During the discussions, the council proposed substantial enhancements to staff development programs, including the creation of an Employee Leadership Academy and raising tuition reimbursement from $2,000 to $3,000 per employee annually. These measures underscore the council’s recognition of the importance of investing in the city’s workforce to foster growth and retain talent.

A new proposal on the table was the establishment of a paid student internship program, designed to offer about five paid internships throughout the year using unassigned fund balance revenue. This move aims to give students valuable work experience while potentially nurturing future city employees.

These financial adjustments were complemented by a strategic approach to recruitment and retention, which included a broad review of positions. The council proposed converting several part-time positions to full-time, including the deputy city attorney, marketing assistant, and HR admin assistant, as well as creating an accountant three position in the finance department to address workload challenges.

Economic development and infrastructure were also focal points. The budget included funding for economic development organizations, such as the Temple Terrace Uptown Chamber and the Tampa Bay EDC. Additionally, the council looked to commission an urban forestry plan, allocating $25,000 from the tree fund to address the city’s tree canopy.

The council expressed a commitment to community initiatives by continuing funding for public art, the Centennial Celebration, and the volunteer board appreciation dinner. Moreover, there was a proposal to commission a study to evaluate building permit fees, which could cost up to $25,000 from unassigned fund balance.

On the financial strategy front, the City Manager proposed setting the unassigned fund balance floor at 25%, a measure designed to safeguard against unforeseen disasters and provide for future capital projects. This prudent financial approach was part of a broader budgeting strategy aimed at making informed adjustments based on current data rather than historical spending patterns.

The discussions also included a debate over increasing the funding for the tuition reimbursement program to $21,000, allowing for a higher reimbursement amount per employee. This raised questions about the sufficiency of the funding and its accessibility to employees.

The council tackled the challenge of maintaining a competitive edge in attracting top talent, noting the absorption of property tax increases by salary increments. They evaluated intergovernmental revenue possibilities, such as grants and state-shared revenues, and discussed allocating funds for potential business opportunities.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the tree canopy study, which is expected to cover both private and public trees, emphasizing modifications to related ordinances and the city’s own tree inventory.

The proposed budget stood at $37,761,314 for the general fund, with a contribution of about $56,000 to the unassigned fund balance. The council members acknowledged the improvement in the budget presentation process over previous years, praising the city staff’s thorough presentation.

The council members reviewed the proposed budget in detail, examining the potential implications of a 25% unassigned fund balance requirement on spending. They also discussed the need for succession planning and requested clarification on required retirement contributions.