Transit authority proposes tax cut

Higher property values, favorable insurance rates and lower fuel costs mean the bus operation needs less tax.

By LORRI HELFAND, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 5, 2002

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority plans to reduce the tax rate for the coming year while increasing bus services.

The PSTA's board of directors has proposed a millage rate of .6319, a 2.8 percent decrease from this year's rate. The PSTA's proposed budget is $36,906,250.

If the budget is approved, increased bus services will include an extension of Route 11 -- from ParkSide Mall, through Gateway Centre to Crossroads Mall in Clearwater. Sunday service will increase on Route 52 from every two hours to hourly.

Route 58, which travels from the Bryan Dairy corridor, will be extended to serve Gulf Boulevard and Park Boulevard on the western end, and Carillon and Gateway Mall on the east.

A new route with trolleys will be introduced between John's Pass Village and Tyrone Mall. This route will be designed to connect with the Suncoast Beach Trolley that travels on Gulf Boulevard between the Sheraton Sand Key and Pass-a-Grille.

A second public hearing on the bus system's budget will begin at 5:05 p.m. Wednesday at PSTA headquarters, 14840 49th St. N.

PSTA board members said the tax rate reduction is possible because of larger than anticipated increases in assessed property values, favorable renewal rates on employee health insurance and lower fuel prices.

If the proposed tax rate is approved, the owner of a home with an assessed taxable value of $125,000, after a $25,000 homestead exemption, would pay $63.19 in PSTA property taxes.

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