[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6588703,"mediaKeyId","5558900-483ee5afcb9251ced9d66a578d0975b5","parentId",5558900,"title","Fort Pierce staff present balanced FY2026 city budget; commission directs city‑clerk salary adjustment for budget hearing","audioSeconds",1593,"startMs",14034000,"endMs",15627000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558900-483ee5afcb9251ced9d66a578d0975b5&start=14034&end=15627","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558900-483ee5afcb9251ced9d66a578d0975b5/thumbnail_14034000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6588703/Fort-Pierce/St-Lucie-County/Florida/Fort-Pierce-staff-present-balanced-FY2026-city-budget-commission-directs-cityclerk-salary-adjustment-for-budget-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588703-cbe5dac78306b68ec79bcc4bbda3f20d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770727025&Signature=cSDSgZpNVdSsMcYGDLYlrhBsvkHqZKS7O0kX0dqYKvQwPDzAdp7hJv4LF5jPt-9JO-z3Jxaf5ZXI2fF396pvnvZ~7KPqLAP8tk0blKWNCEiLyNttQjV6AYoHKNqviUKa8J1XYysuGvPNAkkQ2bNxYziWYEmUIaDRyoTaUh9wDxgBTMitF1kZ-dMcg7oDFuP~EhnsmhNk6kBWXVeYZ7iPqo0QRCPr8M8kczSGK3UOda4OpYPZ2ht4k062lk94dKj5E7NdRK6YiWq7bBT~uNAS8egNJtBgTSW4b-aVM6KpRx7cn40spgU3KnXw2mycPHiMExK~NOJC183mX5~IzJQNSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fort Pierce","date","2025-08-11T00:00:00Z","article","Fort Pierce Finance Director Jonna Morris presented a revised FY2026 city operating and capital budget at the Aug. 11 commission meeting and said the plan is balanced with no use of general‑fund balance.

Morris said the proposed total budget is $67,787,211, with personnel costs totaling $38,703,415. The draft assumes a 5% cost‑of‑living adjustment for city employees, allotments for step increases where applicable, and a reduction of selected non‑personnel line items so the budget would not require drawing on fund balance.

Commission discussion addressed a separate personnel item: several commissioners discussed a proposed salary adjustment for the city clerk. The clerk’s existing salary was discussed in the meeting record as approximately $129,000; commissioners signaled support for moving the position closer to market. The commission directed staff to include a clerk salary adjustment (the commission informally discussed a target near $145,000) in the FY26 budget for the October 1 effective date and to return the item for formal approval at the September 8 budget hearing.

Other budget points presented by Morris included: 29 currently vacant full‑time positions in the city complement; the city’s intention to avoid one‑time fund‑balance uses for ongoing costs; and capital projects funded in the FY26 proposal, excluding one police facility project which staff said will be budgeted separately when due.

Why it matters: The city’s balanced budget preserves operating capacity for municipal services while building a baseline for capital planning and contingencies; the clerk‑salary conversation will be formalized at the budget hearing as a single, identified adjustment to the FY26 appropriation.

What’s next: The commission scheduled a formal public hearing on the FY2026 city budget for Sept. 8. Staff will finalize the budget document with the clerk‑salary adjustment and provide a line‑item packet for review before the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fort Pierce - City Commission Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Finance Director presented a balanced FY2026 city operating and capital budget on Aug. 11. Commissioners agreed to include a proposed city‑clerk salary adjustment in the October 1 budget cycle and scheduled a formal vote at the September budget hearing.","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},6588707,"Fort Pierce Police present management responses to outside review; many recommendations accepted, some deferred to incoming chief",4036,7200000,11236000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558900-483ee5afcb9251ced9d66a578d0975b5&start=7200&end=11236","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558900-483ee5afcb9251ced9d66a578d0975b5/thumbnail_7200000.jpg","/articles/6588707/Fort-Pierce/St-Lucie-County/Florida/Fort-Pierce-Police-present-management-responses-to-outside-review-many-recommendations-accepted-some-deferred-to-incoming-chief","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588707-f0849b61f0183d5104aebdd071bd0db0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770727025&Signature=VF9hBqb2GQeFVrTsC3xOguq2bUBSQsSI6yCzgk7zoaHNjR62E4gYAjAOqA40PLcpzBTt6eTauBZMdefvDNgwRAYeLVHljS5RDKWqRp9mfy7Kp7mNvNA0PMTjpuB5yIO3gcqw0ZBciYtlZFKQ2vcCX-fJ3IIFqc0LczJpPrF5E00m3dNnQ905ZcrJ9luailZKbVvc1MzAsycu~FC15mek6qSH5IOnjZBO5uWShtGXmak69Hv4wuFeIsVEAmtw9kfippTetcKYVo4BXC34zInvvtOU7RGf~v64nwqeDMB7qUr1309l5W0EQL3YULD~KIGB~wibTQdCLeHaJLM22Mgw6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Acting Chief [Acting Chief Bridal] and Fort Pierce Police Department command staff presented the department’s management responses to the Center for Public Safety Management (CPSM) staffing and operations review at the Aug. 11 commission meeting. The CPSM delivered 84 recommendations; the department’s response listed concurrence, partial agreement or non‑concurrence and an implementation status for each recommendation.

