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Politics

Job cuts likely toll from tighter budget

Spending is expected to be cut by almost $1-million and jobs will likely be eliminated under a tighter budget the city manager plans to present to the council later this week.

By ANNE LINDBERG
Published June 27, 2007

In addition to eliminating three administrative positions and a part-time fire inspector, the city would donate less to community organizations. Spending in most city departments would decrease. The exception is for public safety.

Seminole residents can expect to pay 15.7 percent more for the services of the county sheriff in the coming fiscal year. The contract with the sheriff will increase from its current $1.6-million to about $1.8-million.

Seminole council members got a preview of the proposal for 2007-08 at Tuesday's meeting, although City Manager Frank Edmunds cautioned that the figures are still fluid.

Under the proposal expected later this week, Edmunds would whack $898, 153 from the operating budget.

Of that $898, 153, about 36 percent, or $322, 950, comes from property taxes. The total amount collected from ad valorem taxes is expected to drop by $102, 066 for nonfire items and $220, 884 for fire/EMS services. This would result in a decrease in the tax rate, or millage, from 2.75 to 2.4793.

The practical effect for Seminole property owners would vary according to the value of their land, but for a $150, 000 home with a $25, 000 homestead exemption, city property taxes would go down from $343.75 to $309.92, a savings of $33.83.

[Last modified June 27, 2007, 07:46:12]