SAN ANTONIO - City commissioners this week set a tentative city property tax rate at $2.53 per $1,000 of assessed, taxable property value, holding at last year's rate but still considered a tax increase by state standards.
Under a state formula to evaluate tax rates, the tentative rate set Tuesday is higher than the so-called rollback rate of $2.42 per $1,000. The rollback rate is a rate that takes into account higher property values and would generate the same revenues as the city took in last year.
Using the state formula, the $2.53 rate is considered a 3 percent tax increase.
The rate, which can still be lowered during three upcoming meetings and public hearings, would generate $87,859 out of a total $796,227 in anticipated revenue.
A huge chunk of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 comes through a $300,000 loan for citywide street upgrades. Commissioners also expect to collect $81,159 in gasoline tax money, $41,199 from state taxes and $37,820 from the countywide sales tax increase.
The biggest anticipated expenditures are $455,000 in street repairs, $66,704 for police protection through the Pasco County Sheriff's Office and $63,208 in wages to city employees.
A budget workshop is set for Aug. 17, with City Commission meetings and public hearings scheduled Sept. 7 and 22. All meetings are at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
In other business Tuesday, commissioners reappointed residents Jude Ryan, Mark Pearson, Jerry Greif, Lori Hillman and Michael Irwin to the Board of Adjustments.
And three residents introduced themselves to commissioners as they vie for the commission seat left vacant by the sudden departure of Wendi Merritt, who left last month for family reasons. The applicants are Louis Rinaldi, Nisa Woodham and Tim Newlon. Commissioners are planning to discuss filling the vacancy next month.
