The City of Tampa has released its proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget, themed “Grounded in Progress,” reflecting a continued commitment to strengthening core city services, investing in resilient infrastructure, and addressing priorities identified by residents.
Mayor Jane Castor presented the proposal to City Council on Thursday morning.
“Tampa has become one of the most exciting cities in the country. But great cities aren’t built on buzz, they’re built on strong foundations,” said Mayor Castor. “Roads, stormwater systems, and water lines might not be glamorous, but they keep our city running. When we invest in the basics, we unlock opportunity, strengthen resilience, and lay the foundation for future growth.”
She emphasized that the budget builds on years of smart, responsible planning while positioning the city for long-term success.
“This budget is grounded in the values we hear from our community every day – safety, reliability, and results. It prioritizes the essentials that keep our neighborhoods strong and our city moving forward,” added Mayor Castor.
Public safety remains the city’s top priority. For another consecutive year, every dollar of Tampa’s $380 million in property tax revenue is allocated to police and fire services. Total spending on public safety in the proposed budget exceeds $455 million. The city has added more than 100 firefighters and 60 police officers since 2019, contributing significantly to the current 20% reduction in crime and 63% drop in homicides citywide.
The budget also addresses the lasting impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, with major investments in storm preparation and flood mitigation. This includes $11 million toward permanent backup generators at key stormwater pump stations and funding for the city’s Pump Station Rapid Response Team. In the past year, stormwater crews have removed more than 12,000 tons of debris from the city’s drainage system to reduce flooding risk.
Tampa’s ongoing PIPES program has replaced more than 270 miles of aging water and wastewater lines. The FY26 budget includes an additional $79 million to continue this work, along with national-leading investments in advanced water treatment technology to remove PFAs and other chemicals from drinking water, ultimately improving safety while reducing water treatment costs.
Despite the loss of transportation surtax revenue, the city continues to make mobility improvements by relying on in-house repaving and sidewalk repair crews. Since 2019, more than 235 miles of roads have been resurfaced, and sidewalk repairs have outpaced the last decade’s total. The proposed budget supports continued expansion of the city’s walk-bike network, including major projects like the Green Spine , Green Artery , and West Riverwalk , as well as planning for the future streetcar extension.
In East Tampa, the nearly completed Fair Oaks Recreation Complex stands as a new model for community-designed public space. The FY26 budget also includes additional funding for maintenance and upgrades at neighborhood parks across the city.
On housing, the city continues to respond to affordability challenges with new residential development, zoning reforms, and down payment assistance. Since 2020, Tampa has added 20,000 housing units, including thousands of affordable homes. The budget supports continued permitting activity and new projects like the Army-Navy Surplus redevelopment project in downtown Tampa.
“Tampa is growing, but we’re growing with purpose,” said Mayor Castor. “This budget reflects smart, balanced investments that protect what makes our city special while preparing for the future.”
Tampa’s financial position remains strong, with one of the highest municipal bond ratings in the nation, a healthy rainy-day fund, and rising household incomes. The median household income in Tampa has now surpassed $70,000 for the first time.
Following the mayor’s presentation, Chief Financial Officer Dennis Rogero provided a detailed overview of the proposed FY26 budget. City Council will begin deliberations in the coming weeks, with public hearings scheduled later this summer.