Edited to remove date of future budget workshop.
The future of city hall and other downtown projects considered
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Starke city commissioners took a first look at their budget for next year, discussing cost increases as well as plans for city hall and downtown revitalization projects.
Manager Drew Mullins introduced the June 16 discussion, which focused on the $9.8 million general fund. A future workshop will address the enterprise (utilities) fund.
The preliminary budget includes a 3% cost of living increase for all general fund employees, plus funding for performance and competitive pay increases of up to 3%. Several other increases are being built into the budget, including 6% more for health insurance, 7% more for liability insurance, 5% more for retirement contributions and an additional 3% to cover increases in other expenses.
The general fund includes nearly $574,000 for salaries under other government services, more than $132,000 in retirement contributions, $108,000 for life and health insurance, $146,000 for liability insurance, plus other general operating expenses. It also includes $2.275 million for capital outlay, $150,000 for a potential shared recreation program with the county and more than $3.32 million in reserve funding. Some of the reserve funding is considered contingency for unexpected expenses, while $1.26 million is set aside to cover three months of operating expenses.
A significant reduction in outside consulting services cut nearly $80,000 from the budget for next year, reducing costs to around $121,000.
After taking the commission through those figures, Finance Director James Hughes addressed the fire department, spending for which also comes out of the general fund. An increase from $1.195 million to $1.4 million is due to increased staffing expenses. Hughes said there would now be a third firefighter on all three shifts. Two of the shifts have been covered by just two personnel due to budget cuts.
Law enforcement expenses are increasing from $782,000 to $807,500. The additional funding from the projected increase in property tax revenue will fund the sheriff’s office’s coverage of the city. The budget also reflects a small decrease in funding toward pensions for former police officers.
Concerns included Commissioner Danny Nugent’s request to make sure that funding intended for street repairs following utility line replacements remains earmarked for that purpose.
Downtown, veterans park and city hall
There was also discussion of capital projects, including the City Walk downtown revitalization, which includes improvements at the Downtown Square, the relocation of Veterans Memorial Park and renovation of the Jarmon property, a former commercial storefront the commission acquired last year. How the commission proceeds will determine how the capital outlay money is spent.
The city also has grants specifically for the Concerned Citizens of Bradford County’s RJE Center rehabilitation and utility line replacements.
When it comes to Veterans Park, money has been included that could cover the cost of moving the existing monuments. The city may have to look for sponsors to cover the cost of adding monuments.
“It’s really going to have to come down to what it’s going to look like,” said Mayor Andy Redding, who has been researching examples in other communities. The move has “drug on” as the city waited to see what would happen with development of the adjacent housing project. With a plan and a timeline, Redding said the project could be completed my Memorial Day 2026.
In discussing the potential for the project cost to multiply, Commissioner Bob Milner said, “We may not be able to tote this wagon by ourselves.” If requests for new monuments representing additional conflicts are added, then like other communities, the city may need to rely on private funding, he said.
Commissioner Scott Roberts said the city could also accomplish the expansion over time, setting aside money over several years to make the additions.
“I think we’re all trying to achieve the same goal, which is a great memorial,” he said.
Redding said he would work with veterans groups on the design and bring that information back to the commission. He said the city also needs a plan for the Jarmon building.
“With us owning it, it doesn’t need to sit there looking like it does for forever,” he said.
Nugent also mentioned property near the overpass that Florida Department of Transportation is donating to the city with the caveat that the city develops it for a public purpose. The city needs a plan for that as well.
ADA improvements at city hall have been on the to-do list for a while but are still in question. Redding also mentioned upgrading technology in the boardroom, with Milner advocating the ability to livestream meetings. The commission is unsure about investing in the current building, however. A land swap with the school district will see the city yard move to the former Southside Elementary School campus. Redding said there is a lot of property there and a lot of potential for relocating city hall operations.
According to Milner, there was once funding set aside to carry out city hall improvements in the range of $300,000. Staff will research whether that money is still in the account.
A priority project list will be developed with projected costs for the commission to consider as well, but the consensus was that city hall and the Jarmon property are probably number one and two.
