City of Gainesville
CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
AGENDA

Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 9:00 A.m. - 10:00 A.m.

City Hall Auditorium

200 East University Avenue

Gainesville, FL 32601

 

Commission Members

Mayor Harvey L. Ward, Jr.

Mayor Pro Tempore Bryan Eastman (District 4)

James Ingle (At Large, Seat A)

 Cynthia Moore Chestnut (At Large, Seat B)

Desmon Duncan-Walker (District 1)

Ed Book (District 2)

Casey Willits (District 3)

 

The City Commission makes policy and conducts City business in an open forum. For information on how to attend the meeting and submit public comment, visit the City Agendas & Meetings website. 

 

Neighbors are welcome to attend meetings in person. Seating capacity may be limited. Fill out a
comment card and give it to the meeting clerk to request to speak. Speakers will be called to share
their comments in the order of sign-up.

 

The City Hall Auditorium and Roberta Lisle Kline Conference Room are equipped with hearing loop
assistive listening systems. When using your own hearing aid, you must switch your device to Telecoil
or “T” mode. If your hearing aid does not have a Telecoil mode, broadcast staff can provide a
headset.

 

If you have a disability and need accommodation in order to participate in this meeting, please
contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion at [phone] at least two business days in advance.
TTY (Text Telephone Telecommunication Device) users please call 711 (Florida Relay Service). For
Speech to Speech (STS) relay, please call 1-877-955-5334. For STS Spanish relay, please call 1-
877-955-8773. For STS French Creole relay, please call 1-877-955-8707.

---

A.

CALL TO ORDER

Agenda Statement: The City of Gainesville encourages civil public speech. The Gainesville City Commission expects each person entering this chamber to treat others with respect and courtesy. Speakers are expected to focus on agenda items under discussion and avoid personal attacks or offensive comments. Threatening language is not allowed. Anyone who repeatedly disrupts the proceedings will be asked to leave. Signs, props, posters, food and drink should be left outside the auditorium.

B.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

C.

BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS

1.

2025-264 FY 2026 Budget Development Update (B)

Department: Office of Management & Budget

Description: Staff update on the City’s strategic plan, revenue, and expenditure estimates for FY 2026.

Fiscal Note: Impact to be determined as the FY 2026 budget is developed.

• Recommendation: The City Commission 1) hear a presentation from staff, 2) approve recouping 53% of the assessable fire budget in FY 2026, and 3) provide any other direction as needed.

2.

2025-164 Budget Discussion (B)

Department: Office of Management & Budget

Description: Reports provided to address the motion.

Fiscal Note: No fiscal impact at this time.

• Recommendation: The City Commission review and discuss the information provided.

3.

2025-229 Strategic Plan Update (B)

Department: Office of Management & Budget

Description: Request for City Commission to approve the FY 2026 Strategic Plan.

Fiscal Note: N/A

• Recommendation: The City Commission reaffirm and approve the Strategic Plan goals, critical organizational components and top priorities for FY 2026.

4.

2025-227 Budget Administration Policy Update (B)

Department: Office of Management and Budget

Description: Request for City Commission to approve the updates to the Budget Administration Policy.

Fiscal Note: N/A

• Recommendation: The City Commission approve the proposed changes to the Budget Administration Policy.

5.

2025-108 Proposed General Government Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Development Calendar (NB)

Department: Office of Management & Budget

Description: Request for City Commission approval of the dates for the first and second public hearings for the FY 2026 budget.

Fiscal Note: The cost, if any, of conducting these meetings is available in the FY 2025 Adopted Budget.

• Recommendation: The City Commission approve the Fiscal Year 2026 budget development calendar.

6.

2025-259 Legislative Update (B)

Department: Office of City Manager

Description: This update reflects a snapshot of where certain City legislative priorities stand at the midpoint of the state legislative session, as well as at the federal level with the new Administration and Congress.

Fiscal Note: N/A

• Recommendation: The City Commission receive a presentation from staff.

D.

ORDINANCES: SECOND READING - (Roll Call Required)

E.

MEMBER COMMENT

F.

ADJOURNMENT