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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]
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by L.H.
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03/11/08 09:08 PM
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Beach businesses are dropping like flies... in season! Botched redevelopment, 1200 lost rooms, no parking, no marketing to support tourism, TERRIBLE project planning, total disruption of commerce, and an arrogant attitude to boot. Thanks Bill Horne!
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by Tom
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03/11/08 07:13 PM
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I am concerned where we will have to cut services. But before you condem Mr.Horn, remember the Harborview Center, Round-About, MSB complex, and the decision to build a monster of a library. Mr. Horn wasn't at the helm. Politicans's write the checks.
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by Leo
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03/11/08 04:45 PM
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Bill Horne was part of the administration that nearly put MacDill AFB out of business. Now he's doing the same thing to Clearwater. Meanwhile, MacDill is booming. Horne just doesn't have the skills to run a non-military operation, it's obvious.
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by sk
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03/11/08 02:27 PM
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Who ever heard of so many libraries? Now, most people do research online. One or Two libraries would be satisfactory.
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by Buster
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03/11/08 01:58 PM
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Cutting $9.2mil of a $121mil budget isn't hard for the private sector and wouldn't be hard if Clearwater had a city manager with a private sector background instead of a military one. High time to change city managers in Clearwater.
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by DAVID
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03/11/08 10:47 AM
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City Mismanager Horne should add up all the Taxpayers $$ HE HAS WASTED over the last 8 yrs. Law suites, legal bills to private firms, a walkway under the bridge that he forgot about that needs repair. His $7,200 a yr car allowance and double dipping?
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by JM
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03/11/08 06:01 AM
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Instead of a new baseball stadium let's use the money so we don't have to make all the cut backs.And i think all politicians should take a cut in pay. What do they need a cost of living increase every year for.They sure don't earn it.
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