Table of Contents

About the Budget

The City of Stuart’s annual budget provides a framework for the overall fiscal management of the City. The budget presentation is intended to be a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device.

Policy Document

The budget serves to inform the reader about the City of Stuart and the policies which guide prioritization for the spending of resources. The City Manager’s budget message provides a condensed analysis of the budget, highlighting the central issues in developing the budget as well as establishing the theme for the fiscal year. The budget includes the organization-wide financial and programmatic policies and goals that address long-term financial issues, as well as short-term operational policies that direct the development of the annual budget. The budget provides information about the services the City will provide for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2022 and ending on September 30, 2023.

Financial Plan

The budget demonstrates the financial plan of the City, detailing the costs associated with providing municipal services and how the services will be funded. The budget summaries provide the reader with an at-a-glance view of all appropriated funds’ revenue sources and expenditures/expenses by fund, function, and category. The budget explains the underlying assumptions for revenue estimates and analyzes significant revenue trends. In addition, projected beginning and ending fund balances are shown for the fiscal year, demonstrating the anticipated changes in fund balances from one year to the next to assist in future planning. A five-year capital improvement program is included, which assists management in allocating appropriate future resources for capital needs in addition to being able to consider the operating impact of capital outlay.

Operations Guide

The budget provides detailed information on how the City and departments are organized. Within the departmental sections, the reader is provided information about the activities, services and functions that are carried out by each department in support of the overall City Commission goals and objectives.

Communications Device

The budget provides the reader with summary information to assist with understanding revenue sources and planned fiscal spending that support the established goals and objectives. Included in the budget document is a table of contents and a glossary to enable the reader to locate information and to understand the terminology used throughout the document. Charts, graphs, and tables are strategically used to provide a visual demonstration of the narrative presented. The City Manager’s Budget Message provided at the beginning of the budget document provides the reader with a condensed analysis of the financial plans for fiscal year 2023.

The individuals and groups that determine the budget and the management of our City.

This place we call home, where we live, where we work, and where we play.

City Vision and Mission

VISION

Experience the "Sailfish Capital" in Florida's best hometown!

MISSION

Dedicated to delivering a high quality of life to Stuart residents and visitors through:

• Ensuring safety by complementing the Police and Fire Rescue missions.

• Preserving historic character and small-scale, small-town charm with attractive design and planning for a vibrant urban center.

• Supporting thriving business and commerce, while tempering "over-development'' and sprawl.

• Supporting a healthy riverine environment, waterfront activities and marine-based recreation and commerce.

• Demonstrating helpful, polite hospitality and neighborly friendliness for residents and guests of all types and ages.

• Striving for recognition as a cultural arts center to help increase the economic base and supporting tourism.

• Promoting wholesome and culturally diverse programming, entertainment, education and recreation.

• Acting smart with forward thinking and using latest technologies.