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Budget up a bit; here are highlights

The proposed plan holds the tax rate steady, but homeowners can expect to pay more due to rising property values.

By ANNE LINDBERG
Published September 18, 2005

SEMINOLE - City council members gave unanimous tentative approval Wednesday to the 2005-06 budget. Once again, Seminole has managed to keep the tax rate the same thanks to increasing property values. The increased property values will translate to higher taxes for city residents.

Although Seminole took some unexpected hits with the loss of the Bay Pines VA Medical Center contract and higher expenses from the contract with the Pinellas County sheriff, the city was able to tweak certain areas, such as office supplies, and take advantage of rising interest rates. The higher interest rates gave the city more income than officials received in 2004-05.

Public hearing scheduled for the Sept. 27 City Council meeting at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 9199 113th St. N.

TOTAL OPERATING BUDGET: $16.58-million, a 2.1 percent increase over last year.

MILLAGE RATE

- Stays the same, at 2.9396 mills, for fifth consecutive year.

- Homeowner pays $294 on a home valued at $125,000 with a $25,000 homestead exemption.

A LOSS FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

- The fire department's budget goes up by 8.3 percent, or $599,430, from $7.2-million to $7.8-million. And while expenses increased, revenues decreased after the department lost the contract to serve the Bay Pines VA Medical Center in July. The Lealman Fire District outbid the department, offering to provide service to the hospital for less than the $186,600 Seminole would have charged. Seminole lost $49,860 because of the change; the remaining $136,740 loss is borne by taxpayers in the unincorporated portion of Seminole's fire district.

MORE MONEY TO THE SHERIFF

- The cost of the contract with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office goes up by 6.6 percent, or $223,662 - from $3.4-million to $3.6-million. The sheriff, who provides deputies for Seminole, will charge the city for school crossing guards this year for the first time. Seminole will pay about $51,000 for eight guards.

COMING PROJECTS

- As in previous years, Seminole has dedicated part of the operating budget to long-term capital improvements. That money is allowed to accumulate over several years so Seminole can pay cash for bigger projects. In the new budget, the city put away $843,500 for long-term capital projects that include a senior center, restrooms for Blossom Lake Park and tennis courts. In 2005-06, smaller projects will include street lights, ornamental street signs and road beautification on Park Boulevard from 113th Street N to Seminole Boulevard, and a stormwater drainage master plan for annexed areas.

[Last modified September 18, 2005, 02:15:36]