SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Adopt Ordinance 9793-24 on second reading, adopting an operating budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024 and ending September 30, 2025; authorizing the City Manager to issue such instructions that are necessary to achieve and accomplish the service programs so authorized; authorizing the City Manager to transfer monies and programs among the departments and activities within any fund as provided by Chapter 2 of the Clearwater Code of Ordinances.
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 budget. The adoption of this ordinance and the related ordinances adopting the 2024/25 millage rate and the Capital Improvement Budget are an integral part of fulfilling these requirements.
On June 28, 2024, 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 2024/25 fiscal year. The City Manager presented the preliminary budget at the City Council meeting on July 15, 2024, for Council discussion and citizen input. In addition, a Special Budget Work Session was held on August 14, 2024, for Council discussion of the proposed budget.
The following changes have been made to the preliminary operating budget and are included in the ordinance for adoption of the fiscal year 2024/25 operating budget.
In the General Fund:
• Revenues are adjusted, netting to zero, to account for revenues in the correct categories.
• Expenditures are adjusted, netting to zero, decreasing the City Manager’s Office budget by $361,047 to transfer the Neighborhoods Division to Public Communications.
In the Water & Sewer Fund:
• Revenues are adjusted to recognize the use of fund reserves/equity of $3,053,470 necessary to balance the budget.
• Expenditures are adjusted, increasing the Wastewater Collection program by $7,811,880 to account for transfers to the capital improvement fund for the Ft. Harrison Improvements and Public Works Complex projects.
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.
