The most pressing topic was the property tax millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year. The proposed millage rate, which has remained constant for about a decade, underwent scrutiny, given the final taxable valuation for Treasure Island showed an increase of approximately 11.57% over the previous year. The commission discussed the implications of maintaining the same rate, emphasizing that while the rate could be decreased, increasing it would require significant notification to property owners. Questions arose regarding the allocation of the budget increase of over $600,000 and its reflection in the budget document. During the public comment section, a resident inquired about how the increase in property tax values would impact the budget and where this increase would appear as a placeholder.

Another issue was the bid opening for the living shoreline project, which came in around a million dollars over the anticipated cost. This prompted the necessity for further evaluation and discussion. The City Manager reported on the bid, and the commission underscored the need for the project to conform to the city’s resiliency standards, as emphasized by public concerns regarding the Treasure Bay project and its alignment with the Elevate TI initiative. Residents questioned the project’s timing and risks in light of the Elevate TI’s emphasis on raising seawalls for safety and resilience.

The commission also debated the Charter Review Committee’s authorization, a process aimed at engaging the community and collecting input on potential charter amendments. The discussion included the upcoming Elevate TI presentation and the commission’s role in the process.

The city’s transportation services were also on the agenda, with a renewal of the agreement with PSTA for trolley and Paratransit Services. The renewal saw a true-up adjustment of about 10%, followed by 7% annual increases. The Paratransit services experienced a higher increase due to increased utilization and new market-rate contracts. The city’s cost for these services was budgeted at $334,500 for fiscal year 2025.

Concerns regarding the safety of electric bikes prompted suggestions that regulations should be established to protect pedestrians. Updates on events, such as the Oyster Garden event and the implementation of pay-by-plate parking, were provided. Additionally, the City Attorney clarified the deadline for ballot language, which is determined by the supervisor of elections and cannot be altered by the city. An ADA coordinator is available for accommodations.

The commission approved the purchase of a replacement parking enforcement vehicle, a Hybrid Toyota Rav4, with the total purchase and upfitting costs not to exceed $45,000. The decision to expedite the availability of the vehicle for an additional $1,500 was supported in light of the positive impact on parking fine collection.

The First Amendment to the interim city manager agreement was approved, providing a transition period of up to two weeks after the new city manager’s start date. This extension was aimed at ensuring a smooth transition and continuity of ongoing projects.

Lastly, the commission passed a motion to authorize the mayor to execute the service agreement for the Gulf Beaches Public Library for fiscal year 2025. The funding request, which was 6.3% higher than the previous year, was justified by increased usage of the library’s services, including outreach and computer programs for children.