City leaders in St. Pete and Tampa have unveiled their proposed budgets for the upcoming fiscal year—and both are placing a major focus on storm preparedness and storm recovery.

In St. Petersburg, Mayor Ken Welch presented a $1.1 billion budget to the city council on Thursday, highlighting $202 million in capital improvement projects aimed at strengthening infrastructure and protecting the environment.

Nearly $10 million is also earmarked for the Housing and Community Development Department to support grant programs that help residents with housing needs.

Council members raised concerns about looming federal budget cuts, including reductions to FEMA, and how that could affect storm recovery efforts. Council member Corey Givens Jr. stressed the importance of funding for “community navigators”—on-the-ground workers who connect residents to critical resources in the aftermath of natural disasters.

“One of the things I pressed the mayor for in this budget—and I’m glad to see it included—is funding for these community navigators,” Givens said. “With FEMA support shrinking, we’re going to need local boots on the ground helping neighbors recover.”

The council will take a deeper look at the budget in a committee meeting later this month.

Across the bay, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor proposed a nearly $2 billion budget—an increase from last year’s $1.8 billion—also emphasizing disaster readiness.

The plan includes $79 million to replace aging wastewater pipes and $11 million for permanent backup generators at stormwater pump stations.

Public safety remains a top priority, with $455 million proposed for the city’s police and fire departments. Castor said all revenue from property taxes will go directly to supporting first responders.

“Property taxes fund public safety,” Castor said. “When Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit, our first responders answered 15,000 emergency calls and saved hundreds from floodwaters. We can’t do this without strong investment.”

Tampa’s city council is expected to review the budget in an August workshop, followed by a series of public hearings. Both cities’ new budgets go into effect on October 1.

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