Editor's Note: OpGov.News is presenting the Pensacola City Council 2027 Budget Review in three parts because the meeting is too extensive to capture in one report.
(PENSACOLA, F.L.) --- Mayor D.C. Reeves and the Pensacola City Council spent 8 hours listening to every department present their 2027 Budget requests.
From airport director to police chief, each department head made it clear what they needed to continue efficient operations. After Mayor D.C. Reeves opened the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. meeting, Finance Director Amy Lovoy laid out the city budget in Power Point to present officials and others via Zoom.
(Photo: 2027 Pensacola Budget Review Meeting included officials who Zoomed in for the eight-hour-long meeting)
Along with Lovoy’s slides is a 14-page financial overview that ends with the two public hearing dates for September 9 and 16, the document presents all figures for public review. OpGov.News begins coverage with the Public Works and Engineering $9.6 million budget, with Director Amy Tootle discussing the department's accomplishments over the past year and with the 54-man crew.
Future projects into 2027 are the 17th Avenue safety improvements, the Hollice T. Williams Stormwater Park and the Sanders Beach Kayak Launch.
“We have completed construction projects at 12th Avenue and Fairfield and almost nearly completed the New Palafox,” Tootle said, adding 3,600 linear feet of sidewalk was also added to city blocks.
However, sidewalks became a contentious issue between Councilwoman Jennifer Brahier and Tootle. Brahier raised serious safety concerns for students who are at Washington Street and Langley Avenue.
(Photo: Councilwoman Jennifer Brahier makes it clear student safety is a priority in the 2027 Budget Review meeting)
“I beg you next week to come watch how these kids are getting dumped in the middle of the street,” Brahier said, adding she too has sidewalk measurements at hand. “I just measured it looks like 980 feet to come from Cherry Laurel to Tom Lane.
A sidewalk there that ends at a nearby park can “disperse to all streets without that immediate danger,” for students, according to Brahier.
Brahier said the department can “surely find a way to do without a future grant,” noting “this was on the list 10 years ago and it is a priority and how it got removed I have no idea.”
Tootle told Brahier exactly how it happens.
(Photo: Public Works Director Amy Toodle defends sidewalk priority list with Councilwoman Jennifer Brahier at 2027 Budget Review meeting)
“I understand, but several other sidewalk segments that are ahead of it,” Tootle said, adding bumping up sidewalk projects is not fair to others who have been waiting for years.
Tootle did tell officials what her priorities are, noting “there are no construction dollars for Langley Avenue and Spanish Trail construction improvements.”
“But I always keep my fingers crossed that there will be a money fairy that will come out of the sky at the beginning of the year with Miss Lavoy or somebody else,” Tootle said.
Brahier brought up the fairy fund, saying “It’s not some magic fairy dust” that will pay for the needed sidewalk, and made it clear the department has fallen short on the safety issue since “no one from Public Works has even what happens when kids are dismissed.”
Lovoy interjected, noting the council is in “a unique time period” since the next Local Option on Sales Tax will be coming forward very soon, so revisiting the 10-year plan is sooner rather than later.
(Photo: Pensacola Finance Director Amy Lovoy, left, explains 2027 budget figures to officials on August 11)
“Hopefully you're right,” Council President Allison Patton said. “We will have the plan, but whether we have the money is a different story.”
Next, Police Chief Eric Winstrom, with Deputy Chief Matthew Coverdale at his side, began noting the 216-position department, including 164 sworn and 52 non-sworn professional staff. Winstrom was recently before the council regarding some community policing falling under the Community Redevelopment Agency budget.
Winstrom said last year’s budget of $32.639,000 million falls almost two million short of what he needs now at $34,350,000, which does not include more than $1 million for vehicles and computer equipment.
Winstrom said future funds will go to recruitment goals, with training initiatives, reporting the department’s goal to have a “100% homicide solve rate,” compared to the national average that falls under 60%.
Funds will also cover increased costs for consideration fuels, vehicle maintenance, first aid supplies, and small tool equipment. The police department ground floor renovations are on the 2027 budget schedule, as well as keeping up a transparent website.
“We are very thankful to IT for working with us on an application to achieve better communication and reliable data from our community response specialist team,” Winstrom said.
Video storage also needs funding, according to the police chief, noting processing “an overwhelming open records request” can be costly. Councilman Charles Bare wanted to know why the million-dollar raise in budget, with Lovoy explaining the rising cost is fuel and vehicle maintenance being spent.
(Photo: Pensacola Police Chief Eric Winstrom and Deputy Chief Matthew Coverdale present the 2027 budget to elected officials)
“They are dragging down the entire budget, and yes, we are correct our budget was smaller than expenditures,” Lovoy said, adding the increase in the budget is that expenditures can be contained. “Not a lot you can do with repairs and fuel.”
Councilwoman Brahier said sending officers out for a single violation on a street when they can investigate more when in the area is costly, and should be reconsidered.
“Sending someone for one thing and then send them back,” according to Brahier, is “a very inefficient and ineffective way” regarding policing.
“I would be really grateful if we can start looking in that direction,” Brahier said.
Bare ended by thanking Winstrom, specifically for the “idea at about full strength,” as far as force numbers, saying “I don’t know if it ever happened. Bare noted attending recruitment ceremonies at Georgetown and said he is grateful for the “great relationship” with Georgetown.
(Photo: Mayor D.C. Reeves opens up an eight-hour-long 2027 Budget Review meeting on August 10)
The second OpGov.News report for the 2027 Budget Review Meeting will include reports from the airport director and director of Parks, Recreation on August 13. The reports will also include Mayor Reeves opening and discussion of the budget.
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