St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch frequently expressed doubt that he could lower property taxes for a fourth consecutive year following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The city’s millage rate will remain unchanged.
Welch presented his administration’s $1.1 billion spending plan to city council members at their July 17 meeting. Money is tighter than in recent years due to an unprecedented storm season and federal funding cuts or freezes.
Environmental resiliency and public safety are focal points in the fiscal year 2026 budget. Welch said the overarching goal was to “balance our fiscal resources with our diverse community needs in a way that is equitable, sustainable and impactful.”…