Greco grants some wishes

The new budget includes a hybrid rescue vehicle but not a community center or municipal services building.

By JOHN BALZ, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 25, 2002

TAMPA -- Tampa Mayor Dick Greco's proposed 2003 budget fulfills some of New Tampa's wishes but comes up short on a number of others.

With the sluggish economy eating into city revenues, officials are asking residents to tighten their belts and hold out a bit longer on services already promised to them.

Atop the list of items on hold: a new ambulance. Residents have clamored for a second ambulance at Fire Station 21 on Cross Creek Boulevard, saying the current rescue car often gets bogged down in rush hour traffic.

Instead, the preliminary budget allocates money for a 4-by-4 hybrid rescue vehicle that can provide basic levels of emergency care. In extreme circumstances, the truck could be used to transport a patient.

At $30,000, the hybrid is far cheaper than a $350,000 ambulance, but it cannot provide full life-saving capabilities.

Tampa fire Chief Pete Botto said he's not sure whether the vehicle would be placed at Station 21 or Station 20 on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

In addition, the fire department will keep a used ambulance that would normally be retired from the fleet and station it in the North Tampa area, most likely at Station 13 at 2713 E Annie St.

Either way, New Tampa will see "an increased level of service," Botto said.

The mayor's budget does not include funding for a 15,000-square-foot community center and a 30,000-square-foot municipal services building at a 40-acre park adjacent to the new schools complex.

The facility, when it eventually is built, will serve as a satellite office for city services. Residents will be able to process building and inspection permits, pay utility bills and hold meetings in some of the building's activity spaces.

City council member Shawn Harrison said the city has to figure out a way to pay for those buildings.

"We've got to sort that out before the budgetary process is finished because it's something that has been promised to the people out there," Harrison said.

-- John Balz can be reached at (813) 269-5313 or at balz@sptimes.com.

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