The biggest day-to-day impact for residents is likely on utility bills and fees. In the draft FY 2027 budget, city staff said water rates would rise 5.25 percent, wastewater and reclaimed water rates would go up 3 percent, and solid waste and recycling fees would increase 3 percent. The recycling surcharge would also rise from 10 to 16 percent. One bill would ease a bit: the stormwater operating rate would drop from 8.55 to 6.03.
Beyond bills, the city is planning a leaner budget overall. City Manager James Clinch presented a roughly $161.5 million spending plan, about 7 percent lower than last year, with the general fund down just over 9 percent. Staff said eight positions would be eliminated, but all were vacant, so no current employees would lose jobs. The city also plans to keep its operating property tax rate at 3.845 mills, with debt service at .3451, even though taxable value growth was essentially flat.
Council also backed a notable change to a beach project. After staff said the Venice Beach pavilion roof had held up through multiple storms, Mayor Nick Pachota asked for consensus to scale the project back from a $500,000 replacement approach to a $150,000 refurbishment. Council agreed by consensus.
There were also warnings about the future. Clinch said a proposed statewide property-tax change could eventually cut about $5.5 million from the general fund, and staff plans to study what that would mean for services after this budget process.
The next budget workshop is scheduled for July 8.
Key takeaways: - City Manager James Clinch presented a draft FY 2027 budget totaling approximately $161.5 million, described as about a 7 percent reduction from last year, with the general fund reduced by just over 9 percent and eight positions eliminated across multiple departments. Staff said the eliminated positions were vacant positions. (0:02:02)
Staff said the city plans to keep the operating millage at 3.845 mills, with debt service millage at .3451. Staff also said taxable value growth was effectively flat, with new construction offsetting declines in existing property values. (0:22:38) (0:38:07)
Staff said the budget includes an $800,000 transfer from the general fund to start a new fleet services operating and maintenance fund, and council gave consensus to reduce the Venice Beach pavilion roof project from $500,000 to $150,000 and change the project approach to refurbishment. (0:19:09) (0:58:31)
Staff said utility and fee changes in the draft include a 3 percent increase for wastewater and reclaimed water rates, a 5.25 percent water-rate increase, a decrease in the stormwater O&M rate from 8.55 to 6.03 per equivalent stormwater factor, a solid waste recycling surcharge increase from 10 to 16 percent, and a 3 percent increase in solid waste and recycling fees. (0:19:50) (0:20:32) (0:21:00)
Budget introduction and citywide overview
Mayor Nick Pachota called the meeting to order, led the pledge, and turned to City Manager James Clinch for the FY 2027 budget introduction. Kevin Engelke was not present at roll call. Rachel Frank, Rick Howard, Lloyd Weed, and Nick Pachota were recorded as present. Ron Smith was called during roll call, and later spoke during the meeting. Vice Mayor Jim Bolt was referenced during roll call, (0:01:07) (0:01:23) (0:01:29) (0:01:23) (0:01:29) (0:01:23) (0:01:29)
James Clinch said the draft FY 2027 budget had been in development since January and reflected a “level revenue environment” for property taxes while service costs continued to rise. He said the budget totaled approximately $161.5 million, down about 7 percent from last year; the general fund was reduced by just over 9 percent; and eight positions were being eliminated across multiple departments. He said the budget also included the launch of an in-house fleet maintenance program, continued capital improvements, and implementation of the new county parks interlocal agreement without adding city staff. (0:02:02)
James Clinch also said preliminary calculations on a proposed November property-tax reform measure showed a possible general fund reduction of about $5.5 million, or around 10 percent, when fully implemented. He said staff would analyze what a 10 percent general fund reduction would mean for city services after the budget process. (0:05:44)
Council Member Ron Smith said he viewed the message as positive and discussed the possible future effect of the statewide property-tax measure. He said property taxes were a fraction of total city revenues and said the city could manage reductions through adjustments. (0:11:07)
Finance Director Linda Senne said two funds were being closed: the second occupational license tax fund and the police community fund. She said a new police services operating and maintenance fund was being added, funded initially by an $800,000 transfer from the general fund. She said the proposed budget added 3.5 FTEs for the new fleet services fund and eliminated eight positions total: two in the general fund, four in the building fund, and two in the utilities fund. She later said all eight eliminated positions were vacant and that no employee was losing a job. She said total city staffing would go from 410.4 FTEs to 405.9 FTEs. (0:18:24) (0:21:51) (0:23:16) (0:24:35)
Rates, fees, and millage
Linda Senne said wastewater and reclaimed water rates would increase 3 percent on October 1, 2026; water rates would increase 5.25 percent, with 2.25 percent earmarked for future water treatment plant relocation or upgrades; the stormwater O&M rate would decrease from 8.55 to 6.03 per equivalent stormwater factor; the water quality rate would remain $2 per equivalent water quality factor per month; the solid waste recycling surcharge was expected to increase from 10 to 16 percent; solid waste and recycling fees would increase 3 percent on October 1, 2026; mobile home park rents would rise 10 percent in January 2027 as the first year of a seven-year schedule; and the building department and airport were each undergoing rate studies. (0:19:50)
