[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6550662,"mediaKeyId","5385571-7976aba828c9b992dbf3a2d2d0ed4f30","parentId",5385571,"title","Commission praises city clerk and city attorney; signals support for clerk pay review","audioSeconds",8770,"startMs",415000,"endMs",9185000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385571-7976aba828c9b992dbf3a2d2d0ed4f30&start=415&end=9185","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385571-7976aba828c9b992dbf3a2d2d0ed4f30/thumbnail_415000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6550662/Fort-Pierce/St-Lucie-County/Florida/Commission-praises-city-clerk-and-city-attorney-signals-support-for-clerk-pay-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550662-19672ee8a051e19458b4863601183545/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442847&Signature=XX6vL~IOTNp40S2~YyrPAVTtTfqYa03BFO8F8Grmv-yEmZWADz9mMQepOpRtoKQDhU5QHhkAQnVdwQFzfDRihMlQBfUWfCsak48XOqFaEBYGkbx~JZKFsOnbT4Rn852OM3-TDi-AQRN~k3XLrxOF6khexQSyDt13Jm7Mem1X5D9BGI6RyNYEW4nR9CstXuI-G3npvHJrrTIzLYl7QCfvkkfzluRZEmlzPc0CEPq2DyQXz7Xx8BiNCmpRooq96jIn89SLoAp--1tye6kWEj6uVZi-ns3M9EPUu4wbs6~0leQaKrZ1QEOzFEUT-y8w-ElvxQK7HZJASXJfpZKmmDbXrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fort Pierce","date","2025-07-14T00:00:00Z","article","The City of Fort Pierce Commission conducted its annual performance evaluations of two charter officers during the July 14 budget workshop and publicly praised both officials.

City clerk
Commissioners praised City Clerk Linda Cox and her staff for continuity of operations, public-record management and meeting administration during a challenging period that included Cox’s service as acting city manager. Several commissioners said the clerk’s office has run “seamlessly” and noted the importance of timely agendas, public notices and recordkeeping. Several commissioners told Cox they want to raise her pay beyond the standard staff increases to better align the clerk’s salary with the city’s highest-paid department head. One commissioner proposed a target figure (mentioned in the discussion as $172,000) as a reference point for discussion; commissioners did not set a final amount.

Requests and direction on pay
Commissioners requested a comparative analysis before any change: they asked staff to pull Florida League of Cities (FLC) salary data (or comparable city clerk compensation data) and return with a recommended approach and funding options. Commissioners emphasized that changes to a charter officer’s compensation should be justified and funded in the FY26 budget process and that any increase should reflect the clerk’s charter responsibilities and parity with other charter officers and department heads. The clerk noted she did not have FLC data on hand and that reporting structures and duties vary among city clerks statewide.

City attorney
Commissioners also evaluated City Attorney Sarah Hedges. Several commissioners said Hedges inherited an office with staffing and management challenges and that she has rebuilt the team while demonstrating strong legal and managerial judgment. Commissioners praised her professionalism, responsiveness and counsel and said the city benefits from having an in-house legal team rather than relying primarily on outside counsel.

What the commission directed
- Staff to assemble comparative compensation data (FLC or other benchmarks) for the city clerk position and return with funding proposals during budget deliberations.
- No immediate compensation change enacted at the July 14 workshop; commissioners signaled interest in funding a raise during the FY26 budget process subject to the comparative data and budget tradeoffs.

Why this matters
Clerks and attorneys serve as charter officers with statutory and charter-driven responsibilities; commissioners emphasized that the clerk’s role in records, meeting notice, and legal compliance is central to municipal governance and that compensation should reflect those duties.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fort Pierce - City Commission Regular Meeting - Jul 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During the July 14 budget workshop commissioners commended City Clerk Linda Cox and City Attorney Sarah Hedges for leadership and responsiveness. Commissioners asked staff to return with a salary study and options to realign the clerk's pay with department heads.","taxTitle","Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Florida","taxId",55008,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6550665,"Fort Pierce presents balanced FY26 budget; commissioners debate police pay, solid waste rates and capital priorities",849,2661000,3510000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385571-7976aba828c9b992dbf3a2d2d0ed4f30&start=2661&end=3510","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385571-7976aba828c9b992dbf3a2d2d0ed4f30/thumbnail_2661000.jpg","/articles/6550665/Fort-Pierce/St-Lucie-County/Florida/Fort-Pierce-presents-balanced-FY26-budget-commissioners-debate-police-pay-solid-waste-rates-and-capital-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550665-3129c7bba64be4c5e4de2f974e705f0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442847&Signature=ADXfa7n41Aa0y1nFR0iSBJ7La8c6JfnAe0UG9HSkVZOmXtLg~0uNsclRoAl8Vc386vhHjXeCyDwySqh1KBvqOW3JJWudfXUk52Ty4AvU5oDlQvJ~upSsRDtLTV1IZEi~OsnIMeaW0oZoEM8a0X8XDD5~m-Cr2zWZA8AkgV0vA0lmwydc11PNZ~wP8hTML0QNFqLtbo4HO1f8oootMAskDzjc6Qhw4q8N59CcXQAdabd0rBA9slMTAMHuwmY2rXT8HICgz7U8EJ2ct8fvlCDXLULIAetsE~hqg4~7iBLUHVzcYLYuzmq4AR7pOl0YzfXGu1uV0JCgGlJp4mMPvIu0wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Fort Pierce presented a proposed fiscal year 2025–26 general fund budget of $67,537,211 at a July 14 commission budget workshop. Finance director Morris and city manager Chess described the draft as balanced with no change to the current millage rate (6.9 mills), driven in part by a 10.46% increase in taxable property values that generated an estimated $2,778,920 in additional ad valorem revenue.

