In a move, the commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of a property located at 555th Avenue for $18 million. The property, appraised at values between $21 million and $27.5 million, was seen as a strategic investment for the city, particularly aligning with Madeira Beach’s identity as a fishing town with marina facilities. The city manager presented the real estate agreement, including a $50,000 deposit due shortly after the agreement, with the final closing date set for October 22nd. Commissioners expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, viewing it as a unique opportunity to enhance the marina and potentially develop recreational spaces and boat slips. Concerns regarding financing the purchase were addressed, with the city manager proposing to utilize existing cash reserves estimated at approximately $40 million. This approach would allow the city to pay for the property upfront and later seek reimbursement through a tax-exempt financing resolution, retaining flexibility for future financial endeavors.

The discussion also turned to the effectiveness and necessity of the city’s current lobbyist. There was a debate about whether to continue with the existing lobbyist or seek new representation. Commissioners weighed the lobbyist’s legislative successes and relationships with key legislators, with some expressing a need for a more thorough evaluation of their performance. In light of this, a suggestion was made for the current lobbyist to attend an upcoming meeting to present their achievements and strategies, especially as the legislative session approached. The conversation underscored the importance of solid reporting and monitoring of the lobbyist’s work, emphasizing measurable successes in securing grants and funding for the city.

In addition to the property purchase and lobbying discussions, the board addressed staffing concerns, particularly in the finance and human resources departments. A proposal was made to reconsider the city’s strategy of outsourcing these functions and explore the possibility of hiring a full-time finance director. Comparative budgetary information from surrounding municipalities, such as Indian Rocks Beach and the Town of Bel Air, was presented to highlight different staffing structures and costs. The commissioners agreed to revisit the topic in a future workshop, with a commitment to conduct further research on the matter.

The board also considered several other items, including a contract renewal with the Gulf Beaches Public Library, requiring a financial commitment of approximately $99,780 for the fiscal year 2025-2026. Unanimous support was given to this motion. Additionally, the commissioners approved a final payout from FEMA related to administrative work following Hurricane Ian in 2022, described as a straightforward process requiring the mayor’s signature.

A discussion arose about the compensation for the acting city manager, who also serves as the fire chief. A proposed compensation structure, based on the new city manager’s proposed salary, was agreed upon, settling on $4,500 per month. The commissioners emphasized the importance of competitive salaries to attract qualified candidates for the city manager position, with suggestions that a salary of around $200,000 may be necessary to secure top talent.

Further, the meeting addressed the need for a “wish list” of projects for the upcoming legislative session to be presented to lobbyists. This list, led by the public works department, included projects like the public works and fire department training facility and road improvements focused on drainage. However, some critical areas such as resilience efforts and undergrounding utilities were not included, prompting a discussion on funding complexities and the evolving federal focus on resilience in coastal communities.

Finally, the city attorney raised a significant legal matter concerning the snack shack concessionaire, who had threatened litigation against the city. Members were advised to exercise caution in interactions with the concessionaire, directing any inquiries to the attorney due to legal implications.