Linda Senne said taxable value change was 0.07% and that the city projected keeping the operating millage at 3.845 mills. She said debt service millage would be .3451. She later said the rollback rate would be 3.9403 and that rolling back would mean increasing the millage rate. (0:22:38) (0:38:07) (0:41:26)
Mayor Nick Pachota and Council Member Rachel Frank both commented on prior millage changes and the city’s EMS-related millage history. (0:39:00) (0:39:53)
General fund discussion
Linda Senne reviewed general fund changes, including increases in utility taxes, investment income, Venice Pier Group revenue, and administrative charges, and decreases in casualty insurance premiums, half-cent sales tax, planning fees, WCIND grant revenue, gas tax transfer, and a public works utility-cut reimbursement line. She said the apparent $800,000 general fund shortfall reflected the one-time transfer to start the fleet fund and that staff considered the budget balanced aside from that transfer. (0:33:13) (0:35:08) (0:43:03)
Council Member Lloyd Weed asked about the “other” category in general fund expenditures, and Linda Senne said it included departments such as the city manager’s office, finance, HR, and planning and zoning. She said staff would email a breakdown and include it more clearly in future budget materials. (0:25:41) (0:36:15)
Council Member Ron Smith asked about FEMA reimbursements. Linda Senne said the city still hoped to receive additional FEMA money for Hurricanes Milton and Helene, estimating $1 million to $2 million, but said the city does not record the revenue until it is received. (0:29:30)
Council Member Rachel Frank asked about reserves for the Wellfield Park obligation. Linda Senne said the budget reserved $300,000 from the general fund in case park impact fees were not sufficient to meet the city’s $1 million annual obligation under the county agreement. (0:44:39)
Vice Mayor Jim Bolt asked about reserve policies. Linda Senne said the general fund reserve policy was 25 percent and the utility fund reserve policy was six months because of bond covenants. She said stronger reserves help the city obtain lower interest rates. (0:46:16)
Capital improvement program
Linda Senne reviewed changes since the earlier CIP workshop. She said playground equipment was moved from FY 2027 to FY 2028; Venice Community Center technical enhancements and a sound system were moved into FY 2027; a generator project there was reduced to a generator switch; a $450,000 transfer was added for a fire truck; Heckscher Park and Triangle Inn were moved into the one-cent sales tax fund; a public works building mitigation project was added with 75 percent grant funding; and a $90,000 fleet services vehicle was added. (0:49:14) (0:50:15) (0:51:33) (0:52:46)
Public Works Director Ricky Simpson said the Venice Beach pavilion roof project could be changed from a larger roof replacement approach to a refurbishment approach after the building had performed through multiple storms. He said the current budget included $50,000 in design and $500,000 for the project, and the revised approach would reduce the project to about $125,000 [transcript conflict: later discussed as $150,000]. (0:56:10)
After discussion, Mayor Nick Pachota asked for consensus to change the project from $500,000 to $150,000 and revise the project approach. The mayor asked for consensus by head nod and then stated there was consensus. No roll-call vote was taken in the transcript. (0:58:31)
Council Member Lloyd Weed asked about the IT backup-site server project budgeted at $521,700. IT Director Roger Navarro said the hardware would serve as an insurance policy for systems that are not yet cloud-based and would avoid a potential outage of up to two weeks if the city’s primary data center failed. He said staff could provide a cost-benefit analysis comparing that hardware approach with a cloud-based alternative. The item remained in the budget for now, with staff to bring back more information. (1:08:53) (1:11:02)
Linda Senne also presented a new summary sheet showing grant funding by fund and project, which she said had been requested by Council Member Lloyd Weed and would be included in future CIP materials. (1:04:28)
Fire and EMS
Fire Chief Frank Giddens discussed EMS transport fees after questions from Council Member Ron Smith. Ron Smith said EMS costs had risen and asked whether transport fees could be increased. Chief Giddens said current fees are tied to CPI under an adopted ordinance and are generally in line with Sarasota County, North Port, and Longboat Key, though some East Coast and Tampa Bay area agencies charge more. He said fees could be adjusted through council action. (1:13:24) (1:16:00)
James Clinch said any changes to fire or EMS funding mechanisms should begin with studies so charges can be tied directly to service costs. He also mentioned the possibility of a fire assessment fee as another funding mechanism. (1:18:18)
Chief Giddens said the department runs roughly 9,000 calls a year and that 83 percent are EMS calls. He said EMS transport fees are charged only when a patient is transported. (1:14:53) (1:23:22)
Council Member Rachel Frank asked about rescue units. Chief Giddens said the department currently has four frontline rescues in service, with a goal of adding a fifth once staffing allows, and seven rescues total including reserves. (1:23:41)
