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Dade City officials want more money to hit the road

If their 79-percent budget hike passes, they'll be the city spending the most on travel and conferences in the county.

By GINA PACE and MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published September 12, 2006

DADE CITY - The city's slim 2006-07 budget includes a proposed 79-percent hike in the allotment commissioners give themselves for travel and attendance at conferences.

The increase would make Dade City, with about 7,200 residents, the biggest such spender in Pasco County.

The $12,500 the city has budgeted works out to $2,500 for each commissioner and the mayor to spend on conference registration, hotel rooms and travel expenses. Last year, the city budgeted $7,000 for such items.

Even New Port Richey, Pasco's largest city with more than 16,000 residents, is budgeting $9,000 for next year.

Each city distributes money to commissioners a bit differently. In New Port Richey council members use the funds as needed, said Linda Kann with the city manager's office. Port Richey allocates $7,700 total, but sets aside $2,500 for training if any new council members are elected, said City Manager Jerry Calhoun.

Zephyrhills budgets $9,000 for the council members and mayor, which works out to $1,500 per person, said City Manager Steve Spina. Zephyrhills typically sends a single member to events such as the Suncoast League of Cities conference. In Dade City, all commissioners have the option to attend.

San Antonio budgets $3,300 annually for registration and lodging at two conferences. Two commissioners typically attend each, said city clerk Barbara Sessa.

The town of St. Leo, in the current draft of next year's budget, increased money for travel and conferences by $2,500 over last year "to encourage continuing education," town clerk Joan Miller said.

The town's five commissioners, who are unpaid, and three employees will share $8,500 next year to attend seminars.

At a budget workshop last week, Dade City Mayor Hutch Brock questioned the increase, saying commissioners should "tighten our belt."

But Commissioner Camille Hernandez, who was elected in April, defended the spending, which remains in the tentative budget.

Another budget workshop is scheduled for 4 p.m. today in the City Hall Annex. The final budget hearing will be Sept. 21.

RANKING THE CITIES

How Pasco's cities' proposed spending ranks:

Dade City: $12,500

Port Richey: $10,200*

New Port Richey: $9,000

Zephyrhills: $9,000

St. Leo: $8,500

San Antonio: $3,300

*Includes $2,500 set aside if new council members are elected

[Last modified September 12, 2006, 07:35:21]