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Politics

Budget cuts may be hard to miss

Cleaner beaches, quality of life programs on the chopping block

By MIKE DONILA
Published July 17, 2007

Peter Jakstas spends his workdays on Clearwater Beach, driving a green tractor that scoops up trash and flattens sand.

But visitors may soon see a lot less of the 32-year-old landscaper and a lot more of the clutter.

In the face of mandatory property tax cuts, Clearwater city officials have proposed curtailing the time landscapers work on the beach, possibly from seven days to five. This means more beer cans, seaweed, dead fish, cigarette butts and candy wrappers on the city's greatest natural asset.

But Clearwater isn't alone in making cuts that will affect residents' quality of life.

As governments wrestle with their upcoming budgets, local leaders say they are not going to lay off rank-and-file police officers and firefighters because they're essential.

Instead, they plan to cut into many of the reasons residents moved to the state: quality-of-life programs.

Some, like union leader Charles Clark, wonder if the reduced services are what taxpayers had in mind when they demanded slimmer budgets.

"I understand the shout to reduce taxes, but I also don't think most people consider the costs," said Clark, head of the local Service Employees International Union that represents about 6,000 government employees in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. "Once you get accustomed to clean beaches and people picking up your garbage a number of days, well, I don't think they want that to go away. And they'll feel the (negative) effects at their doorsteps and around their cities."

Others also say the ripple effect could be worse.

Stephen Holland, a University of Florida associate professor of park planning and coastal recreation, said recreation centers get teens in touch with strong mentors and take them off the streets. Parks enhance the value of nearby property, and cultural arts programs bring families closer.

In addition, he said, some companies make relocation decisions based on a community's quality of life.

"All of those - the parks the arts, the libraries - they create a sense of place and a sense of pride and an opportunity for people to engage themselves and show off their communities to their visitors," he said. "And that benefits your city or county."

Still, others say local leaders have long overspent and they could keep the quality-of-life services if they would cut elsewhere.

David McKalip, a St. Petersburg doctor who started the citizens group Cut Taxes Now, said governments need to slash employee health care benefits and change retirement plans. They also need to cut back on "corporate welfare" programs, like some funding for Tropicana Field and "failed social programs, like throwing money at the homeless for initiatives that will never work."

"People are hurting, and people are already moving away," McKalip said. "And people see the well connected and the politicians and their friends doing well."

Joe Little, a law professor at the University of Florida who specializes in local government, said communities could experience "a real change in the aesthetic quality," but said officials could also find new ways to pay for these programs.

"If you were in Florida 30 years ago and you compare it to now, you'd see a real difference - it's more pleasant, attractive and desirable," Little said. "So maybe this could be a different direction we move in, or maybe it won't be that severe after all."

Staff writers Will Van Sant, Aaron Sharockman, Janet Zink, Bill Varian, John Frank and David DeCamp contributed to this report.

[Last modified July 17, 2007, 06:49:40]