Council Member Rachel Frank also pointed out a fund-balance figure in the fire impact fee section that Linda Senne said appeared to be a formula error and would be corrected. (1:24:46)
Council Member Lloyd Weed asked about a jump in professional services. Chief Giddens said it reflected overlap during a transition from one EMS billing company to another, along with medical director and physical costs, and said the increase was a one-time issue. (1:26:00)
Police
Police Chief Andy Leisenring answered questions on several budget items. Council Member Ron Smith thanked him for the police academy and accreditation work and asked about bike patrols. Chief Leisenring said the department had added e-bikes to its fleet, mainly for special events and for use when staffing allows. (1:32:57)
Council Member Rachel Frank asked about the elder crimes detective position. Chief Leisenring said the position had been created a couple of years earlier but had not yet been filled because patrol staffing needs had taken priority. He said elder crime and cryptocurrency-related losses remained a concern. (1:35:24)
Vice Mayor Jim Bolt asked about the $65,700 for Salvation Army beds in the community outreach program. Chief Leisenring said the city had previously used grant support from Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, but those grants had ended. He said the city was now using opioid settlement funds rather than general fund money to support four beds, and that the beds had been filled about 90 percent of the time. (1:36:35) (1:38:46)
Mayor Nick Pachota said he wanted to defer broader police budget discussion until the staffing study presentation scheduled for the following Tuesday and asked whether any decisions from that meeting could be reflected in budget materials for July 8. Linda Senne said yes. (1:39:18)
Planning and zoning / historical resources
Planning and Zoning Director Roger Clark said the seaboard area work was moving from the adopted master plan into more detailed technical planning for the first phase, focused largely on city-owned property. He said consultants would present on July 14. He also said staff had spoken with the Corps of Engineers about the marina and swing bridge concepts and had not received “serious red flags,” though permitting would be significant and the swing bridge could be more difficult because of navigation issues. (1:42:09)
Roger Clark said the parks master plan public outreach had been pushed into August through October to capture more seasonal residents, and that the Citizen Advisory Board would be used in place of a former parks advisory board. (1:44:47)
On affordable housing, Roger Clark said the city had adopted code provisions, had a density bonus process, and was working with projects including Family Promise and the housing authority area tied to future fire station relocation. He said land values in Venice make affordable housing difficult. (1:46:46)
Historical Resources Manager Harry Klinkofe said any revised work on the Venice Beach pavilion would need to follow Secretary of the Interior guidelines for rehabilitation because the building is on the local register. He also explained that a $5,000 “wrap up cake” line item referred to a closing centennial event in May 2027 in Centennial Park, not only cake. (1:49:36) (1:50:42)
Human resources
HR Director Alan Bullock explained a 44 percent increase in the health insurance line by citing employee and dependent counts, high-cost claims, and pharmaceutical costs. He said reinsurance costs had also risen because of recent claims history. (1:55:58)
Alan Bullock also explained employee recognition and orientation items in the supplemental budget detail, including a loyalty or milestone program, a President’s Program for merit awards, and a bus tour orientation program for new hires. (1:57:49)
Council Member Ron Smith asked about a memo from AFSCME leadership regarding wage discussions. Alan Bullock said the union had requested a 3.5 percent step increase plus a 4.5 percent adjustment to the grade-step table, for an 8 percent base-pay increase. He said the city’s initial offer had been a 2 percent one-time payment with no step increase and no grade-step adjustment, and that negotiations were still in early stages. James Clinch said his earlier email to staff about property-tax reform was intended to explain that there would be no direct impact on FY 2027, but that recurring expenses such as salaries could be affected in future years. (2:00:50) (2:03:11)
City attorney
City Attorney Kelly Fernandez said the city attorney office attends city council meetings and boards with quasi-judicial functions, including HAPB, Planning Commission, and special magistrate matters, but not boards without quasi-judicial functions such as the Citizen Advisory Board. She said overall legal spending varies significantly by year depending on litigation and special projects. (2:06:47)
Finance and city manager comments
Council members commented that the digital access to detailed budget backup this year was helpful. Linda Senne confirmed the city had always had the detail but had not previously printed it because of the volume of pages. (2:12:49)
Mayor Nick Pachota and Council Member Lloyd Weed both thanked Linda Senne and finance staff for the budget materials and responsiveness. (2:14:36) (2:15:11)
Stormwater and engineering
