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Letter to the editor

How to slash $9.2-million

Not even police and fire are immune as Clearwater's budget takes a double whammy.

By Mike Donila, Times Staff Writer
Published March 11, 2008

CLEARWATER - City Manager Bill Horne has told his department heads to shave $9.2-million from next year's budget.

So the city is looking at a hiring freeze and tightening its take-home car policy. And all departments will have to cut travel, training and periodical subscriptions by 20 percent.

The city even expects layoffs - though not of police officers or firefighters - and some employees probably won't get a raise next year.

The $9.2-million represents about how much Clearwater officials anticipate losing next year because of Amendment 1 and the expectation that taxable property values will fall 15 percent this year.

Here's a snapshot of some suggested cuts and the areas that are off limits - at least for now. Five departments make up 74 percent of the city's $123.2-million general fund.

Fast facts: 

Police

Budget: $37-million

Reduction target:$2-million

Do: Reduce overtime by $500,000. Don't: Cut about $100,000 for a homeless shelter.

Fire

Budget: $21-million

Reduction target: $775,000

Do: Reduce overtime by $500,000.

Library

Budget: $6.5-million

Reduction target: $670,000

Do: Evaluate whether to close some branches.

Parks and Recreation

Budget: $22-million

Reduction target: $2.3-million

Do: Cut special events costs. Evaluate whether to close recreation centers and pools. Don't:Reduce the maintenance at the beach or downtown.

Development & Neighborhood Services

Budget:$4.3-million

Reduction target:$200,000

Do: Outsource some functions. Adjust building staff levels to match reduced permit revenue.

[Last modified March 11, 2008, 01:19:30]