Village Advances Budget with Focus on Resident Priorities

Published on August 15, 2025

For the past 15 years, the Village Council has engaged in consistent strategic planning to guide Pinecrest's long-term vision, financial priorities, and infrastructure investments. This process blends the Council's forward-looking policy goals with resident feedback most recently gathered through the 2024 Citizen Survey to ensure that community priorities are central to every decision. Many initiatives identified through this planning are incorporated into the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Over the years, this planning process has produced signature community projects, including:
- Construction of the Upper Gardens All-Inclusive Playground at Pinecrest Gardens
- Renovations at Coral Pine Park, including the new Tennis Center 
- Suniland Park Renovations
- Multiple Stormwater Drainage Projects
- Potable Water Project

Recent and ongoing projects include the acquisition of two new Village parks, the sidewalk replacement program, and the Kendall Shared Use Path, expected to be completed in the next several months.

Budget Development: A Multi-Month, Resident-Informed Process
The Village's budget process spans several months and reflects years of careful planning along with current resident feedback. In July, the Village Council adopted a tentative millage rate of 3.86 and committed to working toward lowering it. This aligns with Pinecrest's mission to maintain fiscal responsibility while delivering exceptional municipal services and well-maintained infrastructure.

To advance this goal, the Council will hold budget workshops to weigh priorities, review costs, and decide which projects will be under final consideration for discussion during the two budget public hearings scheduled on September 9 and 16. Residents are encouraged to review the proposed budget and share their input directly with Councilmembers before the budget is finalized.

Opportunities for Public Input
The budget is still being shaped, and residents will have multiple opportunities to contribute:
- A Budget Town Hall hosted by the Village Manager on September 3 at 6 pm at Village Hall to walk through the budget and answer questions
- Public Hearings on September 9 and September 16, where residents can speak directly to the Village Council

A new, current version of the proposed budget will be made available during the latter part of August, ahead of the Village Manager Budget Town Hall and Budget Public Hearings.