ANNA MARIA – The city commission will host a second and final public hearing for the adoption of the city’s $17.89 million 2023-24 fiscal year budget on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 5:01 p.m.
During the coming fiscal year, the city expects to receive $14.68 million in revenues, including $4.2 million in ad valorem property tax revenues generated by maintaining the current 2.05 millage rate. The budget includes $3.2 million in existing fund balances reserves, net and assets carried over from the 2022-23 fiscal year that ends Sept. 30.
The $14.68 million in budgeted expenditures includes $2.84 million for general government expenses, $1.36 million for law enforcement and public safety, $4.42 million for the public works department, $984,506 for the planning and development department, $454,525 for parks and recreation, $1.74 million for stormwater and drainage improvements and maintenance, $2.6 million for capital outlay projects, and $192,344 in debt service.
The budget includes 6% wage increases for all city employees, including 3% annual salary increases and 3% one-time lump sum wage payments due Oct. 1.
The proposed expenditures include $1.74 million for stormwater and drainage improvements and maintenance, and approximately $3.3 million for the expanded Reimagining Pine Avenue project that will include new sidewalks, crosswalks and streetlights.
The proposed capital expenditures include $306,000 to install shade sails above the children’s playground at City Pier Park, to expand the existing shade sail structure and to install shade sails at the T-end of the Anna Maria City Pier.
The proposed capital expenditures also include $200,000 for city hall consolidation and improvements, $275,000 to study permanent alternatives to dredging the Lake La Vista channel entrance every two or three years, $500,000 to install a standalone public restroom facility on the city hall/city parking lot property, $21,200 to redesign the Island Players parking lot, $75,000 for a stormwater pumping station design study, and $500,000 to extend the existing multi-use path along Gulf Drive.
The 2023-24 budget also includes $75,000 to potentially study if and how incentives can be given to retain and attract full-term residents and long-term renters.
