City of Clearwater – Special DDB Budget / Special City Council Budget Meeting - 9/21/2026

The City of Clearwater held a special Downtown Development Board (DDB) and City Council budget meeting on September 21, 2026, focusing primarily on fiscal year 2026-2027 budget approvals and funding allocations. The DDB set a final millage rate of 0.9700 mills and approved an operating budget totaling approximately $1.5 million. Key procurement-related actions included approval of several event funding requests: $20,000 for Florida Best Promotions' Halloween block party, $13,000 for Clearwater Sister Cities' Lantern Festival with partial upfront funding, and a $120,000 multi-month funding agreement for the 400 block Cleveland Street concert series with a proposed disbursement schedule. Additionally, the board approved a restated funding agreement with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority for the Jolly Trolley coastal route, with the DDB contributing about $26,231 for FY27. The City Council also adopted the citywide millage rate of 5.8773 mills, the operating budget, and the capital improvement program budget for FY 2026-2027. Discussions included budgetary constraints, funding strategies, and potential capital investments such as a portable stage for events. No new contracts were awarded, but several funding approvals and budgetary policies were enacted that will influence future procurement and vendor opportunities within the city.