Chief Bridal and bureau commanders said the department had already implemented or begun many of the CPSM recommendations, including a plan to complete the Commission for Florida Accreditation (CFA) assessment in November and ongoing policy reviews. The department partially concurred or deferred higher‑cost recommendations and large structural changes to a future permanent chief: for example, elevating majors to deputy chief positions and a full organizational reorganization were identified as topics that the next permanent chief should evaluate.

Highlights and implementation notes included:
- Accreditation and policies: The department is pursuing CFA reaccreditation with a mock assessment completed; CALEA (national) accreditation was discussed but not adopted due to cost.
- Training and succession: The department has implemented supervisor and executive training plans, captain positions to create promotional pathways, and is developing a succession plan and first‑line supervisor training modules (with target implementation in late 2025/2026 for several items).
- Investigations and evidence: CPSM recommended more civilian analyst/support for digital forensics; the department said forensics work is a sworn‑officer function in many cases and disagreed with all‑civilian coverage of some investigative tasks, but agreed that analytic and evidence operations need upgrades and better inventory/purge processes.
- Patrol and staffing: CPSM recommended minimum patrol staffing levels; management said staffing increases are desirable but implementation depends on achieving authorized department staffing levels (department remains actively recruiting).
- Internal affairs and discipline: The department agreed to review professional standards policies annually and to pursue a progressive discipline matrix, education‑based discipline options and internal‑affairs training for supervisors.

Commissioners asked about which recommendations could be implemented immediately, which required budget increases, and how a new permanent police chief would be engaged. City staff said the incoming chief would review structural reorganization recommendations and that many training and policy steps are already scheduled or budgeted.

Why it matters: The management responses map CPSM’s findings to concrete implementation timelines and identify items that require additional funding or a permanent chief’s judgment. Commissioners asked for follow‑up reporting and a clear monitoring mechanism for implemented reforms.

What’s next: Department staff will proceed with CFA accreditation steps in November, continue policy reviews, and return to the commission with progress updates; the next permanent chief will receive the CPSM report and the department’s management responses for final decisions on structural changes.","Acting Police Chief and command staff presented their management response to the Center for Public Safety Management report, agreeing with many recommendations (policy review, training, accreditation steps) while deferring major structural reorganization items to the next permanent chief.",{"_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},6588714,"FPUA board and City Commission sign off on FY2026 budget; $27M conveyance gap to be covered by 2026 debt issuance",2194,11675000,13869000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558900-483ee5afcb9251ced9d66a578d0975b5&start=11675&end=13869","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558900-483ee5afcb9251ced9d66a578d0975b5/thumbnail_11675000.jpg","/articles/6588714/Fort-Pierce/St-Lucie-County/Florida/FPUA-board-and-City-Commission-sign-off-on-FY2026-budget-27M-conveyance-gap-to-be-covered-by-2026-debt-issuance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588714-7e10edda9c4cd15857c7d87348eb0113/orig.mp4?Expires=1770727026&Signature=oH7ZhQaB75h1hbxWcQH3edtTdNwIrjzDt~fDB2buBkTazqr7WWtWnuEyl23n1fF9J8BQKUr~rq6XBhX~P~afe11RAkmPK6lvn3A7FGKmtjsECIIDmgQ0QdFZimcWZvCHvhfn42IbDdcVqBn3DqAFg8plxebwUiKQshQML3-lxvS4HE0LgmOsURXnGOxkXErQq9xCWGq4jVLt22oZE~QtSomzwoJlTkIdFdy9K5X~oOSR70CZzGCBPOU2Q5lMQH0gho5Y2xWDHcEoCTO9BC5H5S~roK28Qxk2fuAUpeaCRX5ZIxr6c60An8tAHNiTrtWMfJ9AnbCLkHeNwyjGgsX4bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fort Pierce Utilities Authority leaders presented a FY2026 operating and capital plan to the city commission on Aug. 11 that relies on grants, targeted rate adjustments and a proposed 2026 bond issue to finance a new wastewater treatment plant, conveyance redirection and electric system upgrades.

