FORT PIERCE – Fort Pierce city officials say the city could not roll back its 2027 millage rate and still balance next year’s $73.2 million budget that covers everything from police operations to trash pick-up.
So it will again levy 6.9 mills that’s expected to generate about $5.5 million more tax revenue than this year, a product of rising property values and growth.
Fort Pierce’s city levy would have been 6.5461 mills without Tuesday’s Fort Pierce City Commission action.
The budget includes no money for cost-of-living pay increases next year for any city employees, including police officers.
It does reflect the addition of two new positions – code enforcement officers – that will be paid for from taxes allocated to the city’s redevelopment district.
Finance Director Johnna Morris predicted Tuesday night that the budget will “need drastic cuts” if 60 percent of Florida voters approve a constitutional amendment this November that will substantially decrease tax bills by significantly increasing exemptions that will lower taxable homestead property values.
The budget also predicts that Fort Pierce’s debt from its sale of long-term bonds to finance major projects will be half of the $96 million it owed in 2012. In 2027, the debt balance is predicted at $48.7 million.
Fort Pierce commissioners said the best news is that the city is four years away from having no capital debt.
The budget also included spending plans for the city’s six “Enterprise Funds.” The Marina’s operation will take $7.9 million, an increase of about $168,000; Solid Waste, $11.4 million, down about $460,000; Golf Course, $1.86 million, up $83,205; Building, $6.9 million, up $87,531; and Animal Shelter, $1.1 million, up nearly $100,000.
The budget for Sunrise Theatre operations was cut by more than half, going from about $4.7 million this year to a proposed operating cost of $2.3 million in 2027. Officials said that’s due to a contract recently signed with a professional theatre management group to take over operations at the downtown venue.
The majority of 2027 capital improvement funds will go to police projects at $2.3 million and $1.9 million for facilities maintenance.
Overall, providing police services will take the largest share of general fund spending. The 2027 police budget is about $25.4 million, which represents 35 percent of the city’s total general fund spending.
Overall, a city resident who owns a property assessed at $150,000 can expect to pay $3,604.40 this year, based on total millage of just over 24 mills levied by St. Lucie County, schools, fire district and the city. The City of Fort Pierce’s share represents about 29 percent.
There were no public comments at Tuesday’s hearing before commissioners voted unanimously to adopt both the 2027 millage rate and the 2026-27 general fund budget that goes into effect Oct. 1.