Some are riled that services risked being cut in the first place. The mayor says he never wanted to cut jobs.
By SHANNON TAN
Published September 17, 2005
LARGO - More than a hundred residents and city staffers packed City Hall Thursday night, begging city commissioners to save the outreach and before- and after-school child care programs.
A nervous sixth-grader told commissioners the programs were "great." Children hammed it up in front of TV cameras and high-fived their parents after they spoke.
After listening to nearly 20 people, Mayor Bob Jackson asked other commissioners if they wanted to cut the programs.
Before- and after-school child care? Nope.
Parks? No.
The police department's victim's advocate? Definitely not.
People applauded.
But while some residents thanked commissioners, others chastised them for creating the financial bind that put those jobs and services in danger in the first place.
"We're here in this muddle, because . . . the budget process came down to one hour in which the mayor sprung his surprise," said a visibly angry J.B. Butler. "He said, "Let's have a tax cut.' "
Jackson took exception to Butler's comment.
"I'm not going to allow you to stand and berate me," he replied.
"Mr. Mayor, are you going to cut me off?" Butler exclaimed. "Then drag me away."
Police Chief Lester Aradi approached Butler, who walked away from the podium.
Jackson said he never intended to slash current jobs and city programs to make up for a $1.66-million loss in revenue after commissioners voted to roll back the property tax rate.
Now, the city will dig into its $9-million general reserve fund to make up the shortfall.
Commissioners Mary Gray Black, Andrew Guyette and Jean Halvorsen joined Jackson in voting Thursday to roll back the rate from $4.75 to $4.28 in city taxes for every $1,000 of taxable value.
Commissioner Pat Gerard opposed the move.
"I want to let the people of Largo know we probably will be raising taxes again next year back to where they were before," she said.
Commissioners also voted 5-2, with Black and Vice Mayor Gay Gentry opposing, to keep the budget intact without cutting any programs or jobs.
Before Thursday's meeting, Jackson submitted a memo suggesting cuts in lobbying, consulting and the Neighborhood Partnership Grant program. Black, however, saved her lengthy list of $614,100 in proposed cuts to read at the meeting. Her suggestions included trimming employee training, newspaper advertising, uniform costs and lobbying.
"I did my homework as I promised residents of the city when I was elected," she said.
Black also recommended having the commission's secretary report to the commission instead of the city manager. Gerard said that would involve changing the city charter.
Whipping out her copy of the charter, Black read that the mayor exercises general supervision over the city manager. ". . . Do you take dictation? Do you do what you're asked to?" she questioned City Manager Steve Stanton, as residents laughed.
Guyette broke the tension by making a motion to approve the budget.