Michelle Harris, FPUA chief financial officer, said the FY2026 package combines rate increases that match the Florida Public Service Commission inflationary index (2.23%) with a planned debt program and grant funding. The board approved an FY2026 FPUA budget at its prior meeting and the City Commission adopted the authority’s budget by resolution (25‑R‑58) on Aug. 11; the vote was recorded as unanimous by roll call.

Harris and Executive Director Javier Cisneros provided several project and funding highlights:
- New wastewater treatment plant: total project cost described during the presentation at roughly $139 million; the plant construction is largely funded and the FPUA team expects commissioning and a ribbon cutting in December.
- Conveyance system redirection (phase 1a and 1b): the consultants and staff estimated phase 1a at roughly $33 million and phase 1b at about $27 million; FPUA has obtained grant funding covering a substantial portion of the program (Michelle Harris cited $34.2 million and the presenters also referenced roughly $39 million in grant support in different parts of the presentation); the remaining conveyance gap is the approximate $27 million staff described as planned to be financed with a 2026 revenue bond issuance.
- Electric system needs: four substations were described as operating near or above recommended loading thresholds; FPUA proposes a new substation and transformer upgrades so the system can support expected commercial growth.

Harris said FPUA is pursuing a combination of bond proceeds, grant reimbursements and a short‑term line of credit to bridge timing between project spending and final debt issuance. She said the authority expects to maintain roughly 90 days of cash by year‑end and described a risk‑hedging strategy for purchased energy (the DART program and FMPA gas stability work) to avoid month‑to‑month price spikes.

City Commission action: Commissioners voted to adopt the FPUA FY2026 budget (Resolution 25‑R‑58). The roll call vote on the resolution was recorded as yes from Commissioners Broderick, Gaines, Johnson and Mayor Hudson.

Why it matters: The FPUA plan funds multi‑year infrastructure with grants where available and a 2026 revenue bond package to spread costs across current and future ratepayers. Commissioners pressed for detail on the conveyance budget and electric capacity, and asked FPUA to coordinate timing with city capital plans and to provide periodic financial updates to the commission.

What’s next: FPUA plans a line‑of‑credit draw to cover near‑term work and intends to issue revenue bonds in 2026; consultants and staff will continue grant applications and coordinate a project timeline tied to construction, the new wastewater plant start and electric upgrades.","Fort Pierce Utilities Authority presented a FY2026 budget that relies on a mix of rates, grants and planned debt to fund major projects including a new wastewater plant, conveyance redirection and an electric substation. The City Commission adopted the FPUA budget Aug. 11 by roll‑call vote.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6588719,"Kings Highway jobs‑corridor study lays out overlay, infrastructure and annexation steps to attract industry",1005,4150000,5155000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558900-483ee5afcb9251ced9d66a578d0975b5&start=4150&end=5155","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558900-483ee5afcb9251ced9d66a578d0975b5/thumbnail_4150000.jpg","/articles/6588719/Fort-Pierce/St-Lucie-County/Florida/Kings-Highway-jobscorridor-study-lays-out-overlay-infrastructure-and-annexation-steps-to-attract-industry","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588719-c6d6934e282d251f4c465f938adfb3d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770727026&Signature=Y9kHKkZxGXefB-uLtnscmfCjJUbenCHtBh2ULUGAvkyG79K0KRta2DGAyKtQ1yBcR~z4lw21EddIclkEgBc4OsiejTj9A7YIEIYcp4BIwru9UBHIn-2hUCUpJ8V-HKJcldT-pR7sgxeAII5H~0v78DgwyrU1LylMtgqpUaYURig4v2J4a-j46aFkCVTlBsMa0ABgX~pIgDaw0b15-J2yxhZBNF~Z3o3~IaXNsEtHuTUSGXOLQV9wkPXmMjAwKgfRJZDJnFNGFAYV6tEZV8~zLQwIqgaOjaqm8JW3m0b-T8rsrDv7StuEBG2XXkBZxESBT9Lt1zChlOMgpQXMMKry0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County and District Planning Group presented a phase‑1 update on the Kings Highway Jobs Corridor to the Fort Pierce City Commission on Aug. 11, outlining recommended next steps to attract light manufacturing and higher‑paying commercial uses west of downtown.

