St. Petersburg City Council Approves $1.018B Budget for FY2027

St. Petersburg City Council approved a $1,017,757,894 budget for fiscal year 2027 at a public hearing on October 6, 2026. The budget, which began October 1, 2026, allocates resources for city services and priorities.

Mayor Kenneth T. Welch stated the budget strengthens the community by focusing on economic and community resilience, infrastructure, and critical service delivery. He highlighted efforts to support the city's long-term recovery from the 2024 storms.

The budget aligns with Mayor Welch's five Pillars For Progress: Housing Opportunities for All; Environment, Infrastructure, and Resilience; Equitable Development, Arts, and Business Opportunities; Education and Youth Opportunities; and Neighborhood Health and Safety. The plan emphasizes resilience and infrastructure upgrades to address climate change impacts.

Key allocations include $197 million for the Capital Improvement Program covering environmental protection and infrastructure. The Public Works Administration receives $355.8 million across five departments. The Housing and Community Development Department operating budget is $10.2 million, with an additional $4.5 million allocated for a five-year affordable housing land acquisition plan.

Public safety funding includes $185.8 million for the Police Department and $55.1 million for Fire Rescue. The budget also supports arts programs, small business grants, youth employment, and community health initiatives.