Venice might require nearly $10 million in surplus funds for its 2025-26 budget.

Council to consider property tax rate increase for new dual-certified firefighters

VENICE – To balance next year’s budget, the Venice City Council plans to tap into reserves for nearly $10 million, as revealed in the proposed budget by City Manager Ed Lavallee.

The budget proposes $172.5 million in expenditures against projected revenues of $162.8 million.

For the 2025-26 budget, the city anticipates a 4.5% increase in property tax values, per recent data from the Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s Office. This marks a significant decrease compared to the current fiscal year’s 14.1% increase in property values and 11% increase from 2023-24.

The current fiscal year allowed the council to lower the property tax rate to 3.9041 mills, leading to an estimated $3 million loss in potential revenue.

The city currently employs approximately 401 people, with proposed plans for at least three new hires—not including the request for six new dual-certified firefighters that is expected to be discussed in upcoming workshops.

Council Member Ron Smith voiced concerns over last year’s workshop for its brevity and lack of significant budget cuts.

Most city services receive funding from enterprise funds, including the airport, solid waste, and stormwater drainage, while police and fire emergency services rely on the general fund budget.

Projected property tax revenue

The general fund budget anticipates $58.9 million in spending, juxtaposed with about $53.8 million in revenues that include approximately $28.5 million generated from property taxes. The expected growth in property values will yield around $1.2 million more, largely from new construction. However, only a part of this arises from existing properties’ increased values.

Two significant components of increased general fund spending are a $5 million contribution to Sarasota County’s parks maintenance agreement and $200,000 earmarked for demolishing the public works building in the Seaboard District.

The parks maintenance agreement involves Sarasota County taking over Wellfield Park, which will be renovated per the county’s regional park plan, funded by a $20 million contribution from Venice over the next 15 years.

The estimated cost of hiring six new firefighter-emergency service employees, including their uniforms, is around $780,000, as detailed in Lavallee’s memo. The memo indicates that raising taxes by 0.1067 mills would cover this expense.

Adjustments to enterprise fund service rates

As of October 1, wastewater and reclaimed water rates will increase by 5.25%, with portions allocated for relocating the city’s water treatment plant. Additionally, stormwater rates will rise from $8.15 to $8.55 monthly to maintain a balanced budget. Water quality rates remain at $2 per equivalent factor for supporting $1 million annually in capital projects.

The solid waste recycling surcharge is set to decrease from 15% to 10%, with solid waste and recycling fees for residential and commercial clients rising 3% effective October 1, with similar annual increases anticipated for the next three years.

Upcoming capital improvement projects

The city’s five-year capital improvement initiative outlines $183.4 million in planned spending through the 2030 fiscal year, with $47.8 million allocated for the upcoming year.

Major projects in this initiative include relocating Fire Station 52 near the Venice Police Department, shifting public works/fleet maintenance, and enhancements to the Venice Community Center, including beach renourishment—a project pushed back from 2025 due to prior hurricane impacts.

The first council budget workshop is set for June 19 at 8:30 a.m. at City Hall. If needed, the workshop will continue the following day at the same time. The budget document is accessible online at https://www.venicegov.com under the meetings tab for the June 19 agenda.