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Politics

Skinnier budget gets preliminary approval

The spending plan reflects the property tax cuts mandated by the Legislature this year.

By ELENA LESLEY, Times Staff Writer
Published September 1, 2007

TARPON SPRINGS - City commissioners on Thursday evening tentatively approved a trimmed budget and lowered tax rate for the coming year.

As mandated by the state Legislature, the city cut 5 percent from its tax rollback rate, bringing the millage rate for 2007 to 4.3089, said finance director Arie Walker. She said that was a 10 percent decrease from the 2006 millage rate of 4.7957.

Each mill equals $1 for every $1,000 in taxable assessed value.

The commission plans to hold a second hearing before approving the budget later this month.

While many local governments are facing budget woes as a result of the state's property tax cuts, Tarpon officials said they were able to balance the coming year's budget by freezing unfilled staff positions and drawing from unspent revenue.

Commissioners made few proposed amendments to the budget Thursday.

Commissioner Peter Dalacos suggested the city use money budgeted for one of four new police cars to help construct a performance pavilion on Sunset Beach. The idea was shot down by other commissioners.

"We're all in favor of an entertainment shelter," said Mayor Beverley Billiris, "but I could not condone taking a police car off the street."

In a less controversial proposal, commissioners voted to take $150,000 budgeted for the expansion of Disston Avenue and put it toward extension of Meres Boulevard. The city eventually plans to extend Meres Boulevard east to U.S. Highway 19.

Commissioner Robin Saenger said the Disston project probably wouldn't begin in the near future.

Elena Lesley can be reached at 727 445-4167 or elesley@sptimes.com.

[Last modified August 31, 2007, 22:32:00]