BROOKSVILLE — The City Council on June 29, got its first look at a proposed budget of nearly $14.5 million for the 2027 fiscal year, agreeing to trim some expenses while accepting others.
Finance Director Autumn Sullivan said the spending plan is balanced and keeps the millage rate at 6.5, even with a planned 2% cost-of-living raise for all city employees effective Oct. 1 and a 2% merit raise in April 2027.
The budget remains a monthslong work in progress, with some figures — such as state funding — still to come. The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
Council members agreed to revisit the cost of the city’s law enforcement contract with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, raising the possibility of ending the agreement when it expires Dec. 31, 2027. To do so, the city would have to notify the agency 18 months in advance. Members asked City Attorney Chloe Berryman to review the legal requirements.
The meeting grew tense when Mayor Christa Tanner and Council Member Betty Erhard clashed over spending and council members’ dealings with city employees.
Erhard challenged several expenditures, arguing the city shouldn’t pay employees more when council members earn just $300 a month and receive no city health insurance. Employees, she said, should be grateful to have jobs with benefits in the current climate.
Tanner objected to Erhard naming, in a public forum, the communities where council members live. Erhard said she is a city taxpayer like other residents and is committed to representing their interests. She also noted that City Manager Lisa Hendrickson does not live within the city limits.
Tanner said Erhard had not met with city department heads, as other council members had, and accused her of “threatening” jobs. Erhard, who has served on the council before, was temporarily appointed to her current seat and is running for a full term in the upcoming election. Tanner is not seeking reelection.
Responding to public comment, Tanner again raised the subject of her address. Erhard said she did not “blast it out there,” referring to Tanner’s address, and argued the city manager should live within the city, as previous contracts required.
Looming over much of the discussion was the November referendum on property taxes, a concern for municipalities of all sizes.
Tallahassee trip
One expense that drew debate was $3,000 for council members to visit the state capital. Council Member Louis Hallal defended the trip, calling it an invaluable way for new members to learn about state government and meet lobbyists who can help the city.
Even so, he joined a 4-1 majority in cutting the amount to $1,200, enough to send two members instead of all five. Erhard cast the dissenting vote.
“To go and meet your lobbyist — they’re your voice up there, they’re who make it happen,” Hallal said. “It’s very important that you have a presence, and when things happen you know who to call.”
He called it a valuable learning experience, especially for members with no prior government background.
Public works
Public Works Director Richard Weeks asked the council to approve several expenses, including hiring an assistant director to help manage his department’s workload.
He also sought money to clean the exteriors of city buildings, some of which have gone years without cleaning and now have mold growing on them. The city needs new motorized equipment as well, Weeks said, and should begin setting aside money for new air conditioning systems. Some systems are nearing the end of their lifespan, he said, and parts for older units are becoming harder to find.
Tanner noted that while the council itself doesn’t need new chairs, it could consider new seating for the audience and, at the least, cleaning the chambers’ carpet, which hasn’t been done in years.
Community Development Director David Hainley said he needs to hire an annexation specialist to work on the city’s boundaries, where some lots sit technically in the county but are entirely surrounded by the city. The enclaves became less of a problem after the city fire department merged with county fire rescue, he said, but they remain illegal under state law.
The council’s next budget meeting is set for 3 p.m. July 27, when members will discuss the millage rate, the rollback rate and the capital improvement program.
For the agenda, visit https://public.destinyhosted.com/agenda_publish.cfm?id=27665 and click on the June 29 meeting.