The commission’s primary discussion centered around the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025. A point of debate was the absence of positions for economic development and code enforcement in the proposed budget. One member expressed strong disappointment, highlighting that the commission had previously made it clear that they wanted these positions included. The staff suggested that adjustments could be made through a budget amendment to be presented in early October.

The topic of employee salary adjustments also generated considerable discussion. There was a proposal to increase the cost of living adjustment (COLA) from 3% to 5%, while maintaining a 3% merit increase. The financial implications of this proposal were acknowledged, with an estimated cost of $116,000. A staff member provided insights into the current pay scales for hourly employees, revealing that Treasure Island’s salaries were below average compared to other municipalities. This was supported by data showing a trend of other cities conducting pay studies and increasing salaries. The notion of conducting a formal pay study was briefly discussed, with costs ranging from $22,000 to $50,000, depending on the comprehensiveness of the study. Some members showed consensus on supporting the proposed salary increase, conditional on receiving further documentation and analysis to substantiate the adjustments.

Another focal point of the budget discussion was the treatment of carryovers, particularly the golf course budget. Questions were raised about why the golf course was categorized differently from other carryover items, given its budget overruns. A member expressed a preference for consistency, advocating for the golf course to be treated like other carryover items. The member suggested labeling the funding more generically as “Treasure Bay improvements” to include other potential projects within the area.

Public comments reflected residents’ concerns about various financial and operational issues. One speaker emphasized the need for raises for city employees, arguing that their hard work should be recognized. They pointed out ongoing issues within city management. The speaker also expressed frustration over the lack of substantial progress on golf course improvements despite budget allocations.

The lift station project was another issue raised by residents. One speaker described the situation as “ridiculous,” highlighting that it had been unresolved for nearly three years and warning about a potential sewage crisis. The urgency of decoupling the lift station project from other budget considerations was stressed, and an alternative approach of outsourcing garbage collection was proposed to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Another resident, Byron Magby, echoed concerns about carryover projects, particularly criticizing the inclusion of the golf course in the carryover budget. He called for a examination of ongoing projects and a more fiscal approach to the city’s finances. Magby also highlighted the lift station as a priority, urging immediate action despite potential increased costs.

During the meeting, the commission also addressed the adoption of Ordinance 2024-21, which establishes the property tax rate for fiscal year 2025. The proposed millage rate was set at 3.81, approximately 10.04% higher than the rollback rate of 3.46. The total taxable value for Treasure Island was reported to be approximately $3.157 billion. Following a public hearing, the ordinance was approved, with a second public hearing scheduled for September 17, 2024.

Further discussions included the proposed citywide fee schedule under Ordinance 2024-23. Adjustments were made to revert golf rates to their previous year’s amounts, considering potential disruptions from the living shoreline project. Parking pass fees were also clarified, with a consensus to balance incentives for digital use while accommodating those needing physical passes.

The commission concluded the meeting with routine procedural matters, including the approval of board and committee appointments and the extension of the General Public Services subrecipient agreement with Directions for Living, which had successfully assisted vulnerable populations in the area. The meeting adjourned after confirming the renewal of the Advanced Life Support First Responder contract with the Pinellas County EMS Authority.