Saint Cloud council accepts clean audit, approves budget amendment to fund downtown project and road extension
May 15, 2026 | St. Cloud, Osceola County, Florida
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The City of Saint Cloud accepted an unmodified external audit and voted 4–0 to approve a budget amendment that moves money into several capital priorities. Auditors Burgess Gray presented a clean (unmodified) opinion for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025, and reported no material internal control findings, the city’s audit partner Tim Westgate told the council.
The council then approved Budget Amendment No. 3, presented by Finance Director Jeff Cooper, which authorizes $3,005,421 in interfund transfers for projects including a downtown mixed‑use development ($1,305,421) and the Mudder Road extension ($1,700,000). The amendment also records $354,000 in prior‑year fund balance to purchase machinery and equipment (police vehicles) in anticipation of six new officers funded in FY26–27, Cooper said.
Mayor Christian B. Robertson framed the downtown project as an economic catalyst that would add housing and parking capacity downtown; staff said the planned parking garage will total about 500 spaces with approximately 250 dedicated to the city and the public. Cooper said the audit work also included the single audit of federal grants and that the city received a clean opinion on grant compliance.
Deputy Mayor Mary Gilbert moved to accept the financial report and Council Member Urban seconded; the clerk called the roll and recorded four ayes. The council recorded the motion as carried 4–0.
Council members asked auditors about upcoming GASB changes and the additional reporting work anticipated in the first year of new standards. Westgate said the new GASB guidance will increase implementation effort in the first year but should yield clearer disclosures going forward. The city manager and finance staff were thanked for cooperation with the audit team.
The council voted to accept the audit and approve the budget amendment; staff will proceed with the programmed transfers and capital planning steps.
The council’s acceptance of the audit and the budget amendment is final; no further action was recorded at this meeting.
The council then approved Budget Amendment No. 3, presented by Finance Director Jeff Cooper, which authorizes $3,005,421 in interfund transfers for projects including a downtown mixed‑use development ($1,305,421) and the Mudder Road extension ($1,700,000). The amendment also records $354,000 in prior‑year fund balance to purchase machinery and equipment (police vehicles) in anticipation of six new officers funded in FY26–27, Cooper said.
Mayor Christian B. Robertson framed the downtown project as an economic catalyst that would add housing and parking capacity downtown; staff said the planned parking garage will total about 500 spaces with approximately 250 dedicated to the city and the public. Cooper said the audit work also included the single audit of federal grants and that the city received a clean opinion on grant compliance.
Deputy Mayor Mary Gilbert moved to accept the financial report and Council Member Urban seconded; the clerk called the roll and recorded four ayes. The council recorded the motion as carried 4–0.
Council members asked auditors about upcoming GASB changes and the additional reporting work anticipated in the first year of new standards. Westgate said the new GASB guidance will increase implementation effort in the first year but should yield clearer disclosures going forward. The city manager and finance staff were thanked for cooperation with the audit team.
The council voted to accept the audit and approve the budget amendment; staff will proceed with the programmed transfers and capital planning steps.
The council’s acceptance of the audit and the budget amendment is final; no further action was recorded at this meeting.
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