If City Council approves, homeowners will pay a bit more, some employees will get more.
By JOSH ZIMMER
Published September 5, 2004
TEMPLE TERRACE - The city administration proposes a $20-million annual budget that would maintain the same tax rate for the sixth straight year.
But despite the fiscal constraint, the average homeowner still will pay more if City Council approves the plan later this month. The reason is higher property values, city Finance Director Lee Huffstutler said.
The budget calls for a tax rate of 4.91 mills, equivalent of $4.91 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. On a home valued at the city average of $135,000, the homeowner would pay $662.85.
Huffstutler said the city's overall financial health is stronger going into the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.
"I was pleased," he said.
Last year, a declining stock market left the city's pension fund stagnant, forcing officials to allot more money toward employee retirement plans. Salary adjustments, higher energy and insurance costs and land purchases also put a crimp on the budget.
In response, the city froze health coverage, lowered the maximum raise to 4 percent, spent less on capital projects and increased sewer rates.
But city employees may dare crack a smile during the coming fiscal year.
A 7 percent increase in property values means the city will collect more property taxes. Membership fees at the recreation center are scheduled to increase 10 percent and revenues are up at shopping plazas the city owns at the southeast corner of 56th Street and Bullard Parkway. The property is the site of a proposed $150-million redevelopment project.
Higher revenues mean the city can once again offer employees up to 6 percent merit salary increases, Huffstutler said. And although health care costs jumped 16 percent, the city will pay 10 percent of that increase, he said.
If the city council approves the proposed budget, employees with family plans will pay more. But about 150 employees on single-person plans should pay less.
The first public hearing on the budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at the City Council chambers. The second hearing, and possibly final hearing, is scheduled for Sept. 28 at the same place and time.
In other city business, residents Tuesday gave their thumbs up to a referendum that will let people vote for candidates to fill vacancies on the City Council. The proposal, approved by a 58.6 percent to 41.4 percent margin, changes the city charter, which gave council members the power to choose the replacements.
The issue arose when former council member Joe Affronti stepped down to run for mayor. City businessman Kenneth Tozier, now a mayoral candidate, objected and started a petition drive to place the proposed change on the Aug. 31 primary ballot.
His first effort fell short when the petitions didn't include enough legitimate signatures. The second list succeeded.
Josh Zimmer covers Temple Terrace and the area around the University of South Florida. He can be reached at 813-269-5314 or zimmer@sptimes.com
