City Commission Budget Workshop

MINUTES

-
City Hall Auditorium
200 East University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
Members Present:
  • Commissioner Book, 
  • Commissioner Duncan-Walker, 
  • Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, 
  • James Ingle, 
  • Mayor Ward, 
  • and Commissioner Willits 
Members Absent:
  • Commissioner Chestnut 

A.
CALL TO ORDER

  

Meeting called to order at 1:00 p.m.

Steve Kalishman, Sister Cities Program, introduced the delegation of Novorossiysk.

Igor Zharinov, Novorossiysk CCI President, gave comments and presented a gift to the City of Gainesville that Mayor Ward accepted.

B.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

  
  • Moved byCommissioner Duncan-Walker
    Seconded byMayor Pro Tem Eastman

    Motion: The City Commission adopt the agenda.

    Aye (6)Mayor Ward, Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner Book, Commissioner Willits, and James Ingle
    Absent (1)Commissioner Chestnut
    Approved (6 to 0)

C.
BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS

  

1.
2025-371 FY 2026 Budget Development Workshop (B)

This item has attachments.  

Cynthia Curry, City Manager, introduced the item, and spoke relating to her budget, staffing, and the work her office does for Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU).

Cintya Ramos, Executive Chief of Staff, gave a presentation on the FY 2026 Budget Development Workshop.

Dan Nee, City Attorney, spoke to the item relating to his budget, staffing, and the work his office does for Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU).

Kristen Bryant, City Clerk, spoke to the item relating to her budget being relatively stable in comparison to last year, staff levels have dropped by a quarter since FY2023, and represented her office meets multiple responsibilities for GRU.

Zariah Folston, Equal Opportunity Director, to his budget, staffing, and the work his office does for GRU.

Dennis Nguyen, Director of Finance, spoke to the item, highlighting the accomplishments of his office.

Laura Graetz, Human Resources Director, spoke to the item, highlighting the accomplishments of her office.

Andrew Persons, Chief Operations Officer, spoke to the item related to the GRU expenses in the technology department.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission hear the presentation from staff.

    Heard

D.
MEMBER COMMENT

  

Commissioner Duncan-Walker: For Children's Book Week, shared the book Ella Goes to City Hall; Visited the Elite Force Academy supported by the Gainesville Housing Authority, to train residents to help increase their income, maybe the city can offer larger space as this program grows, also to possible include electrician apprenticeships; community care call out.

Brandace Stone, Director of Community Health Initiatives, gave details on the Community Care Callout tonight at TB McPherson Center, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. community-based resources, and 1000 voices will be performing.

Commissioner Book: Santa Fe College graduations include apprenticeships, Star Wars, May the 4th city event had good attendance from youth.

Commissioner Eastman: Went over the timeline of the development of a fiscally conservative budget over the last few years, and the deductions Gainesville Regional Utilities has made to the city's budget.

Mayor Ward: Attended Free Fridays - Live and Local series at Bo Diddly Plaza featuring high school-aged bands; mentioned the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American.

E.
ADJOURNMENT

  

Meeting adjourned at 2:46 p.m.

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