SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve the City of Clearwater Annual Operating Budget for the 2016/17 fiscal year and pass Ordinance 8946-16 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 budget. The adoption of this ordinance and the related ordinances adopting the 2016/17 millage rate and the Capital Improvement Budget are an integral part of fulfilling these requirements.
On June 30, 2016, 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 2016/17 fiscal year. The City Manager presented the preliminary budget at the City Council meeting on July 21, 2016, and at the August 4, 2016 Special Budget Council meeting for Council discussion and citizen input.
At the Special Budget Council meeting on August 4, 2016, Council approved an increase in the General Fund to provide increased funding for the Nagano program in fiscal year 2016/17. On September 1, 2016, Council approved an amendment to the Pier 60 program to add funding for two additional FTE’s. The fiscal year 2016/17 General Fund budget is being increased for the full year funding of these additional positions. These are the only changes to the Preliminary Operating Budget at this time.