Print

Email story

Comment

Letter to the editor

Politics

Budget worries cross region

Here is a look at budget situations around the bay area.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published June 13, 2007

CLEARWATER: Clearwater has braced itself for a $12-million hit in 2007-08 and even targeted $7.5-million in jobs, services and facilities for the chopping block.

But under a state plan lawmakers are discussing this week, the city would face property tax cuts of just $3.7-million next year - though it will be roughly $6-million less than the city might have collected under current law due to increases in property values.

Until lawmakers act, city leaders say they're still preparing a proposed budget that reflects the initially-discussed $7.5-million in reductions.

PASCO COUNTY: While other counties and cities face blunt budget carving, Pasco could use new construction added to its tax base to increase its general fund next year, County Commissioner Ted Schrader said Tuesday after discussions with county staffers.

Their estimate is $162-million could be received, an increase over the $154-million in property taxes this year to cover services like policing and libraries.

It makes the latest projection in a series of uncertain proposals for next year more palatable in a county with a budget of $1.1-billion in 2007.

HERNANDO COUNTY: Budget director George Zoettlein Monday afternoon estimated that the county's general fund would be reduced by about $12-million.

That's a big hit, but it's better than the $20-million cut Hernando might have seen under a plan hatched by Gov. Charlie Crist, he said.

"It's $8-million less, " Zoettlein said, adding, "but where do we get the $12-million?"

LARGO: If state lawmakers this week go forward with their plans to roll back property tax rates, Largo would collect $1.6-million less in property taxes than it did this year. Two weeks ago, as lawmakers tinkered with tax-cut plans, Largo's staff presented city leaders with options that could save the city $6-million, about 10 percent of the planned 2007-08 general fund budget of $62-million.

The city's original cost-reduction proposal would cut school resource officers, Sunday library hours and the equivalent of about 81 full-time positions.

[Last modified June 13, 2007, 00:50:30]