“We continue to take control of our destiny,” Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon said in his State of the City report during the July 7 city commission meeting.
“The city is moving forward in a positive progressive manner with an active, engaged commission and staff,” he continued.
Shearon’s report, which was read aloud by city clerk Terri Sanclemente at the meeting, highlighted four essential city elements — finances, capital improvements, the planning and building department and the city’s community redevelopment area.
“The city currently has no debt,” Shearon wrote. The city has $9.4 million in assets and $1.3 million in reserve funds.
But Shearon’s report also noted the city has been using reserve funds in the past to balance the budget. “As mayor, I will not support a deficit budget or the use of reserve funds.”
Shearon and commissioners will begin negotiating the 2016-17 budget at 1 p.m. Friday, July 15, at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.
The mayor also encouraged commissioners and staff members to work together to end the practice of deficit spending and find a balance between spending and future income from property taxes.
In the areas of capital improvement, the planning and building department and CRA, Shearon reported on past and future projects.
• Commissioners are working to develop a multi-year capital improvement plan.
• Several projects such as Herb Dolan Park renovations and improvements to Historic Bridge Street will be completed in fiscal year 2016-17.
• CRA special funding will expire in 2019. Shearon said work to extend the funding and its uses needs to begin.
“Our success will be measured by how well we preserve and maintain our ‘old Florida lifestyle community’ for future generations,” Shearon concluded.
This is Shearon’s third state of the city report. It is mandated in the city charter.
To read Shearon’s report, visit city hall at 107 Gulf Drive N. or go online at www.islander.org.
Click here to veiw the 2016 Bradenton Beach State of the City report