Caution light on projects

"If we build it, can they staff it?" Mayor Pam Iorio asks of rec centers and firehouses.

By BILL COATS, Times Staff Writer
Published October 11, 2007

NEW TAMPA - State-imposed property tax rollbacks have left Tampa unable to operate future city facilities, even though it could afford to build them, Mayor Pam Iorio said Wednesday.

"We have the money to build two new fire stations in New Tampa," said Iorio, speaking at a luncheon of the Kiwanis Club of New Tampa. But the city might not have the $4-million a year necessary to staff the two stations, the mayor said.

The city's staff has been looking for sites.

"I don't even want to give the green light to build these fire stations because I don't know what the future holds," Iorio said later.

The imbalance comes because of cuts imposed by the Florida Legislature this year on property taxes, the wellspring of local government operating revenues.

The changes didn't affect sales taxes, which provide a primary source of money for state government. Florida law lets local governments levy sales taxes, too, but generally only for construction projects.

"That's the dilemma I think that local governments have," Iorio told the New Tampa group. "If we build it, can they staff it?"

She said such questions have prompted the city to explore partnerships with groups such as the YMCA and the Boys & Girls Clubs to operate future recreation facilities that the city would build.

Iorio said that was a possibility for a $3-million recreation center being planned in Sulphur Springs.

At the city's current center in Sulphur Springs, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay conducts a package of children's programs, said Roy Opfer, president of the agency. Similar arrangements are in effect with recreation centers in Town 'N Country, Palm River and Plant City, he said.

Opfer praised the concept of his agency operating city recreation facilities, saying it would allow Boys & Girls Clubs to devote donors' dollars to programs instead of spending them on new facilities.

"We've had discussions with a number of partners, including the United Way, about these concepts," Opfer said.

Karen Palus, Tampa's parks and recreation director, said many cities and counties are exploring such partnerships.

"We're asking how do we get some other folks to come in and provide assistance through programming and potential operating dollars," she said.

Bill Coats can be reached at 813 269-5309 or coats@sptimes.com.

[Last modified October 11, 2007, 00:54:39]