St. Pete Beach committee seeks earlier revenue data, forms revenue working group

The St. Pete Beach Budget & Finance Committee voted Nov. 5 to press staff for earlier circulation of revenue information and to pursue a revenue working group to identify nontraditional revenue sources for large projects.

The committee asked that staff provide revenue breakdowns — including Penny for Pinellas, residential and commercial ad valorem receipts, and county contributions — early enough for members and the public to review before workshops. "We would be looking at historical financial overviews to include that revenue analysis," Devin (staff member) said, explaining staff intends to deliver materials roughly 10–14 days after completion so the committee and commission will have time to review.

Why it matters: Committee members said earlier access to revenue details will improve deliberations during the three budget workshops and reduce the need for ad hoc follow-ups. Staff noted ad valorem calculations are constrained by the county tax roll timing and recommended the third workshop remain focused on millage options after July 1 when rolls are final.

The committee also endorsed forming a revenue working group to study "revenue diversification or creative generations for some of our larger projects," Devin said. The staff-led group will evaluate fee changes, alternative taxes, and public‑private partnership opportunities and report options back to the committee.

Members asked for quarterly budget-to-actual reports and more timely preliminary financial statements on the city website. "If we can post preliminary financial statements, and we all know that if there's something materially wrong we'll get a management letter, there's really no risk to doing that," one member said. Staff agreed to prepare balance sheets, income statements and budget-to-actuals on a quarterly cadence and to consider a February workshop to present fourth-quarter reporting.

The committee scheduled a Feb. 4, 2026 workshop at 2:30 p.m. to review preliminary capital prioritization and related financial materials. No formal policy changes were made at the meeting; staff was directed to return with the requested materials and a proposed revenue working group scope.