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The real (e)state of your taxes
By TIMES STAFF
Published July 16, 2007
 | Mayors Frank Hibbard, left, of Clearwater, Pam Iorio of Tampa and Rick Baker of St. Petersburg discuss issues common to their respective cities at a 2005 luncheon at the Vinoy Renaissance Resort.
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[Times photo: Willie J. Allen Jr. (2005)]
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Where it comes to property taxes, city governments make the point all the time: If you think it's bad here, why don't you check that other city? So we did. The Times asked each of the area's three biggest cities a series of questions about how much it charges for services and how much it pays its employees. It costs more, it turns out, to turn on the water in St. Petersburg, but less for health care. Clearwater gets a good rate on an oil change, but spends any savings on employee health care. And Tampa's the place to join a softball league or serve on the City Council. | | Clearwater | Tampa | St. Pete | | | | | | | Population | 110,602 | 332,888 | 253,856 | | | | | | | Your taxes | | 2007 tax rate | 5.2088 | 6.408 | 6.6 | | Tax rate since 2002 | -5.35% | -2% | -7.56% | | Property taxes per resident | $479.20 | $490.21 | $423.85 | | Property taxes per resident 2002 | $257.25 | $289.46 | $268.64 | | | | | | | Your city | | Employees | 1,862 | 5,000 | 2,805 | | Residents for each employee | 59 | 66 | 91 | | Rookie firefighter/paramedic salary | $42,388 | $40,510 | $41,098 | | Police chief's salary | $116,632 | $145,642 | $146,400 | | Employees making more than $100,000 | 9 | 101 | 55 | | City Council member salary | $18,320 | $40,250 | $39,330 | | Mayor/city manager's computer last replaced | 2007 | 2003 | 2004 | | Health care cost per employee | $6,400 | $4,370 | $4,312 | | Ceremonial golden shovel * | $55 | under $20 | $23.72 | | Oil change | $15.95 | $25 | $24.91 | | | | | | | Your costs . | | Overdue library book per day | $.10 | N/A** | $.15 | | Swimming pool admission | $1.87-$5.61 | No charge | $2-$2.50 | | Softball league (team) | $425 | $240 | $320 | | Turning on the water | $20 | $30 | $30 | | | | | | * All three cities use regular shovels and spray-paint them gold. The shovels then return to service.
** The library system in Tampa is run by Hillsborough County. |
Compiled by Aaron Sharockman, Mike Donila and Janet Zink
[Last modified July 16, 2007, 01:47:02]
Share your thoughts on this story
Comments on this article
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by Reuben
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10/13/07 10:48 AM
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How much does a FF/EMT make in Springhill (Hernando County?)
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by Diane
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07/21/07 11:46 PM
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We are currently living in an area that has become "Discovered" and I was wanting to know what we have to look forward to.
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by LJP
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07/18/07 09:51 PM
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Starting pay for a Firefighter/Paramedic in Tampa is $33,500. The salary $41,510 is for a Paramedic who is promoted into this pay scale. Also there are only approx. 100 positions available for that pay table.
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by Jocephus
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07/16/07 06:53 PM
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Clearwater is a much smaller city, so it's probably less work.
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by Lea
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07/16/07 06:14 PM
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tj- ask yourself not why Clearwater council pay is low; but why are the others so high for what is essentially a part-time job? Most of these council members have full time employment in addition to what we pay them to raise our taxes for us.
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by Rod
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07/16/07 11:28 AM
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Ty for printing the truth. Taxes are out of control.We are spending to much on Health care? Our local government is turning into GM! Last time i checked my company did not pay for my HMO. Wow Taxes are up 86% in 5 years.Can you say Boston Tea Party!!
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by David
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07/16/07 10:47 AM
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You missed some important stats. % of residents actually paying property taxes. And average taxes paid by residences who pay taxes. Taxes per resident doesn't show the difference in disposable income for those carrying the load. Value of exemptions?
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by Doe
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07/16/07 09:49 AM
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Looks like Clearwater needs to see what the others are doing for health care. I know it seems common sense so it might throw them for a loop and confuse them, but c'mon, you can do it!
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by tj
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07/16/07 08:09 AM
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in tampa and st pete city coucil makes nearly the same as rookie firefighter, why such a bigger difference in clearwr?
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