Pete Tesh, president of the EDC and a Fort Pierce resident, introduced the project and said the corridor’s combination of undeveloped land and three nearby interchanges represents a rare long‑term economic opportunity. Leslie Olson of District Planning Group reviewed the project area (roughly between Okeechobee Road and Orange Avenue, extending to the Turnpike and Jenkins Road) and the team’s research into future land use, zoning, transportation and infrastructure constraints.

The study’s key findings include: a large proportion of the study area remains unincorporated St. Lucie County and will annex to Fort Pierce as development requests water/wastewater service from FPUA; the existing zoning and future‑land‑use maps do not currently provide a coherent industrial corridor; electric capacity near some interchanges is constrained; and roadway capacity—especially at Graham Road and nearby overpasses—will be important to future development.

DPG recommended five main next steps: 1) perform an economic impact analysis to quantify expected tax and employment benefits; 2) address critical infrastructure needs with utilities and the TPO (noting FPL/FPUA coordination on capacity); 3) create a unified overlay district across city and county that sets design standards, permitted uses and a “turn‑on/turn‑off” adoption procedure with a 3‑year sunset; 4) establish an economic development fund to provide matching funds for grants and developer contributions; and 5) coordinate with property owners and the Kings Highway Corridor Association to move the work into a public‑hearing adoption draft.

Commissioners praised the report but asked detailed questions about zoning, the difference between “light” and “heavy” industrial uses, and annexation strategy. Commissioner Broderick asked that the GIS deliverables show existing built‑out industrial square footage and the pipeline of approved projects; DPG confirmed those layers are in the interactive maps delivered with the report. Commissioners and staff discussed the need to coordinate with St. Lucie County on a shared overlay, and several suggested starting incrementally on pilot annexations where FPUA service is already in place.

Why it matters: The study aims to broaden Fort Pierce’s commercial and industrial tax base and create jobs without reducing downtown character. Commissioners signaled support for phase‑2 work—particularly the economic impact analysis and an overlay framework—but raised caution about allowing “heavy industrial” uses in gateway areas and underscored the need to sequence annexation and utility upgrades.

What’s next: The consultants will incorporate commission feedback, refine the overlay concept and return with a public‑hearing draft and an economic impact analysis. Commissioners pressed for TPO coordination on Graham Road improvements and for a focused annexation plan linked to FPUA service territory.","An initial phase‑1 report from the St. Lucie Economic Development Council and District Planning Group recommends a coordinated overlay zone, an economic impact study, and infrastructure work to position Kings Highway as a jobs corridor that can expand Fort Pierce's tax base.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6588723,"Lobbyist warns Fort Pierce commissioners that 2026 property-tax proposals could cut local revenue",1285,90000,1375000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558900-483ee5afcb9251ced9d66a578d0975b5&start=90&end=1375","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558900-483ee5afcb9251ced9d66a578d0975b5/thumbnail_90000.jpg","/articles/6588723/Fort-Pierce/St-Lucie-County/Florida/Lobbyist-warns-Fort-Pierce-commissioners-that-2026-property-tax-proposals-could-cut-local-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588723-81f35873953375cd65e64e61a7b3b864/orig.mp4?Expires=1770727026&Signature=U16ydMLJoF0FXymdmnW4kTiLXccO2yG1bn8Ikk-6SlS5f6pukA2YOlqWZ8B4o9JWF1wq1qhgsAXWFeF9uojjwUwq6PtBYfzTMZD1rm6gwRKG0~iVwXce6B97V8gpL4pOOL6jANVSHsEk-aJ2tQHfigK3vQRP8ov3RfQic3pXtToMtu7iCfv6tQMZW5KVzLsZeQGXGDKzRSz0ORwBG2XrbUPaivGQNQQcNWo6ew3lKfLknMY7tf1KWg1BxLN1Pf5tC9XcQtNxGG~Lyy6TigLK4xqSN4wXFBPjHVqoN1Aug6BYdW78foOQ5AWYzuXR2GSgQBG7jYLvUvUreviUGGh2Zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ryan Matthews, government affairs and lobbying deputy section chair at Grey Robinson, told the Fort Pierce City Commission on Aug. 11 that while the 2025 Florida legislative session returned some appropriations to Fort Pierce, the larger political fight in Tallahassee could pose a near-term threat to local government revenue sources.

