White Paper: Budget Process

Your City just cut its budget. But what did we actually give up to get there—and will residents feel those cuts?

At Monday’s budget review, Marco Island department directors reported cutting services and deferring maintenance to meet a 5% reduction target set by the City Manager. What residents did not receive was a clear accounting of what was reduced, where those cuts were made, how services may be affected or what postponed work could cost us later.

A lower budget number may sound good, but residents deserve to know whether they will feel those cuts—and, if so, how and where. I believe the public and Council members should have the full picture before the budget is adopted.

Read my full letter and analysis by clicking here.

— Rick Woodworth
Marco Island resident and candidate for City Council, November 2026