July 15, 2026 - Budget Workshop - Morning Session

The City of Sebastian held a budget workshop on July 15, 2026, to review the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget. The workshop included detailed presentations and discussions on departmental budget requests, capital improvement projects (CIP), and funding sources. Key procurement-related topics included the planned continuation of the current millage rate with no increase, despite projected revenue growth from property value increases. The police department's budget was highlighted as requiring more funding than the current millage can provide, with discussions on clarifying public communication about police funding. The finance department outlined plans for modernizing financial systems, including upcoming RFPs for banking services and implementation of new budget and accounts software to improve transparency and efficiency. Capital projects were reviewed with some cuts recommended, and grant funding efforts were emphasized to minimize general fund impact. The golf course budget was discussed with considerations for maintenance, equipment upgrades, and potential phased membership fee increases. Human resources budget included increased training and reclassification of positions to support citywide employee development. The meeting also addressed potential future impacts of state property tax reforms on city revenues and services. No formal votes were recorded during this session, but several action items related to budget finalization, procurement planning, and public communication were identified.