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Largo expects to avoid tax rate increase

At a budget workshop, city commissioners hear good news about a long-term financial plan that includes several projects to be funded.

By SHANNON TAN
Published July 13, 2005

LARGO - The property tax rate is not going up.

Neither are utility rates.

That should come as a relief to residents, who were slammed with tax, sewer, solid waste and drainage rate increases last year.

The City Commission discussed an update on Largo's long-term financial plan at Tuesday's work session. Although commissioners adopted the city's first biennial budget last year, some changes are being proposed for the fiscal 2006 budget.

Property values rose 14.6 percent, which would add about $500,000 in property tax revenue. Spending is expected to increase to $106.1-million, up from the original planned budget of $102.1-million.

"Overall, we're still in good shape," said Management Services Director Kimball Adams.

A $1.19-million road reconstruction project is planned within the Bay Vista office park on Roosevelt Boulevard and 58th Street North. The amount includes $70,000 to install a fence along the east side of Datsko Park.

And reconstructing the Largo Golf Course is expected to cost $1.8-million. City officials hope the improvements will make the course profitable again.

City staff also is asking for $209,500 to renovate the James S. Miles and Richard A. Leandri Military Court of Honor. The city has received a $198,400 federal grant for the project, which involves replacing plaques and tiles and redesigning the pond.

The police technology project, which will put computers in police cars, is being rebudgeted for fiscal 2006. The city has received three federal grants totaling $2.2-million for the technology project. But reviewing the proposals from 10 different companies will take longer than expected, Adams said.

Tuesday's update was a prelude to the actual budget process.

City commissioners will vote Tuesday to set a maximum property tax rate of $4.75 for every $1,000 of taxable value. The commission will review the budget at a work session Aug. 9. Public hearings are tentatively scheduled for Aug. 30 and Sept. 8.

A property tax rate increase is projected for fiscal 2008 and 2009. A solid waste increase is anticipated in fiscal 2007, a stormwater rate increase in fiscal 2008 and a wastewater rate increase in 2009.

But constantly changing factors like gas prices, inflation and housing revenues affect revenues and expenditures and therefore projections.

"It's not written in stone," Adams said.

Commissioner Harriet Crozier said the projected 11 percent solid waste increase in 2007 was "pretty hefty." But Adams attributed the higher costs to equipment repairs and soaring fuel prices.

Shannon Tan can be reached at shtan@sptimes.com or 445-4174.

[Last modified July 13, 2005, 00:10:12]