, such as a behavioral health care facility and potential commercial entertainment districts, were highlighted as essential to meet the city’s growing needs and diversify its offerings. The council pointed out the importance of impact fees for infrastructure improvement, with plans to raise these fees in 2022 to support growth.

Personnel costs were a concern, with the council stressing the need for a salary study to ensure a high-quality workforce and right-sizing police staffing. The need for additional fire stations was mentioned, with plans to consolidate communications.

The council discussed the city’s low millage rate, expressing a preference for incremental adjustments rather than larger, less frequent increases. The challenges of a lower-than-ideal employee count were acknowledged, with intentions to address this issue without overburdening existing staff.

The need to replace the city’s outdated resource planning system was a topic of major focus, with this multi-year process expected to cost millions. The council discussed borrowing responsibly to address infrastructure needs, referencing the city’s policy of incurring debt without a referendum.

Gratitude for the county’s involvement in the Resilient SRQ program was expressed, highlighting efforts to secure funding for hurricane recovery and community support. A partnership to bring a new YMCA to the city was celebrated, with a groundbreaking scheduled soon.

The City Manager responded to a community member’s question about the development of downtown areas, emphasizing the importance of bringing jobs to the city, diversifying dining and shopping options, and the community’s role in supporting local businesses.

Updates on the budget process included information from department heads, revenue projections, and proposed expenditures. The council discussed salary growth, including merit increases for employees, and ongoing contract negotiations with the police and fire departments. They revisited the commission’s priorities, which would guide budget allocation.

The council acknowledged a significant gap between projected revenues and necessary expenditures, with discussions on aligning the budget with the city’s desired outcomes. They emphasized the expansion of city divisions and the allocation of funds to support public safety and economic development initiatives.