SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve the fiscal year 2025/26 Annual Capital Improvement Budget, establish a six-year plan for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and pass Ordinance 9850-25 on first reading.
Body
SUMMARY:
In accordance with Chapter 200 of the Florida Statutes and the rules governing Truth in Millage (TRIM) compliance, the City Council must hold two public hearings to adopt the final budget. The adoption of this ordinance and the related ordinances adopting the 2025/26 millage rate and operating budget are an integral part of fulfilling these requirements.
On June 30, 2025, the City Manager provided the City Council with a Preliminary Annual Operating and Capital Improvement Budget that outlined estimates of revenues and expenditures for the 2025/26 fiscal year. The City Manager presented the preliminary budget at the City Council meeting on July 10, 2025, for Council discussion and citizen input. In addition, a Special Budget Work Session was held on August 6, 2025, for Council discussion of the proposed budget.
The following changes have been made to the Preliminary Capital Improvement Budget and are included in the ordinance for adoption of the capital improvement budget.
• The Clearwater Country Club Bridge Replacement project has been removed from the Capital Improvement Budget. This change is due to the golf course operator assuming full responsibility for managing and funding the replacement of bridges.
• Two state grants have been awarded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) resulting in the following project increases:
• North Beach Stormwater Project - $1,500,000 budgeted in fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
• Citywide Docks & Seawalls Project - $1,500,000 budgeted in fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
The budgeting process aligns resource allocation to the advancement of our community in all five strategic priorities: high performing government, economic and housing opportunity, community well-being, environmental stewardship, and superior public service.