City Engineer Jon Kramer said staff was discussing a transfer of maintenance responsibility with Sarasota County that would involve Curry Creek and Deertown Gully. He said the current concept was for the county to take over Curry Creek and the city to take over Deertown Gully. City Attorney Kelly Fernandez said the city was also evaluating information from Sawgrass regarding maintenance responsibility for a portion of Curry Creek and might pursue either a mutually agreed resolution or a declaratory judgment action. (2:21:08) (2:22:28)
Linda Senne said stormwater rates are set based on expected operating and project costs, which is why the O&M rate was decreasing. James Clinch and Jon Kramer said the stormwater program’s main limitation was staff time rather than funding, and that the proposed budget included $150,000 for capital project management consulting support to help move more projects forward. (2:23:23) (2:24:34)
Jon Kramer said the recently updated stormwater management plan was being used to prioritize projects. He also said Flamingo Ditch phase one was programmed for FY 2027, while annexation and preliminary work were already underway in the current year. He said the excavated lot there would likely appear as an extension of the ditch, with the design focused on maximizing storage. (2:25:44) (2:27:23) (2:29:39)
Public works, parks, fleet, and solid waste
Ricky Simpson said the city was preparing to take over additional parks under the county interlocal agreement and expected to maintain service levels without adding staff. He said mowing on the Venetian Waterway Trail and restroom cleaning would be contracted out, while other work would remain in-house. (2:32:24)
Ricky Simpson said the public works building needed impact windows, a generator, and roofing improvements, and that the generator had failed during [unclear] storm operations. (2:36:06)
Council Member Rachel Frank asked about the recent solid waste schedule change. Ricky Simpson said he had heard very little feedback, which he described as a good sign, and said staff had done extensive public outreach. Mayor Nick Pachota said he had heard positive feedback from neighbors. (2:39:12)
Building department
Building Official Derek Applegate said the elimination of four vacant positions in the building fund reflected changes in the industry and the city’s use of private providers. He said developers can hire private providers for plan review and inspections, and that those providers report back to the city, which then verifies completion before issuing certificates of occupancy. He said this trend is occurring across Florida. (2:41:18)
Airport
Because Airport Director Nick Dumas was out on medical leave, James Clinch and Linda Senne answered airport questions. James Clinch said Nick Dumas was still working remotely and responding to public questions about the airport master plan. He said the city was trying to provide direct and clear information about what the master plan does and does not do. (2:45:00)
Linda Senne said fuel flowage revenue was projected lower because fewer people were fueling at the airport even though traffic was up. James Clinch added that staff had been directed to meet with the FBO about increasing the fuel flowage fee and that any resulting increase was not yet reflected in the budget. (2:46:25)
On airport noise complaints, James Clinch said the city was in transition in the airport community outreach manager position, with the current employee’s last day being that day. He said the city had improved from having very limited response to having a dedicated person receiving, verifying, and following up on complaints, and that a new hire would be brought in after a short vacancy. (2:48:49)
On a lease default issue, James Clinch said the city had sent a default letter to a tenant a few weeks earlier, that the tenant had responded, and that staff and the city attorney would meet with the tenant before deciding next steps. City Attorney Kelly Fernandez said the tenant had not met the cure terms set out in the city’s letter, but had disputed the city’s claims in a written response. (2:50:52) (2:52:12)
Council Member Ron Smith asked about possible airport-funded landscaping, berms, fences, or noise walls along Airport Avenue. James Clinch said those ideas had come from the community during the master plan process, that FAA and FDOT would not fund some of those discretionary improvements, and that staff wanted them included in the master plan so they could be pursued when airport finances allow. (2:55:24)
Utilities
Utilities Director Javier Vargas said the city had completed almost seven of eight phases of island pipe replacement work and still needed to revisit some earlier phases because not all pipe had been replaced at that time. He also identified East Gate and Bay Indies as areas of concern outside the island. (3:01:01)
Javier Vargas said the city was working on a reclaimed water master plan and had about $1 million per year for the next five years for reclaimed water work. (3:02:43)
On the water treatment plant, Javier Vargas said the city expected to complete the master plan soon and present a feasibility study early next year. He said the study would look at five options: improving the current plant, relocating and building a new facility, purchasing water from Sarasota County, purchasing water from Peace River, or constructing a seawater desalination plant. (3:03:03)
Adjournment and next workshop date
There was no audience participation. Mayor Nick Pachota said he saw no need to meet the next day unless there was objection, and said the next budget workshop would be July 8. Council Member Ron Smith said he would not be there. The meeting then adjourned. (3:05:28)
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Vote tallies in this recap were checked against the body’s official roll-call record.
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