Matthews said the city secured two line‑item appropriations this year — funding for Thirteenth Street and police department support — but that the 2025 session overall was unusual and prolonged. He described a 105‑day session, friction between the governor and the legislature, and a number of high‑profile bills that failed or were vetoed. “We had 1,959 bills filed, only 269 passed,” Matthews said in his presentation, adding that “there were 2,550 appropriations in the Senate” and that the final budget contained significant vetoes.

Matthews singled out property‑tax proposals as the biggest local risk for 2026. He said constitutional amendments or other proposals under consideration could substantially reduce ad valorem revenues that fund municipal services. Matthews told commissioners that in prior modeling a wholesale elimination of property taxes would require a dramatic increase in other state taxes to make up the gap: “You would have had to increase sales taxes to, I think, 12% to make up for that shortfall,” he said. He added that roughly 60% of Fort Pierce’s revenue is based on real estate taxes and suggested that an effective reduction could force “a significant reduction in services.”

Commissioners pressed Matthews for specifics about how Tallahassee might replace lost revenue. He responded that as of the meeting there was no definitive replacement plan in the House or Senate: “There is no proposal that would increase sales tax or increase some other revenue source that would make up that ultimate shortfall,” he said. He and several commissioners urged stronger public education and outreach to help residents understand how property‑tax revenue funds police, fire and other core services.

Matthews also described other items likely to return in 2026, including proposed changes to community redevelopment agency (CRA) law, sovereign immunity cap increases, and proposals that could limit local authority to transfer utility revenue to general funds. He said FPUA (Fort Pierce Utilities Authority) and local officials should expect continued scrutiny from the state chief financial officer’s office and that the state’s Office of the Governor and legislative leadership may press for more conservative budgeting and reserve building.

Why it matters: Commissioners said they plan to coordinate education and outreach to residents and to work with legislative allies to explain local government budgets. Several commissioners said the city must prepare for multiple scenarios next year, including potential constitutional amendments on property taxes.

Commissioner response: Commissioners Broderick, Gaines and Johnson thanked Matthews for the briefing and emphasized the need to inform residents about the potential local impacts. Several asked Matthews to prioritize CRA and sovereign‑immunity proposals in 2026 monitoring and advocacy.

What’s next: Matthews urged the city to engage with the Florida League of Cities and the select House committee on property taxes, and to stay ready for interim committee meetings beginning Oct. 6 that could shape proposals for the January 2026 legislative session.","At the Aug. 11 Fort Pierce City Commission meeting, Grey Robinson lobbyist Ryan Matthews briefed commissioners on the 2025 Florida legislative session and warned that proposals in 2026 could threaten municipal ad valorem revenue and other local funding sources.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fort Pierce staff present balanced FY2026 city budget; commission directs city‑clerk salary adjustment for budget hearing

Fort Pierce Police present management responses to outside review; many recommendations accepted, some deferred to incoming chief

FPUA board and City Commission sign off on FY2026 budget; $27M conveyance gap to be covered by 2026 debt issuance

Kings Highway jobs‑corridor study lays out overlay, infrastructure and annexation steps to attract industry

Lobbyist warns Fort Pierce commissioners that 2026 property-tax proposals could cut local revenue