The Challenge
Port St. Lucie's city budget has grown significantly with our population, but residents aren't always seeing the benefits in their daily lives. With a total citywide budget of approximately $597 million, we need to ensure every dollar is working for the people who pay it.
$99.1M
Property tax revenue (FY 2024) - 49.9% of general fund
$467
Annual trash fee per household
4.66
City millage rate (one of Florida's lowest)
Steven's Plan
- Audit Every Department - Conduct a comprehensive efficiency review of all city departments to identify waste, duplication, and opportunities for consolidation.
- Zero-Based Budgeting - Require departments to justify every expense annually, not just incremental increases, ensuring funds are allocated based on current priorities.
- Maximize Grant Opportunities - Aggressively pursue federal and state grants for infrastructure, public safety, and economic development. Florida offers millions in competitive grants that PSL can leverage.
- Public-Private Partnerships - Partner with private sector for services where it makes financial sense, reducing taxpayer burden while maintaining quality.
- Transparent Spending Dashboard - Create a public online dashboard showing exactly how taxpayer dollars are spent, line by line, updated in real-time.
- Consolidate Contracts - Negotiate better rates by bundling city contracts and using collective purchasing power with St. Lucie County and neighboring municipalities.
- Performance-Based Contracts - Tie vendor payments to measurable outcomes, ensuring we only pay for results that benefit residents.
Where We'll Invest the Savings
Money saved through efficiency won't disappear—it will be reinvested in priorities that directly improve quality of life:
- Road repairs and traffic improvements
- More frequent trash and bulk waste collection
- Public safety equipment and training
- Parks and recreational facilities
- Youth programs and community events
The Bottom Line
As your Mayor, I will treat taxpayer dollars with the same care I use with my own family's budget. Every expense will be scrutinized. Every contract will be competitive. Every dollar saved will go back to making Port St. Lucie a better place to live, work, and raise a family.