Bradenton Beach begins budgeting process and will keep the current 2.3329 millage rate

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials will maintain the current 2.3329 millage rate in the $4.85 million budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year beginning October 1. The proposed budget reflects a $359,969 increase over the current fiscal year ending September 30.

Mayor John Chappie, commissioners, department heads, and city treasurer held their first 2024-25 fiscal year budget meeting on July 16. Mayor Chappie emphasized the budget's importance, stating, “The budget is the single most important document that we act on throughout our year. The budget is a reflection of where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going as a community.” He also expressed gratitude to the department heads and city staff for their ongoing work on the budget.

Bradenton Beach’s budgeting process starts with each department head preparing a budget that serves as a needs and wish list. The city treasurer compiles these into a budget worksheet for review and tentative approval by the mayor and commission. On July 16, the mayor and commission tentatively approved each departmental budget and the proposed 2.3329 millage rate.

City Treasurer Shayne Thompson stated that the new fiscal year budget is built on two primary assumptions: maintaining the current millage rate and providing the city’s hourly employees with 8% wage increases and a $500 increase to tiered longevity bonuses, now ranging from $1,250 to $2,500 based on length of employment. Salaried department heads will also receive pay increases, though exact figures were not provided.

“With those assumptions, the budget is very sound,” Thompson said.

Thompson later provided additional details, noting that department heads and himself, a salaried non-department head, will receive 8% salary increases along with "salary equalization adjustments" to align with what other cities pay. City Clerk Terri Sanclemente will receive a $10,000 salary equalization adjustment in addition to an 8% increase. The same adjustments will apply to the future replacement for recently departed Public Works Director Tom Woodard. Thompson and Police Chief/Emergency Operations Manager John Cosby will receive $5,000 salary equalization adjustments plus their 8% increases. Building Official Darin Cushing’s salary is determined by his direct employer, a third-party firm.

The city expects to receive $2.47 million in ad valorem tax revenues in the coming fiscal year, up from $2.26 million this year. Increased property values mean that maintaining the current millage rate will result in higher property tax bills for Bradenton Beach property owners. Factoring in grants, matching funds, and other revenues, the city anticipates total revenues of $5.05 million, compared to $4.56 million this fiscal year. Some non-ad valorem revenue projections may change slightly before the final budget is published and adopted in September.

Thompson hopes to add $225,000 to $250,000 to the uncommitted reserve fund. Cosby emphasized the importance of a healthy reserve fund for funding post-disaster recovery and cleanup efforts while awaiting reimbursement from FEMA and other agencies.

City Clerk Terri Sanclemente proposes $833,347 for administrative department expenditures, a $74,254 increase. The budget allocates $208,009 for city commission expenditures, including the mayor’s $9,600 annual salary, each commissioner’s $4,800 annual salary, and a $16,000 increase for attorney fees, resulting in a $19,140 overall increase.

Cosby proposes $1.92 million for police department expenditures, including over $1 million for wages and benefits, a $141,043 increase. He also proposes $92,400 for emergency management operations and $109,455 for code enforcement.

As interim public works director, Cosby proposes $503,199 for street and road expenditures, including $366,619 for wages and benefits, a $43,252 increase. For stormwater management, Cosby proposes $249,132, including $158,566 for wages and benefits, a $15,541 increase.

Cushing proposes $498,353 for planning department expenditures, a $31,821 increase. The planning department largely covers its expenses through permitting and development-related fees.

The budget does not propose new capital or infrastructure improvement projects for the coming fiscal year but includes $119,526 carried over for previously planned projects.

CRA Budget

The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) fiscal year budget was discussed separately. The CRA operates as an interconnected entity with its own budget, revenues, expenditures, and project pursuits.

According to Thompson’s CRA budget worksheet, the CRA anticipates $799,724 in redevelopment shared revenues, a $164,065 increase. CRA revenues include a mandatory $145,656 contribution from the city’s general fund, with total anticipated CRA revenues at $948,398, a $167,205 increase.

The worksheet projects $344,606 for total CRA expenditures, including $213,612 for employee wages and salaries, $119,112 for additional policing in the CRA district, and $84,500 for streets and roads-related salaries.

The CRA budget worksheet lists a projected net balance of $603,792, most of which will be carried over into the 2025-26 fiscal year for a utility line undergrounding project in coordination with the replacement of the Cortez Bridge.