The meeting began with the first reading of Ordinance 2025-18, which proposed a millage rate of 3.0913 mills per $1,000 of taxable value. Devin Schmidt, the city’s finance director, explained that this reduction aimed to alleviate financial pressure on residents following recent storms. The commission approved the first reading unanimously after a brief discussion.

Following this, the commission considered Ordinance 2025-19, which involved adopting the fiscal year 2026 budget. Schmidt presented an overview, highlighting total governmental fund revenues of $67.2 million against expenditures of $86.7 million, and proprietary funds with $23.3 million in revenues and $36 million in expenditures. The budget included a substantial capital improvement plan focusing on projects like seawall replacements and infrastructure enhancements, totaling approximately $58.7 million. The absence of questions during the meeting was attributed to prior discussions, and the ordinance was also unanimously approved.

The commission then approved a resolution to maintain the current stormwater service assessments, with tier one assessed at $64.32 per parcel and tier two based on impervious surface area, set at $119.43 per equivalent residential unit. This decision came without changes to the existing tiers.

Transitioning to law enforcement matters, the commission considered renewing the interlocal agreement with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant City Manager Adam Puyer outlined the contract, which began in 2013 when the city transitioned from its own police force to the sheriff’s department. The contract cost, now over $2 million, reflects staffing changes and rising personnel costs. Notable adjustments included reducing the number of community policing deputies from three to two and decreasing the maximum budget for secondary employment from $250,000 to $150,000. These changes aimed to control costs while maintaining service quality.

Sheriff Gutier addressed the commission. He pointed out that the flexible staffing model allows the city to adjust police presence based on community needs, likening it to a grocery store that staffs according to customer volume. This approach, Gutier stated, ensures that St. Pete Beach remains a safe and secure community, particularly given its reliance on tourism.

Commissioners raised concerns about community policing, particularly in specific districts where communication between officers and residents was reportedly lacking. The commission emphasized the importance of officers participating in neighborhood meetings to foster better relationships with residents.

In addition to law enforcement, the commission discussed landscaping contracts and the need to prioritize native species in city efforts. Concerns were raised about the inclusion of invasive species in current contracts, prompting the public services director to commit to revising the list of acceptable plant species.

The North Beach Historic Survey Grant Agreement was another key topic, with the community development director expressing enthusiasm about the grant’s potential for historical preservation. The agreement was approved unanimously.

The commission also tackled the administration of conditional use permits (CUPs), highlighting the need for a more nuanced fee structure to cover administrative costs. There was a call to track the performance and compliance of approved CUPs more effectively, with a comprehensive presentation on the process promised for the next meeting.

A significant issue discussed was the elevated chloride levels in wastewater entering the St. Petersburg Northwest water reclamation facility from St. Pete Beach. The increase, attributed to saltwater intrusion due to inflow and infiltration, prompted the city to conduct a review of its sewer system. A capital improvement plan was approved, though not fully funded, to address these issues.

Further discussions revolved around development regulations, particularly concerning setbacks and staircases for new constructions. With approximately 200 demolition permits issued, signaling a wave of new builds, the commission considered revising land development codes to accommodate design changes while adhering to existing regulations.