901 Ponce de Leon Blvd.  
Belleair, FL 33756  
Town of Belleair  
Meeting Minutes  
Special Meeting  
Thursday, June 26, 2025  
12:00 PM  
Town Hall  
Town Commission - Budget Workshop  
Meeting called to order at 12:00 PM with Mayor Wilkinson presiding.  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
COMMISSIONER ROLL CALL  
Present 5 - Mayor Michael Wilkinson, Deputy Mayor Tom Shelly, Commissioner Patricia Barris,  
Commissioner Thomas Kelly, and Commissioner Todd Jennings  
CITIZENS COMMENTS  
No comments  
GENERAL AGENDA  
25-0094 FY 2026 Budget  
Gay Lancaster-Town Manager-purpose of today is to review and provide comments on  
budget; no proposed increase to millage; spoke on budget largely dependent on ad  
valorem; funding for operations, challenges for infrastructure projects; PFM will be  
available in upcoming meetings to speak on financing recommendations; ability to  
begin projects with reserves then borrow when rates are lower, options will be  
presented; spoke on open positions not currently filled; conservative budget; Nanette to  
give presentation.  
Nanette Freeman-Human Resources Director-has been working closely with finance for  
sometime; spoke on software change from BMS to Aclarian; Town-wide services and  
Town events were established to appropriately show costs; salaries spread out  
appropriately for roles that have shared use; this is first draft of the budget, commended  
team efforts to compile; spoke on valorem analysis, millage is 6.9777; increase last  
year provided substantial revenue for operating purposes; presented revenue and  
expenditure overview.  
Mayor Wilkinson questioned ballpark average of what residents will pay: Ms. Lancaster  
provided three examples for a typical homesteaded resident, increase range of  
$93-$136.  
Ms. Freeman continued presentation with general fund budgeted inflows and outflows;  
showed general revenue by account sheet; no questions; presented a summary of  
expenditures by department; reviewed each department; an average of 4% across the  
board for merit increases; many charges were moved from Finance to Town-wide  
budget to more appropriately report; Commissioner Kelly commented on line item,  
correction will be made; employee recognition has been moved under human  
resources, tuition reimbursement has been added back in as well; Town-wide  
operations has increased due to items being moved from Finance Department such as  
fire.  
Ms. Lancaster spoke on Largo Fire Department, Largo has requested a 25.7% increase  
and removal of 5% cap; amount is $163,000 additional; in discussions, expecting a  
significant increase.  
Discussions on other municipalities seeing increase as well; Belleair Bluffs seeing a  
similar projected increase; Ms. Lancaster spoke to having a moderator in the  
conversation, county is reluctant to be involved with process; in Town's best interest to  
work it out; 15 years remaining on current contract; Largo requesting to amend by  
removing cap; response and service is good; contract with labor negotiations  
increased their cost by 13%, unsure as to why we are seeing a higher increase.  
Deputy Mayor Shelly questioned if county EMS have any operational efficiencies that  
could help; majority of calls are medical, not fire; Ms. Lancaster spoke taxpayers paying  
for fire response, users would pay for transport.  
Commissioner Barris questioned when another increase could occur; Ms. Lancaster  
spoke to 3-year labor contract, however anticipates a 4% next year; has requested  
audited statements, has not received; option could be to solicit other bidders for fire  
services; spoke on annual negotiation of sheriff services as example, could do same  
with fire.  
Commissioner Kelly questioned reaching out to Suncoast and Clearwater to get a  
number; Ms. Lancaster affirmed.  
Deputy Mayor Shelly spoke to prior bid of Clearwater being higher; location is not much  
further; spoke to concerns with needing fire but are often on medical calls; increase  
coming.  
Ms. Freeman continued department presentations; spoke on increase to  
Communications budget; Police Department reviewed; Parks Department numbers  
changing, some staff salaries divided as they serve multiple departments; Streets  
Department reviewed, decreased, spoke on responsiveness; Recreation Department  
changes are town events moved to it's own department; special revenue funds were  
reviewed next; tree replacement fund, stormwater funds, no questions; debt service  
funds discussed, no questions; capital projects fund expense reviewed; equipment  
replacement fund is fairly lean; enterprise funds next reviewed; water revenue is lower  
than the expenses, leak adjustments given post hurricane has impacted, will be  
presenting a projected increase in upcoming months.  
Commissioner Kelly requested detail on other services line in water; Ms. Freeman  
clarified.  
Ms. Freeman spoke on Solid Waste fund; conversations on potential change to rates;  
special pick up rate is very low; staff is analyzing; Deputy Mayor Shelly questioned  
recycling and increase. Ms. Freeman will look into and have for next meeting. Ms.  
Freeman continued Solid Waste fund by speaking to trucks and maintenance; may be  
able to purchase a new truck; Building fund next discussed, is a new fund, inspector and  
permit tech are contracted; available for questions.  
Deputy Mayor Shelly questioned Penny for Pinellas; State did away with sales tax on  
commercial lease and Penny portion, would like to see impact. Ms. Lancaster stated  
staff will get back with information.  
Ms. Freeman commended staff for combined effort, spoke on new software; Ms.  
Lancaster spoke to increased transparency.  
25-0098  
CIP Level 1 and 2 Timeline  
Ms. Lancaster stated appropriations still looking good, are on the Governor's desk;  
projects are Indian Rocks phase II over 6 million, bridge at 1.5 million, and  
Mehlenbacher at 1.6 million.  
Ashley Bernal-Assistant Town Manager-presented overview of priorities; applied for  
HMG funding of 75% for Harold's Lake; construction timelines; level 2 priorities and  
projected start times; infrastructure board recommended approval of list as long as  
there is no impacts to drainage or erosion; seeking input from the Commission.  
Mayor Wilkinson questioned when approval is needed; Ms. Lancaster stated it can be  
approved next month, but open and flexible; some project priorities have changed.  
Deputy Mayor Shelly spoke to phase II and III of Indian Rocks Road and alternate  
routes; questioned if timeline needs adjusted for Ponce since it is a detour; Ms.  
Lancaster spoke on waiting until after so fully evaluate.  
Ms. Lancaster stated Andrew Laflin is here to address any initial questions regarding  
financing; has been in conversations with PFM.  
Andrew Laflin-Aclarian, CFO-spoke on state loan application process; early to  
mid-2026; ability to use existing reserves and obtain a loan in 2026; resolution to repay  
Town with loan funds; not rushing into a line of credit, see if SRF loan amounts, can run a  
bank loan in parallel to SRF loan.  
Deputy Mayor Shelly questioned renderings available for Indian Rocks Road phase II  
and III; Ms. Bernal stated 100% plans perhaps by end of year; Ms. Lancaster spoke to  
required bridge meeting; obtaining engineering sign off; not looking to re-engineer  
round-about in phase II, potential to slow down northbound traffic.  
Commissioner Jennings questioned how appropriation funds are disseminated; Ms.  
Bernal stated it depends on agency; quarterly reports are submitted and Town is  
reimbursed.  
Ms. Bernal spoke to Shippo meeting regarding bridge; date set and notices sent.  
Commissioner Kelly questioned when construction will begin; Ms. Bernal spoke to if  
100% plans are received in December, construction could begin in March.  
Commissioner Jennings questioned Phase II; Ms. Lancaster stated getting phase III  
started; Phase II has some challenges that need addressed from safety perspective.  
ADJOURNMENT  
No further business, meeting adjourned in due form at 1:12 PM.  
____________________________  
TOWN CLERK  
APPROVED:  
____________________________  
MAYOR