Why it matters: Commissioners said public safety and basic services must be funded amid uncertain economic indicators — including a projected probability of recession in the next 12 months cited by staff — and possible state policy changes that could affect local revenue (for example, proposals affecting ad valorem collections or utility/ franchise transfers).

Key numbers and proposals
- Proposed general fund total: $67,537,211 (4.4% increase from current year).
- Millage rate: no change proposed; remains at 6.9 mills.
- Ad valorem/assessed value increase: staff reported a 10.46% rise in taxable property values (estimated $4.88 billion in total assessed value change), producing about $2.78 million more in tax revenue.
- Personnel: net eight new full-time positions proposed in the general fund (city manager’s office, IT/network administrator, two public-safety positions, public works engineer among additions). Police net additions were clarified as two positions overall.
- Cost-of-living: the draft budget includes a 5% across-the-board COLA for bargaining and nonbargaining employees; the draft also includes a 5% COLA for commissioners (to be removed if commissioners so direct).
- Police budget: $20.748 million (about 30.7% of the proposed general fund). Staff adjusted projected sworn personnel costs downward relative to the current year to reflect vacancies and midpoint salary budgeting for anticipated hires; operating and capital lines rise because of technology needs and a planned capital purchase.
- Axon contract: staff identified a vendor/platform (Axon) renewal that would carry a first-year cost of about $767,000 as part of capital/operating technology purchases for patrol-car cameras, body-worn cameras, evidence storage and related systems. The vendor roll-out and procurement path will require coordinated procurement and possibly an RFP.
- Solid waste: Public Works director Jason Atkinson described plans to replace aging collection vehicles through five-year leases and to fund expanded grapple/collection services. The budget shows an increase in solid waste enterprise revenues tied to proposed rate adjustments that would be largely earmarked to cover vehicle lease payments, new personnel for collection, and operational changes; staff said the projected revenue increase is intended to be revenue-neutral for the general fund and to match projected enterprise expenditures.
- Capital projects: the proposed FY26 budget and newly drafted FY26–30 capital improvement plan include restricted capital of $600,000 set aside for coming-year projects; specific projects discussed included street resurfacing financed through surtax programs, FDOT Sun Trail multiuse-path funding, ERP and chamber upgrades, and marina/stormwater engineering.

Police staffing and pay: immediate concern
Commissioners pressed staff on police recruitment and retention. The city currently carries a substantial number of sworn vacancies; the chief reported the department needs the positions but is losing officers after several years of service because nearby agencies offer higher pay. Commissioners discussed possible remedies: an across-the-board pay increase for all departments, a department-specific raise for police, or revenue-side options (millage increase or new impact/assessment). City clerk Cox clarified that impact fees for capital cannot legally be used to fund salaries; they can be used for capital needs.

Scenarios requested
Commissioners asked staff to return with concrete fiscal scenarios at a follow-up meeting next week. Specific direction included:
- Run pay models that show costs for step adjustments plus either a 10% or a 15% market adjustment for sworn officers (and show the city-wide cost implications). City staff noted prior work modeling a 10% option during budget preparations; commissioners asked for both 10% and 15% scenario runs.
- Identify recurring versus one-time revenue sources and where proposed recurring personnel costs would be funded.
- Identify line-item reductions, vacancy-based savings and other expenditure adjustments that could help offset payroll increases if the commission wishes to avoid a millage increase.

Other budget items discussed
- FPRA and marina: FPRA representatives discussed multi-year redevelopment and infrastructure projects (Depot Drive enhancements, Indian River Drive improvements under a state job-growth appropriation, and Harbor Point boat-ramp support); marina director Dean Kubicak described an immediate need for dredging and consultants to scope dredging and a potential marina expansion to improve basin resiliency and navigation. Commissioners discussed coordinating grants to offset some project costs.
- Debt and surtax: Finance director Morris highlighted recent debt reduction and available borrowing capacity; commissioners discussed the importance of surtax-funded roadwork and the need to maintain a public campaign to preserve surtax funding when it next goes before voters.
- Grants and CDBG/SHIP: staff described reallocation of unspent CDBG funds toward parks and infrastructure projects and reminded commissioners that grant-funded projects carry compliance and timeliness constraints.

