Lake Alfred commission advances draft FY 2026–27 expenditure and payroll sections after broad discussion

City Manager Ryan Levengood presented the draft revenue, expenditure and payroll sections of the FY 2026–27 and 2027–28 budgets and guided the commission through general‑fund revenues, enterprise fund items, restricted funds, and personnel changes. He told the commission that state revenue numbers were pending and that staff would update figures once the state releases them in August.

Levengood described key revenue lines (ad valorem growth tied to new construction, sanitation receipts, franchise fees), highlighted capital and restricted‑fund projects (Central Park design, $2.5 million library expansion) and said the enterprise fund will add $500,000 to reserves. On payroll, he presented a 2% cost‑of‑living adjustment and several promotions and conversions from part‑time to full‑time, and said three additional firefighters were included in the balanced draft. "Staff recommendation on this item is to approve the draft expenditure and payroll section of the fiscal year 26/27 and 27/28 budget," he said.

Commissioners pushed staff to examine entry‑level pay and retention: one commissioner urged greater attention to raises for service workers and earlier execution of a salary survey; Levengood said staff plans to return with a refined salary survey and would explore bumping service‑worker twos to a grade 6 ($18.32/hr starting point) going into the final run. The commission voted to approve the draft sections by voice vote; public hearings and final adoption will follow after staff updates.