Bradenton Beach officials began shaping the community redevelopment agency’s 2025-26 budget Aug. 6, focusing on unfinished infrastructure projects and stormwater problems highlighted by hurricanes Helene and Milton.
City treasurer Shayne Thompson walked CRA members — the commission and mayor — through a draft budget prepared by staff.
“We met as staff a couple weeks ago to give you guys a framework,” Thompson said.
He emphasized that the presented figures are not final and could be revised as priorities shift. “What’s in the budget doesn’t have to necessarily need to stay where it is,” he said.
The draft budget for the new fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 showed $776,404 in projected revenue, a nearly 23% decrease from this year’s $1,010,230. The reduction stems primarily from a drop in redevelopment shared revenue, which is expected to fall by $217,114 — from $864,714 to $647,600.
The revenue is a portion of both the city’s and the county’s ad valorem tax that is transferred to the CRA — approximately 80% coming from the county and roughly 20% from the city.
Following the 2024 hurricane season, Bradenton Beach is facing a 14% drop in ad valorem revenue due in part to a state statute that allows temporary tax exemptions for properties rendered uninhabitable for more than 30 days after a declared disaster.
Despite the drop in revenue, spending is set to rise significantly. The draft budget allocates $1,864,050 for projects — up from $349,606 last year — as the CRA focuses on recovery and redevelopment goals.
A top priority will be the undergrounding of utilities.
“The underground, to me, is one of the most important,” Commissioner Ralph Cole said. “I would really like to see us get back to that.”
Budget items include:
- $300,000 for underground electrical improvements;
- $300,000 for parking lot pavers;
- $50,000 for street signs;
- $29,050 for seagrass and waterfront improvements;
- $50,000 for parking infrastructure;
- $30,000 for sidewalks and streets.
Police Chief John Cosby, who is also the city’s public works director, addressed the need to remedy recurring stormwater issues.
“The main issue is this (older) system that was put in to try and force the water to flow slower so that it would percolate into the ground. We are on a barrier island, that’s not going to happen,” Cosby said.
Cosby also pointed to the need to revitalize Bridge Street, a main commercial street, with irrigation, lighting, landscaping and improvements in pedestrian access: “We need to meet with citizens that live in the district and then also the business owners… and get their ideas.”
Mayor John Chappie supported taking the next step and recommended starting the search for qualified contractors.
“I think what we should do in our next few meetings is put on the agenda to talk about going out for a request for proposal, and maybe plan that (work)out in its different stages,” Chappie said.
The CRA will continue the budget planning in upcoming meetings, including two public hearings in September before adopting the budget.
The next CRA meeting will be at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 21, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.