Next steps
Commissioners directed staff to return with the requested pay/compensation scenarios, revenue options (including the fiscal impact of small millage increases), and proposed expenditure adjustments at a working session next week so the commission can refine direction for the final FY26 budget. Staff advised the commission of a deadline to certify a preliminary (TRIM) rate and materials; the mayor and commissioners asked for follow-up modelling in advance of that submittal.

What the commission did not decide
No final decision was made at the July 14 workshop on police pay, a millage change, or solid waste user-fee adoption; staff were instructed to prepare scenarios and additional background to inform those decisions.","City staff presented a $67.54 million balanced FY26 general fund budget with no change to the 6.9 millage rate. Commissioners pressed for options to address police pay and staffing shortages, discussed a proposed 5% cost-of-living increase for all employees, and asked staff to return with 10% and 15% pay scenarios and revenue options.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6550670,"Commission approves contract, accepts two DEP wastewater grant resolutions",143,186000,329000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385571-7976aba828c9b992dbf3a2d2d0ed4f30&start=186&end=329","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385571-7976aba828c9b992dbf3a2d2d0ed4f30/thumbnail_186000.jpg","/articles/6550670/Fort-Pierce/St-Lucie-County/Florida/Commission-approves-contract-accepts-two-DEP-wastewater-grant-resolutions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550670-07ba14398b1b015aeb9ee0631573d9e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442847&Signature=lZMYieNLjFdoQJlqgHwpYV2P6g6sbWMMzfIG9~eRWA4o2jcZrpu-VQs~9NqDcm0gSq5IUhMUU9EBcIfkjhLeNg8NyIhoSI-uvzdDJ5tax7GddS~PmwExqpnvru-MWkMvQZPGvTi8RplpcVdUANSMS-OAgQH5ljvhLaiF91uSC7oledNtbIdkxXcMnY3qCZWdlX036-pA1vEPcQ2vU6a0w85OuBK23Loqwd2w4vc9QXI3bGekgT4pSf-L3FFPcAQsSI6q70Zr13WwTlTml3lN5gmGIst0FZlT-2rtUgFgorD9DTCcRAR5MOG8DOWWMYSME0phPrIZwIiBgqb9WxcA6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Fort Pierce Commission approved a construction contract and two grant-related resolutions during its July 14 budget workshop.

On the consent agenda the commission voted to approve a construction contract with RK Contractors Inc. for the Little Gym Camp sanitary improvements, bid number 2025-008, in the amount of $390,648.22. The transcript records a motion and second and a roll-call vote that showed three commissioners voting yes and one abstention (Commissioner Taylor). Commissioner Broderick told the commission he would recuse himself from the item before discussion; the roll call that followed recorded Broderick voting yes and Taylor abstaining. The record therefore contains both Broderick’s statement that he intended to recuse and a roll-call entry showing a yes vote.

The commission also adopted two resolutions tied to a State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) standard grant for wastewater resilience and adaptation, Phase 2:
- Resolution 25-R-52 authorizing execution of the DEP standard grant agreement for the wastewater resilience and adaptation Phase 2 project; the commission approved the resolution by roll call (vote: yes).
- Resolution 25-R-53 authorizing assignment of the DEP standard grant agreement for the wastewater resilience and adaptation Phase 2 project to the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority; the commission approved the resolution by roll call (vote: yes). Commissioners publicly thanked the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority grants team for securing the funding.

Also in routine business the commission approved minutes and accepted the agenda as read.

Notes on the record: The transcript contains an inconsistency on the Little Gym Camp contract vote: Commissioner Broderick announced he would recuse himself from the item, but the roll-call recorded Broderick voting \"Yes.\" The commission’s official minutes and any posted certified roll-call tally should be consulted for the formal voting record.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes (June meeting): motion/second; roll call: unanimous yes. Outcome: approved.
- Approval of agenda: motion/second; roll call: unanimous yes. Outcome: approved.
- Consent agenda (item 7g): construction contract RK Contractors Inc., Little Gym Camp sanitary improvements, bid 2025-008, $390,648.22. Motion/second; roll call: Broderick recorded as yes, Johnson yes, Taylor abstain, Mayor Hudson yes. Outcome: approved (one abstention). Commissioner Broderick stated he intended to recuse; the roll call shows a yes vote (inconsistency noted).
- Resolution 25-R-52 (DEP standard grant agreement authorization for Wastewater Resilience & Adaptation Phase 2): motion/second; roll call: yes (all recorded). Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 25-R-53 (assignment of DEP grant agreement to Fort Pierce Utilities Authority): motion/second; roll call: yes (all recorded). Outcome: approved.

For the official record, see the commission minutes and the certified roll-call tallies posted by the city clerk.","At its July 14 budget workshop the Fort Pierce City Commission approved a $390,648.22 construction contract on the consent agenda and unanimously approved two resolutions authorizing and assigning a Florida DEP wastewater resilience grant for the Phase 2 project.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission praises city clerk and city attorney; signals support for clerk pay review

Fort Pierce presents balanced FY26 budget; commissioners debate police pay, solid waste rates and capital priorities

Commission approves contract, accepts two DEP wastewater grant resolutions